If you don't have something good to say...

Freebase Dali · 03-04-2013, 05:58 PM

I wanted to bring something up with you guys that I'd like some opinion on.
Basically, when I come across threads that ask opinions about a certain band or artist, I don't have any reservations about stating an opinion, regardless of whether it's positive or negative.
However, in threads that are basically ABOUT a band or artist, I usually just don't say anything if I have a problem with them, regardless of whether my input may be well thought out or not.

The issue I have is there are often far less opportunities to provide a real opinion about bands or artists if one follows this strategy. I don't mean that I feel as though I don't have the opportunity to complain as much as I'd like to, but I'm very often filled with reasonable perspectives about bands that happen to run counter to the general consensus in those threads, but I feel like it wouldn't be taken well to voice them.

In a way, I feel like the only place people really don't mind it is if it's in a band that everyone collectively dislikes, in which case I wouldn't really be inclined to post in it, because what could I say that hasn't already been said?
So then I end up feeling like rather than stirring people up and causing conniptions in the more sacred-cow threads of common opinion and circle-jerking (where applicable), I'll usually just say nothing.

While most may think it's probably just easier to do that, I always walk away from a thread feeling like I'm basically not allowed to post there if I don't like it. I mean, I understand the point of not saying anything if it's not contributing, but I'm not talking about posting things like "I don't like them". I'm talking about offering up a thought-out, reasonable post that explains an opposing opinion and the reasoning behind it.

However, I get the feeling that even that would be basically perceived as an all-out assault on the unquestionably superior tastes of those by which such opinions did chafe.

Should I be censoring myself, and if so, to what degree?
I like expressing an opinion, but it gets too cumbersome if the cost of such a thing is defending it against an entire collection of people that cannot deal with someone not thinking like them, and or feeling as though opposing opinions are the equivalent of a challenge to their personal taste.

What are your thoughts on this?

**Goofle** · 03-04-2013, 06:06 PM

You think too much about nothing.

Face · 03-04-2013, 06:08 PM

I like turtles.

PoorOldPo · 03-04-2013, 06:15 PM

So You don't the feeling of restriction you get when you look through a thread devoted to a band you do not like, but that the OP poster does like?

Freebase Dali · 03-04-2013, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goofle11

You think too much about nothing.

Please explain.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Face

I like turtles.

Please have a look at our rules.

Freebase Dali · 03-04-2013, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PoorOldPo

So You don't the feeling of restriction you get when you look through a thread devoted to a band you do not like, but that the OP poster does like?

That's not what I was implying.
I'm simply asking if I should preclude personal opinions about a topic based on it being largely supported by members, as to not raise a stink. I'm asking if people think that's enough justification to censor yourself.

**Goofle** · 03-04-2013, 06:21 PM

No its obviously not. Say what you want.

PoorOldPo · 03-04-2013, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freebase Dali

That's not what I was implying.
I'm simply asking if I should preclude personal opinions about a topic based on it being largely supported by members, as to not raise a stink. I'm asking if people think that's enough justification to censor yourself.

I often think about this as well. And I have been raped by fan girls before for saying the wrong thing. So yes, I agree with you. I personally think that as long as the comment doesn't come across as aggressive, its grand. Some people's egos are going to be hurt regardless, so just let the words flow I saw.

FRED HALE SR. · 03-04-2013, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freebase Dali

That's not what I was implying.
I'm simply asking if I should preclude personal opinions about a topic based on it being largely supported by members, as to not raise a stink. I'm asking if people think that's enough justification to censor yourself.

I can feel where you're coming from. I often feel bad for forging an opinion on something better left unsaid.

Face · 03-04-2013, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freebase Dali

Please have a look at our rules.

If you want to express your opinion, do so. If not, don't. My opinion is that this is hardly worth discussing and is a non-issue and in this instance I feel like expressing it. Sometimes I won't. It's not too complicated.

Also, it provides you with an example of how not saying something good affects the thread to aid you in helping make your future posting decisions.

Another opinion I feel like expressing is that I like turtles. They have shells and everything.

03-04-2013, 05:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
Freebase Dali Partying on the inside Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 5,584	If you don't have something good to say... I wanted to bring something up with you guys that I'd like some opinion on. Basically, when I come across threads that ask opinions about a certain band or artist, I don't have any reservations about stating an opinion, regardless of whether it's positive or negative. However, in threads that are basically ABOUT a band or artist, I usually just don't say anything if I have a problem with them, regardless of whether my input may be well thought out or not. The issue I have is there are often far less opportunities to provide a real opinion about bands or artists if one follows this strategy. I don't mean that I feel as though I don't have the opportunity to complain as much as I'd like to, but I'm very often filled with reasonable perspectives about bands that happen to run counter to the general consensus in those threads, but I feel like it wouldn't be taken well to voice them. In a way, I feel like the only place people really don't mind it is if it's in a band that everyone collectively dislikes, in which case I wouldn't really be inclined to post in it, because what could I say that hasn't already been said? So then I end up feeling like rather than stirring people up and causing conniptions in the more sacred-cow threads of common opinion and circle-jerking (where applicable), I'll usually just say nothing. While most may think it's probably just easier to do that, I always walk away from a thread feeling like I'm basically not allowed to post there if I don't like it. I mean, I understand the point of not saying anything if it's not contributing, but I'm not talking about posting things like "I don't like them". I'm talking about offering up a thought-out, reasonable post that explains an opposing opinion and the reasoning behind it. However, I get the feeling that even that would be basically perceived as an all-out assault on the unquestionably superior tastes of those by which such opinions did chafe. Should I be censoring myself, and if so, to what degree? I like expressing an opinion, but it gets too cumbersome if the cost of such a thing is defending it against an entire collection of people that cannot deal with someone not thinking like them, and or feeling as though opposing opinions are the equivalent of a challenge to their personal taste. What are your thoughts on this? __________________

03-04-2013, 06:15 PM	#4 (permalink)
PoorOldPo Blue Pill Oww Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Luimneach, Eire Posts: 1,107	So You don't the feeling of restriction you get when you look through a thread devoted to a band you do not like, but that the OP poster does like? __________________ https://www.instagram.com/hennas.lullaby/

03-04-2013, 06:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
Face Music Addict Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: UK Posts: 306	I like turtles.