Quote:
Originally Posted by Ea
Moejoe, that was funny 
RickyMaveety, your latest posts have sounded a bit "prickly" and discontent and I'm sorry you feel that way, but I think you are reading more into it than what was meant - I don't think you should worry so much.
How can I explain...? I'll try. I have thought of posting threads in The Lounge but have been afraid that in that place they would end up becoming "slow chat" threads with little actual topic content, much less than I would prefer myself. I am also not personally that comfortable in a place where there is a lot chat and social banter going on, like the Lounge - mainly because I find it hard to navigate the social rules - and the more 'loose' the social interaction, the more hidden the rules tend to be, and thus harder to navigate - I sometimes find it prohibitively hard to even try (in general, not just here). If it's more a *discussion* with focus on a topic, it's easier and I am much more inclined to participate.
And where am I going with all this? Well, I don't "hear" people saying that humour and fun is not allowed outside the Lounge or that there is a war on silliness. But I, and apparently others, miss a place where the tone - from the outset - is more focused on discussing a topic than it is on social interaction. As it is, I see the Lounge as a place where one would go primarily for being social chat and talk, not discussion. I hope the way I distinguish between discussion and chat/talk is comprehensible?
As a newbie/ousider, the lounge is not a place I would immediately think of if I had a topic I wanted to *discuss* that wasn't really covered by the other forums. It's a certain place, with a certain tone and mode of interaction - and it's fine for what is - but it isn't a catch-all. |
I think the idea that you can somehow reign in conversation is absurd. You might be able to force it into compliance, but any conversation is bound to take a turn away from the original question under discussion. It's just how we work as people, spring-boarding from one idea to the next. I was recently in a forum where the discussion of Stephen King's new novel turned into a discussion of celibacy and teenage morality (mostly my fault). But the discussion deepens with every twist and turn, with every funny quip or insult. If those lobbying for this 'more serious' sub-forum are serious then we may as well have it structured as we would in a debate, its the only sure-fire way to keep a topic on the straight and narrow. And then we're into ridiculous rules of conduct that kill spontaneity and the joy of conversing with others in a community. I want to be surprised by other people's opinions, I want to smile when someone says something silly or out of the blue, I want to engage in arguments about topics I care about also.
There are already places here fit for all those topics and also combined with each other. It would be a sad day indeed if we reduced this community into factions because of the percieved 'non-serious' nature of the Lounge. Already people here are getting annoyed and feeling attacked, on both sides, because of this ridiculous proposition.
The Lounge is fit for purpose and it serves that purpose well. If some users don't like the silly bits, don't read them, post 'serious' topics (I've done it in the past). Like the silly bits, then jump in and have some fun. The people here are friendly and fun-loving, for the most part, they won't mind