Quote:
Originally Posted by abaya
Okay, so now we're getting somewhere. But is this due to a gender thing?... or something else? What creates that feeling on TFP, as opposed to on other forums? Can the mods be of any help in helping you ladies feel like your contributions are more valid?Do you mean with just the Politics section, or all over TFP?
|
I don't think it's necessarily a gender issue as much as it's a superiority issue. There are lots of intelligent and well-educated folks here who give the impression that their knowledge is superior to others'. I think that's the difference between TFP and other sites. Sometimes a forum's earliest participants and moderators (I was on the other side once
) unintentionally intimidate others with their bond by backing one another's posts and opinions. I don't think I'm seeing that so much here at TFP. Just some that are full of themselves.
And no, this isn't exclusive to Politics. But I'm not so sure that the mods can help validate posts for those who feel intimidated. The only solution that makes sense to me at this moment is if we get more people to post. Chances are that no matter what one of us posts, there's surely going to be someone out there who can identify. We should definitely encourage those lurkers to post. But I can see that any request for help in growing membership is going to be equated with a cry for donations.
How about a periodic post calling for lurkers to come out, allaying fears of an expectation of donation? If we can all help build a stronger TFP membership by finding ways to bring the lurkers to membership by educating those that may not know what it takes to keep TFP going, while at the same time offering a place where they feel they can safelypost their thoughts, opinions, requests for help and advice on subjects most other boards won't even touch. If we can, that'd be a win-win.