I apologize for this digression within this forum. The âmembershipâ in the community that Iâm referring to is within the forum community, a number of folks here in the forums have commented to me that there are a bunch of legacy members who left. And, that there are few people joining the forum community. If someone suggests a better place to take up this discussion, we can do it there.
We're always up for a good threadjack, and it's not like we are really going to get anywhere with the guns topic anyway.
People will always come and go. If more come than go, then the number of participants goes up. If more leave, then the number goes down. It ebbs and flows over time. A thing I like about this is the non-real time aspect. You can write in the morning, I'll respond in the afternoon.
Honestly, I'm surprised at how many 'old timers' there are here (and how many still drop in now and then). There's a lot of competition in the web 2.0 space, and we aren't really content creators. Things change, It will never be like day one again. Some of that is for the better, some for the worse, but there's not a lot to be done about it. Buy the ticket, take the ride. Try not to sound too much like OV (NTTIATWWT).
I apologize for this digression within this forum. The âmembershipâ in the community that Iâm referring to is within the forum community, a number of folks here in the forums have commented to me that there are a bunch of legacy members who left. And, that there are few people joining the forum community. If someone suggests a better place to take up this discussion, we can do it there.
Do whatever you want wherever you want. Iâve said all I have to say.
Iâm not sure what this discussion has to do about Guns. But regarding the âcommunityâ dialog, Iâm of the opinion that the number of listeners that regularly post in the Forum is a minuscule percentage of the number of registered listeners & even a smaller percentage of all listeners, registered or not. As such, itâs a mistake to think of the Forum as being representative of anything but that small collective talking among themselves, not RP writ large. 15-20 years ago that percentage may have had some relevance, but as has been pointed out that changed a long time ago.
IMHO
I apologize for this digression within this forum. The âmembershipâ in the community that Iâm referring to is within the forum community, a number of folks here in the forums have commented to me that there are a bunch of legacy members who left. And, that there are few people joining the forum community. If someone suggests a better place to take up this discussion, we can do it there.
That's not it. That's not the problem I'm trying to point out to this community.
I'm fond of a good disagreement. I've been turned on to some really inspiring ideas from being wrong in a disagreement.
But, enabling people who are in open violation of the community guidelines is a red flag for what the community stands for.
Iâm not sure what this discussion has to do about Guns. But regarding the âcommunityâ dialog, Iâm of the opinion that the number of listeners that regularly post in the Forum is a minuscule percentage of the number of registered listeners & even a smaller percentage of all listeners, registered or not. As such, itâs a mistake to think of the Forum as being representative of anything but that small collective talking among themselves, not RP writ large. 15-20 years ago that percentage may have had some relevance, but as has been pointed out that changed a long time ago.
I get why new people don't often stick around; there's a sort of assumption that everyone here is of a like mind and we quickly disappoint ;-)
That's not it. That's not the problem I'm trying to point out to this community.
I'm fond of a good disagreement. I've been turned on to some really inspiring ideas from being wrong in a disagreement.
But, enabling people who are in open violation of the community guidelines is a red flag for what the community stands for.
Ok, let's go with the Thanksgiving dinner analogy, shall we ?
This Thanksgiving dinner we all are at has been going on for a couple of decades. I've been here officially for over 22 years. This one was my 18th dinner. I hung around for 4 years before coming to the dinner. This was your first.
So as we all begin to eat, you speak up loudly and say to Joe, you know that is your dessert fork you're using there, not your salad fork.
What exactly do you expect to happen next, knowing nothing about Joe ? Is he going to say, oh gee thanks, my mistake or is he going to reach over and say, so what's it to you and punch you in the face ? Or something in between ? That is what you risk when you criticize a stranger to you at a family type gathering.
Common sense would dictate that the best thing to do would be just notice it and make nothing of it since it really isn't your place to be criticizing anyone based upon your first time sitting in to dinner. How about those who tuck their napkins to their neck instead of laying it over their lap. Are you going to call out the ones who tuck it into their neck ? Do you always go around poking the bear ?
That is my take on your approach to the way you take the things that I do here. I've explained myself over and over again until I am blue in the face to no avail. I'm done doing it and have become rather blunt as a result. You don't like that about me, right ? Well since you don't really know why I'm like this already, that's just too bad. I owe you no explanation since you didn't ask for one before jumping into my face.
You're more than welcome here as far as I am concerned. You may just consider me to be the bear you shouldn't be poking or the diner who used the dessert fork instead of the salad fork to eat their salad. Just don't be surprised by anything you may see because until you know otherwise it would be best to assume that there is good reason for the reactions your getting to your criticism based upon prior unknown circumstances that you are not aware of. And the interactions between other diners based upon years of eating together and figuring out how to get along with one another in our own unique ways that are normal for us but shocking to you. And don't dish it out if you can't take what you get back in return.
If that's the way community wants it, then there's no doubt why new membership doesn't come here.
The community has asked for tools that other websites have used but management is a little more libertarian about it. There's no doubt that most of the great human beings who have been a part of this community are gone now. As are some of the least agreeable people I've ever met, and most of those chose to leave but some were shown the door. Note too that quite a few who were banned are people that I would certainly enjoy having a beer with; they just go over the top in an online environment.
I get why new people don't often stick around; there's a sort of assumption that everyone here is of a like mind and we quickly disappoint ;-)
The discussions here have me vacillating between two opposing motivations. There is good points and dialogue here to gain new perspectives. But, there is also a lot of disrespect, and unnecessary ugliness. If that's the way community wants it, then there's no doubt why new membership doesn't come here.
? Membership is booming. You mean the Forum? Well, it's pretty easy to sew a button on. Easy indeed...
Many of those who participate are long time supporters of the station... have met with one another at "meet ups" and gatherings that William and others used to have. That could also impact the use of discipline. I don't know.
As a second or third tier participant here, Kurt's outbursts are expected. He tells a few people here to "go f**k themselves" on a regular basis. It's unnecessary, but it's a practice the community has endured for a few decades now.
The discussions here have me vacillating between two opposing motivations. There is good points and dialogue here to gain new perspectives. But, there is also a lot of disrespect, and unnecessary ugliness. If that's the way community wants it, then there's no doubt why new membership doesn't come here.
Since you like to parachute in and inject yourself into these matters, how, with your self professed world class HR soft skills, would you have responded to these serial trollers ?
Two wrongs don't make a right. And, you are being incredibly disrespectful to me in this post.
How would I respond to "serial trollers"? I would not be in a situation where I needed to respond. I would go do something that was productive instead of bickering pointlessly.
While I think he might be backpedaling, I'll accept that his intention with the post could have been made in a different tone than the one I perceived. He's got a point.
I took it the same way. Until he concedes that he was clumsy with his writing, we can assume that he meant to be a dick.
I gotta believe you're right, but as Kurt points out there is a lot of history. His rebuttal to you, in an odd way, is almost comforting. It's like grandmom's house on Thanksgiving (in the US)... you're excited to arrive... by halftime of the Dallas game (second game of the day...around dinner time) you're wondering what planet your relatives are from... and you're relieved the moment you get out the door.
This whole post but especially the bolded part of this seems like a violation of the "be respectful" guideline of the forums.
I gotta believe you're right, but as Kurt points out there is a lot of history. His rebuttal to you, in an odd way, is almost comforting. It's like grandmom's house on Thanksgiving (in the US)... you're excited to arrive... by halftime of the Dallas game (second game of the day...around dinner time) you're wondering what planet your relatives are from... and you're relieved the moment you get out the door.
kurtster wrote:
Since you like to parachute in and inject yourself into these matters, how, with your self professed world class HR soft skills, would you have responded to these serial trollers ? This is not a one off. This is just the latest of many.
Just to provide you with perspective ... these "differences of opinion" have been going on since the Obama administration years. For further perspective, this is kindergartner stuff compared to those days.
Out of the blue I was accused of being the troll and was responding to the latest of their accusations. I said nothing initially to either of them. To paraphrase the second troller from posts past, the ones doing the accusing are generally guilty of their own accusations.
Paragraph one is pure Kurtster. Attack you by professing to know you. If you've ever provided a bit of insight into your profession, your knowledge and insights will be marginalized to highlight your clueless commentary.
Next - It's me against the world. Everyone is out to get him.
The final paragraph is the commentary. It's where your response is hiding if you still get that far.
In fairness to Kurt.... he is correct that there were two posts, by me, both suggesting that he's either trolling or incapable of reason. The one in this thread, after seeing his reaction, I re-read. While I think he might be backpedaling, I'll accept that his intention with the post could have been made in a different tone than the one I perceived. He's got a point.
The other accusation of trolling after a post in the Biden thread. Here's his post:
What you'll notice is another Kurtster standard. Ignore facts when used against you.
His rebuttal there....crickets. Nothing. Completely ignored. If he suggests he didn't see it: total BS. He was trolling... pasting hyper-partisan BS out of boredom, or anger, or whatever else drives his occasionally irrational participation here.
As Kurt points out, there are a few dozen people here who have been posting so long that (IMO) there is an inadvertent barrier to entry on these boards. The sarcasm, innuendo, and "insider" commentary make it incredibly difficult to feel like you can participate as a new member to RP. It's like the first meeting at your new company... everyone is laughing at jokes you don't understand using acronyms you've never heard while talking about their shared social activities to which you'll never be invited.
Many of those who participate are long time supporters of the station... have met with one another at "meet ups" and gatherings that William and others used to have. That could also impact the use of discipline. I don't know.
As a second or third tier participant here, Kurt's outbursts are expected. He tells a few people here to "go f**k themselves" on a regular basis. It's unnecessary, but it's a practice the community has endured for a few decades now.
This whole post but especially the bolded part of this seems like a violation of the "be respectful" guideline of the forums.
Since you like to parachute in and inject yourself into these matters, how, with your self professed world class HR soft skills, would you have responded to these serial trollers ? This is not a one off. This is just the latest of many.
Just to provide you with perspective ... these "differences of opinion" have been going on since the Obama administration years. For further perspective, this is kindergartner stuff compared to those days.
Out of the blue I was accused of being the troll and was responding to the latest of their accusations. I said nothing initially to either of them. To paraphrase the second troller from posts past, the ones doing the accusing are generally guilty of their own accusations.
I didnât expect the poop storm.
Something about me: I donât bother to read about the murderers and their background and their manifestos or political perspectives or even if theyâre crazy. They donât deserve my attention or memory. So Iâm not tracking them with any kind of scorecard.
Regarding the Boomtown Rats being so long ago: it shows you how long this shit has been going on. Shameful and reprehensible.
You're the troll. Steely said he did not recall any and I found the most recent case. It was a big deal because it was a female, of some sort anyway, which is very well known to be rare. I knew how rare it is without having to be told. Why did you even have to go there ? You really think that I am extremely stupid because of my politics. Go fuck yourself. And islander.
i think...when you start a reply off with something like this - My what a short memory you have - some might get rubbed the wrong way.
When you come up with the Boom Town Rats which is a long, long, long time ago or a reference not knowing about the rarity versus the shooting I referred to which was just last year, some wires might get crossed.
This is what I answered to: Steely_D wrote:
Shooters are usually men, so I thought for a minute about if I remembered a female shooter. and then I remembered this. And, yes, it happened on Monday.
And then I was responding to Steely and rgio just jumped in with his nose bent out of shape as if I was addressing him directly.
So just who is the one getting rubbed the wrong way here anyway ?
Again...you're either arguing to be a troll, or you're incapable of reason.
Less than 5% of school shooting incidents over the past 11 years were carried out by women.
Since 1982, only 4 mass shootings (defined as attacks in public places with four or more victims killed) have been perpetrated by women, compared to 145 by men.
Do women/girls do this...yes. Are they the group you want to target if you're attempting to eliminate the problem? Regardless of the dataset, females represent less than 5% of the mass shooter population. Focus on the anomalies... ignore the problem. The Republican populist mantra.
You're the troll. Steely said he did not recall any and I found the most recent case.
It was a big deal because it was a female, of some sort anyway, which is very well known to be rare.
I knew how rare it is without having to be told. Why did you even have to go there ?
You really think that I am extremely stupid because of my politics. Go fuck yourself. And islander.