I seriously doubt many forum posts are devoid of personal bias, morals,experience, education, passion, or in some cases obsession.

The last is sad because rarely do those post do much but show opinions run amuck without example or substantiation.

On line is very little like personal polite conversation because posts tend to over lap, have a Sub plot
Even if it is harmless flirting, and because of time delays be disjointed or redundant.

Occasionally you will have conversations that oppose the OP's premise because forums don't require endorsement. Hopefully they contribute some sideview to the greater subject but if you post thinking you are going to only hear what you want to hear it can feel like a rude awakening. As uncomfortable as it sometimes is to hear snarky, judgemental, or oppositional views it can be interesting, entertaining, challenging, corrective, and even helpful to people trying to live in the greater society. Whether that I'd adapting or simply seeing the opposition they ate going to deal with if they stay their course of thinking.
One thing really good about online conversations is the prevalence
Of having your own opinions mirrored
Back at you ate somewhat diminished.

I also believe people are much more bold when they are anonymous and far away, than when they are in person and able to be held accountable.

I read topic, OP. If I have something to add, I'll post it.
Now say the topic has gone over a page or more, I'll read thru it.
Sometimes I might see something that caught my attention and I'll respond or basically quote something if it has the same sentiment of how I felt about said topic.

Often I would 100% agree with that.

The flip side is sometimes the cost of actually disagreement in your own little world is so high that people who so want to disagree won't for fear of being excluded from your inner circle. This is particularly true of family, children or grandparent's, or friends and new sweetheart's.

mmmmm..I have been on a few forums over the years
yes it is true that you have 'regulars' that post
soemtimes for years on same site
and they do become a kind of 'click'
a close knit group if you will

and they can sometimes be pretty harsh on newbies

but also agree that many come in looking for sympathy
or validation or agreement and when they do not get that
then they go off in a huff

I also agree..that for some
they do say things online they would not say in real life
and become keyboard warriors so to speak

Hi