What's Your Value Here? - Page 2

My value to these boards is pretty small. I've been here for a few years but I have a pretty low post count. On the other hand, I don't have a lot of assholy or doucheback -posts.

A while ago I would have said I contribute interesting opinions, different perspective, whatever. Frankly I've been told enough times on these boards I'm not funny, not interesting, not witty, or not with enough experience or perspective to have a worthy voice. I take alot from the stories and different perspectives on these boards. This is a great place to open your mind to all kinds of forms of thinking you would have never considered. I can't count the number of times Devin has called me out and made me reconsider what I was thinking in a new light.

In that way... I guess my value is niavity, if that makes sense.

I don't post a whole lot but read the boards several times a day. To me, I like being a part of the conversation, whether it be on film, television, music or politics. The sense of community is strong here and most everyone on the boards are very bright (even if I disagree with them). Some really great, smart points are made.

I provide encouragement and positive feedback to posters and writers. Occasionally I even post an opinion on films.

I've written a few snarky/rude words directed at other Chewers, but have always felt the need to apologize with regrets. I'm pretty uncomfortable with some of the negativity/animosity expressed on the boards.

I add the odd humourous comment or commentary. I used to try steer a lot of the conversations down a more personal path, but have mostly given up since current forum convention states that sharing with internet-strangers is a waste of time.

Like many, I've taken a lot from the boards though - even a couple of real life friends, which isn't too bad for someone who lives on the tip of the dark continent.

devincf, I would like to think that I have contributed more bad puns to these boards than anyone. But, seriously, I like posting to all the chewers on the boards (even Greg David, whom I usually disagree with.) on CHUD.COM. It is the best online community on the net, and I am proud to be a member.

I'm fucking useless. A court jester, at best.

whats below a court jester? that's where I hang out.

What Matt Turner says basically goes for me as well. I come for the movie discussion, and I read almost every post going on in the movie forums. I know though that while my movie knowledge is light years ahead of my personal friends, on the boards I'm a complete movie gimp, so to speak. I take away a lot of information, but I don't add much because, like Slater said, so many people add nonsense and bullshit, why add to the static? I'd rather keep my nose out and read the more interesting discussion.

I do know a lot more about sports and gaming, and discussing favorite TV shows is a bit easier than film I think, so I try to keep my babbling around there.

Not sure exactly what my value is here. I Like to think I may have helped some of the younger guy's in the Filmmakers thread who want to start working in films by either giving my own stories or saying what I look for when trying to get crew for movies. I tend to leave the site up all day since I am in the prod office and when things get slow it is something to read.

I don't know. I think maybe I sometimes provide the occasional insight into production or a film I worked on.

Since I've become a member of this forum I have made an ass of myself with a stupid personal problem thread and I created a thread about county fairs. That is it. If I were half as smart as some of you guys I could positively contribute but I'm not. When I comment, it is usually a waste of everyone's time.

I'm here because I love movies and I like to think. Where I live people don't get that. On this website, even if I don't actually contribute, I can read discussions that analyze movies, TV shows, music and politics. This place is filled with the type of people I wish I could find in my town. Unfortunately, I am stuck with arrogant, ignorant, back-woods, racist douchebags that I just really don't like.

I don't know how many people here have lived in a very rural area so you might not understand but I am basically surrounded by Duke Fleeds.

My value here is non-existant, but this board gives me the oppurtunity to learn and laugh and think.

There's a lot of unnecessary modesty going around here from some good sorts.

As an aside, I'd like to add that I value all of the online friendships that I've made because of this board. You guys know who you are, and you should know that you can count on a beer (or a scotch) if you ever make it over here to MN.

I don't think I contribute anything of importance. I try, unsuccessfully, to discuss movies but both the time difference and the difference in the date a lot of movies come out means I often miss the conversation and just end up commenting after the fact. When it comes to more general discussion on films I think I lack the toolset to hang with a lot of the regulars so I tend to just read it. The one thing I think I can really contribute is give the odd advice to Chewers with PC problems since that's my field.

I started a few threads both about movies and random stuff on the internet but except for the Wire one they tend to go nowhere. The one good thing I can admit is that I try to behave on the board the same way I do in real life.

I suppose I'm more of a taker than a giver on the board. I'll read the film threads or anything that has some meaningful discussion but I doubt I usually add anything of a lasting value; I suppose I ask a bunch of questions about movies or articles, rather than looking up the answer myself, because I want to keep discussion going. But that's probably something I say to keep me warm at night.

I like it here, it's my favorite site on the internet hands-down. Heck, if anything, I've contributed to a few DVD reviews that I'm sure a few people have read by now.

I guess I try not to get in the way. Try not to rattle any cages.

Well, I'd rather let my actions speak for themself rather than boast.

The first thing I thought when reading the first post in this thread was that Devin was talking about me...

At any rate, I read a lot more than I post, and am not really snarky in general (so my joke count is really low, if it exists at all), but I do enjoy it when a good discussion pops up around here, even if they are pretty short. The Synecdoche, New York thread is a pretty good example of the type of thread that I like to get involved in, even if it is a bit brief, and I may only post, I don't know, maybe twice, I at least feel like I'm contributing a little bit to a solid conversation about a damn good movie.

I'm terms of value, very little.

I only post when I have something to say, I very rarely start threads and don't have a huge amount of film knowledge.

But I do read all the articles on the main page even if I think I won't like the subject, and I do enjoy the hell out of this place.

For me real life got in the way of spending too much time on the internet, and I'm finding i watch more films on cable or dvd now than in the cinema.

And the most important thing is the Chewers and Staff never fail to both inform and entertain me.

I obviously can't offer much in the way of film history expertise, but I'm constantly trying to learn, so I try to actively participate with that in mind. As time goes on though, I get increasingly comfortable with the production side of this whole thing and try to offer that as a possibly worthwhile perspective.

I've never really been sure how my age affects my posting and the perception there is of me (one never wants to be the dumbass whipper-snapper). Impetuousness is something I try to avoid.

True value though? I'm a huge supporter of the site, and I work hard to pimp it in the real world, so my intent here is to be as actively supportive as possible. I feel like this is a special place, and considering everything it's done for me, I don't want a podcast or a CHUDsploitation to go by without what little notice I can provide.

It can't be that everyone adds nothing. Also, we're all the absolute worst judges of what value we have to other people here, because everyone has a different idea of what the boards are supposed to be. I might be funny and intelligent to one poster, and a complete pain in the ass to another, all based on the same attempted Back to the Future joke eight months ago.

One reason this is a difficult question to answer is that I've never really looked at this in terms of whether I'm pulling my weight or not, and I don't mean that in a snooty way. We'd be better able to define what value other posters bring to the boards, although for the record, I think that's a pretty horrible idea. Personally, I think the more interesting question is what value these boards have to us, as individuals.

I'm not delusional enough to think I add "value" to this place. If I left this minute and never returned the MB would move right along. There would be a couple of people who I've become friendly with who might say "where'd he go" but I doubt it would affect them that much.

As for what I do add? I try and contribute to the MMA thread when I have time as it's something I enjoy a great deal and I feel I have a decent knowledge of the sport. Same thing with TV show threads, and video games.

And yes, I've posted retarded "Can't wait to see this" responses as well, but I believe those are offset by my lack of ever starting any "I hate flip flops" threads.

As to the reason why I continue to return here? I've made a few friends here and I value their opinions and like to check in with them from time to time. I hope others feel the same about me, but if they don't they can always put me on ignore.

I don't know if the premise of the thread just attracts the self-loathers over anyone else or what, but this has been quite the sobering read.

Oh, I'm in the self-loathing category, or at least the "I really like movies and have learned a lot here but not enough to really contribute" category.

Edit: Would also be interested in a poll of who, like FutekiNa, immediately self-identified when reading Devin's opening post.

Much like everyone else in here, I don't bring much value. I'm more of a lurker most of the time, but even when I go through periods of posting a lot I harbor no delusions of grandeur. I do get a lot from the site though. Over the years I have taken a lot from the MB too.

I did start a thread about older women like 4 years ago that's still kicking, but I'd hate for that to be my legacy. I've started some inconsequential threads of course, but I do contribute to serious threads when I have something to say. The problem lately is that someone has usually said what I would say and I don't want to just type "what he said..."

Shit, it's been 7 years since I joined, and I have 4300 posts. That's a lot of treading water.

I know Devin hates this. But honestly, why are these kinds of posts bad? People come to CHUD hopefully to read the main page and learn movie news. But the message boards are a supplement to the main site and serves as a venue for like minded individuals to connect on a number of topics.

Message board members are not experts and shouldn't be expected to be. Expressing excitement about an upcoming movie is exactly what we should be doing. Once we see a movie, we should certainly express our feelings about it. But if someone says what we are feeling, why should we be made to feel bad for expressing our agreement with those posts. In fact, it shows fellow Chewers that we respect their opinion.

I don't think I'm particularly 'valuable' to the CHUD community at large, but it means an awful lot to me, so the value I get vs. the value I give probably tips way more in my favor. This is post 2,532 for me and I've been here since 2003 (man oh man, how the time does fly), so I'm not the most prolific poster. I'd like to think a lot of the folks around here know who I am, at least a little bit, but I have no problem thinking I likely fade into the background a lot too.

I probably spend too much time in the gaming forum (and most of my buddies on 360 and PS3 are on the boards here), I don't see as many movies as I'd like to and don't participate in as much film discussion because of that, but I do pop up in threads on certain TV shows, and overall try to pop in on main page discussions when I think I have soemthing relevant to say. If I had to make a case for myself I'd probably say that I'm an honest poster. I'm not here to pretend or put on a show, and I think I do a pretty good job of not pissing people off or picking on people. This place is important to me whether or not I am inportant to IT.

Don't sell yourself short, Rich -- you were a great holiday gift-swap partner!

I certainly take a lot more out of this forum than what I contribute. I try to add to the conversation when I have something meaningful to say. However, the majority of the time I find myself adding to conversations way past their prime. Occasionally, my addition will be enough to re-spark the thread, but most of the time that is not the case.

You did, however, turn a bunch of us Cigar Chewers on to cigarbid.com. We, at least, are forever in your debt for that.

It's just so easy, that cigarbid! They don't even trouble you with particulars if you win. They just send your stuff and a picture of a finely dressed gentlemen tipping his hat to you.

It's crazy.

I let a writer know when his article or review was especially great. I try to respond with a new avenue of argument rather than just QFTing. I increase the percentage of posts that correctly use apostrophes, "media," "jibe," and "bias."

I said it once and will say it again, cigarbid is the devil.

That's an admirable stance. It's just very surprising to me that usually confident voices have gone a little coy here.

Seriously?

Like, for real?

Really? I expected exactly what we've gotten -- post after post of variations on "Aw shucks, I'm just happy to be here." Nobody's going to come in and trumpet themselves.

I think once in a blue moon I can bring a little bit of insider knowledge of comics that someone else might find interesting in some way. Even if it's in a "Why does anyone know that?" way. Other than that I just like to talk about and read people's opinions in regards to movies, TV, games and stuff like that with other people who might bring some insight of their own that I had no clue about.

About a year ago, I created a thread dedicated to the "only a message board" mindset. In that thread, I defended spending time on CHUD as a valuable use of a portion of one's daily 24. In that thread, I wrote about what CHUD means to me.

I haven't thought much about what I mean to CHUD, any more than I think about what I bring to a dinner party. Thanks for the thought provoking question.

I used to have a remarkably easy office job at which I was very good. It took me about four hours per day to do my measurable work, and I spent the rest of the time doing immeasurable work. That included keeping up with domestic and global politics, and I saw wading into the Political Discourse forum as a way to expose myself to points of view I might otherwise miss (Groupthink is easy when everyone with whom you associate is like you.). I was able to make a significant contribution to that forum because its subject matter was within my expertise and I had time to research and write relevant material.

About a year ago, I made a life change. I traded in my "big brain guy" hat for an "adventure guy" hat. I now have significantly less time to spend on the Boards, and the great questions of the day lay outside my expertise. Thus, I no longer have much of substance to contribute.

Nevertheless, in the time I've been here, I've come to like the Chewers. So now, I'm happy to show up, tell a joke or share a story, and just enjoy the flow of the conversation(s). It beats the hell out of hotel tv, and that's good enough for me.

I think my biggest contribution to these boards ever was coming up with with a fanwank reason why and how all the Freddy and Jason films might fit together.

Absolutely. A little humility is, obviously, nice. People could just stand to give themselves the credit they deserve. Given the appreciation for the site and fellow Chewers amongst some of the folks here, I find it odd there's not been more back-patting.

Do the say something nice about the person above you thread if you want some head patting. This is the introspective thread.

The funny thing is most people here either are over doing the humility, or alot of the people in this thread bring next to nothing to a community that it supported by the select few.

But it's public introspection. So you're still left with the choice between preening or self-deprecation.

I'd like to think I make good points and good jokes now and then, but I'm the person least qualified to speak to that. One thing I think I've gotten pretty good at is not taking disagreements personally. I may still get wound up occasionally in the politics forum, but come on, it's the politics forum.

So I guess I think my value comes from being generally good-natured and not stupid.

I honestly can't believe how some chewers responded. Fascinating how people seem to think of themselves.

I am here to bring balance to the force.

I try to contribute a bit to the politics forum and I know I frustrate the heck out of some people in doing so. I'd like to think that at least I bring a different perspective on some issues, but I do learn a lot from our discussions ... specially from people who don't agree with me (or who think they don't).

I get my list of films to watch from you guys because you are way more knowledgeable about film than I am. I mean you take stuff like Zhukov's posts on foreign films, that's a really valuable resource on movies that you may not notice at all elsewhere.

Chicks dig me, because I rarely wear underwear and when I do it's usually something unusual. But now I know why I have always lost women to guys like you. I mean, it's not just the uniform. It's the stories that you tell. So much fun and imagination. ElCapitanAmerica, you are a madman. When you stole that cow, and your friend tried to make it with the cow. I want to party with you, cowboy. If the two of us together, forget it. I'm gonna go out on a limb here. I'm gonna volunteer my leadership to this platoon. An army without leaders is like a foot without a big toe. And Sergeant Devin isn't always gonna be here to be that big toe for us. I think that we owe a big round of applause to our newest, bestest buddy, and big toe... Sergeant Devin.

In retrospect, I wish I had just said "A buck fitty."

Dre wins the thread.

I got Devin to list my values for me in post 3. Suck it, nerds!

Bah.

As usual.

Damn, I was at least hoping someone who chime in and say "You know Agee, you're not that bad" to boost my Chud.com self-esteem. I take it back: Without me this board is nothing! It would cease to exist for all intents and purposes as I am the grestest Chewer of them all!

Oh come on BA - you're not that great.

Bancroft Agee, You are right, You are the Grestest Chewer Of All Time. Now, I have to figure out what Grestest means.