Speak Up!

I've already posted that I enjoy discussion lists. This morning, there was a rather interesting thread on one of my discussion lists regarding freebies and gifts with purchase. The topic isn't really that interesting- just the reactions.

First off- this is nothing new. The person who started the discussion this morning is the same person who started the previous discussion a few weeks ago. I know that we get new members all the time, but that doesn't explain the huge difference in this morning's reaction from the reactions a few weeks ago. A few weeks ago- her thoughts on offering a freebie for posting in galleries was accepted. She was told, by designers and customers alike, that it was a 'good idea'. I only found one dissenting opinion- and it wasn't really that dissenting, just a 'it might turn some away' comment- an acknowledging of potential risk, if you will. This morning, when she posted what she did and how it turned out and asked for opinions, she was met with more negative responses along the 'You shouldn't do that, it's not a good idea, people don't like to have to jump through hoops' line. I don't understand why this stuff wasn't posted when she said that she was considering doing it! They might have saved her some trouble- instead, she has to read how it shouldn't have been done in the first place.

Too often, we are afraid of being burnt to a crisp because we don't agree with the majority. This fear of being flamed has affected the effectiveness of discussion lists and messages to a point where people are actually waiting for two or three braver (or naive) souls to post a response before they post their response. We shouldn't have to worry about being flamed for our (non-offensive) opinions. We should be able to disagree with each other and not feel that we are flaming or being flamed. On some lists and message boards, nothing is lost with this fear- those are the 'fun' lists and message boards. On a true discussion list, where the point is to learn from each other, this fear can be detrimental to the purpose- it can make the group useless. If I ask for opinions- I want honest answers.

The internet has created a level of anonymity that many people enjoy- while opening us up to not only new ideas, but hurtful comments. We don't like to think that not everyone lives inside our little bubbles of experience. When someone bursts our bubble, we feel that because of the anonymity that we can 'correct' this person's opinion. Yet, when someone does this to us, we are being 'flamed' and are even more offended. So- we stop posting our opinions, in fear that someone's bubble will burst and we'll be roasted, toasted, and burnt to a crisp.