I agree with this. Even though it is online there are still social norms on the closely knit forums (like the cellar) and even more on smaller forums and ones with a low average age (15 or so). It starts to almost become cultish on some of them.

IMHO, UT, the mode of communication really hasn't altered group dynamics. We're still a clan of neanderthals, vying for Alpha status. Instead of physical fighting, we use words. When that doesn't work, either because we don't express information well or the receiver doesn't agree with our position, we take out our verbal clubs and beat each other with them. You'd think there'd be something between agreement and a dirty finger in the eye. Some people in this cafe manage it - but to many of us are Lumberjims, deep down inside, and it doesn't take much for him to rear his ugly head and start poking.:p

The above does not apply to the writer. :cool:

I look at it as an opportunity to touch more lives than I would outside this podunk town. :)

No matter the medium, our real selves shine through: the good and the bad, the surly and the sweet. Maybe the lack of repercussions does have some bearing; I would certainly not debate a coworker about abortion and tell them "when men stop recreational f***ing so will women" but at the same time isn't it wonderful to have a venue where you can say things like that? And I don't know about lack of repercussions anyway. The times I have been called out, *sometimes* :) deservedly so, did not sting any less than if someone had slapped me upside the head.

If anything, I think I have honed some communication skills, and learned a lot more about my reactivity than I would have in the small world in which I live.

Most of the comments I get on YT are positive or at least constructive.

Yeah, you got the pleasure (mostly from earning their respect I am guessing from reading the comments) of having people of a greater maturity age than 14. You did something extremely brave and most people that watched your videos greatly respect you and what you did, and honestly, I don't know how many people are going to call you "emo" either since your appearance can be very intimidating when you look pissed off. You broke a lot of stupid stereotypes with those videos.

Go to a Green Day or any borderline "emo" band video and read, that is usually the funny (in a sad way) ones. Most political topics are pretty funny (in a sad way) as well.

You watching my vids meant a lot to me, thanks.

Funny, I am usually very surprised at how Cellerites respond to my posts. It never ceases to amaze me at how much importance people put on their emotions.

Possibly, That or anyone with differing ideas gets attacked by a couple idiots, ridiculed by others until they leave - leaving mostly a group who all think similarly about most things. I thought the cellar was different - I know it used to be. Now it seems every thread gets reduced to a joke, or lolcatz or a pissing match. I for one am tired of it yet it seems that is what is "wanted" for lack of a better term. I was as much to blame as anyone else, I admit that. Now, I'm just tired of it.

I think that's a little unfair, Yesman. The debate on abortion for instance raged full on, with people very seriously arguing a very serious issue, for a pretty long time. Eventually people get sick of going around the houses and a thread either dies a natural death or dissolves into petty squabbling. But the debate whilst it raged was a good one.

Thats true for that thread - maybe it's me, maybe not - probably is. Maybe I'm just having a shitty day - I said my peace. Perhaps I'm looking for something different or have unrealistic expectations - I dunno - Shawnee even made some good points here that got ignored. I guess thats just the way it is - I certainly have no answers.

I never read youtube comments. I read the news and the cellar.
Am I missing anything in the middle of those two extremes?
Somehow I think not.

Not much of the youtube commentary would fall between the Cellar and the news.

I lurked for quite some time on the cellar, long enough to forget where I originally found it, and I finally joined. I've just joined less than a few weeks ago, but I've already got people that I agree with on many subjects, others that disagree with me on most, and there have been the occasional dick-swingings (of which I've played a bit of a part in :o) but I think this place is much like just about every other forum in it's little hierarchies (although a little more general and less asinine). I know I never expected to be called girls names, and never expected such a wide variety of people, but I don't think anyone's got hurt feelings about anything that's been said, or truly wished any ill will.

That's my n00b two cents.

The Cellar ebbs and flows, ebbs and flows.