Social networks vs. forums

[Lucian]

Which do you enjoy more: interacting on social networks (Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr etc.) or interacting on online forums? What are the benefits and the minuses of social networks when compared to forums? Feel free to bring arguments to support your position.

 

[tango]

I think this is the sort of thing that's a matter of preference rather than one being inherently better than the other.

Personally I despise social networks. I think they would be better called "unsocial network" or "antisocial network" because they almost invariably bring out the worst in people. I've all but given up on social media because of the tidal wave of advertising, censorship and what I struggle to find a term for other than "human detritus". You know, the people who "follow the science" behind every issue but can't say anything intelligent because all they have is endless appeals to authority. Then there are the people who have their own view and anyone with a differing view is an (expletive) who is brainwashed by Fox/CNN/whatever.

On a relatively small forum you can figure whether at least most of the people are enjoyable to interact with. If a forum has a lot of people who become annoying past a certain point you can move to another forum. With the likes of Twitface there are increasingly few options.

 

[Lucian]

With the likes of Twitface there are increasingly few options.

Well, all social networks and (most) forums have a member blocking feature, as far as I know.

 

[Lamb]

I'm on both forums and social media (Facebook, not the others) and I go to each for different reasons. I guess that means I like each for different reasons? My family is on Facebook so I get to see my little cousins grow up even though I've never met them and I get to see updates on health and such. On Forums I can have interesting conversations that don't happen much on Facebook. The Groups can be too wild with people who flame so it's not a preferable environment.

 

[tango]

Well, all social networks and (most) forums have a member blocking feature, as far as I know.

I've blocked so many sources on Faceache it doesn't work any more. Sadly it doesn't offer a "block all political drivel from anyone" feature. So I used the ultimate blocking facility, the little red X on the browswer tab. Now I don't see any of the drivel.