PoetPhilosopher
Veteran Member
I have been reflecting on my online and offline experiences since I became a member of RF five years ago. I used to be very shy, and others noticed it too. I would like to say that I have overcome my shyness, but I am not sure if that is true. I still feel shy, but in a different way.
When I joined the forums in 2019, I admit that I made some silly and irrational comments at times, often mixed with pop culture references. However, whenever I felt embarrassed or regretful, I had people reassure me that they understood my points of view, and that they even sometimes saw merit in them.
Back then, I was shy in a way that made me nervous around others, but now I think I am shy in a way that makes me more cautious about what I say.
For instance, I rarely make strong claims these days, because I anticipate a debate. Even if the debate is respectful and civil, it might focus more on the wording and the definitions than on the substance and the implications of what I actually said. This does not always happen, but sometimes, I find such a debate and its possibility unappealing, so I keep my thoughts to myself.
I also find it hard to follow and participate in debates with many people involved at the same time.
These are some reflections from someone who has been mostly busy with offline lately, but who has not stopped thinking about things every now and then.
When I joined the forums in 2019, I admit that I made some silly and irrational comments at times, often mixed with pop culture references. However, whenever I felt embarrassed or regretful, I had people reassure me that they understood my points of view, and that they even sometimes saw merit in them.
Back then, I was shy in a way that made me nervous around others, but now I think I am shy in a way that makes me more cautious about what I say.
For instance, I rarely make strong claims these days, because I anticipate a debate. Even if the debate is respectful and civil, it might focus more on the wording and the definitions than on the substance and the implications of what I actually said. This does not always happen, but sometimes, I find such a debate and its possibility unappealing, so I keep my thoughts to myself.
I also find it hard to follow and participate in debates with many people involved at the same time.
These are some reflections from someone who has been mostly busy with offline lately, but who has not stopped thinking about things every now and then.