Just how much space should one poster take up?

Hmmmm, well THIS thread has certainly followed a predictable path.

Despite the fact that Jill B and Jaime are not SEEN on the forum often, they are both still available and are both still administrators.  I would suggest that those who find the every day mods and admin unfair and uncooperative contact either of them.

It just seems so divisive to start threads about how unfair everyone is........

so in other words, you are blowing carla off (by not answering her concerns)?

Not at all lost.  It has long been the policy of this forum, however, that what transpires between a mod and a member stays between them unless the member chooses to reveal that.  I will say that I have addressed Carla's concerns OFF forum.  That's all anyone needs to know.

ETA: I didn't mean to make that sound like I was annoyed with Carla, and it sort of did.  Simply put, I have contacted her to address her concerns.

I think people need to realize that it takes two to tango, even if the other poster asks you to dance.  If a poster is being obnoxious, the absolute most effective tool to use against said poster is complete lack of acknowledgment.  Block the person's posts or just use your self control and move on with the thread without responding.  A person cannot argue with themselves.  However, if another poster decides to engage said obnoxious poster and bickering and red ink is the result--well, there is more than one party at fault.  We are all adults here and are certainly all responsible for our own actions, no?

I may be out of line here, but it seem to me that the entire premise of this thread has been to create a divisive atmosphere, not just aimed at the membership of the forum but at the admin and moderators as well.  I would think that a member who held such a position would hold themselves still with a bit higher regard and show more dignity. 

Xerxes

I may be out of line here, but it seem to me that the entire premise of this thread has been to create a divisive atmosphere, not just aimed at the membership of the forum but at the admin and moderators as well. 

Look for the CONTENT rather than INTENT, Ed.   You had a really great point about that! Why is it different in this case?

glenmar, thank you for addressing my concern. I have always felt heard when speaking with you.

sillysally, you are absolutely right. It's a really difficult thing to do sometimes. I know you will agree, though, that sometimes... LOL  

Xerxes

I would think that a member who held such a position would hold themselves still with a bit higher regard and show more dignity. 

Ed, I raised a very similar point with my boss, about a former store manager, who is now an assistant manager.  His response was, "There is a reason he is no longer a store manager."

FourIsCompany

Xerxes

I may be out of line here, but it seem to me that the entire premise of this thread has been to create a divisive atmosphere, not just aimed at the membership of the forum but at the admin and moderators as well. 

 

Look for the CONTENT rather than INTENT, Ed.   You had a really great point about that! Why is it different in this case?

glenmar, thank you for addressing my concern. I have always felt heard when speaking with you.

sillysally, you are absolutely right. It's a really difficult thing to do sometimes. I know you will agree, though, that sometimes... LOL  

It's not different in this case, read the content and you'll also see the intent which is contained in the content not just in the original post but in the following posts.  It's in the content, no interpretation required. 

FourIsCompany

Xerxes

I may be out of line here, but it seem to me that the entire premise of this thread has been to create a divisive atmosphere, not just aimed at the membership of the forum but at the admin and moderators as well. 

 

sillysally, you are absolutely right. It's a really difficult thing to do sometimes. I know you will agree, though, that sometimes... LOL  

Yeah, it is really difficult to not respond sometimes.  However, if someone is going to respond to an obnoxious poster thus furthering a nasty argument, they need to take responsibility for their part in the red ink fest.

It just kind of reminds me of when my cousins were little and would get into a fight.  When my aunt would break it up, one would point at the other and say "She started it!!!!!!!" to which my aunt would reply, "Well I'm finishing it," and they would both get punished...... 

I'd just like to point out that all of the mods, and me, are volunteers.  To those of you who are so unhappy...how would you feel if you invested several hours a day into a volunteer job that mattered to you, and all you ever got told was how badly you were doing it?  Maybe if complaints included a little more of the "constructive" in criticism, you might be more pleased with the results you get.

Just thought I'd throw that out there. 

FourIsCompany

It's your choice. It's my choice. You either play by the rules (as ill-defined or they are) and with the "teams" lined up as they are, or you don't play.

I choose option C. I don't play.  I don't always like the policies here, or anywhere I participate, but I think it is entirely possible to respect a forum's rules without swallowing the kool-aid.  I'm not much for being placed in a box, or on a team.  If someone else wants to consider me x y or z, that is between that person and his or her head.  Gots nothin' to do with who I am.

What's the expression, the best revenge is living well?  I'm not into revenge, but you can tweak the thought and realize that if someone is *trying* to bug you or insult you, it is more satisfying to not take it in and go on being yourself.  I love the different perspectives here on idog, even if personalities and beliefs sometimes clash. I don't want anyone to leave or shut up.  WE ARE ALL MADE RICHER FOR THE PRESENCE OF ALTERNATE VIEWPOINTS.

I think part of the problem is that most of us are chicks, and we want some kind of consensus.  We want a sense of behavioral norms, and we aren't too comfortable with direct opposition.  Think of boys on the playground - they can get into a scuffle but then move on to something else.  With girls, you are often IN or OUT.  I'm not arguing this is a biological difference between men and women.  I suspect cultural conditioning plays a large role. Boys need permission to talk about feelings and girls need to loosen up. [If you think I'm being horrible and sexist, I have some fascinating book recommendations on chimpanzees. They are similar to humans in this regard]

It is okay to disagree.  It is okay to dislike someone.  World doesn't end. We can all still inhabit the same forum space.  Pretend we're all family, and then the irritation will seem natural. Bwahaha.

sillysally

It just kind of reminds me of when my cousins were little and would get into a fight.  When my aunt would break it up, one would point at the other and say "She started it!!!!!!!" to which my aunt would reply, "Well I'm finishing it," and they would both get punished....

Sounds fair to me.  

I just want to say some really good advice and points have been shared in this thread. There are some pretty smart people here.

Ixas_girl

...I'm saddened to see it taking a dive into an attack and defense game, due to the pressures of one or two members. IMO, there is a returning spirit of smug "I'm rightism" and questionable "expertism" creeping back into the section, the likes of which we haven't seen since last spring.

I hope the Admin/Moderation team will recognize the damage that's been done in the past due to this atmosphere, and will take steps to keep it in check. We're already losing good members, again.

Thanks for listening.

Hi Ixas_girl,

Help me to understand.  What I have noticed in the Behavior Section of late is that the postings tend to be long, scientific in nature, and many pages in a thread that seem to be stuck on terminology.  All of this is not very helpful to a JQP like myself and or all that interesting except to maybe a few.  Instead of the few attempting to elevate themselves to a Scientist status, respond as if you are talking to JQP and I am sure there will be more members that want to participate, thus getting a better balanced view.  For example, look at that Shiney Floor thread and see what happens when members talk about their personal experiences using behavior modification techniques.   I think we had something like 6 new members enter that thread with their very first post on this forum.  Very pleasing to see that. 

With regard to the attack and defense going on, it is hard to observe because the moderators are quick with the red ink.  Which is also a change that I noticed.  Although I don't like posts being deleted by a moderator, the red ink does create gaps in the thread.

I also want to comment that for members who ask for help with their dogs in that section, the responses are pretty good.

So I am not sure that one or two member can cause such a change to a section without the help of those that respond to them.

DPU

Ixas_girl

...I'm saddened to see it taking a dive into an attack and defense game, due to the pressures of one or two members. IMO, there is a returning spirit of smug "I'm rightism" and questionable "expertism" creeping back into the section, the likes of which we haven't seen since last spring.

I hope the Admin/Moderation team will recognize the damage that's been done in the past due to this atmosphere, and will take steps to keep it in check. We're already losing good members, again.

Thanks for listening.

Hi Ixas_girl,

Help me to understand.  What I have noticed in the Behavior Section of late is that the postings tend to be long, scientific in nature, and many pages in a thread that seem to be stuck on terminology.  All of this is not very helpful to a JQP like myself and or all that interesting except to maybe a few.  Instead of the few attempting to elevate themselves to a Scientist status, respond as if you are talking to JQP and I am sure there will be more members that want to participate, thus getting a better balanced view. 

I'm with DPU here.  If you don't like it, either ignore it, or post what you DO like.  We can't seriously expect some members to be punished/moderated/red-inked out simply because they have the time to post more often.  Some of those behavior threads are boring and redundant to me as well.  If I have something to say, I will say it.  If not, I just move on to a new thread, or start my own thread to get pointed in the direction I want to go.  We can't force people to post or not post or only say certain things of a certain length.  As long as there are no vulgarities, trolling, or insults, I don't see the problem....?

Since the topic is "just how much space should one poster take up?", I would say that they should take up as much space as they would like, provided they are on topic, and not making any personal attacks.  I also think that if you post on a public forum you should expect that people will both agree and disagree with you.  Some will post more prolifically than others, and some will not.  If you bait someone, whether it is by posting a hot topic, by putting something in your signature line, directly taunting them, or trying to hush them, then you run the risk of furthering the arguments you wish that they would refrain from.  I have been tempted many times to block posters, but have not done so.  I believe in free exchange of ideas, whether I like them or not.  And, I do not think that people are driven from forums due to the free exchange of ideas.  They are driven from forums when they are personally attacked, they are driven away when they receive derogatory PM's, they are driven away when they are overmoderated, and for various other reasons.  Sometimes, they simply don't like the tone of a board.  For example, how much time do you think I'd spend on a dogfighting board?  Zero, zip, zilch.  I think dogfighting is reprehensible and vile.  I would probably not spend much time on the K9 boards (especially the one that mentioned me and mudpuppy by name, basically calling us idiots).  **content removed** To each his own, and if this board is not your cup of tea, there's one that probably is.  Meanwhile, the people who call this place (and some other places) home, should be welcome to post as much or as little as they would like.  I think that the current group of mods is trying to be magnanimous in their management of the board, and clearly have stepped in when things get personal. That's as it should be.  My advice is to lighten up, post your opinions, feel free to rebut others' opinions that you don't agree with, but keep it on a plane that attacks ideas, not individuals, and the board will do just fine.