Seriously thoughtful Let's be civil, please

[dsvick]

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

That anonymity thing is one reason why I like to use my real name.

Me too - it keeps me honest. Well sort of.

[thinkpad]

Originally Posted by Ea

Quite honestly, i dont understand the general feeling of upset here. But perhaps its because i rarely visit the lounge

I agree. I totally missed the the whole commotion. I only started reading this thread because it was the top thread on: "weeks hot topic". I've experienced some threads from time to time where two members start flaming at each other, but my impressions are that the moderators are always quick to step in when they feel that a thread gets off topic or out of line.

So far I've always felt welcome here at MR and I see more words of encouragement and positivity than I see of the opposite. Lets hope it stays that way.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by dsvick

True, but I'd also say that that would qualify as a personal attack, even if it is their opinion.

Yep.




.

[beppe]

Originally Posted by thinkpadx

the top thread on: "weeks hot topic".

Hi thinkpadx, where is "weeks hot topic"?
Can you show it to me?

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by beppe

Hi thinkpadx, where is "weeks hot topic"?
Can you show it to me?

Click on the "Home" link. It will be to the right, just under "Welcome, beppe."

[Bilbo1967]

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

Click on the "Home" link. It will be to the right, just under "Welcome, beppe."

Why does it say "Welcome, beppe." on your PC, Tom?

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by Bilbo1967

Why does it say "Welcome, beppe." on your PC, Tom?

Good question! I assumed it was part of MobileRead.

[Rich_D]

Originally Posted by dsvick

Me too - it keeps me honest. Well sort of.

Agreed.

Too many men and women have died to make sure that I can say what I want and you can say what you want (regardless of how wrong it may be! )

If I don't like a tv show, I don't watch it. If I don't like a song, I turn it off. If I don't like a message board post, I stop reading it.

Rich

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by Bilbo1967

Why does it say "Welcome, beppe." on your PC, Tom?

Hee-Hee!


I think Tom's Clarevoint or some voint....

[kazbates]

I've been in several discussions on MR where it has become apparent to me that we posters have our own opinion and are NEVER going to change that opinion (particularly when it comes to those things we hold dear, like our nationality, religious beliefs, etc.). And that's okay. It's what makes the world an interesting place to live. Presenting an opinion in a debate like format with information supporting a particular viewpoint helps people see all sides of an issue. Even though the debate may not ultimately affect any one's viewpoints, it can enhance them.

There are times when I've read some one's post and thought to myself, "What a dunderhead!!"(of course, I would never say that out loud ) because that poster's views were radically opposite from mine. However, I completely respect their right to hold and speak their views. Just because those views are different from mine, I understand that it doesn't actually make them a "dunderhead" nor does it make them less intelligent than I am. It's the times when my views have been held in such contempt and incivility by other posters and when my intelligence has been brought in to question which have tainted the discussion for me. I might attempt to clarify my point of view, but once it's apparent that the opposing view point has taken a negative turn, I unsubscribe from the thread and leave the others to it.

I personally think that the people who are so quick to become that negative do it because, thanks to the anonymity of the Internet, they can.

The posters here at MR tend to be more considerate than posters in the forums my 20ish children frequent. My 23 year old daughter occasionally asks me if I've gotten "flamed" yet and I am proud to say that it has not happened in the almost 16 months I've been a member here. (Actually, I think she's a little disappointed in me. ) I attribute this to the thoughtfulness and caring of the MR community. If we occasionally digress into vitriol, that happens in even the closest of families. I see that as an anomaly and not the norm.

Kudos, MR members and mods.

[kennyc]

Well said Kaz.

[Katti's Cat]

*Sigh* away for nearly a week and all hell breaks loose. Lost someone I consider a friend (H_T). And while I deeply disagree with the opinion he voiced I still consider him a friend.

My own humble opinion on this matter: do not ban subjects. How would we have discussed a runner up in the book club if we can't talk religion ("Biff"). And there are heaps of books written on all the subjects people want to ban. There are lots of people who can discuss all subjects without getting personal.

There is a difference between saying "You are wrong, because ...." and "You a#$%%e are wrong". And unfortunately the latter has occurred too often on too many threads lately. Just because a discussion gets heated doesn't mean the thread should be close. Rather ban or warn the people who can't stay civil.

I actually like talking / reading / commenting on all subjects here because I like the people here - well at least those that contribute often. Sure, there are some that make comments that make me cringe. Other times I want to scream at them telling them how wrong they are (in my opinion ). But whatever opinion they voice, it is theirs. I don't have a problem with people that disagree with me or my ideas only with people that cannot tell me their ideas without getting personal.

If people feel deeply about a subject - why does it have to get personal? Yes, there are forums that a specifically for politics, religion and so forth you want to ban here - but hey , have you ever visited one of those? It's full of nutters

MR appealed to me because
a) lots of books discussed
b) info about new gadgets
c) heaps of nice people
d) soooo many different subjects discussed

I have wondered before why people who are flaming, insulting are not warned / banned. And I disagree with the censorship of excluding subjects.

My family has always been involved in politics as long as I can remember and way beyond that - and not all on the same side. The discussions around the dinning tables (and anywhere else for that matter) can get rather heated. Sometimes we resort to the old tactic "I'm right if I just shout the loudest" - we know that some visitors can't handle our family dynamic but we just can't help ourselves .

Despite the different opinions we may have and the long history of family discussions I cannot recall one incident where any of the participants got personal. Not once end a discussion by someone walking away hurt or slighted. We do not call each other names or insult in any way. And I might not agree with any of them or only some of them but I have a deep respect for anyone who has the courage to stand up and voice his / her opinion - on anything.

We should call ourselves lucky that we are able to voice our opinions. Right or wrong, whether we agree with them or not - we have the right to do so. No reason to get personal. If you don't agree with one, state so in a civil manner and move on. If you can't do so, count to 10 ( great suggestion in an earlier thread). If that still doesn't work, walk away.

If someone voices an opinion I don't agree with - that doesn't make him / her a bad person and would not evict him / her from my friends. But someone who calls me names and insults me - that are the people I don't want to deal with.

If someone wants to keep it light - why not stay away from posts with religious, political and so forth content you don't want to discuss? Having said that - I do hope that MR will predominately be a forum that discusses books, gadgets and donuts & chocolate.

I am terribly sorry about this long post. I even timed out writing it but I do feel strongly about the subject of free discussion. Just my humble opinion.
And I feel sad that H-T is gone - he posted some real good threads, made me laugh and helped me through some stuff. Yes, he might have an opinion I don't agree with - I am still going to miss him.

So if you actually read to the end you obviously had nothing better to do. You were warned at the beginning.

[SimonSays]

Wow- sorry I missed everything...NOT. I am really sorry to see you go Happy_Terd (hope you are still lurking)

Not that it matters, but my opinion is why ban subject matters? How on earth would we have gotten to know what we do about each other if we never strayed from topics beyond ebooks and ereader devices? Debates can be good and since we all are adults here, it shouldn't be a problem for those that can can handle opinions that vary from their own. It would be one hell of a boring world if we all had the same opinions and feelings on an issue now wouldn't it?

[beppe]

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

Click on the "Home" link. It will be to the right, just under "Welcome, beppe."

It works!

Thanks a lot Tom. I have never clicked the "Home" link before.

By the way. It is true! You read the ethics! You actually "wrote" it. Good, good man. This forum is really a fantastic place. One goes around quite at random and he stumbles on very interesting things.

P.S. It keeps saying that I should spread it more before ...
P.P.S. even without seeing it with my eyes I have no problem in envisioning with the eyes of my mind that your Welcome is "Welcome WT Sharpe". Is this what they call Artificial Intelligence? It is almost like magic.

When, ages ago, somebody at work started a section with that name, we all rolled on the floor, saying: Good for you that you finally study and research something useful and that you might profit from.

[beppe]

Originally Posted by kennyc

Hee-Hee!


I think Tom's Clarevoint or some voint....

No no, it is much simpler than that. Tom has a very good computer.