Is it normal to feel marginalized and under-appreciated online?

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13 Comments

I am not trying to sound whiny. Just hear me out.

I've been posting on message boards for a while, and in that time I've noticed that material which I would consider to be of rather high quality is far too often overlooked in favor of the inferior. This is by no means a problem unique to this site; it's just that this is a pretty good example.

Without trying to come off as arrogant, I would say that I've brought forth some engaging topics, and my trolling abilities are nothing to sneeze at. My material is fairly original, generally tasteful and said to be well-written. Nonetheless, it lacks the acclaim of other entries here; the ubiquitous story about bestiality, excrement, or some random, mind-numbingly boring topic.

To illustrate my point, I ask that you simply check the "Funny" or "Best Of" sections on this site to get a true understanding of what the cretins here consider interesting. I'll wait.

See? I told you. And I've always found it puzzling how "some" members become popular and perhaps even develop what may be called a following, while "others," of course, do not. Again, this observation is in reference to internet sites as a whole, with is it normal being only one good example.

Considering all this, all I can do is wonder WHAT it takes to be considered "funny," "intelligent" or "cool" on socially-oriented websites. Because to be totally honest, I'm having a very hard time finding any consistencies or correlations.

Regardless of your thoughts regarding this assessment of mine, I'm inclined to believe that most here would agree with me to an extent. Really, WHO hasn't taken a look at the comments or "stars"/"thumbs"/"likes" (or rather, the lack thereof) on a painstakingly-contemplated post of theirs and disgustingly thought "Pearls before swine"?

Voting Results
79% Normal
Based on 24 votes (19 yes)
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Comments ( 13 )
  • dom180
    10 years ago

    People who are kind, helpful, intelligent, interesting, funny or some combination of the above become popular on IIN over time. People who are snobby, overly aggressive, annoying, repetitive, creepy or some combination of the above become unpopular on IIN quickly. As far as I've ever observed it's that simple.

    Exceptions exist, but the popularity or unpopularity of people who don't fit that model is usually limited to a small, vocal circle of people who do not represent the feelings of the majority of the community.

    I think it is probably that you have a deviant definition of traits such as "funny" and "intelligent" and "tasteful" and "snobby", making it difficult for you to see the correlations.

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    • [Old Memory]
      10 years ago

      In response to the first paragraph: I honestly have not noticed that.

      In response to the second paragraph: I've considered this before; that my political views may explain why I'm not necessarily the most beloved character here.

      In response to the third paragraph: I've basically said the same thing; that perhaps I'm so different from others that even attempting to make sense of their reasoning and motivations is absolutely futile.

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      • Koda
        8 years ago

        I was just marvelling at the "best of" section yesterday as well.

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  • Shiroyasha
    10 years ago

    I used to be a forum junkie for many years, so I pretty much noticed all that you mention already. I would say that the most important thing is to have a "spark" in what you write.

    Yet, you are truly breaking 2 really important rules about having a successful post:

    1- The "TLDR" phrase was invented for a reason. Going straight to the point is always better.
    2- People don't like to be patronized. Nothing good ever comes after the phrase "I don't want to sound arrogant..."

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  • DangerousPotatoGuy
    10 years ago

    It just had to be True :D

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  • bananaface
    10 years ago

    Sometimes I'm baffled at the popularity, or lack of, that some people have. Suppose it's just a matter of taste. If you wouldn't mind, care to share one of your posts? Maybe we could tell you our opinions of it, might help clear things up?:)

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    • Freedom_
      10 years ago

      She's the lady that wraps her kids in cellophane.

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    • [Old Memory]
      10 years ago

      No.

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      • dom180
        10 years ago

        Deleting comments doesn't correlate well with popularity either (hint hint).

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        • [Old Memory]
          10 years ago

          Her "input" was utterly useless.

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          • dom180
            10 years ago

            The point remains.

            If you were so strong of that conviction, letting other people see would not have been a problem :P

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  • peterr
    10 years ago

    This is an excellent forum for many things. And sex is certainly on the top of the list.

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  • Shrunk
    10 years ago

    Different, less popular type of humor. I've noticed this too, it's sometimes depressing what the majority of people find funny, but after awhile you get used to it..

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