It didn't really change me at all in the outside world as far as I know. I do know that without the forums, I never would've returned to the FIRST robotics organization for two years because Georges and BluetoothBoy invited me to return. I also never would've met them.
Actually I think getting into a lot of the hot topics of 2014 relating to controversial subjects may have helped me gain an interest in researching things. It would be underestimating to say that I've gotten a lot less ignorant than I was a few years ago about the other sides of an argument. I've spent hours on end looking up viewpoints on religion, traffic laws, politics, education, abortion, right to work, welfare, assisted Self Delete, drugs, among many other things since joining the forums.