How do you percieve contributors in this category and others in Yahoo Q/A?

It's been said that 70 percent of all communication is non verbal.

I agree, in principle with that. With no tones of voice, facial expressions, body language, etc., we are missing that whole side of 'personifying' the speaker. Good writers can mitigate this, to some extent. However, there is still the action of typing... you can take words back, analyze them, switch them around, before they ever hit the audience.

I know that makes me look for more thoughtful and intelligent than I really am. In all my posts, the reader misses the 'hmmmmm,' unless I choose to include it for effect. You also get to miss all the times one starts an answer, then completely reformulates it, or begins an answer, then decides they don't care and never post it (I do that one often.)

For me, this produces the effect that I am dealing with caricatures of people. Each post produces an 'archetype' response (think Jung) where each person appears as a cartoon of a type of person. Since I'm typing, I get the chance to read and re-read, and make sure I am being moderate as I can (I've been known to be nasty judgmental on folks, with no real cause to do so, and I'm trying to curb that).

Because of this anonymity, I'm not concerned about my work interactions or anything like. None of us 'know' each other. I can be honest (and still moderate) while really trying to explore my own thoughts on the given subject. I know that it isn't 'me' that shows through, but the internet caricature of me, and I'm fine with that.

Actually, I kind of merge the two images. My problem is I have trouble knowing how to perceive someone's maturity level. I often mistake kids for adults and vice versa. However, when I'm here at YA and I see a serious question by someone who really needs help, I totally see them as a person and try my best to help them. I"m kind of a sucker that way, I guess, but I can't click to a less demanding question once I see someone who needs help if I can give it.

Anyway, I know a lot of misunderstandings come about because of the faceless identity behind a screen thing. A friend of mine and I have had many trying to read the person behind the words, but the truth is, without the voice or face to lend emphasis to words, it is easy to misunderstand or misconstrue an intended meaning. I guess that shows us how important body language and facial expressions are to us in an every day setting in communicating with others, doesn't it?

Still, one does adapt, I guess, since most of us are here almost every day. ;) LOL

for the most part, when people answer intelligently - for feminism or against it - i can respect their opinions and i can start to see their personalities after a few postings or so.

i have a hard time with the FR groups and those that advocate for "equality with a vengeance" (best way to describe it to date). And that's because I do know that there are real people behind the words. I know the kind of damage they are doing and the setbacks they are causing - in real life - not just virtually.

I also wonder why women are always so nice to people! I realize it often serves a purpose, but I think women concede too much and don't always show a backbone. But then again, I wonder if they know what's happening.

I get perturbed with the stupid questions like submissive wives and would like to see some meatier questions.

The core group, overall, seems nice & enjoy it when i get questions in my email box! thanks~

I've thought about this, too. I honestly think that if we could hear each other's voices, see each other's facial expressions, interpret one another's body language, there would be a whole lot less room for the interpretation of disrespect (real or imagined) between us. It's easy to misinterpret what is said online. Written words are not warm, they are not personal, they leave much room for interpreting them in a variety of different ways. It can seem cold, even when that's not how we're trying to come across.

I think you're right. Misunderstandings probably stem from this quite often.

Sure we are all humans typing (at least I think so!). People tend to have less inhibitions over the net, and much fewer fears of social repercussions for rudeness.

I tend to think people are *more* their true selves online because they act without the normal self-censoring we all use to get along day to day.

You are right that it's easy to misunderstand things too - people are imperfect mirrors and will react to what they think you mean, not necessarily what you actually do mean.

I also went to the science sections, and almost every question posted looked to me like a kid wanting their homework done for them, so I got very bored very fast with it. Singles and dating seems like a lot of hopeful and often confused teenagers hoping their crush will like them back, or struggling for advice with their first dates. R&S is a pretty broad spread, sometimes ridiculous and sometimes sublime.

Immigration is a whole lot of haters and some people who genuinely want help with migration information usually because they have fallen in love across different countries. It's a section I really like because I know I am genuinely helping people and making a huge difference to them which is very rewarding for me too.

Elections I like reading the stuff from fellow Aussies, and that about sums up my YA time (and I am spending too much time here lately...help!)

I perceive posters as real human beings, and I think they reveal themselves quite a lot, actually. In fact, I suspect we get to know each other better in particular ways than we would if we were physically present.

I for one am always distracted by people's physical attributes, clothing, beards, big noses, dandruff, or whatever! LOL which detracts from what they actually have to say.

As for a lack of respect, it's unfortunate, but not something I'm unfamiliar with in real life. Come on, do you live in a world full of polite people who never attack your ideas?

I enjoy the different postings and I love answering questions.

I think it is easier to post your opinion behind the anonymity of an avatar. I try to say things on here as politely as I would in real life. However, I get annoyed, just as I would in real life, and sometimes express it.

I perceive the contributors as real people. The phrase "different strokes for different folks" often comes to mind.

I have a hard time taking the vast majority of posters in this category seriously because of how extreme some of their positions/claims are. When I picture the person behind the "avatar" I imagine someone way less extreme who uses this corner of cyberspace as their rabble rousing corner. It doesn't seem to have anything to do with the elements of gender/women's studies or feminism that I'm involved with in my real life. that's OK though, it often entertains me when I should be doing other things so it is invaluable to me.

Actually, when I am in science and math, the information imparted is the thing. Sometimes we are invaded by ideologues, usually of the religious persuasion, but questions there are serious and treated thus. Questions here run the gamut from hilariously incoherent to ideologically aberrant. It is a dichotomy; night and day. Being here is the night, of course, but ideology must be opposed where ever it festers. There are a lot more categories than WGS; thankfully.

Y E S, all the time, just to see what other answers are to some of these other categories. Had to get the old dictionary out on those questions on the science category and the answers.