Feedback and Suggestion Box

[Son of Númenor]

Alchisiel

It's not intentional of course but I'm very intimidated by most of you because most of you have read the books over and over again while the newbies have read them at least once. I myself am now reading LotR for the second time. All of that knowledge can be quite intimidating.

I can see how it might be intimidating to jump in on discussions like those that went on in the Foreword thread, but when we read the book chapter-by-chapter, try to think of it as your first time reading it. Just write any observations you make, any feelings you feel towards characters and events, and any emotions you experience while reading. If you do that, then it does not matter how many times you have read the chapter in question before. It does not matter if the person who posts before you has read the book 3,087 times and you are reading it for the first time.

This endeavour seems simple to me: read the chapters, share what you think, and discuss your thoughts to gain a better understanding of your personal experience with The Lord of the Rings.

[Fingolfin II]

Great advice, Son of Númenor.

Alchisiel, the people who write 'eloquently' with proper grammar and spelling do so to make it easier and more enjoyable for others to read. However, I can understand that the 'deep' discussions of those who have read the books several times can seem a bit daunting and discourage newbies from contributing, especially if they think their comments and opinions don't 'match up' or aren't good enough when compared to the posts of the more experienced BD-ers. That shouldn't be the case though; as Son of Númenor said, it doesn't matter how small or insignificant you think your post will be- just post it, get involved in the discussion and try and learn from other posters.

I'm no expert, but I try my best to add to a discussion and sometimes the points I raise are discussed even though I think that they are not well made. This adds to my confidence so I am able to make better and more worthwhile contributions in the future (better contributions does not necessarily mean longer posts). I think this will also work for you and any other shy Barrow-Downers.

There are quite a lot of you that speak very eloquently and that can be intimidating also. For me personally I have always been intimidated by someone who speaks so eloquently because it makes me feel so common.

Writing eloquently, as I said before, is customary for most on the Barrow-Downs Forum as it is much more pleasant to understand and read. Language like 'r u thinking aragorn iz cool' doesn't seem as nice to read and can be quite hard to understand. By the way, I think you were pretty 'eloquent' yourself in that post .

[Durelin]

It's not intentional of course but I'm very intimidated by most of you because most of you have read the books over and over again while the newbies have read them at least once.

My confession is: I have only read The Lord of the Rings, cover to cover, once! There is not enough time in any life to read all the books that need reading! All those discussing the book in the Chapter-By-Chapter thread will need to read as they discuss. I know that most thoughts come as rather abrupt revelations, not after years of contemplation and study. Though I guess I might be accidently belittling some members of this forum right now...please forgive!

Alchisiel - Look! You've already written a three paragraph post, and on the suggestions thread! I think you'll do fine.

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Son of Numenor wrote

This endeavour seems simple to me: read the chapters, share what you think, and discuss your thoughts to gain a better understanding of your personal experience with The Lord of the Rings.

Hear hear! *Fordim claps* Hear hear!

[Orofaniel]

First of all I would just say that the Chapter to Chapter forum is looking....awesome. =D I'm very positive towards the idea, and I plan on spending some time there when it starts for full.

I've noticed a lot of questions regarding whether the more "experienced" posters should make their posts easier to understand so that everyone can reply afterwards. Fingolfin wrote:

However, I also believe that while more 'experienced' posters should aim to try and make their post so everyone can reply (I realise that this is not always possible, especially in debates about HoME and The Letters), the onis should also be on new posters to contribute to the discussion themselves.

I wouldn't say it is the "experienced" posters that make it difficult and hard for others to reply. When I read the really "old" ( ) BarrowDowner's posts I find their thoughts and ideas very interesting. This is mostly because I know they have more knowledge than myself. I don't feel the need to post to add my own views sometimes; I just want to read others opinions, and I like that. Every time I usually find a couple of posters with the same views as mine. However, if I wanted to add something I would. I don't think anyone should be afraid to post on the big discussions because your opinions are just as important as ever one else’s' opinions.

The main reason I don't usually post on the big discussions is that I'm too late to discover them! I start reading them when there are two pages and so on. The difficulty for me is simply to keep track with the posters.

I really hope that the Chapters by Chapters discussions will go slower, although I doubt it. It would, however, be fun to see more posters. As a matter of fact, I would like to post more on those really good book discussions; I'm only hoping it doesn't move too fast. =P (Don’t get me wrong though; I still want good, long book discussions…..)

Cheers,
Oro

[Guinevere]

I agree very much with what Orofaniel wrote! I read much, much more than I post myself.

The main reason I don't usually post on the big discussions is that I'm too late to discover them! I start reading them when there are two pages and so on. The difficulty for me is simply to keep track with the posters.

Well, I sit and read for hours these fascinating threads (yes! I've read the whole "Canonicity" thread!), silently shaking my head or nodding enthusiastic approval, and thinking up all sorts of replies, but when I've come to the end of the thread, it is usually so that everything I think and wanted to say has already been expressed by others who at that wrote it much better than I would be able to. And I think the BarrowWight doesn't approve of posts that merely say: "Great post! You said the very thing that was in my mind! "etc. So I usually daren't reply, even if I would like to express my approval and admiration.
Also I'm a bit in awe of all those erudite and eloquent Downers as well But this is by no means meant as a reproach!! I don't want anything different! I'm enjoying reading all those big discussions and I have learnt incredibly much that way.

I think this "chapter by chapter"reading is a good opportunity for me to reread the books once more from beginning to end and not merely in random bits like in the past year.

[Mister Underhill]

There's a lot of great advice here.

I certainly am aware of how difficult it is for a new person to carve out a niche on an established board. Getting a curt, dismissive reply can be discouraging, but having your post be completely overlooked and ignored can be just about as dispiriting.

Here's a couple of tips on ways for less established members to successfully join a discussion:

• Try to engage other members when you post. You can build a reputation just by making good posts and waiting to eventually get noticed, but it can be a slow process on an older, faster-paced board like the Downs. One thing that can help you along is to actively engage the other participants in the discussion. Read others' discussion points, then challenge them, ask questions about them, give your reactions to them, expand on them.
• Give reputation -- and sign your comments. We all like to get positive feedback, and few things will get someone to stop and check out your posts more than remembering that they got positive comments from you. Naturally, I don't mean that you should run around handing out fake reputation just to get people to like you. Be genuine. If you liked something, say so. Don't blow smoke, just be sincere.

If the established members really want to see more new faces actively participating, then we need to encourage them when they appear. It's easy to forget that if you're an established member, you can post just about anything and feel confident that at least a few people will read and respond to what you've said.

These same two tips can be used by more experienced and established members to help others out.

• Engage other members. If you notice that someone has posted and that no one has reacted to it, throw the person a lifeline and engage their post.
• Give reputation; sign it. You know the drill; if you see something you like, reward it! Think about how cool it feels to get positive comments, then take the time to give some of that back to others who deserve it. It will embolden them to post more often.

To wind up an overlong post, I think Son of Númenor's advice in post #16 is right on the money.

Read, share, discuss.

It's that simple.