It's not just the number that's changed, it's nature of the posts -- now we have exchanges of information, not arguments for the sake of arguments. I think it's a definite improvement.
The avatars in this thread are Gumbi, a big smiley, Tigger, and . . . an accordian? Any way, I feel like a goth on the stage of 'Up with People.'
So what's wrong with argument for arguments sake? There is more to life, and discussions, than an exchange of information. Without 'upheavel' or 'controversy', there is little growth, or learning, and it is all so *dull*. I miss the various type of anons. I no longer have the annoying ones to sharpen my (sometimes dull) wit on, nor do I have the honest (and less polite) ones to tell me what they really think of me. And I miss that frission of emotion when I get particularly upset.
There have been a few threads here that could really have brought out what is really being thought, except everyone is just sooooo *polite*.
And what is wrong with ignoring the annoying threads, or laughing at them, or blocking the aggravating posters?
Osama, I am guessing you are Phil Arcuni.
It is a fact that the name Osama bin Phil had been used in the old-style Forum: I remember this.
To Phil: the avatar that you describe as an "accordian", is not an accordion, is an organ console; gee...another 1,650 fly for you coming up soon?
Many were not arguing for argument sake. They were stirring up nonsense and posting malicious thoughts to invoke hostility in areas where sensitivity was most likely the best medicine. Dialog is not dialog unless everyone gets a shot at expressing his or her 10 cents worth. I BELIEVE IN THIS FREEDOM! Conversely, dialog is not found in posts that are written solely for the sake of inciting anger and hostility among the members and guest who read these posts. It falls under the framework of agitation. And, lets everyone be perfectly honest here...we all know that MANY of the past anon posts were written simply to stir up nonsense! Now, at least we have a decent shot at limiting the trees these anon posters can hide behind.
For this....I am glad the forum changed....
Thanks, Ion, for identifying that my avitar is not an accordion.
Perhaps a mixture of Phil's, Tom's, Ken's, Bert's et al ideas are what these forums are are about. I have to agree with Tom, though, in that the "anonymous" postings seemed to get out of control at times. At least, that's what I think.
