Siamese twins, separated at birth?
Me ow!
Interesting, isn't it. If all of you would admit it, It's a "me" thing, right? I don't call this a highjacking, I call it plain and simple narcissism.
Goodnight.
From Florida
<OK, who narcissized?>
<furrows brow>
<I have to know who to squint my eyes at>
Letty wrote:Finn once said that Abuzz was the best forum because of the format.
Finn's around here, of course, as Finn d'Abuzz.
Finn is busily active on both fronts. I see him on both sites on a regular basis.
As for what turns me off a thread, it's hard for me to define. A paste with no comment will sometimes attract, sometimes not. The author of a thread is only sometimes that important. I believe that when I have something to give, or there is friendly banter going on, I am likely to plunge in. Threads (political ones) that expect you to back up every word with links are a major turn-off. Plus, adversaries who pounce on every word and try to wring an offending nuance out of it. I don't mind if a thread wanders. Sometimes it settles into something more interesting.
Perhaps we should turn this question around and ask how do we draw more attention to a thread that is important to us? Threads are born here, some live long strange lives, and some get nipped in the bud. It's the cycle of life, really. So, for me, killing a thread is somewhat easy, but getting people to respond to one is the real challenge.
edgar, When I post my opinion on political forums, it's usually based on common knowledge - usually covered by the major media. When people ask me to provide documentation, I just ignore them. It only tells me they're not reading or listening to the news, and I'm not going to be baited to do their homework. My opinion may be biased, but that should be expected from all participants. When I make mistakes, I usually apologize.
I think it is true, what Letty says, that some posts are passed over and people are hurt, seeing a camaraderie occur, bantering yet again, without acknowledgement of the quieter person.
I think a fair part of that is that people often pick up on the last post posted and don't scroll back. I am sure I am guilty of doing that by mistake.
I don't think that people really mean that you (you, Letty, or you, the general 'you') are not in the club. That has actually never occurred to me. I think all who post here are in my club - the word I prefer is family - unless some horrible behavior (what could that be, given the range of choices?) convinces me otherwise.
On narcissism, well, yes, some of us kind of act out here; I think of it is a flowering of self discovery; me, I delight in reading a lot of it - it might be from a past deprivation of enough creativity around me. I do see some of us could possibly be described as needy of attention. I don't care though, I love the flow of creativity in the silly and the smart, just as much as I admire the thoughtful. I am really pulled in by the mix of thoughtful talk and wild banter. That may be my primary fascination with a2k.
But... I do get some of what Letty is saying. I guess I think the topic originator should pull it back if the topic originator wants the respondents to address the question with more attention - actually, I see that fairly often, the topic originator or a respondent pulling attention back to the original point.
I am sadly not a very linear thinking person myself, and digression is my natural state. We are a mix here of folks with different brains and emotions. I like the push pull of the discussions, and wish no one would feel left out.
Letty said:
"Third, Respond to a chosen few and ignore the others."
I am not sure if you are referring to the thread originator here, or not, Letty - but sometimes when threads take on a life of their own, this is hardly necessary, since many "own" the thread, and the thing becomes self-maintaining - I think.
If it is a less busy thread, then, of course, it will help it along if the originator responds to all - I wonder, though, is this general "netiquette", or more of an Abuzz/Raven's Realm thing that is also here? That we imported?
People who want a factual answer may see no need to respond, though WE consider it courteous to do so.
dlowan wrote:Sofia wrote:edgar--
I always read your threads. I spent time reading one last night--and was so overwhelmed, I didn't post. Nothing I could say belonged with the tender, evocative vignettes you shared of people you would never forget.
I think you are cherished here by many more than you know. You do us a great honor, sharing your thoughts and remembrances. You are such a deep well of talent and spirit.
What she said....
What they said :-D We love you Edgar ;-)
Edgar already knows I love him, but I guess Letty doesn't.
Please come back from the island, Letty, we love you.
Letty knows I love her, but now everyone knows :-)
Nope. The full moon was Wed over here, but I have no clue what your moon is doing today ;-)
Same as yours.
Close enough to full moon.
