There ought to be a name for this apparent rule of message boards

[maclaine]

I have noticed this on many, many message boards, but especially on photo message boards. The way it usually goes is that someone will ask about a specific photo-related thing, whether it's a camera body, a type of film, a developer, a lens, whatever, and almost without fail, somewhere in the first several replies a person will chime in with "I've never used that lens/camera/film/developer/whatever, but here's my opinion anyway."

Honestly, I don't understand this. It is almost universal in those types of threads. Why would someone feel the need to voice an opinion on something that they admit to being ignorant about? I don't see how it helps the person asking the question in any way.

I know this is not a big deal, and someone here will tell me to relax, ignore it, whatever, but if the point of this type of community is to share knowledge, then it would be nice to not have useless clutter like that floating around.

End rant.

 

[Luna]

For the record, I have used every single lens, camera, film, developer in photography.
When I speak, my opinion counts.

Seriously? Don't sweat it. The internet, especially forums, is full of people who want to voice their opinions, knowledgeable or not. Everyone wants to be heard and if there is a medium they can do it in, with little to no repercussion, they will do it.

PS: It would be nice not to have useless clutter, but that is very, very unrealistic in a public access environment.

 

[rbiemer]

Some folks take the myth "every one has a right to an opinion" to heart and act accordingly.
Not sure what else to do about it but move on to the next post that does address the actual question at hand.
And, sometimes that unrelated opinion is interesting on its own.
Rob

 

[maclaine]

I should add that this isn't keeping me awake at night in anger, but once I first noticed it, I can no longer not notice it and how prevalent it is.

 

[pgeobc]

I don't know anything about message board rules and etiquette, but it seems to me...

 

[easyrider]

I should add that this isn't keeping me awake at night in anger, but once I first noticed it, I can no longer not notice it and how prevalent it is.

I've never seen such a message but here is my opinion anyway: If I saw it, I would read it and the post a comment whether I had anything to say or not .. 😛

Hey people, that's the Internet! Citizen journalism everyone is an expert, everyone has an opinion!