Remembering who we are and why we are here
Mar 2, 2000 | 11:47 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: SRQ
Posts: 27
Remembering who we are and why we are here
Am I the only person who is wondering what is going on here? I get back from a trip and boot up my computer for a much needed FlyerTalk fix. I'm expecting to read about some interesting trips to locations I have yet to visit, news stories about travel that I did not catch previously, tips that will help me enhance my enjoyment while out on the road, and even details about the personal lives of some of the members here. In other words, I expected to read about the FlyerTalk community.
What I'm reading right now is NOT FlyerTalk.
When I stumbled across this wonderful community a couple months ago I thought, "Wow, there are other people out there who travel constantly and enjoy it as much as I do." As I perused the forums and read voraciously as many topics as I could I couldn't help but to be impressed by the sense of community that had been developed here. The word 'community' is not used lightly. As an outsider that is EXACTLY what this place seemed to be.
Gradually the 'community' seemed to grow into something more. I found myself laughing to tears at the antics of strangers who took a trip to Hawaii called the PiP. I found myself amazed at the support many of the members gave to each other. I was even touched by some of the kindnesses that I read about. Although I have never met any of the members here in person, I can honestly say that I feel as if I know many of you. To me this group almost seems like a family -- albeit a large and rather geographically diverse one. And I was made to feel like a part of this interesting and colorful family thanks to many of you.
What has happened to our family?
Many, if not most of us are here because we share an interest in flying and flying-related topics. Many of us travel frequently and use this forum as a way to connect with other frequent travelers. And many of us LOVE to fly. We all have a lot in common -- an interest in flying and travel and all things travel-related. And we have many differences as well -- individual opinions, interests and lifestyles. We need to celebrate and nurture our similarities, and respect and sometimes even tolerate our differences.
I am here because I enjoy being a part of a vibrant, fascinating community of frequent travelers. I suspect many of you are here for the same reason. While the current debate about copyright law and censorship and self-policing is healthy, it is not the primary reason we are here. All of the talk about clutter and what should and shouldn't be posted ironically clutters up the board.
Everyone seems to have had their say. Now enough is enough. It is time to take out the trash and clean up our house.
Can we please refocus our collective energy on travel and all things related? When I read FlyerTalk tomorrow I'd love to see posts about trips to places I haven't been to yet (but will get to eventually), tips to make travel easier, links to news stores that relate to travel, and above all details about the personal lives of many of you -- the FlyerTalk Family.
Respectfully,
Brian Love (aka brilove)
What I'm reading right now is NOT FlyerTalk.
When I stumbled across this wonderful community a couple months ago I thought, "Wow, there are other people out there who travel constantly and enjoy it as much as I do." As I perused the forums and read voraciously as many topics as I could I couldn't help but to be impressed by the sense of community that had been developed here. The word 'community' is not used lightly. As an outsider that is EXACTLY what this place seemed to be.
Gradually the 'community' seemed to grow into something more. I found myself laughing to tears at the antics of strangers who took a trip to Hawaii called the PiP. I found myself amazed at the support many of the members gave to each other. I was even touched by some of the kindnesses that I read about. Although I have never met any of the members here in person, I can honestly say that I feel as if I know many of you. To me this group almost seems like a family -- albeit a large and rather geographically diverse one. And I was made to feel like a part of this interesting and colorful family thanks to many of you.
What has happened to our family?
Many, if not most of us are here because we share an interest in flying and flying-related topics. Many of us travel frequently and use this forum as a way to connect with other frequent travelers. And many of us LOVE to fly. We all have a lot in common -- an interest in flying and travel and all things travel-related. And we have many differences as well -- individual opinions, interests and lifestyles. We need to celebrate and nurture our similarities, and respect and sometimes even tolerate our differences.
I am here because I enjoy being a part of a vibrant, fascinating community of frequent travelers. I suspect many of you are here for the same reason. While the current debate about copyright law and censorship and self-policing is healthy, it is not the primary reason we are here. All of the talk about clutter and what should and shouldn't be posted ironically clutters up the board.
Everyone seems to have had their say. Now enough is enough. It is time to take out the trash and clean up our house.
Can we please refocus our collective energy on travel and all things related? When I read FlyerTalk tomorrow I'd love to see posts about trips to places I haven't been to yet (but will get to eventually), tips to make travel easier, links to news stores that relate to travel, and above all details about the personal lives of many of you -- the FlyerTalk Family.
Respectfully,
Brian Love (aka brilove)
. Other than that, I say 
Mar 3, 2000 | 8:02 am
#6
In Memoriam: Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA
Posts: 82
Well said!!! Now if everyone will take this to heart. The last time this happened someone suggested "Now, everyone take a deep breath"...Please the Catman-Do is a short 2 weeks away, my first time to New York, I'm looking forward to it.
Mar 3, 2000 | 10:22 am
#7
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 37
brilove,
Your post should be strongly suggested reading for many on this board.
It seems as though for many who post here, that is the extent to which life holds. Sad. I hope you had a great trip.
[This message has been edited by PatPong (edited 03-03-2000).]
Your post should be strongly suggested reading for many on this board.
It seems as though for many who post here, that is the extent to which life holds. Sad. I hope you had a great trip.
[This message has been edited by PatPong (edited 03-03-2000).]
Mar 3, 2000 | 7:10 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: ORD/MDW
Programs: BA/AA/AS/B6/WN/ UA/HH/MR and more like 'em but most felicitously & importantly MUCCI
Posts: 19,811
I just want to applaud and second brilove's observations. I too check in daily. But I have posted a lot less, lately, because there seem to be numerous private quarrels going on. I wish it were otherwise.
I used to be a habitue of Hot Talk, the forum run over at thetrip.com, and I was disappointed, last year, to see the same sort of internecine off-topic squabbling first decorate, then overrun, the board. Before long a good 40% of the posts were strident debates over what was suitable for posting. The tone of the thing deteriorated overnight.
Ironically I think some of the tone shift on that board was due in part to a change in moderator -- from a laid-back, laissez-faire guy to a more heavy-handed successor who made it clear she would "enforce" many "guidelines." Before long a short list of self-appointed content watchdogs were announcing that such-and-such a thread was "scheduled for deletion!" and prancing up to the moderator demanding that all the offensive stuff be plucked out. Well, as soon as you start a debate over what's offensive, you precipitate a tone crisis... and lots of hitherto rational, interesting board participants became bomb-throwers. In short, you introduce a "parent" in the mix, you get other people in need of parenting.
I would just hate for this facility to take a similar turn, because I enjoy so much of what goes on here. But I have enjoyed it a little less lately, and it might behoove us all, when we click on POST REPLY, to paraphrase the old WW2 question: is this post necessary?
Save an impulse. Save a board.
I used to be a habitue of Hot Talk, the forum run over at thetrip.com, and I was disappointed, last year, to see the same sort of internecine off-topic squabbling first decorate, then overrun, the board. Before long a good 40% of the posts were strident debates over what was suitable for posting. The tone of the thing deteriorated overnight.
Ironically I think some of the tone shift on that board was due in part to a change in moderator -- from a laid-back, laissez-faire guy to a more heavy-handed successor who made it clear she would "enforce" many "guidelines." Before long a short list of self-appointed content watchdogs were announcing that such-and-such a thread was "scheduled for deletion!" and prancing up to the moderator demanding that all the offensive stuff be plucked out. Well, as soon as you start a debate over what's offensive, you precipitate a tone crisis... and lots of hitherto rational, interesting board participants became bomb-throwers. In short, you introduce a "parent" in the mix, you get other people in need of parenting.
I would just hate for this facility to take a similar turn, because I enjoy so much of what goes on here. But I have enjoyed it a little less lately, and it might behoove us all, when we click on POST REPLY, to paraphrase the old WW2 question: is this post necessary?
Save an impulse. Save a board.
Mar 6, 2000 | 8:47 pm
#9
Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: Winnipeg Canada, Cambridge England. CP - EP (R.I.P.) formerly AC-SE now lower than the lowest low.
Posts: 828
I could not agree more, the comments on this thread are reason incarnate.
Though In the time I've been here I've seen it all before, and no doubt will see it all again.
This in-fighting is a bit like warts, they go away for awhile, and then spring up again. I am practising ignoring them, in the hope that the lack of attention will cause them to wither.
Stewart.
Though In the time I've been here I've seen it all before, and no doubt will see it all again.
This in-fighting is a bit like warts, they go away for awhile, and then spring up again. I am practising ignoring them, in the hope that the lack of attention will cause them to wither.
Stewart.
Mar 6, 2000 | 11:47 pm
#10
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: Southern California - UA1K, Delta GM, Starwood Gold, Hilton Gold, AA Platinum
Posts: 1,456
I agree wholeheartedly. A little brotherhood/sisterhood never hurt anyone.. and some civility is nice. Why harm one another.. why be rude? I do not think it solves anything..
I do agree that it is like a family here. Alot of people have strong, caring compassion... and I am touched. In a world that is so rushed and rude, I find really nice people. It counters alot of the really mean, self-absorded travelers you meet on the road..
bravo to you all!
I do agree that it is like a family here. Alot of people have strong, caring compassion... and I am touched. In a world that is so rushed and rude, I find really nice people. It counters alot of the really mean, self-absorded travelers you meet on the road..
bravo to you all!
Mar 7, 2000 | 10:35 am
#11
Guest
Posts: n/a
"Then there are some who are accused of being trollers yet do not
agree. They argue that they are only having a discussion. They call
it "sarcasm" "irony" or witty banter. There are many versions of this
kind of person, they argue and cause an uproar and don't understand
the uproar they cause. Others may not have understood their intention
and both sides may have gotten a little too caught up in the
discussion. It is possible to try and help these people understand
the uproar they cause using e-mail. Sometimes the cause is hopeless."
http://www.cs.ruu.nl/wais/html/na-di...troll-faq.html
agree. They argue that they are only having a discussion. They call
it "sarcasm" "irony" or witty banter. There are many versions of this
kind of person, they argue and cause an uproar and don't understand
the uproar they cause. Others may not have understood their intention
and both sides may have gotten a little too caught up in the
discussion. It is possible to try and help these people understand
the uproar they cause using e-mail. Sometimes the cause is hopeless."
http://www.cs.ruu.nl/wais/html/na-di...troll-faq.html
