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Cheers!
Nov 20, 2004 7:06:15 GMT -6
Post by asso on Nov 20, 2004 7:06:15 GMT -6
You know, I was thinking about it last night, it being my membership here at Whoosh. I was thinking about that joke I told the other day, about how I wasn't any more popular here than Bill, someone who acts belligerently. I realized that it's no joke, in fact, I'm not so sure I'm even as popular as he is. I've seen all these recent comments from people, that are sorry to see him go because they enjoyed the banter between him and apparently, Gigs. The comments obviously show that people are interested in reading his posts, which is more than I can claim. I've posted on, and started more threads than I can remember since I've been a member here, but you know what I do remember? I remember the times when someone other than Gigs responded to one of my posts. She does so because we're close, she understands me and cares about what I have to say, most of the time, heh. Obviously, hardly anyone else does, because I can count on one hand, the times when I didn't just end up having a conversation with her. You know, I can simply have a conversation with her here at home, there's no reason for me to post on the board in order to do so.
This obviously doesn't include the times when I've asked a question or addressed someone specifically, on those occasions, Kym or Jox have, of course, come to my aid, and the people I've addressed have kindly responded, most of the time, heh. I haven't checked to see if my threads are viewed as much as anyone else's, but I really don't see the point, because I think the fact that they drop like a rock to the bottom of the page tells me what I need to know. People's comments have also clarified things, going back to the subject of the comments from people that are sorry to see Bill go because they enjoyed the banter between him and apparently, Gigs. I say apparently Gigs, because the fact is that the comments have either been about bill, as I've just pointed out, or they have been directed at Gigs, either in a complimentary fashion, with people saying that they love the way she expresses her opinion and things like that, or they have just been in response to something she has said. So I'm one of the major players, as someone put it, in what is evidently one of the most provocative discussions we have had here at Whoosh in a while, and I'm basically incedental.
I mean, I've only been acknowledged by one person, other than Gigs as usual, who has been inspired in any way, by something I've said. It wasn't in a good way that this person was inspired either, and that leads me to wonder about the reason that I'm just not "hitting it off" with people around here. I'm thinking that it's possibly because I'm outspoken, and admittedly, not a great diplomat. I don't beat around the bush and I don't candy coat things and apparently most of the people who "hang out" here, and at other boards like it, just don't appreciate that. I never really understood this, I mean, I'm honest, I tell it like it is and I prove that it is like I tell it, but that doesn't seem to impress most people at boards like this, they would much rather just have someone telling them what they would like to hear. There's something about fan board society that rewards conformity. Someone who simply acts agreeable, but won't truly tell you what they think, is invariably more popular than someone who is forthright, even though you don't know if you can really believe the former. Even admins or mods who are "straight shooters" have a much harder time gaining the respect of the community than those who simply pander to the majority, as has been shown in Gigs case. I know, I know, you can argue that it's just a fact of life and not indicative of fan boards, but that's not the case, Ive frequented other types of boards where the most respected person posting on any given thread is the person who's stating the facts, regardless of whether they're pleasant to hear or not.
Now don't get me wrong, this isn't a scathing critique of this boards membership, with me saying that you're all a bunch of arses and that's why we don't get along, heh. As I said, I never really understood the mentality of most of the people who frequent a board such as this, but I've given it some thought and I think I do now. People who come to a board such as this one, for the most part, come here to "get away from it all." They want to find others who they have a common interest with and they want to discuss that common interest with like minded people so they can have a positive experience that makes their day a little brighter. They're not interested in spending the free time they have, doing research in order to debate whatever given issue with someone who's disagreable, even if they are a fellow fan, and they're certainly in no mood to have to defend their position on it, with someone who isn't, they just want to have a good time. By the same token, they get annoyed when a dispute occurs and someone becomes disgruntled, because they would rather everybody just get along. It's also annoying because now they have to spend what little spare time they have trying to keep the peace instead of spending it having fun. Now, I'm sure that a lot of you are reading this right now and going "Well duh, Stu!", heh, as I'm probably stating what's obvious to most, but see, that's the thing, it wasn't obvious to me, because I don't come to the board for the same reason that most of you do, which just shows me that this isn't the place for me. Of course, the answer may be more simple than that, and it might just be that I'm not that entertaining, I mean, as you all know, I'm no comedian by any stretch of the imagination. People on boards such as this usually gravitate toward the person who is funny, due to the fact that they're here primarily to try to have a good time. That's just not me, I'm the person wanting to have the serious, and hopefully insightful, discussion based on the in-depth analysis of whatever given subject, so the fact is that I should be posting somewhere else, where heated debate is commonplace and I can discuss the most complex of issues to my hearts content with my kind of crowd. Or maybe the problem is that I've been kind of a sporadic poster and just haven't gotten to know anyone here that well. All I know for sure is that I'm just not "connecting" with anyone here and it's time to move on, so I'm going to quit being an annoyance and let you all get back to having a good time, heh. Tonight the drinks at Cyrene's are on me, so raise your glasses and make a toast for me, to a great bunch of people who probably know the secret to truly having an enjoyable on-line experience, and share it in a very kindhearted way to those who have the ability to sit down in front of the PC, clear their mind of their worries, get comfortable and take it in. To Whooshites! Cheers!
~Stu Pidasso
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erco
Whooshite Apprentice
Too technologically challenged to insert a picture!
Posts: 118
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Cheers!
Nov 20, 2004 8:07:11 GMT -6
Post by erco on Nov 20, 2004 8:07:11 GMT -6
Hey Asso! Would you believe I read your post this morning with dismay? You have explained your reasons for leaving, but I don't understand. I have always read your posts. Probably all of them, even at the old Whoosh and I'm sure I agreed with a few of them. I have no problem with thought provoking or controversial threads. Over the years here, I have even been involved in a few myself. I by no means am a fence rider on any subject. I certainly feel that I should be able to speak my mind and expect that anyone else should as well. The only reason I have not responded to any threads you started is because they were either an editorial type post, or you just simply were far more informed on the subject matter than I was. My only question with this whole political debate was why one individual who engaged in a certain thread was being labeled a troll. I think thru PM's this has been explained, on both sides. I hope that Bill K. does decides to stick around. I am sure you will have more responses to this thread, so let me be the first to say........ Don't go, there is no reason to! I would be happy to engage in a future debate with you. Just give me a chance to educate myself on the subject. Although, I am sure I would lose any debate with you. You write very well.
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Cheers!
Nov 20, 2004 16:16:53 GMT -6
Post by Joxcenia on Nov 20, 2004 16:16:53 GMT -6
Hey Asso!
I don't read the political threads, (I ain't into politics), so I've no clue what is going on about Bill. Didn't even know he was leaving. Didn't know Piper had unjoined for a long time either. I haven't posted in a lot of your threads because they're either over my head, (I am 4 foot 8-1/2 inches tall, you know. ), or they seem to be statements that don't need comments one way or the other.
You had your own ezBoard once, maybe you should have your own ProBoard. The members of this board join mostly to discuss Television shows... and your board could be about Politics or Debates. Set up a free website to attract the kind of crowd you're looking for. Creating your own group just might be the ticket to a happy internet life.
I'm not saying you should leave this board... there's no rule that says you can't have memberships on a lot of boards. You can come here to discuss what most members here seem interested in, and post at other boards where you can get your debate inch scratched. Since it don't seemed to be getting scratched here.
Sorry, I'm just not into debating of any kind. It just ain't my thing, and I stay away from threads that encourage debate. I'm one of those who likes everyone getting along. Discord gets me seriously depressed, so I avoid all threads where bickering is going on.
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Cheers!
Nov 20, 2004 17:00:49 GMT -6
Post by Phalon on Nov 20, 2004 17:00:49 GMT -6
Well hello there.
I have to agree with Eroc...while I do read your posts, (and I can't say that I always agree with them, but never-the-less find your comments interesting and thought provoking), often I am much less informed and therefore refrain from participating, rather prefering to read.
The debates, like Joxie, I stay away from, all together. Too often, whether it is concerning current events in the world, or just the simple but hotly debated subject of "are they, or aren't they" concerning the television show XWP, these threads end up being rather ugly. I think too much can be taken out of context, or not interpreted the way the writer intended, without the benefit of having a face to face conversation. Just something I'd rather not participate in.
That said, I'd be sorry to see you go.
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Cheers!
Nov 20, 2004 17:49:58 GMT -6
Post by Phalon on Nov 20, 2004 17:49:58 GMT -6
Oops...lost my train of thought earlier...
Wanted to add that if response to one's posts is indicitive of whether one should stay or one should leave this board, I'd have been gone a long time ago.
Cheers.
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Cheers!
Nov 20, 2004 18:18:28 GMT -6
Post by Joxcenia on Nov 20, 2004 18:18:28 GMT -6
Yeah! Me too! Most of my threads drop like a lead balloon. Unless they're on a board that sees very little traffic, and then their "views" count is way low. And actually, if I hadn't been made a Mod when we O2ers came to Whoosh, I would have been gone not long after I helped with the move.
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Cheers!
Nov 20, 2004 20:25:36 GMT -6
Post by SweetPeaXG on Nov 20, 2004 20:25:36 GMT -6
Asso, I am sure that you are wondering who I am replying to your post...well I am an old whooshite that used to come around a lot more often then I do now. I mostly just read bits and pieces now. I am not much of a poster, but there was something about this post of yours I could not pass up.
I understand you have your reasons for wanting to go and that you may be a bit shaken up about some confrontation you had with someone on this board. What I don't understand is how in your "goodbye" post you seemed to get digs in about this entire group of people here. If we are not of your stature then maybe it is best if you do try to find some other place where your talent as a debator can be better appreciated.
For the years I have been here, never have I been more riled over a post than I was over this one. I do not want to speak for anyone else on this board, so I will not, but I think you were demeaning to myself when you made statements describing my reason for being at this board. Basically, what I got from your post when you were referring to why we may choose a fan board over a different type of board is because we can't handle the truth. That a little confrontation might get to us. So we come here for a softer side. That just isn't it. Personally I did not go out looking for a board. I came to ask a question and made good friends. I have chatted here with some of these folks about things I couldn't talk about for years in person. They helped me kick back and relax at times too with just a few jokes instead of a heated conversation.
I had never read the politics thread either, until tonight. After reading it I still don't understand what completely happened. What I do understand though is what you stated in your post about how it is easier if everyone does just get along. However, this is such a large group of people that not everyone is going to. That probably being the reason that I stay out of debatable threads. This I have to say is a big step for me. Heck you may not even read this and I will have wasted my time, but I just had to let you know that maybe in your actions of defending yourself you hurt others feeling. For example...I came into this whole thing with no knowledge of anything and immediatly felt that I should be defensive towards your statements of what this board may be all about.
I am sorry for you that this board has not shown you what it is truly about. That you have not gotten out of it what I hope most people would. That is what I did. I have great friends, great conversations, great laughs and also some very deep thought provoking chats. I hope that wherever you go you are able to find what is you could not get here.
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Cheers!
Nov 20, 2004 22:04:03 GMT -6
Post by Lesa on Nov 20, 2004 22:04:03 GMT -6
When I first read that sentence, it sounded like he was saying I pander to the majority. But I know that's not what he was saying. He also was not criticizing anyone on this board. I believe his theory was correct in that most people who come here, do so to get away from it all, meaning leaving the worries of the world behind and coming here just to enjoy themselves, and he never said the members here can't handle the truth. He may, however, have said that to Bill (about Bill) in one of the political posts you recently read, which may be where you got that idea. His other two theories as to why he isn't responded to frequently here is, (2) he doesn't think he's very entertaining and (3) he hasn't posted here enough to get to know people, or to let people get to know him. Not only was he not criticizing the members of the board here, but he has told me on several occasions that he finds Whoosh to have the best membership in the Xenaverse, and he has also stated publicly on many occasions that Whoosh is one of the best fan boards on the net. This is where his third theory comes into play, in that he thinks he might not post enough for people to get to know him, so they will understand what he's really saying. I can see why a lot of people don't like to get into debates on a message board, because it can be hard to read someone's intentions at times, especially when Asso refuses to use smilies to get his points across. Then again, he doesn't always make sense face to face, so who can blame people for not understanding him on a message board? SweetPea, I do hope you come around more often. Erco, Phalon, and Jox - and here I've been worried that everyone might think my husband is an arse! Thanks for showing me that I'm not completely insane. My dear Asso, what can I say? The choice is yours. At least I gotcha here at home.
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Cheers!
Nov 20, 2004 22:17:29 GMT -6
Post by Joxcenia on Nov 20, 2004 22:17:29 GMT -6
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Cheers!
Nov 20, 2004 22:21:57 GMT -6
Post by Gabbin on Nov 20, 2004 22:21:57 GMT -6
Well, I shall jump in here. Har! Always. Three things:
1. I think the internet is a unique medium; a mix of writing and speaking. Most people online tend to write like they speak in a two or three sentence conversation style-escept for the stories. The longer writing with replies is usually of a more personal nature; about ones life.
2. It is a medium without a face so: making it a sensitive medium. It is easy to tic folks off. That is why there are those emoticons everywhere. If you don't use them you have to be more careful to write without offense, methinks.
3. Your italics and multi-alias, or aliasses were a bit too much for me, there fella.
Okay, there ya have it. Do I sound like a school teacher assessing a term paper or what? All of a sudden the West Side Story music of somewhere's a place for us.....enjoy your journey.
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Cheers!
Nov 20, 2004 22:35:05 GMT -6
Post by Joxcenia on Nov 20, 2004 22:35:05 GMT -6
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Cheers!
Nov 20, 2004 22:37:08 GMT -6
Post by Gabbin on Nov 20, 2004 22:37:08 GMT -6
Piffle. I was referring to Whoosh I. He used to have them, lots and lots you lot.
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Cheers!
Nov 20, 2004 22:45:20 GMT -6
Post by Joxcenia on Nov 20, 2004 22:45:20 GMT -6
Yeppers If I had a 1000 dollars for every handle he had at the old board, I'd be rich! I just meant he hadn't gotten around to adding more here... YET!
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Cheers!
Nov 20, 2004 22:50:21 GMT -6
Post by Lesa on Nov 20, 2004 22:50:21 GMT -6
Well, he told me he only planned on having the one here, and that's all he has right now. But yeah, all those handles at the old board sure could make a person's head spin!
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Cheers!
Nov 20, 2004 22:51:26 GMT -6
Post by Gabbin on Nov 20, 2004 22:51:26 GMT -6
I am imagining a pan with a thousand handles now. Thanks Joxcie.
Night night.
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Cheers!
Nov 20, 2004 22:55:45 GMT -6
Post by Joxcenia on Nov 20, 2004 22:55:45 GMT -6
I am imagining a pan with a thousand handles now. Thanks Joxcie.
Night night.
Glad I could stir up the ole imagination.
Nighty-night.
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