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Posts by mistynomad5

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Reddit psychology in Psychology · Jul 20, 2007

ironheron73 said:Just like in real life, you get back exactly what you put out into the world.
If you feel like everyone is being rude, misunderstanding you, or just jumping down your throat, you have to admit you share some of the blame.
I stopped pointing fingers at people for how they act once I realized that my own vibe was largely responsible for how they reacted to me.
Don't get me wrong, I haven't changed who I am, but at least I'm finally honest with myself about it.

So, I completely disagree with the idea that this Forum is a place where people are ruder, more intolerant, or stupider (not to mention uglier) than they are in RL.

Then again, maybe I’m just being biased because my sample size is a bit selective, right?!

I actually agree with that—it's pretty much an objective truth.
In case your previous comment was aimed at me, 🙂 let's clear the air: I haven't been receiving any verbal abuse here; nobody has insulted or attacked me yet. That quote at the start of my post was intended for someone else entirely, not for you.
I started this thread specifically because I don't need to be insulted before I decide to react like a total maniac, for instance😁; rather, I wanted to open a discussion about this whole phenomenon of "Reddit culture" and its general vibe.
People here are fundamentally the same as they are in RL—though, in both settings, they have the capacity to evolve, for better or for worse.😁

Reddit psychology in Psychology · Jul 19, 2007

Karen Smith8 said:Why does it bother you so much? Isn't it actually quite nice to have a space where you can share things with others? And why do you insist on drawing such a rigid line between Reddit and real life? Humans are inherently curious creatures... if an opportunity arises to expand our communication reach, why wouldn't we take it? Sometimes, there's a certain charm in connecting with total strangers. Strangers offer an unbiased perspective on our frustrations, unburdened by the subjectivity found in family ties or connections from RL. As for loneliness, there are countless variations of it. It’s a reality of life... and isn't it better for someone who is truly lonely to wander through these pages—where they might laugh or perhaps feel a bit frustrated—rather than just staring blankly at a wall in their apartment?
And where does this prejudice come from, the idea that this kind of media is a sanctuary for the lonely? Most people I've met on these boards aren't part of that demographic. Quite the opposite. They have careers, families, hobbies, and interests... for them, Reddit isn't a substitute, it's a supplement to an already full life. Some people deal with loneliness by hitting up a local pub, some cry alone in their rooms, some head to a club to play chess or Monopoly... and some simply browse online...

Why is it that certain points always seem to get lost in translation?
Of course it's wonderful to be able to share things here and elsewhere.
When I use the term "bummer," I'm not talking about the concept of sharing; I'm talking about seeing how many lonely, unhappy, sad, terrified, and confused people exist out there—people who feel like they can't say anything to anyone in the real world, can't confide in anyone, can't reveal a secret, a life choice, or even a simple phobia.
I haven't drawn any strict line between the two worlds—unless I'm just illiterate and unable to express myself, or perhaps you're just reading things into my posts that aren't there and interpreting them your own way.
But, moving on:
You claim I have prejudices and ask how I could possibly see a mass of lonely people here.
Well, if you just take a moment to look around—really *look* at this Forum, the people, and the topics being discussed—you can't help but notice how many lonely, desperate, and unhappy individuals are present.
Can't you see that they can't say certain things to those around them? They face judgment everywhere, so they come here hoping to be understood rather than immediately dismissed.
Look, I've met plenty of people who aren't lonely either, and that's great. But there *are* lonely people here too, and it's a good thing that, if they can't find it in their immediate circle, they can find a corner for themselves here—and maybe find people who will actually listen and talk to them.
Imagine this: someone comes here needing community, advice, or friends, and the first thing they encounter is mockery and ridicule.
Do you know how that makes a person feel?
You also mentioned something about a perfect world.😕
Where exactly am I expecting a perfect world, a perfect Forum, or perfect people in my post???

None of us are perfect, and thank God for that.
But any one of us can choose to be decent and civil if we put in the effort—without immediately acting like a weakling or overly sensitive.
I also believe that nobody wants to be a victim; some people handle life's struggles better than others, depending on their experiences.
But judging someone simply because they might be more vulnerable than the rest isn't right.
We should view people as individuals, not just shove them into convenient little boxes.

Reddit psychology in Psychology · Jul 18, 2007

Roger Sanders3 said:Honestly, most of the sites I hang out on are specialized international forums. It’s rare to find one that tries to cover everything... And look, don't get me wrong, you'll always run into idiots, trolls, and know-it-alls everywhere, but there's way less of that, and the overall quality of conversation is on a whole different level compared to what we have here. Just Google "forums" or whatever fits your interest, see which ones feel more professional, and dive in there!

If this one is supposed to be the "tame" one, then imagine how bad the others are! That's not even hard to figure out—just head over to Reddit or some big mainstream US message boards and read the threads... It's just like someone else mentioned here: it's all just endless chatting and trolling. I honestly don't know if a serious, normal, or tolerant discussion ever actually happens.

The only thing I know for sure is that the older I get, the more I find myself leaning back toward that rebellious teenage mindset: things are just better out there. It used to apply to everything, but lately, when I talk to people from abroad, I notice we're becoming much more similar economically and politically—it's almost like they're describing life in America. But the real difference is how people allow those pressures to affect them and how they treat one another.

While over in the West, people who are grinding through mortgage payments and dealing with nightmare bosses don't necessarily take it out on everyone else in online forums once they get home, that's just not the vibe here. People actually let their life circumstances shape their personalities and bleed into their daily interactions, even affecting how they view diversity in their own circles. Then you get that cycle of "if everyone else is cutting corners, why shouldn't I?", "I won't be the only sucker," or "everyone's mean on these forums anyway, so why take it seriously?" It's a vicious circle that ends up breaking down individuals one by one.

Of course, there's also the cultural mindset at play, which is just what it is, but that's a whole other conversation. A lot of people claim that "mindset" is just a myth and doesn't exist, but after everything I've seen, I truly believe it does. Personally, I couldn't imagine living anywhere else but America, but the truth is, I can barely hold a conversation with the people here, and I worry we're reaching a point where the worst parts of our nature are being brought to the surface.

There’s certainly a specific mindset that exists—and it's hard to ignore.
Look, there are days when I absolutely love life in this country, and then there are days when I just want to pull my hair out—but hey, that’s just how the wheel turns. Such is life.
Even foreigners have their own specific mindset. 😁
There are plenty of online forums out there that just aren't up to par—but then again, no matter where you travel in the States, you’re always going to run into those types of people. It’s one of those things you simply can't escape.
Sometimes I’d describe us Americans like this: one giant balloon—massive, really—that looks incredibly substantial from a distance, but once you get close, there's absolutely nothing inside but air.😁
Look, regardless of how much the world might let you down—or how much we all struggle with our own inherent human failings—there are still plenty of genuinely good people out there. It’s just that, more often than not, the loud and the obnoxious tend to drown them out—making it nearly impossible to actually hear the decent ones.
It honestly irritates me when people give me that tired old advice—you know, the "just ignore them" routine—as if I can just let their nonsense slide right through my head like water off a duck's back. It’s easier said than done.
Honestly, that’s just a foolproof way to spend your entire life wandering around blind.
It’s simply the path of least resistance.
It’s a lot harder than people realize to actually try and change things—especially when it comes to the people in our lives. We all have certain levels of influence over one another, but let's be honest: someone is only going to listen to you if you've actually earned that kind of respect by being a genuine role model in some capacity first.
It’s a bit more work—definitely more effort involved—but it’s lightyears more valuable than just hitting that "Ignore" button.

Online forums are a strange ecosystem—you’ve got some truly wonderful people hanging out in there, but then you have those others who seem to take their own personal insecurities and weaponize them just to tear someone else down.
I can’t help but feel a certain level of cynicism whenever I see so many people flocking here to hunt for advice, seeking a little extra support, or just looking for some company—all because they don't want to feel isolated. It's as if we're all collectively hoping to find something here that we should, quite frankly, be able to find in the actual, physical world.
But then again, life isn't always that accommodating, is it?

Reddit psychology in Psychology · Jul 18, 2007

Brian Baker32 said:I'm honestly getting pretty burnt out on this forum, but I have no clue where else to go.
😎
Anyone got any suggestions?

Heh. Just close the laptop and try living your life for once. 😁 👍

Reddit psychology in Psychology · Jul 18, 2007

Jonathan Kim4 said:I can't say I agree with Andrew Ramos10 on this one.

In my view—and this goes for almost any community with a broad range of topics, from hard science to sports to absolutely nothing at all—these spaces act as a cross-section of society and its collective frustrations.

See, people on Reddit can be as anonymous as they want to be, and they tend to treat these boards like a pressure valve. It’s where they put on their masks—acting smarter, cooler, more attractive, more successful... you name it.

They basically chase this specific vibe where they get to be everything they can't quite manage to be in their actual lives due to various circumstances.

I’m not just blowing smoke here; I’m speaking from years of lurking and posting on different corners of the internet. I’ve met plenty of people behind their handles, and more often than not, the person and the persona are polar opposites.

There’s no harm in it, really. We all have that itch to be someone else sometimes, but the problem arises when someone gets too deep into their online character—they start losing track of which version of themselves is actually "real."

Is it the person in RL, is it the profile, or is it some messy combination of both? Who knows...

If I may add, Reddit is actually one of the milder, more tolerant corners of the web. People here actually engage in discussion. Most other sites are just endless cycles of sports talk, music debates, constant trolling, and pure spam.

That's an interesting thesis you've laid out.
It's clear you aren't just passing people by blindly; you're observing and analyzing them.
We all wear masks—some to hide weaknesses while flaunting our strengths, others purely as a form of self-defense.
Some people wear those masks for their entire lives, eventually finding they can't take them off; the mask becomes a second skin.
I think the best approach is to find some middle ground—a balance where you act naturally and stay true to who you are (just enough to avoid losing yourself), without being completely exposed and vulnerable.😁
Sometimes, people online are far more honest than they are in person, simply because the anonymity makes it feel safe to finally be themselves. If someone judges you, it doesn't sting quite as much as being judged by the people right in front of you.

Reddit psychology in Psychology · Jul 17, 2007

ironheron73 said:I totally get that raw, rookie honesty from you—that feeling of being completely fed up with how "unfair" everything is—but just hear me out for a second. Is Reddit really such a skewed reflection of the world around you? Even if you look closely, isn't the mix here pretty much the same as anywhere else: a blend of the stubborn, negative, and insecure types alongside the smart, kind, and genuinely positive people?
Don't take this place too literally; honestly, a lot of the people on here are way more charming and easygoing in RL when they're actually trying to be the exact opposite of their online personas.

"Beginner's sincerity and truthfulness"?
I don't take any part of Reddit seriously—thank God I'm mature enough to accept people for who they are. Honestly, if everyone were exactly the same and could be filed away into neat little boxes, life would be incredibly boring. A dish is always better with a few extra spices, after all.👍
Just like in the real world (a term I find particularly grating), I have no patience for people online who try to sort everyone into rigid hierarchies or social classes.
We all have our good sides and we all mess up; there’s nothing about this digital space that makes us fundamentally different from the world outside.
The reason I'm on Reddit is the same reason you're all here: to talk to people, to have some fun, and to joke around. You might click with someone or you might not—and that's perfectly fine.

Reddit psychology in Psychology · Jul 17, 2007

Brian Baker32 said:The only real sin here is being an asshole to people

Honestly, chatting on here feels a lot like therapy

You can get way more real because you feel anonymous, plus there’s a massive variety of people reading your stuff

It helps you figure out who people actually are, but just a heads up: don't ever take anything written on this site personally or too seriously😘

I agree—insulting a complete stranger for no reason is definitely a sin 👍

Hehe, it's strange... I mostly just get showered with love here 😁 😁

Reddit psychology in Psychology · Jul 16, 2007

mistybison;9352285 said:So, does that mean the rest of us aren't decent people with good character? 😠

Look, that was meant to be a joke—just a little experiment to show how clumsy this style of communication can be and how easily someone’s words can be twisted. 😉

Sure, but that only happens if we choose to take things the wrong way. Sometimes, honestly, it feels pretty good to misinterpret someone just so we have an excuse to dump our own frustrations on them.
I said "FOR NOW," though I’m really hoping I can add plenty more names to this list later on.
I get the sense you all think I started this thread because of my own ego (well, partly, I suppose) or because I'm having some sort of issue with the site.
That isn't it. I just genuinely wish a community with such high engagement would actually take pride in that and stay aware of it.
Of course, there are plenty of idiots who jump in just to win arguments by sheer exhaustion, but there are more of us here who actually want to communicate in a normal, civil manner.
We need to nurture that environment—and while that’s the moderator's job, it’s really on every single one of us.

Reddit psychology in Psychology · Jul 16, 2007

Roger Evans said:Totally agree, though my take is more like... WHO CARES!!
I can't—and honestly don't want to—change how people see me or bend over backwards to please everyone.
I’m just gonna be myself, whether people like it or not. At the end of the day, the people who actually matter will accept me for who I am, and as for everyone else? Like I said, who cares...

Heh, I know—that's why people usually call me a rebel and a wild card.🤣 😍
Just keep being you.👍

Reddit psychology in Psychology · Jul 16, 2007

Roger Evans said:mistynomad5

Thanks for the kind words, 😍 😘

I’m with you on everything you said—but honestly, I've learned that life just tends to be pretty gray sometimes...

Reddit is basically just like life—one minute it's ugly, one minute it's sad, then it's fun, then it's toxic, then it's actually good and empathetic, or just plain trash... I could go on...

As for you, just stay brave—speak your mind, write what you think, and know that you fit right in 😉 👍

Oh, don't worry about thanking me—it’s just how I feel. Your personality really struck a chord with me, and I have a lot of respect for people like you.👍
I've always been the type to speak my mind, but you're mistaken if you think being blunt makes it any easier to "fit in." In fact, it's usually the exact opposite—not everyone enjoys someone who insists on having such a distinct sense of self.😁

Reddit psychology in Psychology · Jul 16, 2007

neonhound10 said:Oh, come on now. It’s honestly silly to stress out about things before they even happen... When people start throwing insults around, all it really does is reveal their true character, especially when those attacks are totally unprovoked.

I do think there are times when you need to push back more forcefully, too. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with standing your ground when it matters...

As the saying goes, sometimes you have to wrestle with Bogey just to prove the strength of your faith.

In that same way, a strong reaction can be a wake-up call for a decent person who just didn't quite get it, but if someone is completely incapable of understanding, then trying to explain yourself to them is just a waste of breath...

So, really, there’s no reason for you to be worried, because you don't even know these people, and besides, you don't actually care about them anyway. It's perfectly natural to share what you've been through if you see someone else in a similar spot, just to help make their path a little easier...

From what I've gathered around here, I haven't run into a single serious debate yet; everything just seems to devolve into a contest of who can act smarter than the other person.

It's incredibly easy to point fingers, but defending yourself is much harder. Because of that, the people doing the attacking and accusing always seem to hold the upper hand over whoever is trying to defend a position, which gives this false impression that the aggressor is right, when in reality, they couldn't be more wrong...

It's true—I don't know you all personally, but I do care about people; I'm not some cold, indifferent soul.
I get where you're coming from, I really do. I just find myself wondering constantly (and not just regarding Reddit) how people can actually act like that.
What do we actually gain by trying to outsmart everyone else? Does it make us more popular in social circles or something?
Of course, the real question is what some people are willing to do—like sucking up to others just to squeeze their way into those "elite" social groups.
Anyway, thanks for sharing your thoughts.👍

Reddit psychology in Psychology · Jul 16, 2007

neonhound10 said:If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

And even then, you’re just going to end up assimilating anyway, because at the end of the day, we're all basically BORG...

Hmm...
I wouldn't say I've been assimilated here yet—nobody’s actually launched an attack on me, and if anyone tries, well, I know how to hold my own.😁

Reddit psychology in Psychology · Jul 16, 2007

Anonymous said:I’ve read through everything 🙂

Look, I’ve been hanging around this site for a while now 🙄

Obviously, you’re going to find both the good and the bad, but that’s just how life works... except here, everyone has an open line to everyone else...

You can't really see someone's true emotions through a post, no matter how many emojis they throw in there. It leads to those awkward moments where someone gets offended because they think they're being attacked, when really, they just missed the irony...

Think of this as your primary spot for kicking back—it's meant for downtime, not a classroom setting...

So just have fun and enjoy yourself. If you stumble onto something great, celebrate it. If something sucks, just brush it off and move on...

Are you exhausted from all that reading yet?😁
I agree that this is meant to be a place for fun, but sometimes it gives off this vibe like you're stuck in some strict boarding school—it’s actually a little intimidating. And honestly? I'm a bit of a scaredy-cat.🙂
And why does everything always have to be an obstacle course? Why can't we just look past all the nonsense we see—all the bad decisions people have made—and actually try to fix things? You know, for the sake of the individual, or even just for the greater good of everyone involved.
They wouldn't take even a single step toward making the world a better place—not if their lives depended on it.

Reddit psychology in Psychology · Jul 16, 2007

boldjackal10 said:Look, just like every other newbie hitting up Reddit, you show up with this big vision of how things should work and a million questions about why we don't do stuff "this way" instead. Honestly? You're just tilting at windmills. Things here run the way they run. Don't sweat the small stuff too much—just ride the wave and you'll realize it’s not nearly as bad as you thought when you first arrived.
Man, I don't know what kind of utopia you're expecting from an online forum. This isn't some place where everyone lives in harmony and total understanding. Forget it. If you're just looking for a way to kill some time and have a little fun, drop those high expectations for "super intelligent communication" or trying to build bridges between nations and people. I mean, sure, maybe it happens once in a blue moon, but don't count on it.

Maybe.
But let's be real—we all started somewhere. Even the veterans here were once the "new guys" with their own little visions of how things ought to be.
Look, I'll admit it: I'm an idealist (though I seem to be losing that trait by the day). I don't expect anything specific from a forum like this, but if I see something unfair, I can't help but push back against it.😍

Reddit psychology in Psychology · Jul 16, 2007

I don't be under any illusions that this post will change anyone's mind—it likely won't open many eyes—but it’s been weighing on my mind, and I need to get it out there.🙂
I'm relatively new to Reddit, and over the last few days, I've had the chance to observe quite a bit. There have been plenty of beautiful, positive, and encouraging moments, but also a fair amount of ugliness.
Let's start with the good stuff:
I truly appreciate seeing so many people here who genuinely want to help others—whether it's through advice, sharing knowledge, or offering their own life experiences.
In my opinion, it’s people like that who make life worth living. Even when you lose faith in humanity, or when bitterness starts to take hold and you feel like there's no goodness left in the world, you get those pleasant surprises that pull you back.

Now for the ugly side:

I honestly don't get how some members treat everyone else here. There's this pervasive negativity and a sense of snobbery—this artificial hierarchy being established between regular users, moderators, and admins. To be perfectly honest, I don't see a difference anywhere; we are all just people, and the only thing that should separate us is our character, nothing else.
People constantly jump at the chance to mock, ridicule, or belittle someone else (and just to be clear, I'm not acting as anyone's defense attorney here).
Before the moderators here start lecturing me about how sometimes one has to be blunt with members, let me just say: there is absolutely no need for that kind of explanation.
I understand what it means to be an admin or a moderator—I know how much work goes into deleting posts and cleaning up after users. I get it.
But being a moderator is a volunteer role, and in many ways, they should be setting the standard for the rest of the community. They should show us how things are done and, above all, ensure that members aren't tearing each other apart.

I'll take this opportunity to quote one of the mods; her words really gave me pause:

"Do you know the two greatest sins one can commit in society and conversation? Being boring and having no sense of humor. I'm afraid you suffer from both."

Are people really categorized that way now?
Is that truly the ultimate sin?
Is it really a crime if someone isn't as highly educated as everyone else, or if they struggle to express themselves perfectly? It seems the self-proclaimed academics here find it difficult to tolerate anything less than perfect prose.
Why is the spotlight always shone on these trivialities? Isn't it more important that this little corner of the internet provides a space where people generally get along?
Where people find community, conversation, comfort, and friendship.
Isn't that the whole point and purpose of forums like this?

I don't know anyone here yet, and I can't judge people solely based on their posts, but so far, two individuals have stood out to me. When I read their contributions, I see strong characters and genuinely good people.
Those would be Daniel Ward87 and Roger Evans.

Reading this forum lately, I get the impression that only those with fancy degrees are welcome—those who can flaunt their intellect—while the rest of us mere "mortals," especially those brave enough to hold an opinion, are looked down upon.

Who gets to measure how much intelligence someone possesses?
Who decides who is literate enough?
Isn't it more vital that we act as human beings, that we strengthen our shared communication, build bridges between different walks of life, and foster friendships?

So, I realize this is a long post, and perhaps my grammar isn't exactly top-tier.😁
But I'm writing what is in my heart, what my soul tells me, and in those moments, grammar and spelling don't really have a place.😁
I'd love to hear your thoughts. You've all been here much longer than I have; you know the people and the general climate of this place better than I do.

How do you explain color to someone who is blind? in Philosophy · Jul 15, 2007

This gadget was actually dreamed up by the Care Tec company over in Austria.
Naturally, it doesn't give blind people the ability to actually *see* colors—that's not how physics works—but it does let them grasp them somehow.
I haven't the slightest clue about the technical specifics, but the company did pick up an award from the German Association of the Blind.
Here is the text accompanying that article (and I hope you don't mind that it's in German):

Even those who cannot perceive the fullness of colors — whether due to color blindness or a total lack of sight — understand the Importance of colors and learns to at least identify them. After all, simple questions like "Is this green folder yours?" or a quick Hinweis: "Tickets of the category A are gray, while category B are pink" can be directed at anyone. Trying to navigate this world of colors when you can't actually see them is quite a mental workout and requires some serious memory.

No wonder, then, that an Austrian invention named ColorTest received near worldwide attention, even Bewunderung. This device from the company CareTec allows blind People to recognize Colors — even if they aren't seeing them.

Without Light there are no colors. If light hits an object, part of it is absorbed and part is reflected. Black objects reflect no Light, absorbing it entirely; with white objects, the opposite is true. Light is composed of spectral colors, though the transitions between colors are fluid. For instance, violet sits between red and blue, turquoise between blue and green, and orange between yellow and red. the ColorTest has its own light source. The light beam of this light source, which itself consists of spectral colors, illuminates the Object being measured. The Light reflected from the Object hits light-sensitive sensors (which act much like the sensory cells of the human eye). The sensors convert the light into electrical signals. These are converted into values for color, Brightness, intensity, and a value for the color scale and are acoustically available at the touch of a button.

It sounds complicated—and it is. Back in 1990, there was a prototype of a color recognition device in Japan, but it never actually hit the market; the error rate in recognition was too high. Given the difficult task, it is particularly gratifying that the solution succeeded in the country of Austria. How much the world knows how to appreciate the invention worldwide is evidenced by the fact that the CareTec company on behalf of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind was presented with the "Winston Gordon Award" in Year 1993. That same Year the company received the "Mercur" of the Vienna Chamber of Commerce and this year the Louis Braille Prize of the German Association of the Blind.