why do people post threads on virtual forums?

how exactly did internet forums become so popular? Some would say porn but not all forums allow it, gb doesnt and yet thousands of people come here every day, how the fuck were sites like 4chan created and get so broadly influent across the web?

A wizard did it.

People got bored.

Physical interaction became overrated?]

Because baby chicken avatars never get old.

"A wizard did it."

"Physical interaction became overrated?]"

Mostly unbiased communication not hindered by social norms, many people of similar interests gathering in one place,  the attractiveness of gimmicks such as (animated) images and the charm of anonymity.

I dont know, but years ago I would stumble across an old forum thread on a random website and go WTF how and when did this happen. Now it just seems natural.

cause.

"Mostly unbiased communication not hindered by social norms, many people of similar interests gathering in one place,  the attractiveness of gimmicks such as (animated) images and the charm of anonymity."

"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_internet"

"cause. "

"Bellum said:

"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_internet"

pointless, I know the tale and I know it too well, I'll make you wish you had a soul to sell when I strike you down and send you straight to hell, my army comes from deep within, beneath my soul beneath my skin, 'cause you're ending im about to beging my strenght -HIS BANE- and I will never give in"

It is interesting from a psychological perspective. A person can shape and refine a certain persona, even creating lies to make themselves look better and in the process feel better about themselves. Facial expressions and other non verbal communication cues are essential to social interaction, yet they are not used on internet forums.

"It is interesting from a psychological perspective. A person can shape and refine a certain persona, even creating lies to make themselves look better and in the process feel better about themselves. Facial expressions and other non verbal communication cues are essential to social interaction, yet they are not used on internet forums.

More than you cared to know, but interesting to me, none the less.

"

Just because. Why do people play video games?...

It's just another form of social interaction. And social interaction is something that is natural for humans. It gives people a way to share thoughts an views.

Because we haven't got a life.

sO THAT you can get loads and loads of different views on a subject without ever leaving your desk.

Plus I come here to meet woman.

A forum is a forum. This is not a virtual forum... this is a forum.

The internet makes it easy for a much larger collection of ideas to be in one place.

"A forum is a forum. This is not a virtual forum... this is a forum.The internet makes it easy for a much larger collection of ideas to be in one place."

• Forum (Roman), open public space in the middle of a Roman city
• Roman Forum, most famous example of a Forum (Roman)
• Forum (legal), designated space for public expression in the USA
• Internet forum, discussion board on the Internet

It's a substitute for interaction without any of the face-to-face risks of rejection.  People are able to reconstruct their identities as they would like there true selves to be perceived, free of the flaws they attribute to their appearance or social status.  Additionally, these "new selves" are disposable.  Identities can be numerous and distinct from each other.  It is reasonable to believe that someone could build a "troll" reputation under one screen name and a reasoned, well-informed online personality under another.  The complexities of our true selves can be explored through this type forum communication (or other forms of online interaction) without the repercussions often encountered in reality.  Communities set up boundaries which limit individual freedom but for the sake of the success of the group.  Online, those borders are more easily dismissed and the people who flout the rules harder to correct.  In a sense, true liberty only exists when a person is completely free to act as their desires dictate.  Forum communication is just one conduit to this perfect identity.

Well my reason is just because sometimes I want to converse with like-minded people about video games and certain topics. I can't always do that with the kind of people I know. So it's just a way to express your opinion and have discourses about the most important of subjects or the most pointless. Either way it's fun and interesting.

"Sabata said:

"A wizard did it."

Burn Him "

Something about anonymous interaction appeals to people.  A psychologist would probably have some interesting theories.  There's probably several factors to it.  Some people enjoy griefing, trolling, etc probably for the same reasons a bully picks on vulnerable peers.  Others use forums for information and pure communication purposes.  Some visit for entertainment.  And so on...   As said already, it's just another form of social interaction.  However, I do believe being anonymous (for the most part) is what makes it appealing to people.

The Romans had public forums of debate where men discussed topics of worth. In fact, it was placed in such high regard, they were taught skills of oratory in school. Every citizen could do it and everyone listened. It filtered up through all their systems, most notably to their senate. Well, this was before the reintroduction of Emperors. They stopped this form of free speech pretty quickly, they didn't take kindly to public discussion about their worthiness as leaders. Rebellion and all that jazz.

My point is, that forums have always been around in one way or another. My guess as to why forums have survived is that everyone loves a good moan about something or other. The digital age has replaced the marble pillars with shining computer screens. Just enjoy it.

I had this discussion with my brother yesterday.

I do it because I rarely come across anybody who has strong opinions about the videogame medium. Web forums are a place where game enthusiasts can share their thoughts and opinions, even better, we all come from different demographics and walks of life. I think this makes the conversation diverse and the posters in the forum interesting.

I get a kick out of what people think. Everybody's a wierdo (everyone who plays games anyways) so it's always good fun.

"Alexander said:

"A forum is a forum. This is not a virtual forum... this is a forum.The internet makes it easy for a much larger collection of ideas to be in one place."

Uh, no, this could count as a virtual forum.

• Forum (Roman), open public space in the middle of a Roman city
• Roman Forum, most famous example of a Forum (Roman)
• Forum (legal), designated space for public expression in the USA
• Internet forum, discussion board on the Internet

Lol wikipedia. Anyway, since this is a gathering place for voicing opinions that doesn't actually have a physical manifestation, except perhaps for the physical space taken up by the server, I reckon it counts as virtual.Someone will probably prove me wrong now but it's too late PEDANTMOBILE AWAY!"

I made a thread a while back dropped the bomb on the whole internet forums phenomenon!

Just don't ask Dennis Dyack about this, lest we forget his epic dissertation at PAX poolside 2007.

It is a easy way to get a lot of opinions on a topic without actually having to talk to people. This is why forums got so popular.

"TheOldOrder said:

"Sabata said:

"A wizard did it."

Burn Him "

no no no, a wizard, not a witch."

"William said:

"TheOldOrder said:

"Sabata said:

"A wizard did it."

Burn Him "

no no no, a wizard, not a witch."

Male chauvinist"

Interaction and discussion with other people. Mostly because it was mindless technology that was spawned during the internet's creation, though.