Post by Brad Nelson on Jul 15, 2019 20:55:03 GMT -8
We’ve picked up a couple new members lately so I thought I’d write about my expectations for this site.
1) Write as if you want to be read and with the purpose of helping someone. It may be to connect them to a book or movie they might like, or it could be a tip on how to prepare a particular type of pasta. But refrain from mental masturbation. We’re certainly here to express ourselves. But farting in an elevator is a form of expression as well. But we should have a better and more organized purpose than just vomiting whatever comes out of our mouths. Go to Twitter of Facebook for that where saying inane things can get you applause.
2) If there’s something you think needs to be added or changed, make a suggestion. Don’t be passive. Maybe you think a new forum or sub-forum is needed. Or a change of name or reorganization of exiting forums. Let me know.
3) This is your sandbox. I’m not here to heard cats or be a leader. Run with it as you will. This site isn’t costing me a dime. I have some technical expertise so it’s useful to have a sort of caretaker or organizer. But that’s the extent to which I will stamp myself on this. Don’t look to me for what you should do. Do something interesting. Say something interesting and useful.
4) I stress the “useful” and “interesting” aspects because we’ve all gone through the public school system and are used to receiving gold stars just for showing up. At my old site, StubbornThings, I would put out more of an active challenge for people to stretch themselves instead of just vomiting out the usual old baloney. Trust me, you don’t want to be saying the exact same things you were 20 years ago. Learn and grow. But I won’t enforce it. I’m just saying that this isn’t Facebook. If you want and need lots of positive reinforcement and constant back-slaps, go there. However, if you have something a little deeper or more interesting to share, this is the place for it.
5) By all means, gab and have fun. I’m not your hall monitor or room mother. But if you don’t want to live in the ghetto, clean up your act, put on that suit and tie. Here we don’t pretend that half-assed is gold-star-worthy. Nor are we pedantic schoolmarms (or worse...intellectuals) demanding that every “I” is dotted and every “T” crossed. And if anyone acts that way they should be mercilessly ridiculed. Have fun and don’t take everything so damn seriously. And you don't have to be perfect.
6) And for god’s sake, drop your fake online personalities and baloney. So many people become insufferable (and stilted) because they’ve put themselves into this small box of an online persona. Don’t do it. Don’t be an ass. Be real. That’s doesn’t mean we need to hear every personal detail of your life (unless you can weave that into a good story, of course). It means wouldn’t you like to go to that bar in Cheers where everyone knows your name (or at least your pseudonym)? Doesn’t everyone want a place to call home, if only for a few minutes a day, perhaps only to share a favorite book, recipe, movie, series, or whatever? Then don’t be a faker. Don’t try to fool or manipulate people.
7) Go easy on the politics. The one thing I can promise is that if most of the new posts are posted in the “Topical Politics and Culture” forum, I will nuke it.
1) Write as if you want to be read and with the purpose of helping someone. It may be to connect them to a book or movie they might like, or it could be a tip on how to prepare a particular type of pasta. But refrain from mental masturbation. We’re certainly here to express ourselves. But farting in an elevator is a form of expression as well. But we should have a better and more organized purpose than just vomiting whatever comes out of our mouths. Go to Twitter of Facebook for that where saying inane things can get you applause.
2) If there’s something you think needs to be added or changed, make a suggestion. Don’t be passive. Maybe you think a new forum or sub-forum is needed. Or a change of name or reorganization of exiting forums. Let me know.
3) This is your sandbox. I’m not here to heard cats or be a leader. Run with it as you will. This site isn’t costing me a dime. I have some technical expertise so it’s useful to have a sort of caretaker or organizer. But that’s the extent to which I will stamp myself on this. Don’t look to me for what you should do. Do something interesting. Say something interesting and useful.
4) I stress the “useful” and “interesting” aspects because we’ve all gone through the public school system and are used to receiving gold stars just for showing up. At my old site, StubbornThings, I would put out more of an active challenge for people to stretch themselves instead of just vomiting out the usual old baloney. Trust me, you don’t want to be saying the exact same things you were 20 years ago. Learn and grow. But I won’t enforce it. I’m just saying that this isn’t Facebook. If you want and need lots of positive reinforcement and constant back-slaps, go there. However, if you have something a little deeper or more interesting to share, this is the place for it.
5) By all means, gab and have fun. I’m not your hall monitor or room mother. But if you don’t want to live in the ghetto, clean up your act, put on that suit and tie. Here we don’t pretend that half-assed is gold-star-worthy. Nor are we pedantic schoolmarms (or worse...intellectuals) demanding that every “I” is dotted and every “T” crossed. And if anyone acts that way they should be mercilessly ridiculed. Have fun and don’t take everything so damn seriously. And you don't have to be perfect.
6) And for god’s sake, drop your fake online personalities and baloney. So many people become insufferable (and stilted) because they’ve put themselves into this small box of an online persona. Don’t do it. Don’t be an ass. Be real. That’s doesn’t mean we need to hear every personal detail of your life (unless you can weave that into a good story, of course). It means wouldn’t you like to go to that bar in Cheers where everyone knows your name (or at least your pseudonym)? Doesn’t everyone want a place to call home, if only for a few minutes a day, perhaps only to share a favorite book, recipe, movie, series, or whatever? Then don’t be a faker. Don’t try to fool or manipulate people.
7) Go easy on the politics. The one thing I can promise is that if most of the new posts are posted in the “Topical Politics and Culture” forum, I will nuke it.