Bodybuilding.com Forums- Negative?

[Zeke5]

I've had a couple of people at my gym comment on Bodybuilding.com. Their opinions have been that they have learned a lot by lurking, but they would never become a registered user because the forums are very negative.

Do you think that is true?

As a registered user out on the forums I obviously think it's worth it, but what's your take?

Zeke

[mslman71]

I've had a couple of people at my gym comment on Bodybuilding.com. Their opinions have been that they have learned a lot by lurking, but they would never become a registered user because the forums are very negative.

How does the process of going from being unregistered to registered affect [the extent of the] negativity? I would venture to guess that the information & tone on the boards is independent of their registration.

[OutOfStep]

How does the process of going from being unregistered to registered affect [the extent of the] negativity? I would venture to guess that the information & tone on the boards is independent of their registration.

They're afraid to post because they might get their soft little feelings hurt.

[DaddyR]

Such cowardice will not result in much in the way of gains, in bodybuilding or in life.

[paqua17]

I've had a couple of people at my gym comment on Bodybuilding.com. Their opinions have been that they have learned a lot by lurking, but they would never become a registered user because the forums are very negative.

Do you think that is true?

As a registered user out on the forums I obviously think it's worth it, but what's your take?

Zeke

Negged

[Zeke5]

How does the process of going from being unregistered to registered affect [the extent of the] negativity? I would venture to guess that the information & tone on the boards is independent of their registration.

I'm sorry, I wasn't clear. Anyone on the Internet can read our forums, but only registered users can post.

They would not become a registered user because of perceived negativity to anything they posted.

Are we like that?

Zeke

[mslman71]

They would not become a registered user because of perceived negativity ... Are we like that?

Negative? No!

[Whiskeyjack]

It can be negative, but so can any Internet forum. It's also populated, naturally enough, by a demographic aiming to conquer iron by blood, sweat, toil, and tears, and hence not likely to dandify or pussyfoot sensitive feelings, especially if either side is any bit unclear in writing.

[Zeke5]

It can be negative, but so can any Internet forum. It's also populated, naturally enough, by a demographic aiming to conquer iron by blood, sweat, toil, and tears, and hence not likely to dandify or pussyfoot sensitive feelings, especially if either side is any bit unclear in writing.

What a good answer! I'll use that in my next discussion in the gym.

Zeke

[djflex]

As always where ever you go, there will be negativity and aslo positivity. You just have to ignore the bad stuff. The internet can be similar to the real world

[Brackneyc]

I'm sorry, I wasn't clear. Anyone on the Internet can read our forums, but only registered users can post.

They would not become a registered user because of perceived negativity to anything they posted.

Are we like that?

Zeke

I cannot be responsible for how someone else responds to things. Hell, I have been negged and repped...for the exact same post, in the exact same thread.

If they are tools IRL, they can expect that to become known here pretty quickly. If they are cool, that too will come out. Yeah, it is the internet, but damn if it isn't amazingly life-like at times.

[tmonkey]

sound like crybabies to me

join and help make it less negative or lurk and bitch?

fuk them

[Brackneyc]

sound like crybabies to me

join and help make it less negative or lurk and bitch?

fuk them

You sir, have nailed it.

[DaddyR]

If they want somebody to blow sunshine up their azzes, maybe they should indeed go elsewhere.

But if they want to learn the real deal, then maybe they can take the chance someone might hurt their widdle feelings and go ahead and try to make a contribution.

[Zeke5]

As always where ever you go, there will be negativity and aslo positivity. You just have to ignore the bad stuff. The internet can be similar to the real world

Smart.

Zeke

[DaddyR]

Meh.

Ignore criticism at your peril. Even negative feedback often has a rightful purpose. Better to be a real man and learn to get something of value from both the positive and the negative.

[MiamiSpartan]

They're all idiots...

[ironwill2008]

I've had a couple of people at my gym comment on Bodybuilding.com. Their opinions have been that they have learned a lot by lurking, but they would never become a registered user because the forums are very negative.

This doesn't make sense to me. These people say they've learned a lot from this site, but yet still think it's "negative?" Doesn't compute.

Do you think that is true?

Absolutely, emphatically, not.

As a registered user out on the forums I obviously think it's worth it, but what's your take?

This site is like a slice of life; there are all types posting here, mostly good, a few, not so much. But the level of weight-training (of all disciplines) and nutrition/supplementation knowledge spread across this entire site is staggering. To be able to have back-and-forth interaction with the likes of Layne Norton, Alan Aragon, Casey Butt, Glen Pendlay, etc., is priceless. We've got Travis freaking Ortmayer posting in the strongman/powerlifting forum.

The regulars, both in this forum, and all of the other training-related forums are an endless source of information and problem-solving skills. Many are/have been competitors, and are a great source of knowledge.


And we haven't even got into the topic of the great level of support and camaraderie found in the journals.



If some knucklehead chooses not to interact with this forum because of some perceived "negativity," then that's his loss.




This subject comes up surprisingly often (at least to me it's surprising), and I'll be darned if I can figure out how someone who gets butt-hurt on an Internet site could ever function out in the real world.


You did ask for my take. That's it.

[kimsquit]

What a good answer! I'll use that in my next discussion in the gym.

you go to the gym to have discussions

[drudixon]

As always where ever you go, there will be negativity and aslo positivity. You just have to ignore the bad stuff. The internet can be similar to the real world

Amazing how that works.....


I think it's because ppl don't want to hear the answers.

[IronCharles]

I'm sorry, I wasn't clear. Anyone on the Internet can read our forums, but only registered users can post.

They would not become a registered user because of perceived negativity to anything they posted.

Are we like that?

Zeke

This is really a redundant question. People who post good things, such as transformations, useful information, funny things, inspiring things, etc. are lauded. People who post stupid questions that are actually on the same page, but a few threads down, and people who show disdain for the English language, or are racist, sexist, elitist, are only here to argue, or just plain boneheaded usually catch some "negativity".

Bottom line, if you're afraid what you are going to post will be received negatively: you're probably right.

[Zeke5]

You did ask for my take. That's it.

Thanks for contributing!

Zeke

[Zeke5]

you go to the gym to have discussions

On bodybuilding topics?

In a building full of weight-lifters?

It happens...

Zeke

[Bando]

It has as much value as you give it. I gave a lot effort for the 2010 DL comp, was chided, made fun of and generally derided most of the time.

I went from 295 to 420 in 6 months.

In this PC age it's nice to know there is still a place that's allowed hurt your feelings.

[discdoggie]

sound like crybabies to me
D

No crybabies!

On bodybuilding topics?

In a building full of weight-lifters?

It happens...

Zeke

Yes, it does. I have training related discussions at the gym all the time. I talk about other stuff, too.

[Zeke5]

...Ignore criticism at your peril...

Good point.

Tomorrow in the gym I'll have the folks who mentioned this to me get online and look at this discussion on the tone of the forum.

They can decide for themselves whether it's negative or not.

Zeke

[John Prophet]

its like life...only moreso.

Many people become "friends" online and discuss things and show camaraderie when in real life they may not even speak much (if they were in the same gym etc). Online allows private people to interact more freely

So thats a plus


Polite people in real life r usually polite online as well



The rub comes in where people are smart alecky or just plain idiotic when in real life they wouldnt have the guts to say a word to someones face. We got our online bullies. We got people over 40yrs old who actually take the time to "neg" others. Wow, just wow. I mean, a neg?? Next thing I guess someone will say their dad can beat up your dad? All over text writing from someone you probably wont ever actually meet?



As a member for 6 years or so, it IS disappointing that the ov35 forum can be as childish as teen misc sometimes. It shouldnt be that way. Online lets people give full vent to all their coping mechanisms, lol

And I myself have been in plenty of efights etc, lol. Been banned a few times. I spent a couple years away from the forum and away from the weight game itself. I am glad to be back in both and I am trying to act my age a little better. Sometimes its not easy, lol. It can be disappointing to read thru old postings to see some dumb things one posted years ago.


Most of the negativity comes down to insecurity and ego. Its amazing how us "old" folks still try so hard to justify ourselves or to get others to approve. Sometimes its like watching 2nd graders on the playground. or how people actually brag about how tuff they are from 12 states away. or how this or that they are, lol

Online is great if u really want an honest opinion. hehe, youll get it. People will say things here theyd never dream of saying in person. The starkness and frankness of the online experience will seem negative to people being exposed to it for the first time

[Old-Time-Lifter]

On bodybuilding topics?

In a building full of weight-lifters?

It happens...

Zeke

Personally, I keep the chatter to a minimum. Tonight I think I said hello to the gal at the desk and good-bye to her when I left. Between that I didn't speak a single word.

[NYkarate]

Well if they say they just want to get toned, use a bosu ball or have low-t...

[kimsquit]

On bodybuilding topics?

In a building full of weight-lifters?

It happens...

Zeke

nice edit


imo, there's a big difference between one-off spontaneous conversations about a training or nutrition point versus making specific plans to have a discussion with people who are (theoretically) there to exercise. The first "just happens", the second is you planning to go the gym to discuss the social dynamics of an internet forum and cite points and counterpoints that people here made in an effort to intervene in their forum participation:

Tomorrow in the gym I'll have the folks who mentioned this to me get online and look at this discussion on the tone of the forum.

I commented because I find it to be an odd priority to bring to the gym.

Personally, I go to the gym to exercise and I'd get pretty annoyed at anyone disrupting my workout to talk to me about some third-party opinions on how rude or polite an internet forum is or to try to sell me on joining a website, but whatever...clearly it works for you and your gym buddies so more power to you.