Strange questions that sometimes need answering (or not asking in the first place really).

[Matt N]

I think it shows just how much the internet has changed over the years. Back in the early days, everything had a forum. Them came along social media. Why be apart of forums on separate website when you can like a page and continue the discussion on there in one happy place. Well, I say discussing. I mean more of an argument. Discussions on the internet now are like the conversations on Beavis and Butthead.

"This thing rules."
"Well I think it sucks."

Only not as polite.

I think it's a sad thing that the numbers have dwindled. I am actually shocked that T*****T***S has binned it forum off. My experience is the same as alot on here, reading that forum made me realise that there is a community out there. Not only that, it didn't need to be a all in experience. It was a way to get into it slowly and at your own speed. I never contributed till TOWERSSTEET® became live. With Nerd, almanac and times. I saw things and read conversation about the Towers that I never thought I would see.

I mean once every so often the coaster club if Britain got on the Tele. They are looked a bit weird and seemed to to wearing bad coats.

Perhaps controversially, I actually think the rise of social media has made the overall quality of discussion on forums better.

That might seem like an odd thing to say, but my memory of when forums were busier is that while discussions were more active and busier, there were also a lot more trolls and people who wanted to cause trouble and not constructively contribute.

Now, many of those folks have migrated to social media, leaving folk who want to have intelligent discussions on forums.

 

[Slugjc]

Well that really helps my self doubt over a 24 year career, and imposter syndrome. Thanks.

Ya welcome.

The only issue with Lucas and green screen is most the prequel trilogy now, looks like it was done on a ps2.

Don't get too down.

 

[Matt N]

I have a strange question of my own today: why is it that many folks on Reddit seem to censor innocuous words that I would not consider to be even vaguely close to swear words?

Now I’m not saying that there’s no need to censor language at all. On a publicly readable social media site, I have no problem with people censoring swear words and such.

But I’ve read people on there censoring relatively tame words before. Things even I wouldn’t flinch about saying uncensored on here (even post-OSA). As an example, I saw someone censor out the word “overwhelmed” on Reddit once (they spelt it out as o********ed), and I saw someone censor out the word “selfish” as well (spelt out as s***ish). There are other examples I can think of as well.

Why do relatively tame words like these need censoring? Am I missing something here?

For clarity, I also single out Reddit specifically because it’s the only place I’ve ever seen it.

 

[DiogoJ42]

It's called Newspeak. Anyone who doesn't comply will be "unalived".

 

[Alix]

People on Reddit are mainly weird. I wouldn't take too much notice of anything you see on there tbh unless it's a cute cat doing silly cat things

 

[Alsty]

I have a strange question of my own today: why is it that many folks on Reddit seem to censor innocuous words that I would not consider to be even vaguely close to swear words?

I've noticed this on Facebook too, including in images. Words such as "death", "drugs" etc being censored. I think it's because these platforms use technology to scan for words, and certain terms cause the post to have a reduced audience or be demonetised.

 

[Slugjc]

Perhaps controversially, I actually think the rise of social media has made the overall quality of discussion on forums better.

That might seem like an odd thing to say, but my memory of when forums were busier is that while discussions were more active and busier, there were also a lot more trolls and people who wanted to cause trouble and not constructively contribute.

Now, many of those folks have migrated to social media, leaving folk who want to have intelligent discussions on forums.

The trolls have certainly stuck to social now.

I agree the conversation has improved. But the sense of community can go. I'm sure there are friendships and relationships that have been formed using these forums. Be bad if that went.

I am hoping to get to go a meet next year.