I don't WANT a Soap-box, thank you.

from JoeUser Forums
I've had a look at some of the other blogs on JoeUser, and I'm impressed. You people talk in a way I can barely grasp, about things I won't care about until actual maturity hits me and I buy my first washing-up bowl, or I get beaten up badly or something (I haven't yet, but give it time). I feel kind of small, intellectually, and I am doing well at school. At least, I hope I am.

But sometimes, I come across a blog that does make an outrageous statement, or comments on a controversial issue, and the article is swimming in comments and arguments - some logical and well-thought out, some not. And I sit there and think "Why all the fuss?" because either I don't care enough, or it's not put up front how it will affect me. Most of the time, it won't, because it's another Obama-bashing article or something.

But hen you look at the featured articles and most commented articles, and you notice the controversial ones, and the ones that make your blood boil, are at the top. And there's lots of those.

Why? I use my blog as a kind of infrequent diary, I guess, and I don't see the point of all these arguments and so on. My most controversial piece of work is only because it's a rambling p.o.s., not because it denounces abortion or something. Does everyone feel the need to shout their opinions over one another?

I will admit that I'm 15, I'm stupid, and I have no life, but I don't want to get on my soapbox and never get off of it. It doesn't help that blogs are usually public things, but if it were private, no-one would read it.

Chill out, everyone. Go stroke a kitten. Don't help an old lady across the road, though, or someone will moan about you. They'll find a way.
2,102 views 1 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Commenting on contraversial subjects gives you the opportunity to have a discussion with a built in lag time to think carefully about what you want to say, instead of a full blown argument with veins bulging, red face glowing, and fists tight as a duck's butt.  It develops the talent of forming what you want to say in such a way as to be clear, pointed, and unemotional. A talent that will bleed over into your "real world" life to your advantage.  Of course, not EVERYONE on JU has learned this lesson...hence the vitriolic shrieking you find on some subjects. 

15?  This experience, if utilized wisely, could be a valuable to you as more than half the crap you will learn in public schools and most colleges. 

Don't be afraid to jump in and test the waters, don't fear getting flamed if you say something that fires someone's ire, get involved and learn the art.  Maybe, in time, some of the importance of the subjects that cause the most angst will penetrate your indifference and you could actually learn something.