Sven Golly
Moving
"In the night you hide from the madman you're longing to be"
Posts: 800
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Post by Sven Golly on Mar 19, 2004 22:01:27 GMT
Pretty silly huh?
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Post by Adey on Mar 20, 2004 3:29:28 GMT
Are you making a point Sven, or just having a mad 5 minutes?
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Sven Golly
Moving
"In the night you hide from the madman you're longing to be"
Posts: 800
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Post by Sven Golly on Mar 20, 2004 5:20:05 GMT
Are you making a point Sven, or just having a mad 5 minutes? I'm surprised at you Adey. Of course I'm making a point....... The complexion of this board has changed. The balance is off. We used to have fun AND keep the standards high. I guess I'm getting bored with silliness and games. I love humor and wit but I joined this board because we weren't about mindless fan worship and drivel. How can I even complain when everyone has been so accomodating. I guess I'm just being mean-spirited or petty. But I can read some of this crap anywhere. A take over of the content and spirit of this forum seems underway. Al, Zan, Lori, Sto, August, Susanne, MS, RT, August and Colleen have dropped way off in their participation. You and Sheila are hanging in, but you guys are just more understanding and free spirited than me, and apparently some of the former regulars. Paul has been well behaved. But he ( sorry Paul, I'm not talking behind your back ) is setting the pace. I can only speak for myself, but I don't care for the direction we're headed.
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Post by Lori on Mar 20, 2004 10:49:09 GMT
Hey SG! I'm completely aware of the lack of input I've been putting in lately, but I did explain that in my thread here: katebush.proboards6.com/index.cgi?board=other&action=display&n=1&thread=1311I'm coming up to the last lap of my Diploma now and I aim to accelerate, as we're overloaded with coursework at the moment and I don't want to have put in all my hard work and to let it slip at the end. I'll be here as much as I possibly can, however my education must come first. Once my coursework is out of the way, you'll notice me around much more. My apologies again.
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Post by Adey on Mar 20, 2004 13:16:17 GMT
I'm surprised at you Adey. Of course I'm making a point....... You have the best interests of the Board at heart. Because of that and because as you say, I'm understanding and free spirited, I won't take offence at this patronising comment. Of course I recognised that you were making a point. But I was also giving you an opportunity to withdraw, in case you had any regrets about your post. I can't disagree with that Sven. The balance has changed even in the 7 or so weeks that I've been here. I am pleased that you note the lack of any ill will and acknowledge the tolerance of other members. This might be true Sven, but I can't speak for these Board members. Before we apportion blame or make what might be unjustified assumptions, it might actually be worth seeking the opinions or comments of the individuals themselves. You say: But in speaking for yourself you use the weight of your assumptions about the feelings of other members to justify your position. I understand (and you have made it quite clear) that you do not care for what appears to be the current direction of this Forum. I don't know if this is a permanent re-alignment, or a temporary situation bought about by the other commitments of the folks you referred to. Clearly, in Lori's case, it is the latter. I also regret that she has felt obliged to comment just to justify her own position following your original post. I don't think that she should have been forced into that situation and I hope that she feels she wasn't. With all due respect to Paul, I don't believe that his voice is sufficiently powerful to re-direct the Board or mould it in to his own preferred model. There are just too many able communicators and good minds here, for that to happen. Neither I think, is it paul's intention to hijack the Board in this way. He has made it quite clear that he does not feel able to contribute to the more philosophical and 'intellectual' stuff, and he has posted to that effect. Maybe he sells himself short. I hope that he won't be offended by these comments of mine. You will be aware that I have my own concerns about the Forum at present - we exchanged a few posts on this only the other day. What strikes me, is that most of the challenging threads have now been played out or buried under revisited older posts. We are short of material to attract and maintain the interests of the 'deeper thinkers' (without being patronising and for the want of a better expression). Fixing that is up to YOU, ME and ANYONE else that may or may not be staying away. What I don't think is helpful, is the identification and criticism of individuals. I would ask you to consider yourself, whether or not such conduct is likely to drive away members. I am not going to fall out with you or anyone else about these matters Sven. Believe me, it's simply not going to happen. I say put your energies into creating threads that engage people, and respond to those folks who post more challenging material. I undertake to do likewise. Fair comment?
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Sven Golly
Moving
"In the night you hide from the madman you're longing to be"
Posts: 800
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Post by Sven Golly on Mar 20, 2004 14:54:07 GMT
Lori, I do remember and appreciate you circumstances. I just did not, however, want to leave you out of the downtrend overall. If not for you, there'd be no forum at all.
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Sven Golly
Moving
"In the night you hide from the madman you're longing to be"
Posts: 800
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Post by Sven Golly on Mar 20, 2004 15:48:36 GMT
You have the best interests of the Board at heart. Because of that and because as you say, I'm understanding and free spirited, I won't take offence at this patronising comment. Yes I do have the best interest of the board in mind. It is for that reason I make these patronizing, and admittedly petty remarks. I am appealing to the 'patrons' of this board - for them to see someone verbalize their interests. There is a side of me that is understanding and free spirited as well. In this case though, I am utilizing my sense of justice and free thought to express my opinion - which I stand by. I knew that you would catch my intent. You just gave me the opportunity to proceed with it. I have no regrets, because I speak what I consider to be the truth. I do not wish to hurt anyones feelings; but, by the competitive nature of aggressive and obsessive posting, there is a goal in mind. I stand in the way of that by my right to object. You and I are in fact now altering the direction, for better or worse, of this forum. I say that their tolerance and reluctance to cause ill will have prevented them from saying anything. Their actions, or lack thereof, make their point. There was an elephant in the room, and all I did was point it out. Point well taken. I addressed this first in my previous post. Incessant and trivial posts do deter visitors. We have almost no new members during this raid of chat room banter and clever, albeit immature, humor and graphics. I have time and thought invested here. I do feel that my efforts are being hi-jacked. Paul, whom I have no ill will toward, has assumed a leadership position by his actions. Maybe he does sell himself short; but, the fact is, he does not advocate the same interests as me, and what you may consider my presumptions of those who remain silent. I agree. This is step one. As you may have noticed, I responded affirmatively to your notice of burying good threads prematurely. This premature burial of quality posts, though, is what's happening because of too many games and fluff. The 'headlines' that visitors and regulars read are 'we are trivial' Paul is clever ( sorry again Paul, you are a decent and witty human being, just younger and less stuffy than me ) but, I have less in common with him than the other members, who respond to my thoughts on language, art and poetry for example. I've surmissed that Paul wants to be heard. He has his own forum (Red Dwarf) to attract all who are like-minded. I don't just believe that he wants to lead the way, his actions prove it. In this micro-society we have here we chose our leaders. I like the mix that Al, Lori, Sto' and Zan have provided, with the support and contribution of the aforemntioned members ( which includes you Adey. I find your posts to be challenging and enjoyable.) That's why I come here - to share with like minded people. I'm only looking for balance and the greater good. They're already being driven away! I just don't want them to stay away or be replaced by less enlighted members. Harsh, maybe, but this is a dynamic and dramatic place to be sometimes, and that is slipping away. More than fair, friend. Again, I mean no disrespect to ( you ) Paul. My identification and criticism is not of the individual, but the actions and percieved intent. I'm protecting my investment here. Free thought, stimulating discourse as shaped by artists like, and most specifically Kate Bush, are what we've been about. I plan to help steer in that direction. If not, the words and thoughts of others will encourage me to move on. Fair enough?
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Post by Adey on Mar 20, 2004 17:12:29 GMT
Fair enough indeed, Sven.
You and I are both smart enough to go through any future posts we might make on this subject, line by line, and advocate a contrary position if we feel so inclined.
So let's not bother.
On several principles, we are clearly not going to agree. So let's work with the ones that we have some sort of consensus on. We both seem to agree that there is a dearth of good quality material on which to comment. Et bien, let's get to it..
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Sven Golly
Moving
"In the night you hide from the madman you're longing to be"
Posts: 800
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Post by Sven Golly on Mar 20, 2004 18:00:09 GMT
Bien entendu.
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Post by Al Truest on Mar 20, 2004 18:38:56 GMT
This discussion has prompted me to start an editorial page. I believe that opinion and controversy make for a stong sense of community and understanding, not to mention, interesting reading.
The personality of this forum is too fragile due to recent growing pains and identity crisis. There is no harm in thoughts that are honestly expressed with overall good intentions. Our responsibility is to attempt to understand each other and act appropriately.
Look on the "Experiment IV" for 'Dirty Work, An Editorial Page' This way future commentary can occur away from our guests on the password protected board.
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Post by Adey on Mar 21, 2004 0:44:28 GMT
I think that's a fine idea. I dont mind courting controversy every now and then, as long as it's done in good spirit and with respect. I would have been happier to have had this discussion with Sven 'out of site' of guests.
Perhaps we could ask our overworked administrator to move this particular thread into the Experiment IV area. I have no wish to air our dirty laundry out in the porch..
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Post by strabley on Mar 21, 2004 8:36:06 GMT
;D
I'm sorry I don't mean to laugh, but this EXACT SAME THING happened in Watching Storms 15 years ago! Creating censorship mountains out of molehills full of drunkeness, etc. I'm gonna be as intentionally vague as possible. Those who do not post have chosen of their own accord not to. Yes, things have changed. Things have a tendency to do that. You know what, I think I'm gonna delete this. The less I say the better...
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Post by Al Truest on Mar 21, 2004 15:50:47 GMT
People chose to not to participate for various reasons - one being change. This board is exclusive as well as inclusive. I want to include as many as possible without sacrificing quality. If we can keep more of our friends, then I'm all for it. After the air clearing, not only has Paul responded maturely, but activity is up. Be as vague as you'd like Sheila , but you wanted me to see this before you erased it.
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Post by Neo Stella on Mar 21, 2004 16:19:22 GMT
I really shouldn't be spending this time here, yet here I am. This thread caught my attention.
Communicating on this board allows an evolving part of ourselves to be expressed in a way that never previously existed. Each and every one of us has a reason to be here with all contributions shaping the community.
To para-phrase JFK, "Ask not what this society can do for you, but what you can do for this society."
Sven reminds me of the middle part of an old tub washing machine, without that centre spindle our clothes never get clean; yet all parts are needed for the machine to do its job. Perhaps setting the machine in the washroom has always been the best place for it.
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Sven Golly
Moving
"In the night you hide from the madman you're longing to be"
Posts: 800
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Post by Sven Golly on Mar 21, 2004 16:34:31 GMT
I really shouldn't be spending this time here God forbid you waste time on us. This is 'horse-sh!t speak' for I'm an 'agitator'. And now things are all 'Spring-time fresh.'
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