craigswan:
Steffi gave me some sound advice a while back .
Well - When she was talking to me that is .
Don't do politics or knock america .
Good council that was so i stopped . Well almost .
LOL.
In the spirit, giving rise to my reasoning, in starting this thread, until you do something else that totally pisses me off (joking), I will talk to you.
We will work on the sexism, homophobia and other stuff later...baby steps.
Although I was not part of a lot of marvelous things that occurred in these threads, and did not get to know some of those people mentioned in my rhyme/poem, I read many of the older threads, some I was directed to by those who were participating at the time, it was easy to see how much fun was had, the strong bonds made as well as friendships lost due to death and, sadly, arguments.
From time, to time, I have tried to "liven" things up. I kid myself in thinking that I do this for everyone else when, sometimes, I do it for me. I want that kind of fun. I envy those that lived through those times. To see how the forums change, like the ebb and flow of the tides, from brotherhood/sisterhood to vitriol (Craig, you can look up the definition) post, arguments, attacks, to apologies, regrets, new bonds formed, it is sad.
Call me naive, I do not believe it has to be this way. I am first to admit, I have regressed at times, a defensive compulsion to respond to something I do not like, in a negative way, rather than turn the other cheek. I vow to do my best to stop. If there is something I do not like, I am going to try my best to simply ignore it. I will open my "word" program, type a super mean reply, and delete it. It is very cathartic that way, without throwing gas on the flames. Impossible? No. If PureGro1 can go 24 hours, without posting a meme (which happened once) I should be able to refrain from being mean.
Yes, there are those that will always be grumpy, mean and nasty, however, there are so many more that are kind, generous, witty and enjoyable to converse with.
I started this thread because there seems to be an uptick on aggressive behavior in the threads. It has gotten to the point where I hear too many great people say they are done with the threads, they should be closed, etc.. At times, the way they can get, I cannot disagree. It does not have to be this way.
In my most humble opinion, I think if everyone just took a pause, before posting replies, and stopped taking everything so personal, presuming that supposed attacks are merely misunderstandings, or messages lost in translation, things can, and will, get better.
I think it is time for a "reset" and let bygones be bygones, like the virtual handshakes that I have seen recently. Life is too short, things in the world are happening too fast and, in the end, I do not want to have any more regrets about something I did, or said, to make someone upset, when, after all, it is a game.
P.S. Yes, Colin, I know that there are many that are homebound, or alone and WGT is a main source of social media and communication with friends, but it is a game. The relationships and bonds formed, and these threads, just makes it that much better to enjoy. Like I said in a thread a year, or so ago, it is what makes it, IMO, the greatest game ever played.