Do lots of I's in posts indicate self centeredness?

[revrobor]

It's only self-centeredness when you call attention to the number of posts you have written.

 

[Missing]

I (there's that word again) was taught that it doesn't make sense to add things like "I believe" or "in my opinion" simply because: the fact that you are saying something automatically means it is what you believe and that it's your opinion. Maybe that's what she meant.

This is exactly what I was taught in high school as well--if you are saying it than it's understood that your statements are what you believe or think. Our teacher also said it made for a repetitive and boring writing style as it is easy to slip into starting each sentence "I thought", "I did", "I believe", etc. I have never heard self-centeredness as a reason for not using "I" in writing before.

 

[Entertaining_Angels]

I'm starting to think it has nothing to do with how many I's you use.

My two year old daughter, in the manner befitting most two year olds, tends to believe the world revolves her little self. She never uses the word I but always speaks in the third person, using her name whenever she wants something.

So, I suppose...a rose is a rose by any other name. Doesn't matter what words you use, if you're self-centered, it'll come across.

 

[Sascha Fitzpatrick]

In the context of a forum such as this, I'd say no.

There are usually two reasons I use the first person in my posts...

1) I'm sharing something from my personal experience

or

2) I want to infer that it is MY interpretation/belief about something, and don't want to resort to words like 'we', as that can convey a false assumption that everyone believes the same as I do.

Mind you, I have come across a situation where I was ridiculed for stating my own personal beliefs - which I'll never understand. Apparently there is a universal truth on every single topic, and to state your own personal belief on something is in complete opposition to the Bible.

I had to laugh at that - and will continue to use the second reason, to ensure I am not forcing a general belief system that I hold onto every other person.

Sasch