Are there any benign discussions left on the internet now?

[IfOttersRuledTheEarth]

A bit miffed with it at the moment, I only use a few forums (reddit, MN, a couple of niche forums), but as times goes on it seems we are becoming less tolerant, overly reactive and just plain confusing.

For example, I answered a question on reddit last week by someone looking for tasty ways to up their fruit/fibre. I wrote out a homemade berry compote with seeds, nuts and yoghurt, how to create it, etc. I was rewarded with a wordy dressing down about how this conflicted with their food goals and that I should not be recommending a 'liquid diet' to people online because it was dangerous .

The only two other forums I used to use have become infested with politics and one-upmanship. One was a special interest, the other a cooking site. The cooking site has recently become less about sharing recipes and ideas as of old, and more about long winded arguments over vegan/keto/meat, you get the drift..

MN is what it is, you take the rough with the smooth, lol, but there don't seem to be many areas left where the attitude is relaxed or helpful. I wonder if this is because there are just so many of us online now, and the loudest protesters rise to the top?

I dunno, but it's sad. I used to really enjoy them, and did prefer forum based reading when having some down time. I left a post on reddit last week asking about British wildflowers and got downvoted into the bowels of hell. I sometimes wonder if I have activated a switch and broken into a new universe..aagh.

I always wonder why people are horrible on the internet. It takes effort to be mean - I’ll never understand it. So no where is safe really. Even support groups can descend into ill feeling and venom.

I know what you mean.
I don't see people being horrible so much as just utterly indecipherable, which seems to have become much more noticeable in the past decade. Just angry, snippy, reactive.
People seem so deeply entrenched in identity politics that they can completely come undone just discussing dinner.

I don’t have the answer OP, but I agree with you. Just this morning I was actually thinking about how certain totally benign topics on MN turn so nasty. Specifically I was thinking of “what temperature do you prefer your house” topics. That conversation should really go “oh I like mine 18” “really? Gosh I couldn’t have anything below 22!” “Oh really? Wow aren’t we all so different to each other”

but on MN… I mean if you read one of those threads it will speak for itself!

Some people (guilty at times 🙊) cant help replying .

In a face to face social contact you looking and pointly ignoring the comment give the looker the sadusfaction of saying "who asked you" 🤨 in a glance.

But brave of you to be on reddit👍

I don't contribute to reddit often, due to the wild and varied reactions. The most simple, friendly topic can escalate some odd downvotes.

It's as if the internet makes us more over sensitive, precious, aggressive.
Easier perhaps because we are not sat beside that person.

If you take an average MN spat, and those women were in a coffee shop instead, they'd be kinder, more patient, and less shouty

Is the doapimine and other hormones which are proven to give a feel good hit.💥

And an almoat zero chance of actually being hit for real🥊

😀

Reddit has always been a nest of vipers - much like X/Twitter.

Some forums are fine.

I used to love reddit for science-y stuff, but now most of these communities are over run with laypeople telling the scientists they're wrong.

I used to use a niche forum relating to unsolved mysteries/paranormal stuff (it was very sensible and non-woo) but now it just feels like a stomping ground for grumbly old men, politics and bland chat.

I am finding life offline more interesting now, although I used to love browsing. So much just feels bland, the same, repetetive.

I completely ignore idiots unless Im bored

Ive had it recently as well, musings that I might ramble on and asking questions to ponder on are jumped on, I think someone recently posted a response something like 'I'll pretend your question was genuine' or some bullshit like that!

Either answer or dont!

Also people have no sense of humour and cant seem to see irony or sarcasm or tongue in cheek or humorous hyperbole. I never preface anything I say along those lines with 'lighthearted'. I mean if they cant work it out thats their problem and then I'll just engage with those who are a bit more switched on.

Join r/sardines. It’s utterly random but somehow the most wholesome place on the internet. Just lots of people being lovely to each other…and talking about sardines.

Yeh, the 'lighthearted' thing reminds me of an abused child trying not to get hurt by over explaining him/herself in advance

It's all nutty these days. I just roll my eyes and move on.

Oh well explained, I wondered why It always makes me feel really uncomfortable, slightly cringey, desperate.

There are lots of benign long running threads and boards on Mn.