h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

...to be able to discuss things with people who *do* know exactly how you feel and that have a lot of helpful suggestions...

Isn't it oddly comforting associating with like minded people?

Could it possibly be too comforting?

In fact, wouldn't you actually miss some useful points that might have been made by differently minded people?

I usually find out that I forget that there are differently minded people out there. Getting back there is a bit tough then.
Also I think that I need some confrontation every now and then, just to be attached to the reality (or whatever seems to be the reality at that point of time and space).
But yes, like-minded people are comforting. And comfortable.

Mmm ... I kinda know the feeling. Of course, I'm rarely around people who entirely disagree on that sort of thing ...

That said, I probably should run into people who disagree with me more often, for pretty much the reasons stated above.

Yes, like-minded people are comfortingthat's why I love this place so much,
Could it possibly be too comforting? I don't think so, there's enough of an eclectic mix around hootoo for me to get varying opinions.

Some people in my RL think all I do here is talk with other sci-fi fans about Douglas Adams novels.

One can be lulled into a false sense of camaraderie with all mankind after spending time in a virtual place like this. It's a terrible shock when someone you think you are making friends with and finding common ground suddenly comes out with a flat earth sort of opinion. But my reaction is probably a terrible shock to them as well...

Like mindedness can be comforting, but it's in discomfort that we grow and learn. I'd dare say that I am anything but like minded with the majority of people on the guide, but I still enjoy the conversations in which I participate. If you don't get opposing opinions it's difficult to defend your side when not in a group of like minded people.

OK, I'll be quite frank with you all - this journal was triggered by a posting I made in an online Swedish forum for depressed people.

I felt so very safe making that posting, knowing people would chime in, saying they knew how I felt, saying they had experienced the very same thing.

But, while it might be comforting at first, it doesn't actually lead to anything, does it? It doesn't develop, it doesn't progress and, most importantly of all, people will even refrain from arguing against it.

At least in the forum where I posted...

So on one hand, I have access to this forum where anything I post will be approached in an understanding and forgiving kind of way.

And on the other hand, I have h2g2, where people will be no less understanding, but also possibly a bit more questioning and argumentative...

What it boils down to, in my case, is how much do I want to share with all and sundry (as in the case with h2g2) compared with the very limited number of members on the other forum?

i see

and i understand

at least i believe i understand


these postings made me remember a schocking revelation i had years ago, when i suddenly realized that a guy, who i thought i completely agreed with, turned out to be totally and utterly unagreeable with (at least on one very important subject)

oh well

I think it's useful to have both types of fora.
The unchallenging but empathetic forum for when one needs to know that one isn't alone in what one's experiencing - and the other forum, where equal amounts of sympathy and understanding can be found, but where other thoughts and ideas are brought to the table.

Sheer escapism, with a bit of socialising, is a very good thing.

I hope you're feeling good these days, Ti. Personally, I'm bracing myself for the long winter nights and dreich days.
Still - only about three weeks until the days begin to lengthen again

what it all comes down to is a question of balance - just like everything else

i'm sure i would not enjoy summer so much if it wasn't for the winter

and the only reason to accept is and

I think that the best of both worlds is to have a place where you can feel comfortable saying exactly what you feel and believe, while also branching out into unfamiliar, possibly hostile territory -- knowing the whole time that you've got the safe place to go back to. On the internet, H2G2 is my "safe place." I feel good here because even the people who disagree with me on things are genuinely intelligent, thoughtful, kind human beings. Outside of here there are only flamewars. But those have their place in the universe, too.

i heard a theory years ago about us all leaving our nationalities, religions and races behind and form new 'nations' on the internet

seems that prediction has more or less come true

*five years from now*

[Politician]: "And I believe that it's time we took a stand against this illegal immigration into Hootoo from Fark!"

send the marines!

Is it a relief? Then maybe I should join... I am quite low today.

QN

Speaking of relief - you know, the 'depressed forum' IRC channel is the *only* chat channel I'm connected to where people will immediately, as soon as they see I'm online, greet me and ask how I am.

And yes, I'm hopeless like that, expecting people to jump to my attention whenever I'm online... - it does help that the 'depressed' ones are in my very own time zone and not busy with stupid things like work or anything...