Comments on: The Fortune and Folly of Forums

By: Ron Dawson

Ron Dawson — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 17:21:36 +0000

thanks guys for your comments and tips. Very insightful.

Oh, and thanks also Deej for the compliment on the video. Props really go to my partner Anton. He directed and edited it.

By: DJ

DJ — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 09:02:05 +0000

Just watched your Bob Davis video – absolutely stellar stuff man! wow! Loved it!

By: Bob & Dawn Davis

Bob & Dawn Davis — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 14:26:53 +0000

I wholeheartedly couldn’t agree with you more. And I’ll go a step further to say, that if everyone could successfully practice this while they are blogging, writing in forums, etc… imagine how much nicer the world would be if we could all successfully practice this in our daily lives. If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it at all. I know we live in a country of free speech… I’m just saying chose your words wisely. Okay… just my opinion! ~ Dawn

By: Stacie Tamaki

Stacie Tamaki — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 05:15:39 +0000

Fabulous advice!

As a member of a social forum I have to agree with every suggestion.

I have a few tips I can share.

1. I’ve found when things get heated in a thread, posting an on topic, productive comment can help get things back on track. If enough people post around the drama, instead of participating in it, things will usually settle down more quickly.

2. Assume good faith. Before getting upset with something that feels like an insult or jab, sit back, take a breath, re-read it and see if by chance it could have been meant differently then how it first came off. If it could have been meant benignly go with that assumption unless given a reason not to in a following post.

3. It often amazes me how someone can make a pointed comment at another poster and 5 people all think it was directed at them. Again, before reacting, sit back, re-read, and if you really feel it was meant for you, send a private message and ask “Was your last comment directed at me?” before responding as if it was. Nine time out of ten they’ll probably say it wasn’t. Instead I see people come back on the defensive, blast the OP only to have them come back in the thread and say “I wasn’t talking about/to you.”

Thanks for this great post!