Often when I see someone puzzled about why their factually and logically sound post or comment is responded to so negatively it’s because their tone does not encourage people to take their thoughts seriously. Unfortunately, the tone of your post matters and the tone you need varies based upon your target audience.
I’m curious, because this may be a mistake I often make. How specifically do you “encourage people to take your thoughts seriously”? Do you mean the style of the text, or inserting links to supportive papers, or some kind of disclaimer like “hey everyone, this is serious”, or...?
I don’t really have any specific advice on how to write in this way. I don’t think I consistently write in this way either, but not through lack of trying.
I’m talking about getting people to respond to the content of your post rather than responding to more nebulous social or emotional stuff that they take away from the phrasing, tone and subject matter of what you write...specifically if the social/emotional context is not intentional.
Some quick thoughts:
Is the style of your text confrontational? I think some people are able to get away with being confrontational and not turn people off from the content, but I think that’s far from the norm.
If you can frame things more like you’re trying to discover something with your reader rather than “here’s the thing that I figured out and you’ve been so wrong” it can make people less likely to feel like they’re losing status by agreeing with you.
In general try to not be a jerk! Make it easier for others to respond to you in ways that you’re not going to irrationally react negatively to.
Often when I see someone puzzled about why their factually and logically sound post or comment is responded to so negatively it’s because their tone does not encourage people to take their thoughts seriously. Unfortunately, the tone of your post matters and the tone you need varies based upon your target audience.
(Not saying this applies to you, dynomight!)
I’m curious, because this may be a mistake I often make. How specifically do you “encourage people to take your thoughts seriously”? Do you mean the style of the text, or inserting links to supportive papers, or some kind of disclaimer like “hey everyone, this is serious”, or...?
I don’t really have any specific advice on how to write in this way. I don’t think I consistently write in this way either, but not through lack of trying.
I’m talking about getting people to respond to the content of your post rather than responding to more nebulous social or emotional stuff that they take away from the phrasing, tone and subject matter of what you write...specifically if the social/emotional context is not intentional.
Some quick thoughts:
Is the style of your text confrontational? I think some people are able to get away with being confrontational and not turn people off from the content, but I think that’s far from the norm.
If you can frame things more like you’re trying to discover something with your reader rather than “here’s the thing that I figured out and you’ve been so wrong” it can make people less likely to feel like they’re losing status by agreeing with you.
In general try to not be a jerk! Make it easier for others to respond to you in ways that you’re not going to irrationally react negatively to.
Thanks, will try this.