<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR>Sorry culture of insults and skewed arguments on Net forums
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->I HAVE been disappointed with many Singapore online forums where comments are invited from anyone.
Many netizens use these avenues to denigrate others or simply make some incoherent points. Few use the online forums to make a case or present cogent arguments about various topics. How does one convince or persuade on the Internet? How does one use these online forums to share convictions, passions and beliefs?
Some express their views passionately, others may highlight the experience in written form. Still others may just tell family members and friends. Today, we can tell more people via the Internet.
Why do we tell other people about our belief or make an effort to give an opinion about a hot subject, or seek a forum of friends and family members?
To share, gain support, get acknowledgement, make advocates or convert others around to the same view or belief. We can choose to either agree, disagree, debunk the idea with logic, facts or perspective - or simply walk away.
In any communication, building a relationship with the audience, even a virtual one, is key. For the relationship or dialogue to continue fruitfully, and for it to grow, there must be both value and results. And if all goes well, it is good to close the loop; if others like what you have told them, they will tell more people willingly. They become your advocates. That is the multiplier effect.
If what someone says is unconvincing, bias or skewed, then like any sales pitch, we ignore it. If it is sound, factual, sensible and heartening, then we can support it.
This is all about open, mature and sensible communication and debate. That is what speaking one's mind is all about in any situation - to gain support and to build advocates.
Unfortunately, there are more people taking swipes at others then contributing to healthy, sound and sensible debate.
Gerry Oh
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->I HAVE been disappointed with many Singapore online forums where comments are invited from anyone.
Many netizens use these avenues to denigrate others or simply make some incoherent points. Few use the online forums to make a case or present cogent arguments about various topics. How does one convince or persuade on the Internet? How does one use these online forums to share convictions, passions and beliefs?
Some express their views passionately, others may highlight the experience in written form. Still others may just tell family members and friends. Today, we can tell more people via the Internet.
Why do we tell other people about our belief or make an effort to give an opinion about a hot subject, or seek a forum of friends and family members?
To share, gain support, get acknowledgement, make advocates or convert others around to the same view or belief. We can choose to either agree, disagree, debunk the idea with logic, facts or perspective - or simply walk away.
In any communication, building a relationship with the audience, even a virtual one, is key. For the relationship or dialogue to continue fruitfully, and for it to grow, there must be both value and results. And if all goes well, it is good to close the loop; if others like what you have told them, they will tell more people willingly. They become your advocates. That is the multiplier effect.
If what someone says is unconvincing, bias or skewed, then like any sales pitch, we ignore it. If it is sound, factual, sensible and heartening, then we can support it.
This is all about open, mature and sensible communication and debate. That is what speaking one's mind is all about in any situation - to gain support and to build advocates.
Unfortunately, there are more people taking swipes at others then contributing to healthy, sound and sensible debate.
Gerry Oh
