Online judgementalism

by logansrun 48 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  Mulan

  We had a few conversations along this line, at the Freedom Fest last weekend. We all agreed that there are many different types of people, who come out of the JW's. Many of us are like my husband and myself, who were lifelong JW's (some not their entire lives, but a long time) and were very involved JW's, either elders, MS, pioneers, Bethelites, etc. Or just real True Believers. We seem to all be very similar in our lives after leaving the JW's. The mistake we've made is in assuming that everyone is probably like us.

  We haven't thought that for a long time, but at first we were possibly too trusting and too open.

  Your comments are well written. Thanks.
• 

  onacruse

  Brad, excellent observations! Right on, my good fellow, right on.

  And, if I might add, I think people that only post one emoticon in reply are downright despicable.

  Craig

  edit to add: I also think that people who can't spell "judgmentalism" are despicable. LOLOL
• 

  logansrun

  LOL @ onacruse!

  B.
• 

  Aztec

  Onacruse, you suck!

  ~Aztec
• 

  Gopher

  Onacruse,

  I think people who correct their formatting within 3 minutes of posting are very, very devious.

  Edited to add an extra adverb.
• 

  iiz2cool

  Bradley, you're absolutely right that you can't REALLY get to know a person well online. We shouldn't judge people solely by what we see online, whether for good or for bad. I met someone on a discussion board, which led to many emails, chats, and phone calls. When we finally met in person, the reality was FAR different from the online persona, but in a very negative way.

  I'm sure that's not the case with most people though.

  Walter
• 

  shamus

  I wanted to make a comment on this thread...

  First of all, my throat has caulouses from inserting my foot in my mouth... seriously. I can piss off the pope sometimes!

  Have I called someone a troll? Oh hell yeah. In hindsight, I was an ass. It's not something that I'm proud of... believe me. Calling someone a troll who is not is just plain stupid. Yes, I need to really be patient and stop judging so much. I totally agree, Brad. Lots of what you say sounds like me.

  I have pissed people off here lots. Just recently, I made an accusation against someone. I won't say who, b/c it's just not worth it to bring up a flame war. Wheras what I said in my thread was generally true, I came across as a pompus ass and even INSULTED this person, inferring that the person was "ghetto".

  It still bothers me.

  My advice? When you want to vent, just do that and give people the benefit of the doubt. Shut up and keep your business to yourself. It's not worth the emotional hurt that you are causing to the person... guilt is 1/10 of what that person feels. And to that person who I insulted I am very sorry.

  Brian.
• 

  flower

  Ya cant judge a book by its cover..

  I never do.
• 

  rocketman

  One thing that helps is to take things out of the realm of the two-dimensional by a phone call, or maybe good old snail-mail, if a face-to-face get together is not possible or practical. I think that if people got to know eachother by means other than just posting, there'd be a lot less judging and flaming going on.

  The other thing to do, short of that, is just keep reminding yourself that we are seeing a very, very small aspect of each member's overall personality by just reading their posts.

  Aztec, you crack me up girl!
• 

  logansrun

  Shamus, Ah, we all make silly verbal errors! Except me, of course (LOL). I wasn't referring to your use of the word "troll" btw. B.