Perspective

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Posted by cwatbay on February 22, 2002 at 13:28:46:

In Reply to: What ever happened to Harry's Dad? posted by Mark on February 22, 2002 at 05:20:08:

I was a regular also about 2 1/2 years ago when all the people mentioned in other posts were here. I know that some have gone their separate ways and no longer have igs, and, then there are others like myself who still have all their igs and more.

I admit that I do come by and look at the posts regularly, and may, on some rare occasions, offer some advice or comment.

However, let me tell you why I don't get more involved, which may be the reason why the other "old timers" don't get involved either:

1)The same questions and scenarios over and over again. After you have answered the same questions about two or three dozen times, it gets really tiresome. Especially when you can predict the usual responses. There is nothing on the forum now ( except Active UV) that wasn't on the forum two years ago.

2)The same arguments. Again repetition gets to be tiring and you feel that no matter what your experience or support of your position - that someone who has had an ig for less than a year is going to dispute all the knowledge and experience you have acquired over the last 5, 10 or 20+ years.

3)Taking things personally. This relates to my above point. There seems to be an ever increasing number of posters ( usually newbies and people aged 14 to 29 - sorry for the generalization) that take every argument or differnet point of view as a personal attack against them. Whether this is due to immaturity, lack of self esteem, etc, it doesn't really matter in the long run. I frankly got real tired of getting flamed because someone didn't agree with we and resorted to personal attacks - rather than keeping with the topic and offering any kind of support for their opinion or position.

4) Well, the fourth reason is probably my fault, although, it may have relevance to others too. I have a tendency to state things as I see them. I try to be somewhat PC about it, but when someone does something that I perceive as incredibly stupid or without thought to the consequences, then I tend to call them on it.

I feel sorry for Christy sometimes as she let's others know her thoughts without reservation. Things were much milder in the past ( 1+ years ago )- although we were getting "trolled" to death by people from the Monitor Forum.

I got crucified for telling some folks that the reason they got into the trouble they did, was because they did something stupid (ie: not considering all the consequences of their actions - which in turn relates to "common sense") - however- I did offer them some solutions. Unfortunately, there were people on the forum that were wrapped up real tight into the philosophy of: "don't say anything that would ever be construed as negative to anyone" or in other words "don't rock our little feel good boat" it might possibly make someone not feel ok about themselves ( the ol' self esteem thing that public education is all hot about).

Anyway, after getting flamed quite a bit, both on this forum and in a discussion group, I realized that I was getting a little too wrapped up in it too - and - I was no match to people that had way too much free time on their hands and who based their opinions on "feelings"- which is like having an argument on religion - there are no winners and no one changes their opinion.

So I forced myself to take a break and get out of the forum, the chats, the groups, etc- and- just concentrate on my issues with my pets ( plus job, relationships, and everything else in my life). This helped and allowed me to get perspective and put things into priorities. Which is something that probably happened to everyone else too - we had to put things into priority. Plus new events and circumstances also encouraged us to re-evaluate what our priorities were.

The forum seems to recycle itself constantly, so I feel that I really haven't missed that much- and having looked at it since the time that I was actively involved - I belive that I can support the points I have made.

So that is my take on why the older members, and myself, don't post anymore or as much.

Hope this this helps. CW

Follow Ups:

Agreed, but you're still missed! n/p Ally's Mom 02/25/02 (0)
Cliff, totally enjoyed our visit in chat last night!! Come back soon!! nm jif 02/23/02 (1)
- I am glad it was good for you too.....................np cwatbay 02/23/02 (0)
this has to be one of the best articulated posts I have ever read -msg Ig Chick 02/22/02 (0)

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: I was a regular also about 2 1/2 years ago when all the people mentioned in other posts were here. I know that some have gone their separate ways and no longer have igs, and, then there are others like myself who still have all their igs and more. : I admit that I do come by and look at the posts regularly, and may, on some rare occasions, offer some advice or comment. : However, let me tell you why I don't get more involved, which may be the reason why the other "old timers" don't get involved either: : 1)The same questions and scenarios over and over again. After you have answered the same questions about two or three dozen times, it gets really tiresome. Especially when you can predict the usual responses. There is nothing on the forum now ( except Active UV) that wasn't on the forum two years ago. : 2)The same arguments. Again repetition gets to be tiring and you feel that no matter what your experience or support of your position - that someone who has had an ig for less than a year is going to dispute all the knowledge and experience you have acquired over the last 5, 10 or 20+ years. : 3)Taking things personally. This relates to my above point. There seems to be an ever increasing number of posters ( usually newbies and people aged 14 to 29 - sorry for the generalization) that take every argument or differnet point of view as a personal attack against them. Whether this is due to immaturity, lack of self esteem, etc, it doesn't really matter in the long run. I frankly got real tired of getting flamed because someone didn't agree with we and resorted to personal attacks - rather than keeping with the topic and offering any kind of support for their opinion or position. : 4) Well, the fourth reason is probably my fault, although, it may have relevance to others too. I have a tendency to state things as I see them. I try to be somewhat PC about it, but when someone does something that I perceive as incredibly stupid or without thought to the consequences, then I tend to call them on it. : I feel sorry for Christy sometimes as she let's others know her thoughts without reservation. Things were much milder in the past ( 1+ years ago )- although we were getting "trolled" to death by people from the Monitor Forum. : I got crucified for telling some folks that the reason they got into the trouble they did, was because they did something stupid (ie: not considering all the consequences of their actions - which in turn relates to "common sense") - however- I did offer them some solutions. Unfortunately, there were people on the forum that were wrapped up real tight into the philosophy of: "don't say anything that would ever be construed as negative to anyone" or in other words "don't rock our little feel good boat" it might possibly make someone not feel ok about themselves ( the ol' self esteem thing that public education is all hot about). : Anyway, after getting flamed quite a bit, both on this forum and in a discussion group, I realized that I was getting a little too wrapped up in it too - and - I was no match to people that had way too much free time on their hands and who based their opinions on "feelings"- which is like having an argument on religion - there are no winners and no one changes their opinion. : So I forced myself to take a break and get out of the forum, the chats, the groups, etc- and- just concentrate on my issues with my pets ( plus job, relationships, and everything else in my life). This helped and allowed me to get perspective and put things into priorities. Which is something that probably happened to everyone else too - we had to put things into priority. Plus new events and circumstances also encouraged us to re-evaluate what our priorities were. : The forum seems to recycle itself constantly, so I feel that I really haven't missed that much- and having looked at it since the time that I was actively involved - I belive that I can support the points I have made. : So that is my take on why the older members, and myself, don't post anymore or as much. : Hope this this helps. CW

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