cyberspace communication *is really different in that:
- there is no visible, emotional feedback loop, and
- there can be significant, sometimes critical delay in response
(this can allow a harmlessly meant comment to fester beyond recognition, comprehension or repair)
so in cyberspace, if you want to talk one-on-one, you should have some idea of the "persona" that you're communicating with, unless you're just going to chat. and if you want to join a multi-way discussion you should have some notion of what I've called the "dialectic of the board".
but in another way, it's not all that different. consider how a person has to mold himself to fit into any social setting, be it formal or informal; if you don't feel confortable with a conversation you just listen or you walk away. it doesn't usually pay to jump in with a viewpoint or attitude that runs contrary to the group flow; that's a sure way to be excluded before you've even had a chance. or, if the discussion is completely contrary to your way of thinking, you probably don't want to be part of that group anyway -- and the chances of reforming the whole group to your way....
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