Internet sentiments...

[onanie]

I had posted my thoughts on this elsewhere, though I would also be interested in your opinions.

I'm trying to gauge BDA/Sony's feelings about "Internet" sentiments. It seems that every corner I turned, everyone seems to hate PS3 and anything related, such as Blu-ray. I believe this is more so than Blu-ray leading PS3 to be hated, but it is still saddening nonetheless. I have been trying to understand this internet phenomenon, but it is probably multifactorial, and a vicious cycle. It oughtn't be a natural phenomenon, for various reasons. Firstly, anyone who hated PS3 also automatically opposed blu-ray - there is not a variation in this absolute partisan. Secondly, I can't be the only person who sees the merits of PS3 or blu-ray, even at their prices.

Specifically of PS3 hate on the internet, my theory is that any person who has heavily invested his time on internet forums is more likely a PC gaming fan, and as such a fan of the console that supported their favourite OS. Perhaps there is also a nationalistic element among such fans. Such attribute leads them to have a pervasive and very vocal opinion on the internet (and be Amazon customers LOL). It has become a sort of party-line to say anything bad about Sony. Microsoft also has its popular bag of internet party tricks. While I remained somewhat more skeptical of the correlation between internet opinion and that of the general public, I can't help but think that Microsoft sees gold in the increasing internet consumption among the general public, and perhaps have been quite successful in influencing opinion on the forums. Free advertising? I think with their underhanded tactics, they are no better than the one-line forum spammer selling ladies' handbags (or wedding gowns LOL I wonder who sent that one in).

Then there is a group that do not have the capacity to see beyond the price tag. They would say just about anything to protect their investments that they so proudly proclaim as best-value-because-I-am-the-smartest. They would readily insult those who paid a little more, no matter the reasons.

I have no doubt that Sony is already aware, and is wary that even if it becomes generous with information, every public statement will be met by even more senseless rebuttals. On those forums, it can become quite suffocating, where I sometimes can't even hear my own voice. I suspect it's the desired effect to some of the individuals there (whose malice had almost penetrated here also, at times).