Hi Squad:
At the risk of posting something completely irrelevant, (but then again
that's why we will soon have TWO lists, so I can do something like this
-- whoever came up with that idea should be commended!) allow me to tell
a personal story. I publish and basically write a 'zine called
HEDGEHOG, MEDIUM RARE that, besides things like poetry and poorly drawn
cartoons, consists of numerous short essays centered around social
commentary and pseudo psychological and philosophical observations. In
conjunction with this, I run an online discussion group that (in theory)
extends the ideas presented in the 'zine and provides a forum for
further debate. Unfortunately, the "discussion" group inevitably
degenerates into jive ass crap centered around personal attacks and
everyone thinking they are more open-minded then everyone else --
presumably a more suitable vessel from which the truth may pour.
Sound familiar?
>From Bo's out-of-the-blue condemnation on Struan, to the latter's
response to Maggie, Bo, and lately David, to Fintan's standard attempt
at an inflammatory post filled with the implication that he cares more
about everything than anyone and is generally a better person, to a
general feeling of raw nerves and ill will, I wonder just what has
happened to this list that I was so very impressed with back when I
joined in October 98. So many members are acting in an immature manner
that does nothing to further an understanding or discussion of the MoQ.
It further causes those who have no wish to engage in that manner of
"debate" to become lurkers and post less because of the environment some
have created. It reminds me a lot of the list I run, the posts for which
I can hardly stand to read, most days. The difference is, my
subscribers are almost exclusively aged 17-21, so maybe their behavior
can be explained away by inexperience and immaturity... I wonder how
many members of this forum can claim that excuse?
The January posts have been the most unenjoyable since I joined, and I
suppose the blame is at least partly mine for not posting anything on
another thread, but the hostile environment on this list has done
nothing to make me want to attempt such a thing. I look forward to
(hopefully) joining the more moderated list where, exceedingly minor
restrictions aside, I won't be forced to read posts filled with petty,
pointless personal attacks and arguments, (isn't it interesting that
those who are most persistent in the personal condemnation of others are
the same who are fighting the rule that would prohibit such behavior?).
But I would still like to be a part of this group, and I ask that those
who are doing all the name calling PLEASE cease such activity and turn
their considerable energy towards discussing the MoQ. I am sure they
encounter numerous other people in daily life that can bear the brunt of
those attacks without having to post them in this group.
Thanks for reading this far. I eagerly await someone calling me an evil,
static-minded oppressor of the group's collective expression of their
own personal DQ.
Kilian
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This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Sat Aug 17 2002 - 16:02:50 BST