Tyr
 I cybered with Kayte
Ballkicks: (+479 / -130)
Posts: 4815 (0.696)
Reg. Date: Mar 2002
Location: Then and Now
Gender: Male |
(Originally posted on: 05-03-03 02:07:14 PM)
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It's doesn't need to be stated that forum culture has, in the past half year, has largely inverted itsself. Anyone who has been around can tell you that. Instead of being a no-man's land, and being a place where only the fittest survive, it is a huge, comforting, love fest reminiscient of female empowerment groups.
Now, don't get me wrong. This is easily a zenith of inter forummer relationships that any of us have seen, even, I'll wager, Sunny or Phil. But the point is, nothing can stem from it. If everyone loves each other, nothing gets done. And if hate is concentrated, we drive away the only people we have to hate. The monster is hungry.
It used to be that if you indulged yourself personally, you would get your ass chewed up in a dazzling fashion. It was horrible and one-sided. But then we had Dani come along, and since she was such a vibrant, charismatic person (and to some, an incredibly good friend), it became alright to be yourself. Now, this isn't a way to attack her. In fact, it's awesome for her, because very few have the ability to change whole forums. But she let us all become ourselves, and being a person was acceptable finally. I fucked up by questioning that (rather stupidly and eradically), and that will stain me until the day I log off for that final time.
I don't know when we started making the shift to a 'Make Love not War' forum, but I'll bet there was a happy medium phase we had. Now it's gone, and the love is sickening. Not as much as the hatred, but close. Fuck, you can't even insult somebody without having to type "lol" or ";-)" after it.
Quoted from Joel: you and your being obcessed with everyone not hating each other.
My problem was that I took most of the insults and accusations to heart. I was thirteen, and I barely am not anymore. But like Sunshine said, you most enjoy the environment you grew up in. And now that's all pretty much gone. If I'm bitter, that's why. There's no more wit, there's no more jabs. I used to think people were being serious when they insulted me; now I see it's just playful. A little too intense at times, maybe, but playful.
All I think is that the balance needs restoring. I don't want this to be a hate fest. But on the same token, I don't want it to be a love fest, either. The community and how it's gotten closer is incredible and it's something we'll all remember. However, I still think we need to let that bitter part of ourselves out regularly. Not to truly attack who someone is, just to give this place some more substance. It's going to suck being insulted; I went through well over a year of it, I would know, but if we don't do it, then huge things are going to happen that will affect everyone.
-Tyr
Moribus antiquis res stat Romana virisque[/w]
[w]Sed quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
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