Do we realize how crazy we are? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Feanor of the Peredhil · 09-05-2005, 02:43 PM

I discovered today that this website is going to be invaluable to me in my Freshmen Comp class. Our first assignment was to read pages 3-30something and write a narrative in the style of Mark Twain. In any case, as I started reading, I realized that what I was "learning" was already things I'd learned here!

The first page discusses subject matter and audience of your writing. I've already learned about this by posting both in Mirth (often) and Books (less often, recently). In Mirth, things are far more loose and the writing is often directed to a younger (or at least goofier

) audience. We learn to play with words, to write with tone, to even use well-placed one liners. In Books, we've learned to write in a way that can prove davem wrong.

Which brought me to page four of the reading: research.

How many of us have learned the best ways to cite quotations or ideas? Who here learned that if you are quoting your own book, you should supply not just the title, but the page number, and most importantly, the edition? How many of us have reread what inspired us, just to make sure we've got our facts right? Checked up on ourselves with alternate sources?

How many of us have written posts that are either compelling, clever, or at least organized... occasionally for the sole purpose of trying to impress some of the oldsters? I know that I have, and I know that learning how to write a good post in Books is already helping me with writing a good paper in Comp.

And how many of us have learned that the edit button is our best friend?

So though we may be crazy to some... they are the ones that are going to miserably fail their writing, literature, analyzation, public speaking, and philosophy classes.

Gurthang · 09-05-2005, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Feanor of the Peredhil

How many of us have written posts that are either compelling, clever, or at least organized... occasionally for the sole purpose of trying to impress some of the oldsters? I know that I have, and I know that learning how to write a good post in Books is already helping me with writing a good paper in Comp.

True that.

I hadn't really considered the educational value of being on the Barrowdowns until Estelyn brought it up, and now Fea's post just adds to how grateful I am. Personally, looking back at the couple of years I've been on this forum, I can see that I have not only improved my literary skills, but also my people skills. I don't even know how much I used to just throw out random posts with no regard to how people would take them. Now I am much more concerned with 'Does this sound angry?' or 'Will this make people want to read it all?' or even 'How can I make this argument not sound purely spiteful?'

Most of us seem comfortable with the fact that others consider us crazy. Now has that affected us at all? I personally would like to think that I am a more considerate person due to what I mentioned above. Going along with that is tolerating other people's 'crazy' obsessions and not looking at them like freaks(Even though they look at us that way

).

Still, having said all that, I think that the Barrowdowns is much more worth the time(educational value) than a lot of other forums out there!

(500 posts! Whoo-Hoo!

*opens champange and sprays it everywhere*)

Durelin · 09-06-2005, 05:55 PM

Just as a comment on Esty's post, and the general discussion about 'educationalness' really... The Barrow-Downs has been largely responsible for improvement in my writing over the past 3 years. It ain't much, but...comparatively, the difference is huge.

It also helped me with my social incompetence...or worsened it...I'm not sure...

the guy who be short · 09-07-2005, 10:44 AM

One finds that one is much more likely to come across the impersonal pronoun on the Downs. In real life, one fears that use of the aforementioned pronoun could result in ostracisation due to a general belief that one is either pretentious or in some way connected to the Royalty, both traits that are likely to make one quite unpopular.

But seriously, it's oddly nice to use formal language and see it so commonly in use.

Yes, maybe I am nuts. Who cares?

**The Saucepan Man** · 09-07-2005, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TGWBS

Yes, maybe I am nuts.

Surely you mean: Forsooth, perchance one is nuts ...

The Only Real Estel · 09-07-2005, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Anyway, I simply act the way I want to act, and if someone doesn't like it that's fine by me.

Exactly. Take it or leave it, 'cause chances are slim that I will change it.

I suppose my 'craziness' probably grew a bit during the WW games I was able to play in. It's so wierd to have to turn down going to a movie because, "I still haven't voted yet", or not go out to eat because, "I have to see if I've been killed or not." But being on the forum is worth any grief you might get over it, & I personally don't get much.

Estelyn brought up a great point about how educational the forums are & Gurthang & others have made great points about how it's helped their writing/social skills. It has helped my writing (to a degree

), but it's helped me to think about the other person's point of view also. You may not agree with what they're saying, but that doesn't mean you can't try to understand it.

I realize how 'crazy' I might seem to others but, on the whole, I think my 'crazy' is probably better than their 'normal'.

Valesse · 09-07-2005, 01:50 PM

We (and by we I mean Barrow-Wight) have definately made a grand little culture for ourselves on this forum, what with our common love for the written word and fantastic realm building. It seems that we've (again I mean Barrow-Wight) a place where we are (this time I don't mean Barrow-Wight, but do not exclude him, as that is not wise.) free to explore the imagination of one man... or at least how we preceive it.

Like all cultures when viewed from the outside we downers (again not excluding BW.) are absolute and complete lunatics who greet people into a group by mocking them with well choosen, and somehow eloquient words... if thats possible. We delight in the trivial and the theoretical where others would buy the cliff-notes... this, as I see it (and by I, I mean me; not Barrow-Wight. *wink*), does not make us freaks, but-- now this might scare some of the younger or more sensitive wights-- normal... Which just might make everything in this world of ours (And by ours I do NOT mean Barrow-Wight, and exclude him COMPLETELY. Hmpft.) just a bit more scary.

Either that or I'm doing something wrong in Anthropology class, which is more likely, weirdos ; )

09-07-2005, 10:44 AM	#4
the guy who be short Shadowed Prince Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Thulcandra Posts: 2,343	The impersonal pronoun One finds that one is much more likely to come across the impersonal pronoun on the Downs. In real life, one fears that use of the aforementioned pronoun could result in ostracisation due to a general belief that one is either pretentious or in some way connected to the Royalty, both traits that are likely to make one quite unpopular. But seriously, it's oddly nice to use formal language and see it so commonly in use. Yes, maybe I am nuts. Who cares?

09-07-2005, 01:50 PM	#7
Valesse Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: \|Away Posts: 614	We (and by we I mean Barrow-Wight) have definately made a grand little culture for ourselves on this forum, what with our common love for the written word and fantastic realm building. It seems that we've (again I mean Barrow-Wight) a place where we are (this time I don't mean Barrow-Wight, but do not exclude him, as that is not wise.) free to explore the imagination of one man... or at least how we preceive it. Like all cultures when viewed from the outside we downers (again not excluding BW.) are absolute and complete lunatics who greet people into a group by mocking them with well choosen, and somehow eloquient words... if thats possible. We delight in the trivial and the theoretical where others would buy the cliff-notes... this, as I see it (and by I, I mean me; not Barrow-Wight. wink), does not make us freaks, but-- now this might scare some of the younger or more sensitive wights-- normal... Which just might make everything in this world of ours (And by ours I do NOT mean Barrow-Wight, and exclude him COMPLETELY. Hmpft.) just a bit more scary. Either that or I'm doing something wrong in Anthropology class, which is more likely, weirdos ; ) __________________ "Loo, what sholde a man in thyse dayes now wryte, 'egges' or 'eyren'?" - Caxton, Eneydos

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09-05-2005, 02:43 PM	#1
Feanor of the Peredhil La Belle Dame sans Merci Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: perpetual uncertainty Posts: 5,517	I discovered today that this website is going to be invaluable to me in my Freshmen Comp class. Our first assignment was to read pages 3-30something and write a narrative in the style of Mark Twain. In any case, as I started reading, I realized that what I was "learning" was already things I'd learned here! The first page discusses subject matter and audience of your writing. I've already learned about this by posting both in Mirth (often) and Books (less often, recently). In Mirth, things are far more loose and the writing is often directed to a younger (or at least goofier ) audience. We learn to play with words, to write with tone, to even use well-placed one liners. In Books, we've learned to write in a way that can prove davem wrong. Which brought me to page four of the reading: research. How many of us have learned the best ways to cite quotations or ideas? Who here learned that if you are quoting your own book, you should supply not just the title, but the page number, and most importantly, the edition? How many of us have reread what inspired us, just to make sure we've got our facts right? Checked up on ourselves with alternate sources? How many of us have written posts that are either compelling, clever, or at least organized... occasionally for the sole purpose of trying to impress some of the oldsters? I know that I have, and I know that learning how to write a good post in Books is already helping me with writing a good paper in Comp. And how many of us have learned that the edit button is our best friend? So though we may be crazy to some... they are the ones that are going to miserably fail their writing, literature, analyzation, public speaking, and philosophy classes.

09-06-2005, 05:55 PM	#3
Durelin Estelo dagnir, Melo ring Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 3,063	Just as a comment on Esty's post, and the general discussion about 'educationalness' really... The Barrow-Downs has been largely responsible for improvement in my writing over the past 3 years. It ain't much, but...comparatively, the difference is huge. It also helped me with my social incompetence...or worsened it...I'm not sure...