Can RallyPoint save social media?

2015-04-28T07:27:34-04:00

Can RallyPoint save social media before it's too late?

I noticed that every time I open an app like Facebook there are stories on top of stories designed to strike a nerve and get you to click on their link. There's a bunch of angry internet warriors writing terrible things about an already terrible thing.

I retreat to RP because there is actually thoughtful and respectful conversation on these very same stories. Just current and former military sharing opinions and discussion. This is rare online now.

Does anyone else feel the same way?

Response by SPC Christian Ziegler made Apr 28 at 2015 7:37 AM

2015-04-28T07:37:18-04:00

Rally point beats Facebook for me. I don't have to put up with dumb crap on here.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2015 7:38 AM

2015-04-28T07:38:22-04:00

I think you have a little of the terrible things happening here as well. For the most part you are correct, this is a much better alternative.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Apr 28 at 2015 7:42 AM

2015-04-28T07:42:27-04:00

For me, FB is for family, close friends, and gathering info from official sources. RP is for a different group of friends and true professional development.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2015 7:51 AM

2015-04-28T07:51:44-04:00

I have pretty much moved away from what used to be some enjoyable time on some of my FB connections (unit homepages, groups, etc) as they have gone the way side of becoming an outlet for political infighting among group members, with liberals vs conservatives and Dems vs Republicans, disagreeing with current Administration makes you racist and then comes the name calling and insults to anyone who shares their different "opinion" from what the particular slant of the group has become.

So I have retreated to RP as my primary outlet, but as CSM Private RallyPoint Member has already stated, RP on occasion goes down this path as well. Fortunately not very often, and when I see it, I generally move on to the next topic.

But not always of course. Sometimes we see things posted and the hook gets looked in and I can't let it go. I try to keep my comments respectful (after coming back to my post 1, 2 and sometimes 3 times and cleaning it up a little each time, yet still still in my own way, let them know, I still believe they are an idiot, but respect there right to be one.

RP will save social media, as we can only police and eat our piece of the pie. Which is the same thing I used to continually pass along to my young NCOs when they were squad, section and platoon sergeants. You can't fix what you don't control; and don't allow what goes on outside you span of control to infect those under your charge.

We fall into the same position here in RP.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2015 7:56 AM

2015-04-28T07:56:05-04:00

Absolutely, CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member, I feel the same way about the virtues of RallyPoint versus Facebook. RP's members, and military members overall, post higher-caliber content than the average Facebook user. Also, posts here on RP are not allowed to have sensationalized headlines. RallyPoint is a virtual haven for the civil-minded.

*EDIT* I digressed. To answer your question, "Can RP save social media", the answer is "No." Mainstream social media has gone over to the dark side, where giants like the Kardashians, Kanye West, and the reality TV flavor-of-the-day reign supreme. There will always be little niches here and there that appeal to people like us, but for the most part, social media is unsalvageable.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Apr 28 at 2015 8:23 AM

2015-04-28T08:23:29-04:00

I'm not sure that was Yinon Weiss's original intention, but RP does give us a great forum to talk intellectually (Well so to speak, I doubt the meme posts and saluting LTs qualify as "intellectual" :-) ) but more important, RESPECTFULLY about topics, even hot button topics like politics and religion.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2015 12:05 PM

2015-04-28T12:05:08-04:00

Rally Point conversations are well thought out most of the time. I prefer RP because I can have intelligent conversations about popular topics and not receive ignorant responses back. Nowadays I only use Facebook for photos and checking up on friends. There is too much trash to sort through on FB, whether from ads or people sharing links to stupid sites that have been shared around the globe.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 28 at 2015 1:12 PM

2015-04-28T13:12:19-04:00

Its easy to be brazen and uncouth behind a computer. 10% of the world are a@@holes who use the social media to promulgate their vitriolic messages.

Response by SPC Carl K. made May 9 at 2015 8:45 PM

2015-05-09T20:45:20-04:00

I definitely prefer Rally Point, because unlike Facebook, the vast majority of those on here are consummate professionals in whatever field they are in. It is refreshing to talk to like-minded people, and not be bombarded with the stupidity of other social media sites. The best part of all, no stupid game requests.

I also love the lack of click-bait posts on here.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Oct 20 at 2015 3:11 AM

2015-10-20T03:11:05-04:00

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member It's been 6 months, I wonder if you feel the same way about RallyPoint now that so many pointless stories are allowed to continue? Do you find that it benefits the community or do you feel like we are heading towards that way?

Response by Maj Kim Patterson made Dec 30 at 2015 4:25 PM

2015-12-30T16:25:33-05:00

It depends on what your purpose is. I use Facebook to keep in touch with family and friends in various parts of the world who are not eligible for Rally Point. Politically, on FB, I stay firmly on the fence because I have friends from one side to the other, same regarding religious topics, although I do feel free to express my belief in Catholicism and prayer in various threads. I also make sure I finish each day by posting something with absolutely no intellectual stimulation such as pictures of bunnies, puppies and kittens. I do this because my sister and I could not be more different. I leave her out of the lists that makes posts visible to whom you chose. She prefers the puppies and kittens. I've been able to watch my nephews grow up and grieve as I watched my cousin valiently battle brain cancer. She lost her fight over the holidays but the family was at peace because the opportunity for those near and far was given to communicate our love and prayers and support for her spouse and son. Yes, there is is click bait. I also have news channels post in my feed and often something that makes me laugh comes across. Facebook is solely a social media for me. Rally Point has allowed me to engage in discussions in a multitude of areas, including the saluting of first lieutenants by second lieutenants (thank you Lt Eric Rosa) and address more immediate and important concerns such as the current state of the VA (death) Health Care System. Two different purposes for me.

Response by CDR Kenneth Kaiser made Dec 30 at 2015 7:51 PM

2015-12-30T19:51:39-05:00

Yes I would agree. I am constantly amazed at how many virtual shiny objects appear and how easily the conversations disintegrate in to insults and half baked discussions far afield from the original topic. I do appreciate Rally Point because the folks pretty much stick to the point and are polite and informed. My biggest problem with Rally Point is saying "enough" and getting back to work. But then, I am retired so I just have serious words with my self and move on.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2016 11:47 PM

2016-01-05T23:47:28-05:00

I don't think social media needs saving, and if it did RP only appeals to a small demographic. RP is still pretty small and not even a blip on internet radar.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2016 11:50 PM

2016-01-05T23:50:10-05:00

I could say yes if you got the people who posted 6 times a day and the junior enlisted who post questions they should ask their chain of command to use RP sparingly.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Apr 11 at 2016 12:41 PM

2016-04-11T12:41:13-04:00

I stumbled upon this discussion today, a year after it was first posted and I think it is worth taking a look at. For me, RallyPoint is where I come to learn from others to share my experiences in hopes that my ideas and views can help someone here. Facebook is where I go to stay in touch with people outside my professional bubble. I make no bones about it, I am a different person here than I am on Facebook. While I maintain my professionalism every where to ensure my personal brand is not impacted by my actions, I do act differently here. Here, I am more careful of my spelling and grammar. Facebook is sometimes full of more misspellings and such.

But I also was struck by what CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member said about finding stories on Facebook designed to strike a nerve and to get you engaged. Is that not the point of Social Media? Is that not why you are here, to engage with others? I do agree that on all social forum based sites that there are certain topics that are shared for the reason to get on your nerve. RallyPoint is no different. It is my personal feelings, separate from my role as a senior user admin of RallyPoint, that some discussions and/or links are shared only to start a heated debate. But in there lays the beauty of this site. For the most part, we are able to come here and agree to disagree on many different topics. We can do this normally while maintaining our professional and our respect for each other not only based on rank but based on the age old tag line of "treat others as you wish to be treated". Do some discussions on RallyPoint cross that line though? Absolutely, and that is why there are several user admins like myself and SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" and others tasked to help maintain this site as a professional and welcoming place.

So will RallyPoint "save" social media? That I cannot answer but I do ask back, does social media need saving?

Response by GySgt Carl Rumbolo made Apr 11 at 2016 1:13 PM

2016-04-11T13:13:26-04:00

Rally Point is headed in the same direction as the rest of social media - the number of non-sensical trolling posts continues to increase everyday. Originally billed as a 'professional' site for the military, it's becoming less professional day by day. Sad....but true

Response by SGT Philip Keys made Apr 11 at 2016 7:37 PM

2016-04-11T19:37:39-04:00

I really like RallyPoint but there's tons of silly discussions on here as well. I'm shocked to see how the military has changed in the past twenty years since I got out. It's pretty easy to get into a heated discussion on here just like any other social media service. I do like reading a lot of the stories posted on here. God Bless all of the U.S. Military past and present.

Response by Christopher John Taylor made Mar 25 at 2018 3:09 PM

2018-03-25T15:09:54-04:00

Absolutely!