A Few Observations Concerning the Internet Battle for Hearts and Minds

[Nahum]

Originally Posted by Guy

Would you guys like some cheese with your whine?

Originally Posted by BoredOutOfMyMind

Ah, a voice or reasoning and substance

Malarkey Mr Boom.

Reasoning and substance is something everyone always complains there is a lack of. I have noticed that those who complain never offer any real substance themselves. Guy (whom I respect) posts a little one line quip and you call it substance? You are as transparent as plexi-glass.

The fact is that this forum can only thrive when a variety of heavy usage posters contribute new threads. Threads that are thought-provoking, conversational, and at times - contentious. There may be thirty to thirty-five registered users on AFF who post quality threads, and are willing to put their thoughts up for critique. The rest of the thread starts are pure drivel.

Where are all of these posts of substance we all crave so badly? Who posted them? I promise you it's not the posters who whine about a lack of substance. No, they are too busy, or too worried about intellectual criticism, to post their own thoughts.

Hey, some of the rest of us may whine, but at least we have been in the game. We don't take cheap shots from the cheap seats.

[SDG]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

Malarkey Mr Boom.

Reasoning and substance is something everyone always complains there is a lack of. I have noticed that those who complain never offer any real substance themselves. Guy (whom I respect) posts a little one line quip and you call it substance? You are as transparent as plexi-glass.

The fact is that this forum can only thrive when a variety of heavy usage posters contribute new threads. Threads that are thought-provoking, conversational, and at times - contentious. There may be thirty to thirty-five registered users on AFF who post quality threads, and are willing to put their thoughts up for critique. The rest of the thread starts are pure drivel.

Where are all of these posts of substance we all crave so badly? Who posted them? I promise you it's not the posters who whine about a lack of substance. No, they are too busy, or too worried about intellectual criticism, to post their own thoughts.

Hey, some of the rest of us may whine, but at least we have been in the game. We don't take cheap shots from the cheap seats.

The peanut gallery is notorious for whining, grumbling, muttering, mumbling, groaning and complaining ... but offer nothing in lieu.

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

Malarkey Mr Boom.

Reasoning and substance is something everyone always complains there is a lack of. I have noticed that those who complain never offer any real substance themselves. Guy (whom I respect) posts a little one line quip and you call it substance? You are as transparent as plexi-glass.

The fact is that this forum can only thrive when a variety of heavy usage posters contribute new threads. Threads that are thought-provoking, conversational, and at times - contentious. There may be thirty to thirty-five registered users on AFF who post quality threads, and are willing to put their thoughts up for critique. The rest of the thread starts are pure drivel.

Where are all of these posts of substance we all crave so badly? Who posted them? I promise you it's not the posters who whine about a lack of substance. No, they are too busy, or too worried about intellectual criticism, to post their own thoughts.

Hey, some of the rest of us may whine, but at least we have been in the game. We don't take cheap shots from the cheap seats.

PP
Thank you for the respect.
In my day I have started many threads but I am now enjoying semi-retirement. I know several of the old posters who lurk a bit but don't post.
As for me, the fire is gone - with no reader rabbits around it just isn't as much fun.
Seriously, there's just too much personal junk, almost like children playing in a sandbox. On the other hand, you can only kick the can so many times before it no longer resembles a can and your toe gets sore.
The interesting thing about forums is that you interact with people you wouldn't bother interacting with in real life.

Guy

[Nahum]

Originally Posted by Guy

PP
Thank you for the respect.
In my day I have started many threads but I am now enjoying semi-retirement. I know several of the old posters who lurk a bit but don't post.
As for me, the fire is gone - with no reader rabbits around it just isn't as much fun.
Seriously, there's just too much personal junk, almost like children playing in a sandbox. On the other hand, you can only kick the can so many times before it no longer resembles a can and your toe gets sore.
The interesting thing about forums is that you interact with people you wouldn't bother interacting with in real life.

Guy

I understand. BTW, what is a reader rabbit?

I'm hoping to have my new blog address soon, so that I can be "king of the hill" and not worry about all of the personal junk you mentioned.

[tbpew]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

I understand. BTW, what is a reader rabbit?

I'm hoping to have my new blog address soon, so that I can be "king of the hill" and not worry about all of the personal junk you mentioned.

If you are King of the Hill, how can you satisfy the demands that we read here from the 'left side of the peanut gallery' concerning "diversity and balance" thought so suspect here in AFF's admin land?

Man-o-man, is your departure to take refuge in your own personal blog-o-sphere proof of the premise of this thread?

My own personal opinion is the narrowing in the marketplace of ideas and views is not the result of administrative/ownership dictate, but rather based in the general exodus due to the absence of brotherly kindness as a general rule for engagement. Very few can refrain from offering their own personal critique, as opposed to just submitting a contradicting viewpoint. The energized instigators gain a disporportionate chunk of the bandwidth.

[SDG]

Originally Posted by tbpew

If you are King of the Hill, how can you satisfy the demands that we read here from the 'left side of the peanut gallery' concerning "diversity and balance" thought so suspect here in AFF's admin land?

Man-o-man, is your departure to take refuge in your own personal blog-o-sphere proof of the premise of this thread?

My own personal opinion is the narrowing in the marketplace of ideas and views is not the result of administrative/ownership dictate, but rather based in the general exodus due to the absence of brotherly kindness as a general rule for engagement. Very few can refrain from offering their own personal critique, as opposed to just submitting a contradicting viewpoint. The energized instigators gain a disporportionate chunk of the bandwidth.

Verbose but equally antagonistic post. STILL GLAD YOU'RE AROUND.

[tbpew]

Originally Posted by Daniel Alicea

Verbose but equally antagonistic post. STILL GLAD YOU'RE AROUND.

If you say so Dan, let me attempt to agree with you quickly...

[Nahum]

Originally Posted by tbpew

If you are King of the Hill, how can you satisfy the demands that we read here from the 'left side of the peanut gallery' concerning "diversity and balance" thought so suspect here in AFF's admin land?

Man-o-man, is your departure to take refuge in your own personal blog-o-sphere proof of the premise of this thread?

My own personal opinion is the narrowing in the marketplace of ideas and views is not the result of administrative/ownership dictate, but rather based in the general exodus due to the absence of brotherly kindness as a general rule for engagement. Very few can refrain from offering their own personal critique, as opposed to just submitting a contradicting viewpoint. The energized instigators gain a disporportionate chunk of the bandwidth.

You have a point about the brotherly kindness issue. However, you may be missing a bigger piece of the puzzle. I do believe the only way to control content is to own it, and while moderation is necessary, no one wants to be muzzled my Friend.

I will always be around here tbpew, but blogging just seems to be the next logical step for me. BTW, I really enjoy your contributions (and your kind rebukes lol).

[stmatthew]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

You have a point about the brotherly kindness issue. However, you may be missing a bigger piece of the puzzle. I do believe the only way to control content is to own it, and while moderation is necessary, no one wants to be muzzled my Friend.

I will always be around here tbpew, but blogging just seems to be the next logical step for me. BTW, I really enjoy your contributions (and your kind rebukes lol).

Looks to me like he will "control" what is there just as we have "controlled" what is here.

[SDG]

Originally Posted by stmatthew

Looks to me like he will "control" what is there just as we have "controlled" what is here.

Yeah ... I think that's what originally said ...