Make forums a real place of exchange of information and knowledge.

One thing that I recently has starting irking me on Internet forums, is that someone ask some basic question the just google it answers begin to pour in. For me, they are starting to feel like people lack a certain empathy for others that ask a question in a forum looking for an answer from a person that could help them.

Not only that, some who ask don't want to use a search engine either because they don't know how to phrase the question, or the amount of information that they get back is just to much for them to process. And when you add into that the amount of trash you get with it, the things get a lot harder to figure out for people who don't really know much of the issue they are asking about to begin with.

Sometimes, you just want or need the kind of answer you get from another person. One thing are the answer you get from the results you get from a search engine, and quite another the answers you get from someone who knows about the subject matter you asked about.

Not only that, in most cases is a lot easier to interact with those who answer to your question on a forum in order to a better answer than it is to do so in a page. If you add that the information in the pages shown by the search engines might be behind paywalls, complete trash, or out of date, things only get worse from that.

So, be kind to people who ask beginner questions on forums. Try to figure out who are the trolls, so you can help the people who are asking the honest questions. It's one of the easiest, and most with the most impact, you can help make the world a better place. Doing so, you are helping to make the Internet a better place, and a step closer to the place where ideas and information can be freely exchanged.

Freedom of speech is a two way street.

It seems that the people that complain about that now nothing can be said without offending someone, are those who get called out for being racist, misogynistic, or just plain offensive. They can't deal with the consequences of what they say, believing that freedom of speech means they don't have to deal with those consequences.

They seem to want to return to a time when they didn't have to face the push back for their actions the way do with the advent of the Internet, and smartphones, which gives voices to those who have an issue with what they say or do. Sure, the push back is not always correct, or proportionate, but that doesn't mean that there is push back that has substance to it.

There is an expectation that people should not raise their voices to change things. The people who express their disdain for those who point out that that certain things no longer have place in our society going forward, are the ones who just are unable to evolve and understand that society has changed and more people are able to express themselves as they do.

More people, specially minorities, are nor able to raise they voice and do something when someone does, or says, things that wrong them. No longer they have to just lay down, and take whatever others want them to take. Now the consequences of what is said and done, will be felt almost immediately. Not only that, they will have to face them personally.

It needs to be understood, that freedom of expression will not free the person of the consequences of expressing themselves. Besides, others are also free to express their anger, displeasure, and hurt when they feel that way. Is time for those who are angry because people can express themselves against them to man up and accept that they'll have to face the consequences of their expressions.

Freedom of speech is a two way street, so be prepared when someone fires back.