Job Discussion Forums

[homersimpson]

of these circular debates? (also on General Discussion Forum)

You know the ones where clear facts are given and certain posters completely igonore them. I'm not talking about opinions; everyone is entitled to disagree. I'm referring to countless posts in which people are intentionally disregarding reality or are hopelessy ignorant.

[AndyH]

You mean like "The Iraq War" discussion, for example? Yeah, I got pretty tired of it after awhile, and like you, deemed it to be worthless.

[JimDunlop2]

This may not be exactly what you're talking about, and I don't wish to threadjack, but one thing I HAVE noticed that makes me really tired is that compared with a couple other online forums where I hang out (NOT Japan or ESL-related whatsoever) rather than re-re-re-re-re-re-re-reanswering the SAME questions a gazilion times, people are just pointed toward the thread(S) where the topic has already been beaten to death.

Whereas here, everyone (I'm guilty of this too) always seems to think they have a helpful new spin on the issue -- or maybe it's an enjoyment of seeing one's name and comments up on the 'Net (kind of like how some people jsut like the sound of their own voice...) I dunno.

Merely providing old thread links may not be the friendliest way to answer a n00b post but it may be the best way. In any event, I can sum up many of the questions on the Japan forum quite simply and quickly.

Here's my Top 10 most frequently/commonly treated topics that get beaten to death. I'm sure many will disagree with me.

1. I'm coming to Japan for FT work/PT work/holidays/etc -- what should I bring/do/wear/etc... Where/how should I do it?
2. How do I get Internet? I have a <insert computer system make/model/etc here>
3. What's NOVA like?
4. What's (insert name of any school) like?
5. Can I get a visa/job? I'm a <insert personal data here>
6. Can I earn enough money to achieve <insert goal here>
7. General complaints/gripes about any of the following: Japanese culture, Japanese people, Japanese working conditions, members of the opposite sex, etc. (I'm guilty of a couple of these too)...
8. Will I pay income tax on my Japanese earnings when I return to <insert country here> (but usually Canada)
9. What are my options for health insurance?
10. Advice on whether I can find: <insert: sport, hobby, food item(s), subculture, sexual preference, ethnic group, etc, etc> in Japan (or a particular city/region in Japan)

I guess it just shows that no one actually ever does read the stickies or use the search function. Or maybe they do but just don't know how to use it properly... Or they feel their contribution is unique enough from a similar question/posting that it will yield different answers/results.... Or... ahh, forget it. That's just what's been making ME tired of late. Now back to your rgular, scheduled programming....

[Lynn]

Jim, I have to agree with you. I also am an active member at another site (non-esl/Japn related) and the topics are very consice. If a same topic comes up the the person is directed to that old thread. Furthermore, the moderators close duplicate threads. No hard feelinds, just a simple note like: this same topic is being discussed under "such and such" thread.

I'm not sure if it would work here because the moderators rarely locks threads at all.

[markle]

could it be that people posters (esp. regulars) are just so happy to be talking with someone generally in a constructive manner. there may be a couple reasons for this 1. they are so frustrated with their teaching jobs that they're happy to be explaining things to people that are likely to understand and take notice, 2. board politics, an endless game of upmanship with regular posters trying to be the definitive expert on matters ESL Japan, or trying to score points in an ongoing (often unrelated and pointless) debate.

[Nagoyaguy]

For some people, these cyberspace areas are a place where they can actually feel like they have some power and dignity. It is usually a contrast to their real lives, where they have neither.

I mean, everybody is an expert at everything on the internet. Some people just like arguing, some like being the 'devils advocate', some like to develop a totally different personality to their own, some are living out a fantasy and relishing the chance to say things that in real life they would never dare to.

On the internet, every man is over 6 feet tall with washboard abs and pearly white teeth.

[spidey]

Speaking of repetition...

[Lister100]

Sorry if my laptop question falls into the repetition you speak of. I checked past threads on the subject but found they usually turned into pissing matches about Macs and PCs or more technical debates that lose me.

I might be wrong on this one(I'm new) but responding to old threads probably will not get the hits you need to solve a problem.

Again if I violated the etiquette I apologize.

[JimDunlop2]

Replying to even an old thread " bumps" the thread to the top of the queue.

No one is saying: "Don't post your questions," but rather, check to see if this has been covered before... Use "Search" if you must. Then, if you don't see the answer you're looking for, make your questions concise and specific. It also helps to give a hint what you're looking for in the subject line, without cryptic titles like: "I have a question......."

I am going to make an attempt to start answering more questions by referring people to past discussions, not because I think that will solve everyone's woes, but because a lot can be learned from wisdom passed on in days gone by...

[senorwaq]

I was just wondering...... sorry this might be a bit off topic.....

what's NOVA like?

[Nismo]