Some Observations - Please Read
Oct 7, 2018 8:08:19 GMT -5
JimInks, simnettpratt, and 27 more like this
Post by sparks on Oct 7, 2018 8:08:19 GMT -5
Recently, I have seen some threads and posts that concern me. They have either been created or evolve with complete disregard of our community guidelines, or seem to be "dipping their toe in the water" to test those guidelines. I'm a bit disheartened to say the least. I have been on the fence about even mentioning it, for fear of lending credence to the offenders actions, but I will not stand by and watch people treat others, and this forum with such disdain. I'm not sure if it's a full moon with Mercury in retrograde, or some of you are just getting bored, or maybe some have a misplaced sense of moral superiority, but none of those reasons are an excuse for the recent diarrhea of the keyboard that I have seen.
This forum was built to be a community, something different from what was available elsewhere on the web. If you read our guidelines, it's clearly spelled out that our goal was to be a place to share information, without concern for where it came from. People have always been encouraged to share posts from other sites, even links that take them back to another site. I never understood the exclusionary attitude of other forums, that seemed to go into full on fascist censorship mode if you even mentioned the name of another site. That's not how we work here.
That being said, I'm disappointed to see some of the personal attacks that have occurred in response to others sharing information. Where do any of us get the right to criticize someones character for sharing? Have we all fallen into a rabbit hole that took us back to kindergarten, where we got pissed because we don't have the same GI Joe as our classmate?
As long as it remains within our community guidelines, we have no control over what someone else thinks, says, or posts. We do however, have FULL control over our response. If your perception is that another member is being arrogant, self centered, or superior, fine, everyone is entitled to perceive actions and events in any way they choose. It doesn't mean that you are entitled to share that perception, and certainly not as an ad hominem attack on another member. It is also no one's responsibility to be some sort of moral traffic cop for the rest of the forum. We are all human, and we are all imperfect. Attacking the character of another member just winds up pointing out our own imperfections. You are not required to read everything, and certainly are not required to comment on everything. If you don't like it, move along. The age old adage rings true, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all".
Thanks
This forum was built to be a community, something different from what was available elsewhere on the web. If you read our guidelines, it's clearly spelled out that our goal was to be a place to share information, without concern for where it came from. People have always been encouraged to share posts from other sites, even links that take them back to another site. I never understood the exclusionary attitude of other forums, that seemed to go into full on fascist censorship mode if you even mentioned the name of another site. That's not how we work here.
That being said, I'm disappointed to see some of the personal attacks that have occurred in response to others sharing information. Where do any of us get the right to criticize someones character for sharing? Have we all fallen into a rabbit hole that took us back to kindergarten, where we got pissed because we don't have the same GI Joe as our classmate?
As long as it remains within our community guidelines, we have no control over what someone else thinks, says, or posts. We do however, have FULL control over our response. If your perception is that another member is being arrogant, self centered, or superior, fine, everyone is entitled to perceive actions and events in any way they choose. It doesn't mean that you are entitled to share that perception, and certainly not as an ad hominem attack on another member. It is also no one's responsibility to be some sort of moral traffic cop for the rest of the forum. We are all human, and we are all imperfect. Attacking the character of another member just winds up pointing out our own imperfections. You are not required to read everything, and certainly are not required to comment on everything. If you don't like it, move along. The age old adage rings true, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all".
I also want to remind everyone, this thread is not an invitation to comment on the recent issues. What's done is done, it's time to move on and better ourselves in the future.
Now, let's do what we do best, and get back to being the greatest pipe community on the web. Let's continue to uphold our reputation that has fostered an amazing, growing family of people sharing common interests. Let's get back to being the best humans we can be, and set an example for everyone else. I for one think we do it better than the rest.
Thanks
