Fear of Sounding Stupid (FOSS)

[JoelR]

Ever hesitated before hitting 'post' fearing your comment might come off as naive or, worse, utterly cliché? You're not alone. The Fear of Sounding Stupid (FOSS) and the Fear of Sounding Generic (FOSG) are common insecurities for many users.  

• Have you ever held back a question or a comment in fear of appearing ignorant or too mainstream?
• How do you think these fears are influenced by the Dunning-Kruger effect, a cognitive bias where individuals misjudge their ability?
• Are our online personas shaped more by the desire for validation or the dread of negative evaluation?
• Does the quest for originality in digital interactions sometimes stifle authentic expression?
• How can we foster a community environment where diverse thoughts are celebrated, shattering the dread of ridicule or banality?

[Shortie]

I always used to feel like this when I first started taking part in online communities, would sit for a while after typing out a thread or a reply debating on whether I should post it or change it so I would get judged less. 

Over time I found that it wasn't the case and I tend to not sit and think it over as much as I used to.