The 2 sides to MFP

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Replies

  • Wonderob
    Wonderob Posts: 1,372 Member
    I'm not saying you shouldn't have fun on the chit chat, of course you should. Im also not saying that there shouldn't be those type of posts - rate me etc

    All Im saying is that as a first impression - MFP shouldnt be as he saw it - not sure what the answer is though

    If I visited a cycling forum and the first few topics were: Name your sexiest cyclist. Best shorts that make your bum look nice. Do cyclists make better lovers? etc, then I would be looking for another cycling forum regardless of how good that one might be. If those topics were sepearte from the main part of the cycle forum then that would be better wouldnt it?

    If someone coming onto MFP did the same then they would be missing out on a real good site

    Then he shouldn't have started in the Chit Chat, Fun & Games section.

    Change the example. Most internet forums have an "Off Topic" section for users to play around in. If I went to an automobile fanatic website, clicked on the off topic section of their forums and then got upset that no one in there was talking about cars...

    Well would you blame me or the website?

    I take your point and to some extent it was an unfortunate coincidence. He clciked on recent topics and found that most people were talking about the type of things I pointed out

    If I went on an automobile fanatic website and saw that MOST topics were about The Beckhams, or Megan Fox, or celebrity gossip, then I would look for another automobile fanatic website
  • myofibril
    myofibril Posts: 4,500 Member
    I guess a lot of people use the "Recent Posts" tab and if you do that the majority of the posts that will show are the ones from the "Chit Chat Section". It's not really a surprise that they are the most active though because most people like a bit of trivia to make their work day go by.

    This would all be solved if there could simply be a function where you could exclude the result of a specific section when doing a search / viewing recent items.

    A bit like porn sites.

    Allegedly.
  • heretic911
    heretic911 Posts: 66 Member
    There are people here who either have a fake profile and pictures, and are not here to lose weight and treat MFP as a dating site.

    When I see a guy with a muscular trimmed body and a lot of "friends" - it makes my wonder if its really him, or he really looks like me and is just collecting groupies.

    Very true but sad point, alot of bs online for sure.
  • CakeFit21
    CakeFit21 Posts: 2,521 Member
    Ah, the duality of LIFE.

    Seriously.
  • BrettPGH
    BrettPGH Posts: 4,720 Member
    Sad that you have to turn and attack me - it does not reflect well

    I don't ever post my real picture in any social site - so I post one that's obviously not a real person and certainly not me
    There are people here who either have a fake profile and pictures, and are not here to lose weight and treat MFP as a dating site.

    When I see a guy with a muscular trimmed body and a lot of "friends" - it makes my wonder if its really him, or he really looks like me and is just collecting groupies.

    You serious?? You have a computer generated avatar and you're calling people out for fake pics?

    I have a muscular body that I earned using MFP. That's why I have no problem showing it here. The site works if you use it. If you wanna sit around and assume everyone in better shape than you is just lying.. well that's pathetic is what it is.

    Your own words do not reflect well on you. Don't call out others for using fake profile pics while you use fake profile pics.

    And don't assume just because someone is in better shape than you that they must be lying.

    Anything else I need to explain to you people today?
  • BrettPGH
    BrettPGH Posts: 4,720 Member
    I take your point and to some extent it was an unfortunate coincidence. He clciked on recent topics and found that most people were talking about the type of things I pointed out

    If I went on an automobile fanatic website and saw that MOST topics were about The Beckhams, or Megan Fox, or celebrity gossip, then I would look for another automobile fanatic website

    The forum has different sections specifically for this reason. Don't be upset that the Fun section is popular. Focus on the parts of the forum that you're interested in. Ignore the parts that you aren't.

    I just don't understand people sometimes.

    "That tv show played a commercial I didn't like! What a terrible tv show!"
  • twinmom14ek
    twinmom14ek Posts: 174 Member
    I think those kinda posts are stupid and childish and need to be placed elsewhere as this is a fitness site. I would expect this crap from a teen but the sad thing is most of them are from adults.

    Adults = teens who aged

    Unfortunately, as we all get older, it becomes more apparent that people who were *kitten* as teens will still be *kitten* when they hit the retirement home. Character generally develops fairly early in life, and everyone just needs to learn to filter out the idiots among us.

    Here's hoping EVERYONE has a great Friday! :flowerforyou:
  • KristyHumphrey
    KristyHumphrey Posts: 248 Member
    I know what you mean! Its like MySpace back in the day! I can't stand the "rate the person above you posts" either. That's ridiculous. I just noticed a Post "Female pubic tattoos - hot or not?" SERIOUSLY??????? WTH!
  • AwesomelyAmber
    AwesomelyAmber Posts: 1,617 Member
    Totally and completely amazes me how those that like to post in "chit chat, fun and games" get so darn literal when they are feeling attacked and pick apart every word, phrase, or sentence that the OP writes.... :laugh: I really don't think that there was any intended harm on her part.... Instead of commenting on each person's post I will just say... Agreed that it should NOT have been one of the first places you take a 'newbie' to. Agreed that most times the topics are super fun and great for a laugh in the midst of a boring day. Agreed that sometimes they are a bit over the top. It's all in what YOU take from it. Arguing over it is kind of silly don't you think? :flowerforyou:
  • Faintgreeneyes
    Faintgreeneyes Posts: 730 Member
    Sad that you have to turn and attack me - it does not reflect well

    I don't ever post my real picture in any social site - so I post one that's obviously not a real person and certainly not me
    There are people here who either have a fake profile and pictures, and are not here to lose weight and treat MFP as a dating site.

    When I see a guy with a muscular trimmed body and a lot of "friends" - it makes my wonder if its really him, or he really looks like me and is just collecting groupies.

    You serious?? You have a computer generated avatar and you're calling people out for fake pics?

    I have a muscular body that I earned using MFP. That's why I have no problem showing it here. The site works if you use it. If you wanna sit around and assume everyone in better shape than you is just lying.. well that's pathetic is what it is.

    Your own words do not reflect well on you. Don't call out others for using fake profile pics while you use fake profile pics.

    And don't assume just because someone is in better shape than you that they must be lying.

    Anything else I need to explain to you people today?

    Brett, why is is the sky blue? :)
  • Wonderob
    Wonderob Posts: 1,372 Member
    The truth is that if your friend is "too crestfallen" to try a weight loss site over harmless chit chat and probably fake pictures, he has other issues he has to deal with. He should really see someone about his insecurity.

    He was crestfallen, a little disappointed, no longer motivated to join MFP

    Who should I suggest he should see?
  • cmcollins001
    cmcollins001 Posts: 3,472 Member
    The problem isn't those threads, or topics, or that they get so much play on MFP...the problem is that someone made the "effort" to log into MFP, found those threads, then got discouraged. It has nothing to do with the threads themselves, nor does it have anything to do with those who participated in those threads, the problem lays squarely on the shoulders of the person who got upset about them.

    Self conscience or not, if you're going to let something that was posted on the internet, in a section you never have to visit unless you want to visit, if you let that deter you...then you weren't serious to begin with. I have met and know too many people with the "I can't" or "I tried, but it didn't work for me" attitude that want to complain and whine about their weight or situation, but never want to do anything about it that goes beyond taking some magic pill. The only true motivation a person needs is themselves, because without first believing in yourself, you won't believe what anyone else says either. You need to want to be motivated or else it's all in vain.

    Veteran: You want to read the forum?
    Noob: I think I'm entitled.
    Veteran: You want to read the forums?
    Noob: I want motivation!!
    Veteran: You CAN'T HANDLE THE MOTIVATION!! We live on a site that has fit people. And most of those fit people have worked hard to get where they are. They want to be known as sexy! Who's gonna tell them their sexy? You? They have a greater opinion of themselves than you can possibly imagine...they worked hard to get where they are. The cried, they poured sweat, they fasted, they ate more to weigh less, they cut calories. The truth is, they know their BMR and their TDEE, they know the dedication it takes to lose 100 lbs and feel good about who they are. You don't want the motivation, because deep down you know those magic pill infomercials are solid crap, and you want ripped, you NEED ripped abs, and you know there's only one way to get them. Those Chit-Chat people use words like sexy, cute, hotness because they've earned it. You use them as way to cop out. They neither have the time, nor the inclination to put forth effort to help motivate someone who is looking for an excuse to stay un-motivated. They would rather you log out and move on. Otherwise, I suggest you dig deep down, realize that you want to lose the weight, find the motivational threads, log your calories, lift some weights and jump on a treadmill and thank MFP for allowing me to be accountable to myself and to others.


    When you decide to get serious about something, then you will let nothing stand in the way of your goal.

    If you believe you can't do something, then you're probably right.

    Post on Mr. and Mrs. Hotness, keep those threads going Ms. Firm Butt and Mr. Cut Abs... because one day, one day soon...I will be among you....oh yes...one day MFP will be writing long blogs about my awesomeness, but for the time being, I will toot my own horn, because I am worthy of some tootage! Ok...not sure that came out as good in print as it did in my head.

    Edited to say that I apparently am WAY bored at work and need to find something to do.
  • CakeFit21
    CakeFit21 Posts: 2,521 Member
    The truth is that if your friend is "too crestfallen" to try a weight loss site over harmless chit chat and probably fake pictures, he has other issues he has to deal with. He should really see someone about his insecurity.

    He was crestfallen, a little disappointed, no longer motivated to join MFP

    Who should I suggest he should see?

    A therapist.

    He doesn't need to even GO INTO the forums to track weight and log exercise. Good grief, if THAT is his excuse.....
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    The truth is that if your friend is "too crestfallen" to try a weight loss site over harmless chit chat and probably fake pictures, he has other issues he has to deal with. He should really see someone about his insecurity.

    He was crestfallen, a little disappointed, no longer motivated to join MFP

    Who should I suggest he should see?

    If a website has him down, then he has bigger problems
  • Bless him, I can see how that might upset him. I think people look for a bit humor or harmless fun. However, I have only been here a short time. See if you can get him to come back.

    I'm glad to be here and find this place since it is so active :) Debbie
  • PRMinx
    PRMinx Posts: 4,585 Member
    I know what you mean! Its like MySpace back in the day! I can't stand the "rate the person above you posts" either. That's ridiculous. I just noticed a Post "Female pubic tattoos - hot or not?" SERIOUSLY??????? WTH!

    I agree. It's totally juvenile. And I would argue that if you need strangers on a website to rate your hotness, then maybe you should consider why.

    But, that said, live and let live. If people want to play those games, have fun. I like the movie questions :-)

    I am surprised at all the animosity here though. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. If you are getting so angry over it on either side, take a deep breathe and figure out what's important in life. People were shot and killed today in NYC. Get angry over that.
  • SurfinBird1981
    SurfinBird1981 Posts: 517 Member
    The problem isn't those threads, or topics, or that they get so much play on MFP...the problem is that someone made the "effort" to log into MFP, found those threads, then got discouraged. It has nothing to do with the threads themselves, nor does it have anything to do with those who participated in those threads, the problem lays squarely on the shoulders of the person who got upset about them.

    Self conscience or not, if you're going to let something that was posted on the internet, in a section you never have to visit unless you want to visit, if you let that deter you...then you weren't serious to begin with. I have met and know too many people with the "I can't" or "I tried, but it didn't work for me" attitude that want to complain and whine about their weight or situation, but never want to do anything about it that goes beyond taking some magic pill. The only true motivation a person needs is themselves, because without first believing in yourself, you won't believe what anyone else says either. You need to want to be motivated or else it's all in vain.

    Veteran: You want to read the forum?
    Noob: I think I'm entitled.
    Veteran: You want to read the forums?
    Noob: I want motivation!!
    Veteran: You CAN'T HANDLE THE MOTIVATION!! We live on a site that has fit people. And most of those fit people have worked hard to get where they are. They want to be known as sexy! Who's gonna tell them their sexy? You? They have a greater opinion of themselves than you can possibly imagine...they worked hard to get where they are. The cried, they poured sweat, they fasted, they ate more to weigh less, they cut calories. The truth is, they know their BMR and their TDEE, they know the dedication it takes to lose 100 lbs and feel good about who they are. You don't want the motivation, because deep down you know those magic pill infomercials are solid crap, and you want ripped, you NEED ripped abs, and you know there's only one way to get them. Those Chit-Chat people use words like sexy, cute, hotness because they've earned it. You use them as way to cop out. They neither have the time, nor the inclination to put forth effort to help motivate someone who is looking for an excuse to stay un-motivated. They would rather you log out and move on. Otherwise, I suggest you dig deep down, realize that you want to lose the weight, find the motivational threads, log your calories, lift some weights and jump on a treadmill and thank MFP for allowing me to be accountable to myself and to others.


    When you decide to get serious about something, then you will let nothing stand in the way of your goal.

    If you believe you can't do something, then you're probably right.

    Post on Mr. and Mrs. Hotness, keep those threads going Ms. Firm Butt and Mr. Cut Abs... because one day, one day soon...I will be among you....oh yes...one day MFP will be writing long blogs about my awesomeness, but for the time being, I will toot my own horn, because I am worthy of some tootage! Ok...not sure that came out as good in print as it did in my head.

    Edited to say that I apparently am WAY bored at work and need to find something to do.

    Hell yeah Mr! :drinker:
  • twinmom14ek
    twinmom14ek Posts: 174 Member
    Veteran: You CAN'T HANDLE THE MOTIVATION!! We live on a site that has fit people. And most of those fit people have worked hard to get where they are. They want to be known as sexy! Who's gonna tell them their sexy? You? They have a greater opinion of themselves than you can possibly imagine...they worked hard to get where they are. The cried, they poured sweat, they fasted, they ate more to weigh less, they cut calories. The truth is, they know their BMR and their TDEE, they know the dedication it takes to lose 100 lbs and feel good about who they are. You don't want the motivation, because deep down you know those magic pill infomercials are solid crap, and you want ripped, you NEED ripped abs, and you know there's only one way to get them. Those Chit-Chat people use words like sexy, cute, hotness because they've earned it. You use them as way to cop out. They neither have the time, nor the inclination to put forth effort to help motivate someone who is looking for an excuse to stay un-motivated. They would rather you log out and move on. Otherwise, I suggest you dig deep down, realize that you want to lose the weight, find the motivational threads, log your calories, lift some weights and jump on a treadmill and thank MFP for allowing me to be accountable to myself and to others.

    Staying neutral on the position above, but I :heart: it when people re-work this speech for other topics. Thanks for the smile.
  • Wonderob
    Wonderob Posts: 1,372 Member
    I take your point and to some extent it was an unfortunate coincidence. He clciked on recent topics and found that most people were talking about the type of things I pointed out

    If I went on an automobile fanatic website and saw that MOST topics were about The Beckhams, or Megan Fox, or celebrity gossip, then I would look for another automobile fanatic website

    The forum has different sections specifically for this reason. Don't be upset that the Fun section is popular. Focus on the parts of the forum that you're interested in. Ignore the parts that you aren't.

    I just don't understand people sometimes.

    "That tv show played a commercial I didn't like! What a terrible tv show!"

    Poor example.

    You would not expect the commercial to have to have any relevance to the TV show,

    You would expect your first 5 minutes on an automobile site to have some relevance to automobiles
  • RubyWare
    RubyWare Posts: 51 Member
    Why did he go straight to the chit-chat part and not the motivation and support, success stories, fitness and exercise, or introduction sections?

    Just speaking for myself of course, but I’m not here for chit-chat. Of course conversation and inspiration are welcome. But I’m here to help get healthy and hopefully lose more weight.

    If your friend is put off by the least relevant section of the forum, then perhaps he is just not ready to be here? Not saying that’s the case, but I’m just wondering if it wasn’t a good excuse for him to decide this place wasn’t for him.

    As a person who is very over weight, I know I made excuses as to why things wouldn’t work to help me. They were all excuses, but I wanted to be convinced so I was.

    Hopefully, he’ll give it a chance!

    ^^^^^ Ditto