Has reading ERA Off-Topic made you a more intelligent person?
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Forums are largely outmoded as a general discussion medium because one or a handful of people can dominate a discussion, for better or worse. And all it takes is a couple people 'discussing' in bad faith to completely scramble a thread and alter perceptions. Putting people on ignore only makes their words disappear, not their influence. Discussions also tend towards extremes because that is what gets attention and 'discussion' raging in a thread, not measured takes. OTs are where it's at because a lot of these forces are rendered inert.
I've without a doubt learned a lot. At the same time
this is also true. There's good stuff on here, and a lot of bad stuff on here, and I find myself having to take breaks from the forum more often lately to refocus and make sure I don't fall into the bad headspaces that I've sometimes wound up in. A number of OTs I lurk have been extremely helpful in growing my political understanding though.
Yes, but more specifically the book club OT. I forgot which month is was, but the book was Meditations. After reading that, I started reading even more philosophy and that led to other subjects and topics. If it wasn't for that OT, I don't think I would have ever picked up Meditations, let alone start reading about philosophy.
A huge repository of conflicting view points , he says.
Anyway, I've seen far more scarier habits perpetuated between here and the old site than I have good ideas that did help expand my knowledge.
i mostly use the site as a news aggregate and nothing more.
Anyway, I've seen far more scarier habits perpetuated between here and the old site than I have good ideas that did help expand my knowledge.
i mostly use the site as a news aggregate and nothing more.
Off topic is like any other forum, an echo chamber of thoughts. Believing that by reading this forum you are gaining smarts, well I have a bridge to sell you.
OP, dont spend the bulk of your time here.
Dont use this site as a barometer of... anything.
Dont stick around OT too often unless your idea of fun is to navigate through a reactionary/depressing news aggregate.
Places where the angriest dedicated bunch prevail and sets the tone dont usually generate Einsteins.
I cringe at the thought of people believing they are being "educated" and "prepared" for the real world by this place.
Dont use this site as a barometer of... anything.
Dont stick around OT too often unless your idea of fun is to navigate through a reactionary/depressing news aggregate.
Places where the angriest dedicated bunch prevail and sets the tone dont usually generate Einsteins.
I cringe at the thought of people believing they are being "educated" and "prepared" for the real world by this place.
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Current? Probably. Smarter? Not really, off topic era is mainly comprised of hot takes. It definitely keeps me up to date. But I feel like since I focused more on living without the bend of Era's perception I've been a lot happier and it's made me appreciate how catastrophic the mindset of era is compared to reality.
Now I generally focus on having actual conversations, and prioritizing good journalistic sources vs culture writer type stuff that's become so pervasive.
Now I generally focus on having actual conversations, and prioritizing good journalistic sources vs culture writer type stuff that's become so pervasive.
Nope. It's less intellectual and Prez T takes up a lot of clicks.
I'd say a lot of space knowledge gets dropped though.
I'd say a lot of space knowledge gets dropped though.
In the sense that it's a quick and excellent news aggregator? And there's real smart ppl on here from all walks that offer lots of interesting perspective. Sure. I think being more worldly and informed is a good thing overall.
Ppl scoffing are those so ridiculously far up their own ass. They don't come here for conversation or to learn, just to feel superior. They are in fact those making us less intelligent. Fancy that.
Ppl scoffing are those so ridiculously far up their own ass. They don't come here for conversation or to learn, just to feel superior. They are in fact those making us less intelligent. Fancy that.
Every single post I read on this hellsite kills another one of my few remaining braincells but I press forward in the hopes that once they're all dead I can start generating negative, antimatter brain cells that rip a hole into the universe and grant me merciful relief from this mortal plane
I learned a lot about politics, fitness, photography, nutrition, and more back on GAF before the split.
Where is this? I just see people agreeing with each other and yelling together.
This times a billion.
I definitely learn some stuff but in general most of the discussions just end up getting me really worked up over something that doesn't affect my life at all. And yet, I keep coming back.
You must be reading alternate era from another dimension. Most off topics are essentially agree with popular POV on any political or social issue.
Saying that, footy, nba and kdrama threads are 🔥🔥🔥
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I rarely see discussion happen. You're either with everyone else on an issue or you're the scum of the earth lol
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