The RWP

Madous · #1 20th March 2012, 03:02 AM

We had to write a paper on the things that impacted us most in life. I chose you guys.

Quote:

Over the course of my life, there have been many different things that impacted me, my thoughts, and my way of life. Those factors may be different for different people, but my greatest one, as odd as it may be, was an online forum.This site has influenced my life incredibly and shaped me into the person that I am today. In the beginning, I discovered a forum called The RWP that I joined when I was thirteen. Needless to say, I was a tad immature when compared to most of the other members that were, in general, a few years older than me. Most were aged 17 or higher. The community was small; the type where everyone recognized eachother, but not small enough that it was just a group of friends. I slowly got acquainted with the 100-odd people that would post alongside me on a daily basis. This continued for a year or two. Then it hit me - my personality was becoming shaped by them. I was being shown how to be more mature for my age. The biggest and most easily recognizable change would be my typing. Typing incorrectly or using "shortened" versions of words wasn't against the site's rules, but it was frowned upon. It made it seem like you were immature and uneducated. That didn't say this up front, but instead just let people figure it out for themselves. It took a while, but soon enough I was typing "correctly" much sooner, and faster, than all of my other friends that I knew off of the site. They also helped shape me up in terms of mentality. The site would openly allow debates on anything from politics to religion. Of course any kind of "harmful" post would be removed, such as anything insulting. If you made your point and backed it up with facts from an article or statistic, your point would be taken more seriously. This not only taught me how to debate, but actually converted me. I was a non-practicing Christian for the majority of my life (ages 13 and below), but I was curious as to what other religious were like and what their beliefs were. I had read over one of the bigger debates among the community about religion. The majority of the site's members are Atheists, while generally the rest are Christian. This would lead to debates between the two "sides" quite often. I would choose to stay out of them as the ones who were posting definitely had a better grasp on the topics than I at the time. After weighing both sides of the "argument", reading facts, skeptics, opinions, and just about everything that was posted, I took the leap and converted to Atheism. In the end, it feels more "right". I had always felt awkward in churches or around mega-religious people, and I always thought people who ran their lives off of a religious text instead of what they wanted to do with their life was an odd choice. Atheism confirmed my thoughts, and the fact that I was already accepted in a large community that agrees with me made the conversion even easier. My parents were perfectly fine with it - they allow me to believe whatever I wish without any kind of repercussions, which I am thankful for. As it turns out, my mother agrees with my views either way. Overall, as silly as it seems, a small internet forum has majorly shaped me into the person I am now. From my maturity level to my beliefs, the community on that site has impacted me more than most people I know in person have. I've made friends on this site that I am sure I won't forget - people from all over the world, even. That's something that being social in real life won't get you - broadening your horizons. I have postcards from London, Australia, and Sweden sitting in my bedroom from this same community. Broadening my horizons is one of the biggest things I'm thankful for with this community, and there is no doubt that they have greatly impacted me and my life for the better.

Keegan · #2 20th March 2012, 03:08 AM

why the **** would u

DarkJinjo · #3 20th March 2012, 03:13 AM

Epic. good read, gman.

qwertyo76 · #4 20th March 2012, 03:21 AM

How heartfelt/sappy. Nicely written and and nice to read. I've found that the RWPeople are the secret cool kids of sorts, and that this place is just- Ahh! Words! - all around awesome, you know. I've only been really been here since mid-January, and it's proven t be..all around awesome.

LoMoNoCrAt · #5 20th March 2012, 03:25 AM

Bravo.

Madous · #6 20th March 2012, 03:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BanjoBoy123

why the **** would u

Because, believe it or not, people around here actually care if you aren't an utter ass. Not that you'd know.

Thanks DJ. It's a shame those good days have long past.

1UP · #7 20th March 2012, 04:26 AM

I'm going to use my small portion of influence on you to make you feel uncomfortable whenever someone spreads butter on something.

In four years or whenever my carefully crafted posts break into your mind, you'll just begin doing this without thinking.

Dr. Worm · #8 20th March 2012, 04:27 AM

That was an excellent read Greatman. It's so cool to see how this little forum of all things made such an impact on your life. Just goes to show that anything can change someone's life, no matter how trivial it may seem. I hope you get a good grade on this.

Madous · #9 20th March 2012, 04:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Worm

That was an excellent read Greatman. It's so cool to see how this little forum of all things made such an impact on your life. Just goes to show that anything can change someone's life, no matter how trivial it may seem. I hope you get a good grade on this.

It's probably just completion points, but thank you nonetheless.

Bluish · #10 20th March 2012, 08:20 AM

That was really awesome that you decided to write that :) In reading it, I think I realized too that the RWP did much for me, growing up. Funny how a little Internet forum could mean so much...

Gruntling · #11 20th March 2012, 10:48 AM

I enjoyed reading this Connor and I relate to a lot of what you've written. I joined when I was 14 and I would say The RWP has had a big impact on my views on religion as well. Most of all I will cherish the friendships I've made here. Interestingly, some of them have become more personal than RL friendships. Anyway good read, and I hope you continue to be apart of our community for a long time.

Porky · #12 20th March 2012, 10:56 AM

I think a lot of us long time members (wait, I've been here longer than you?) who joined at fairly young ages and essentially grew up with the site can really relate to that essay. I, for one can definitely say The RWP pretty much made me a bettter person growing up and I've made tons of friends here that, even those that have left, I still keep in contact with because of the connection we made here.

Madous · #13 20th March 2012, 11:28 AM

I suppose I should have mentioned what the paper was actually supposed to be on, haha. Its supposed to be on anything that has made a big impact in your life. I wanted to do something a little more original than "hurr family and friends" like I know everyone else will do. You guys sprang to mind. If I may say so, I'd like to think its a pretty original thing to write this paper about.

wkw427 · #14 20th March 2012, 11:32 AM

I just skimmed.. any bit about some bloke asking everyone random questions just because he is curious?

Spudfish93 · #15 20th March 2012, 01:41 PM

You know, I have to agree with a large amount of these assessments and findings, RWP has changed me considerably. It wasn't my first forum but when I joined I was incredibly awkward in social situations, now I'm fine with it. That's not my only change but it's the first thing that comes to mind. Truth is; I don't know how I'd be now without the RWP, it's just too big of a factor in my life now.