Is an online community beneficial?

[parksoobyung]

So, today (yuck, ginawa palang blog ang CotG) for Political Theory, one of the topics discussed were the benefits/non-benefits (sorry, biglang nag-shutdown ang wordpile sa utak ko, di ko mahanap ang word opposite benefits) of an online community. Yes, that includes forums, online gaming communities.. you know the drill. So, the underlying question was, "Is an online community beneficial in initiating discourse/expression of opinions?" (which is the whole point of our subject, so the teacher just had to bring it up)

Issues like identity were raised during the span of the discussion, also the pseudo-observation that (medyo magulo to so brace yourselves) one is not who he/she is in cyberspace, therefore he/she can adopt a certain POV that will not be his POV in real time..

so, thoughts?

[author's note: I did this to appease BD, but if it generates negative reactions, er, just forgive me. ]

[Blessed Devil]

I believe the word you're looking for is "detriment."

Of course an online community is beneficial in generating opinions. The fact that one is anonymous in cyberspace is the very thing that encourages people to speak out, be frank, and ultimately be an opinionated asshole. Because in the internet, you can just create another account and your name will be cleaned. And not only will you gain more courage to voice your opinion, but you can gain knowledge from ALL OVER THE WORLD.

Oh, but in case you or your teacher is wondering if websites like Friendster/MySpace/Multiply is a beneficial online community when it comes to opinions, it isn't. Because it's just a place for people who are still 1st-grade level when it comes to English grammar to gather and be little emo camwhore bitches together.

[AJ the Ass Slayer]

Online communities are completely beneficial in generating opinions. It's not like people can shut you up on the internet. Well, I suppose people can..=_=' But still...the internet is vast. Those opinions that we make...those online communities...that's what makes the world wide web.

And, yeah. Screw Friendster and MySpace. Those sites are all about teeny-boppers who want to be noticed.