Re: Who's Who in MW

Josh Hill <usereplyto@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

On Sun, 25 Nov 2007 15:59:19 -0800 (PST), SereneBabe
<heather@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

I've been thinking about this point you've made. I disagree that
anyone who wants to add to the newsgroup should be willing to accept
the crap that will be thrown at them by the angry members. I'm not
suggesting this place needs to become a gentle safe haven for new
writers, or even for thoughtful but tender experienced writers. Those
safe places exist already.

The idea that it's just fine to trash anyone's thoughts simply because
they took the chance to put them out there, well, I can see the
argument for it. I accept it for my own public comments. I suggest,
however, that we all might take part in creating a newsgroup where the
assumption that posts containing positive ideas, encouragement,
celebration, optimism or even naive expressions of creative thoughts
will not be crushed immediately. Just because we *can* destroy
someone's opinions or their attempts at writing in this newsgroup
doesn't mean we need to.

So far, I've decided to try and avoid the crap. I'm hoping there are
others out there who might choose to abstain from the obvious option
of crude criticism. Constructive behavior might make the place even
more fun for more people.

The fighting can (and surely will) always continue, I know. No
problem. But maybe it doesn't have to spill into every discussion?

You know, every few weeks someone comes along and makes essentially
that suggestion. And just as regularly, the flamers go after them, and
they end up leaving the group.

Marshmallows don't last long close to the fire.

The sad thing is, they're a minority, even here. Most of us would I
think be delighted to discuss writing matters without acting like
bullies or snobs.

How about discussing writing matters, Josh? I mean, instead of
homosexual marriage, or the $2000 Hill Manse, or global climate
change, or how shitassed the Bush administration is? Pfffft, you last
about 30 seconds talking about writing then you're digressing about
your IQ or wtf-ever.

But, realistically, there's nothing that can be done: the trolls and
flamers have pretty much destroyed MW as anything but a flaming group,
and they've pretty much destroyed Usenet. If you have the discipline
to ignore them, that won't be a problem for you, and there's good
advice to be had. Or if you want to trade insults with them, or laugh
at the wit of the clever ones. But most people end up saying "Why
should I put up with the junior high school puerilities of these
jerks?" and run off to the web, where moderators keep the worst
elements in check. And then the flamers start to wander because they
have no one left to insult but one another, leaving the smoking rubble
of a ruined group.

Woe is me. Heather, you'll figure out not to listen to Josh's whining
sooner or later. Or not, so far your writing seems pretty
marshmallowy. Sometimes Josh can slap out a decent riff, but mostly
ya might as well crank up the stereo.

--
The sane answer, to madness, is insanity.
.