Forum Anxiety

[Terramaria]

This is sort of a forum idea I got while realizing I've been playing on NationStates for almost five years now, and yet I've barely posted on the forum. I'm not too sure how many other nations are out there like me who simply "play the game" and don't really browse the forum, and to be honest, I feel as though I'm one of few. It's not out of unwillingness however, it's more of a social anxiety type thing with me. Every time I browse an "IC" thread and see an area I would love to contribute in, I almost automatically begin to think to myself, "Oh no, I don't know anything about how politics actually work, these people are going to think i'm an idiot!"

And this has been going on for five years now. Granted two of these years have been spent in the Marine Corps thus far. So this leads me to another thought I had as well. I'm confident in my job in real life, I perform it extremely well, and have been noted as understanding it better than most of my peers. Why is it then that I instantly become anxious when I go to an online forum for a game I love because I don't want to sound like an idiot? I have no problem learning from my mistakes in real life, but it's almost as though I can't bring myself to want to sound uneducated on government structure and how countries communicate with each other. I know it also falls an me as well, as I haven't even researched the topic too well, considering priorities of real life.

Is there any good starting point to begin understanding international relations between countries? Anything would be helpful, thanks for taking the time to read this if you did!

Er'Rah.

[Dame Edna Everage]

Oh dear possum! (I know this is "OOC" I'm just playing along with the character!)

I know you're afraid to sound uneducated, or dare I say, even uncouth on the forum - but frankly - who cares!

Nobody knows who you are IRL, this is a forum populated by (at times) ego maniacs who believe they are always right, keyboard warriors and the like, so just post your feelings and thoughts, just be prepared to defend them if you make factual statements or arguments!

Read the news my dear! http://www.bbcnews.com is a good starter, or The New York Times, Reuters, whatever, read Wikipedia for general information and in-depth articles...

In short, just be you! To hell with what people think, just try and have a good time, or, don't even bother posting if you're not comfortable! It's up to you!! *pats hand*

[Alyakia]

i can't help you with IR but i will say that yeah i am ridiculously anxious on forums as well. i'm basically over it regarding NS though.

[Empire Of Diakoth]

Well I may be able to bring some clarity to the Internet game forum thing, maybe. It may all just boil down to the fact that if you do something stupid in real life it just floats right on past and most people end up forgetting about it, but on the Internet on these forums and stuff it sticks around for at least as long as the forum sticks around, unless someone saves it and posts it somewhere else for whatever reason. Therefore that kind of anxiety may be justified to some degree, although I do believe that most people don't really have the time or inclination to harras someone on these forums, or anywhere, just for the sake of it as there is the possibility of punishment and banning by the administrators should it go too far. Of course this is just my view on the matter and may be incorrect in many areas so please tell me if you believe that anything I say is wrong.

[Pope Joan]

If you look at what think tanks say on various issues, it can help you look well informed. Of course, most operate out of one bias or another.

My favorite, with a left wing bias, is the Brookings Institute.

http://www.brookings.edu/research#ukraine/topics/

The Cato Institute is libertarian.

The Heritage foundation is conservative.

[Farnhamia]

Well I may be able to bring some clarity to the Internet game forum thing, maybe. It may all just boil down to the fact that if you do something stupid in real life it just floats right on past and most people end up forgetting about it, but on the Internet on these forums and stuff it sticks around for at least as long as the forum sticks around, unless someone saves it and posts it somewhere else for whatever reason. Therefore that kind of anxiety may be justified to some degree, although I do believe that most people don't really have the time or inclination to harras someone on these forums, or anywhere, just for the sake of it as there is the possibility of punishment and banning by the administrators should it go too far. Of course this is just my view on the matter and may be incorrect in many areas so please tell me if you believe that anything I say is wrong.

*shakes her head* Run-on sentences ... *summons Guards* Take him away.

As far as the posting anxiety goes, you get over it around you 100th post. After all, what do you care what other people think, especially people who have nothing better to do than spend all day posting on an internet forum?

[Empire Of Diakoth]

Well I may be able to bring some clarity to the Internet game forum thing, maybe. It may all just boil down to the fact that if you do something stupid in real life it just floats right on past and most people end up forgetting about it, but on the Internet on these forums and stuff it sticks around for at least as long as the forum sticks around, unless someone saves it and posts it somewhere else for whatever reason. Therefore that kind of anxiety may be justified to some degree, although I do believe that most people don't really have the time or inclination to harras someone on these forums, or anywhere, just for the sake of it as there is the possibility of punishment and banning by the administrators should it go too far. Of course this is just my view on the matter and may be incorrect in many areas so please tell me if you believe that anything I say is wrong.

*shakes her head* Run-on sentences ... *summons Guards* Take him away.

As far as the posting anxiety goes, you get over it around you 100th post. After all, what do you care what other people think, especially people who have nothing better to do than spend all day posting on an internet forum?

Sorry I'm not a practiced writer I'm fairly new to this all.

[Terramaria]

I appreciate the words so far everyone, along with where to start with getting familiar with national relations. It's always appreciated, I'll be sure to keep this in mind down the road.

Er'Rah.

[Czechostan]

I'd imagine the more you post, the less anxious you get. I'm pretty hesitant and nervous when posting.

[United Russian Soviet States]

My anxiety comes from OOC stuff in General when people slam me.

[Czechostan]

My anxiety comes from OOC stuff in General when people slam me.

Well, your views are slammable when you're on a left leaning forum.

[Kelinfort]

If you research the topic, make well thought out points, and use evidence (this one especially), you'll be good to go anywhere.

[Kelinfort]

My anxiety comes from OOC stuff in General when people slam me.

Write more than one sentence and don't make general statements without evidence.

[In Gentem Et De Libris Scientiam]

My anxiety comes from OOC stuff in General when people slam me.

Well, your views are slammable when you're on a left leaning forum.

Ture true.
CZECHOSTAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

how ya been?

[Liberty and Linguistics]

Trust me, on a forum like NSG, you really shouldn't worry about what people think. Especially given the...errr....misinformed nations we have that frequent this forum. Plus, if you feel uneducated on a topic, talk to people on the thread, get informed, and then formulate an opinion.

Forum anxiety is pointless with NS, because unless you're a jackboot licking nazi or frothing at the mouth conspiracy theorist, we'll probably enjoy your company.

[Czechostan]

Well, your views are slammable when you're on a left leaning forum.

Ture true.
CZECHOSTAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

how ya been?

Fine. Now I must obligatorily respond to the topic to avoid derailing the thread.

Don't be hesitant to accept criticism. As long as you're polite and don't dogmatically follow your views, you'll be fine.

[Esternial]

Oh you're making the right choice.

Because we will judge you.

This Forum will judge you until the end of times and will always remember the mistakes you make.

[Eastfield Lodge]

Trust me, on a forum like NSG, you really shouldn't worry about what people think. Especially given the...errr....misinformed nations we have that frequent this forum. Plus, if you feel uneducated on a topic, talk to people on the thread, get informed, and then formulate an opinion.

Forum anxiety is pointless with NS, because unless you're a jackboot licking nazi or frothing at the mouth conspiracy theorist, we'll probably enjoy your company.

And a lot of us would enjoy their company as well, even if they'd hate ours.

[Empire Of Diakoth]

Bah! What I think is if they believe they can judge me let them it makes no difference in my life in the end cause all they are is people that know nothing about me and don't care about me anyways and guess what feelings mutual.

Don't Even comment on the poor grammar cause I don't care enough to correct it.

[New Skaaneland]

Is there a help against this so that I can get more confident?

[Reploid Productions]

Well, for aspiring roleplayers, when in doubt, we do have the Mentors who are ready and willing to help you learn the ropes. No two players will RP the exact same way, but I'm pretty sure with a little time and patience you can find a group that you mesh well with.

[Scandinavian Nations]

This is sort of a forum idea I got while realizing I've been playing on NationStates for almost five years now, and yet I've barely posted on the forum.

You're not missing out on much in this section.

Why is it then that I instantly become anxious when I go to an online forum for a game I love because I don't want to sound like an idiot?

Combination of high expectations of oneself with the fact that most people make fools out of themselves the first time? Just a guess.

The easiest start is in Factbooks - viewforum.php?f=23 - embassy threads and the like are easy to get into and you can find examples of acceptably-written posts, as well as plenty of subpar ones.
The milrealism thread in FaNI - viewtopic.php?f=23&t=330512 - is a good place for OOC discussions and getting to know the people. It's populated by some of the better players in the game.
GE&T - viewforum.php?f=6 - is another forum that's easy to join, but with the RP going on there to some degree meaningful.

International Incidents is a more involved forum requiring some commitment, and the forum called NationStates is largely reserved to serious roleplaying these days.

[The Liberated Territories]

Yeah there are a lot of assholes here and sometimes I don't feel like commenting on certain things because of them.

[Eastfield Lodge]

This is sort of a forum idea I got while realizing I've been playing on NationStates for almost five years now, and yet I've barely posted on the forum.

You're not missing out on much in this section.

Why is it then that I instantly become anxious when I go to an online forum for a game I love because I don't want to sound like an idiot?

Combination of high expectations of oneself with the fact that most people make fools out of themselves the first time? Just a guess.

The easiest start is in Factbooks - viewforum.php?f=23 - embassy threads and the like are easy to get into and you can find examples of acceptably-written posts, as well as plenty of subpar ones.
The milrealism thread in FaNI - viewtopic.php?f=23&t=330512 - is a good place for OOC discussions and getting to know the people. It's populated by some of the better players in the game.
GE&T - viewforum.php?f=6 - is another forum that's easy to join, but with the RP going on there to some degree meaningful.

International Incidents is a more involved forum requiring some commitment, and the forum called NationStates is largely reserved to serious roleplaying these days.

What, no love for NS Sports?

[New Werpland]

Yeah there are a lot of assholes here and sometimes I don't feel like commenting on certain things because of them.

You're my favorite Libertarian.