I often refer to discussions and articles gleaned from the BBS when I'm talking to people and one of my friends recently queried why I'd use an ostensibly football-based site as my go-to source for such information. I've been pondering that this morning and I think that as well as there being a good chance that any key event is going to be commented on fairly quickly, making it a helpful news aggregation service, one of the main reasons is that whatever the topic there are generally a handful of people (often the same ones) who are prepared to swim against the tide and put forward an alternative view. Don't get me wrong, I often disagree with them and am frequently frustrated by how differently we can interpret what are apparently the same pieces of information but I greatly appreciate that there are people on here who are prepared to counter the consensus and so stop this becoming yet another echo chamber, of which the internet has plenty already. It's good that we are each forced to critically evaluate our own interpretations. So, genuinely, kudos from me. You nutters.
Agree with the OP. Debate is healthy and an alternative viewpoint can often make you stop and think about something in a way that might otherwise have escaped you. If you're receptive, that is. I don't use the Ignore button, partly for that reason, and partly because even the daftest WUMs can have a strange kind of humour value. That said, my patience is running out in a couple of cases.
I enjoy coming on here and seeing the different view points, like everyone I don’t agree with everything, the only thing I don’t like, is how quickly the debate gets personal.
You're right, it shouldn't get personal and I've been guilty of losing my rag with people. I've privately apologised to those that deserved one I think it is bound to happen that tempers are going to rise during this strange period with cabin fever setting in. Add a few posters intent on winding others up to the mix and you have the perfect storm.
I scan read the daily mail online for similar reasons. Not because I enjoy it as it genuinely angers me most of the time, however I like to know how other people think, I’d class the daily mail as a 100% polar opposite to the way I see things.... until today that is! just don’t go near the comments section!! if you think there’s some strange views on here ...
While I agree with the sentiment, the manner in which it has been expressed is the most impressive. It's like reading double cream or buttercups. "Frequently frustrated", "counter the consensus", it's literary porn. Write more stuff, it makes the hairs on the back of my neck tingle.
The comments are often the best bit. Many a time I read a headline and think "this should be funny" and go straight to the comments.
This is probably the first time and I would wager the last time that I will ever see the BBS described, with sincerity, as a "helpful news aggregation service".
I suspect that I may also be included in 'The Few' which in all honesty is a pretty good name for a gang.
