[Shaun]

I've noticed two sets of very different thread-starters on here lately. There's the quirky, funny and unusual news stories (posted mostly by bbfan1991 ) and then there's the brutal, shocking and quite miserable stories (started by...well anyone really).

Ignoring arista's because he's incapable of emotion, which do you think you are more drawn to?

And in general, would you say that you are more attracted to happy and uplifting news stories or tragedy-porn? I know I've just undermined the seriousness of global tragedies or personal horrors but there's a mentality in some people to embrace the morbid and try and outbid each other with how much they care.

So I was just wondering what kinds of news stories engage the biggest emotional response from you.

[Ramsay]

i dont really think ive ever started a serious thread

[MTVN]

Normally the more serious stories because I find them more interesting and because they're generally more important I guess, not that I'm saying that stories about people who dislocate their necks sneezing aren't of course.

[King Gizzard]

the real stuff, most of the funny ones are bull****

[Ammi]

...both...I like to balance them out..I wouldn't want to be sad all of the time...but then constant hysterical laughter would probably only get me medicated

[Ammi]

..just to add..I usually post more serious threads in the mornings...looking at the news on my homepage...it's not always subjects I want to comment on myself...but if they seem as though they could be interesting to others...the thread is there if they are..and new threads are always good for the forum
...on the whole though....I don't get too involved in serious threads..unless it's something that particularly interests me...the news is constantly bad...shocking..and that wont change...so there's no point in talking about it all the time

[arista]

Originally Posted by Ammi

..just to add..I usually post more serious threads in the mornings...looking at the news on my homepage...it's not always subjects I want to comment on myself...but if they seem as though they could be interesting to others...the thread is there if they are..and new threads are always good for the forum
...on the whole though....I don't get too involved in serious threads..unless it's something that particularly interests me...the news is constantly bad...shocking..and that wont change...so there's no point in talking about it all the time

Yes and miss off the Nation its going on in,
many times.

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by arista

Yes and miss off the Nation its going on in,
many times.

LOL..Once wasn't it?

[Marc]

Mine are usually the quirky stories, I just prefer them over the death and trauma ones. And I'm not gonna lie & pretend that I understand the political ones because i don't. I do sometimes, however, ask people about those news stories and learn from them

[arista]

"Ignoring arista's because he's incapable of emotion"


Spiffing

[King Gizzard]

Yeah Ammi, how could you

[Z]

The more serious stuff because it's more likely to spark a debate, I think.

[Kizzy]

I start threads on social issues...and more often than not they get shot down in flames...oh well..lol

[Niamh.]

Depends on my mood really

[Niall]

I think I get drawn to the sad ones more often for their shock factor tbh.

[Mrluvaluva]

I think it's good to have a balance of both. I think threads on current affairs etc are good to read because everybody adds facts, updates and opinions/theories so it's good to follow a story that's of interest. Stories of a light hearted nature are necessary to create a balance otherwise we would all be reading stories about murders, economic crisis and natural/manmade disasters all the time and we would become very depressed.

People want to keep up with what's going on with the world, but also like to read about "The Whitby Councillor who says his mother is a 9ft green alien with eight fingers. I sh.it ye not...

[Kizzy]

my new pet hate, shock stories with no comment from the OP....

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Shaun

I've noticed two sets of very different thread-starters on here lately. There's the quirky, funny and unusual news stories (posted mostly by bbfan1991 ) and then there's the brutal, shocking and quite miserable stories (started by...well anyone really).

Ignoring arista's because he's incapable of emotion, which do you think you are more drawn to?

And in general, would you say that you are more attracted to happy and uplifting news stories or tragedy-porn? I know I've just undermined the seriousness of global tragedies or personal horrors but there's a mentality in some people to embrace the morbid and try and outbid each other with how much they care.

So I was just wondering what kinds of news stories engage the biggest emotional response from you.

I respond to a range of stories. I like the lighthearted stuff, but I also like the serious discussion threads, so long as it is a discussion and it doesn't dissolve into a bitter, sarcastic battle rather than a debate. I'm not drawn to the graphically violent or horrific threads. I don't think there's much to say about them apart from how awful it all is.

[Jack_]

I like to balance what type of news I read. I usually use The Guardian site to read articles that regard politics and social issues, and some of their columns on the Comments section, but I then start looking at the entertainment section of Google news to find random articles from different sources that interest me, mainly those that are about TV or celebrities I like. You have to balance it I think or else you end up too depressed, or too ignorant as to what's happening in the world around you.

As for what threads I post, I'd say it's 80% serious, political/social issues, and then 20% entertainment based. I prefer starting threads that spark debates.

[Kizzy]

I love to have a giggle, and never take myself to seriously. Being on the whole respectful of everyones views, some topics generate more passion than others I prefer those. Patronising or personal comments upset me the most when i see them.
Backing what you say with facts helps i find, and i have come to the conclusion a smiley really helps get a point across!

[Josy]

I enjoy reading everything that gets posted but I tend to not bother taking part in threads about murders, kidnappings etc when they descend into constant graphic descriptions of what individual members think should be done to the person that carried the crime out.

I just cant be bothered reading posts like that tbh, everyone knows how terrible things like that are so I don't see why people need to try out do each other to show how much hatred they have for the criminal that done it.

[Mrluvaluva]

Sounds like you are damned if you have an opinion, and damned if you don't.

[Mystic Mock]

I mostly prefer lighthearted stuff,but some stories just wind me up so much that I pay alot of attention to them like the Victoria Climbie case for example,I don't think I will ever get over that case.

[InOne]

The serious stuff

[Bollo]

Light and fluffy stuff, like my brain