It seems as though "the regulars" here are a social lot. Would it be possible to start a new forum, the purpose of which is just social, non-swimming chatter. That would leave this forum for general swimming discussions, which is its designation and give specific forum for the socializing that is also one of the nice parts of master's swimming. It might also be a nice way to bring in some of the people who lurk and read but never post.
-LBJ
Let's just put the cards on the table. This forum was outstanding for about 6 months. The topics were well presented and I learned a lot. Then, we all know what happened, Ion came back. This forum has been totally ruined by his presence. Anyone interested in USMS would see his posts and obsessive compulsive disorder and think USMS is a rotten organization.
I went to usswim.org and looked at his postings there and he did the same thing to that forum.
In the past two weeks he has called me fat, poor skinned, made fun of the region I'm from and that's mild compared to what he has said to others. Tom Ellison, perhaps the only Ion supporter out there, even took it on the chin from him. I have also received a number of private messages from others disgusted by what this forum has become.
You can count on him reacting to my post with another jab, that's what happens. I'm no longer responding to him and hope that this forum can return to a place where swimming is the main topic.
Originally posted by aquageek
hope that this forum can return to a place where swimming is the main topic.
I second that! I liked this forum much more when it was a positive, supportive environment! That is what Masters is all about. And.....don't make fun of the south. Us Georgia peaches are very sensitive about where we are born and raised! :p
When you lose the ability to laugh at yourself, you are not happy. ....Whoa, that was deep! I agree. Lighten up and just keep it all in perspective! Life is WAAAYYY TOO SHORT. :D
Personally, I don't see the point in creating ANOTHER forum on this site. It has too many fragmented forums already, and this general forum usually doesn't get enough traffic to justify splitting it up even further. How many forums do we already have, 30? 40?
What's the average traffic here? I'm guessing this place usually gets one new thread or less per day. Even if you let the unread threads accumulate for a week like I do sometimes, it takes hardly any time to get caught up. Hell, don't listen to me, go ahead and split it up. Then you can alternate new threads, maybe getting new ones on the general board on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and on the personal board Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, with everybody just sort of ignoring the place on Saturdays.
But what will happen is that when the traffic is split, people will check in less often, contributing less often, and the conversation will die. Just leave it alone.
And if Ion bothers you, just ignore him. I personally stopped reading his messages a long time ago because the bravado was boring. It's funny how someone with so much apparently going for him can be so uninteresting in conversation.
I think the new "Social" Forum would be a good idea! I still think it is funny though that he can get y'all so riled up! Yes he is very opinionated, but so are the people who continue to argue with him! I actually read some of these daily just for the entertainment. I apologize if I am laughing at your expense, truly I am, but why take it all so seriously. Life is way too short:D Smile and have wonderful day!!!!!!!
Gosh, I am not sure I would consider myself an Ion supporter….I would consider myself a guy who recognizes the flaws in myself and attempts to be understanding and forgiving of the flaws in others. These past nineteen months have been very, very difficult in my life and during this time I have found comfort and a sense of well being in the realization that we are all human beings and we are all flawed….which in turn has given me a greater sense of forgiveness and leeway to the quirks of others.
As to life being to short….Life is way to short….and we only get the opportunity to walk into this Arena one time….
As to laughing at ourselves….Gosh, I do that every time I look in the mirror…and without the joy of laughter….we’d all live a rather glum life….
I have taken my fair share of shots on this forum…most I had coming…some I did not…but in the final analysis I hope I have learned to rise above it and have benefited by being a part of this forum. Reading this forum has given me greater insight into the feelings and thoughts of others…and has allowed me to see the other side of the coin…
Just my two cents worth….
Kindest regards,
Tom Ellison
Originally posted by aquageek
I went to usswim.org and looked at his postings there and he did the same thing to that forum.
Hey Geek, I went to USSWIM.org forums too. I could not find any of Ion's posts. What is his name there?
