There is nothing that wrecks a good swimming related thread faster than getting into a discussion about message board etiquette. So here is a thread that people can use discuss topics related to what should and should not be posted on the message boards while allowing the other threads to stay on topic.
It seems to me that there is a spectrum of opinion on off-topic posting. On one end of the spectrum people think that threads are a mechanism specifically designed to allow people to carry on discussions on different topics and that we would all be well served if changes in topic were just done in new threads. On the other end of the spectrum people think that people should be able to post anything they want anywhere they want and that any suggestion to the contrary is censorship, a personal attack, or simply control freakish.
Pretty much everyone falls somewhere between these two extremes. Very few people object to a humorous quip inserted here and there in an otherwise serious discussion. Very few people would actually advocate that people be able to liberally sprinkle potentially offensive posts randomly through all the threads.
Have you ever been at a party where someone has decided that this is the right time and place to have a big argument or screaming match with someone? Has it ever contributed to the general enjoyment of the rest of the people there?
I would argue that posts that are essentially expressions of anger and/or are essentially personal attacks have no place on the board. They don't contribute anything positive and generally turn off 99% of the people reading the boards. Even if it seems that someone else has attacked you, does it really help anything to post an angry response?
I personally don't see the problem with starting a new thread when one wants to make an off-topic comment, a little cut and paste and/or a link makes it easy enough to carry the context into the new thread. Why is it essential to be able to carry on an unrelated discussion in a thread where some people are trying to carry on a discussion on a particular topic?
Former Member
There's an expression that simply states...take what you like and leave the rest.
Over the past year there were some really silly threads along with the more serious ones. I think Lindsay is correct in his request to keep topics on task.
Maybe a thread on the prevalence of ADD in swimmers is in order? :)
As Ivor put it so well...there is truly a diverse cast of characters here and it is a welcome thing.
(Now if I could only find the right emoticon to enhance the tone of this post.)
In years past things sometimes got heated here and feelings got hurt. It got out of hand and some, or at least one member got a life time ban. Life is to short for any of that and once feelings get involved and tempers flair it gets out of hand. The reality to it all is found in the fact that we are all bound by swimming and we may not agree or even like each other sometimes; but we are all swimmers.
Once they eat that last sandwich and drink that
last glass of wine at a guys wake dinner, he just
became another dead guy. We all hope and Pray
that we live long enough to see our kids grow up and
have children of their own. I have eaten that last sandwich
and drank that last glass of wine at many, many good friends
wake dinners over the years and I always wondered if mine would be any
different. The reality of it all is that it will be no different, except that last time I won't be driving home. My point....life is short....sometimes much to short....
Our world today has enough fighting, pain, sorrow and strife, so let us all attempt to find some good here and bring good here when we come to fellowship with our friends.
You know, I think everyone has made their various points. Everyone is trying to be better at being relevant, tolerant, selective, considerate etc. Why don't we put a voluntary lock on this now and get on with the Forums. Thank you Lindsay for putting the question out here. There are lots of topics out there to participate or lurk in. Let's get to it.
Just wanted to second this. The only way to see if things will change is to give them a chance.
The dynamics have been exposed or critisiced depending on your view, solutions that are acceptable to the majority have been proposed and it's time to MOVE ON!! :dedhorse: only goes so far before it gets misinterrpreted, annonying, and unproductive.....
I'm going to put into action my suggestions and get away from this drama vortex. Last post for me! Peace out y'all. :drink:
This makes me sad. :(
Please, please, please think before you post. Your post can make or break someone else's day. Fortress has started, posted and contributed so much useful swimming information on this forum. She does so with a positive attitude constantly encouraging new swimmers and old. Let's make a concerted effort to be nice and courteous to each other. Remember the golden rule.
Oh....and I've decided that I'm putting all breastrokers on my ignore list! :thhbbb:
You won't see this then Paul... "Bite me!"
;)
:joker:
My platform for Mr Swim will be :"It's all FlyQueen's Fault!"
********
Anyone ever take their kid to swimming class and stay to watch and kind of get the DT's because you want to get in the water LOL...I swear it's not normal!!!
I support Lindsay.
The excessive amount of gibberish noise slowly degenerates this forum into chat room for a few obsessive attention seekers. If this continues without some reflection and self-control than many master swimmers that come here and seek informative discussion about swimming, will go away and look for another forum.
Is this a statement that reflects the "all are welcome" intent of the discussion board? Just think before you post a statement of name calling ("obsessive attention seekers") Not nice....
Is Terry immortal? How'd I miss that? I do not agree with Terry's advice/techniques/style/training methods or whatever you call them ... That is my right and opinion, but Dave name one elite swimmer that uses these methods, not a masters swimmer either.
As for Terry's absence if you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen. He is going to have to defend his ideas because they are revolutionary/different/new/strange/whatever. He thinks he shouldn't be questioned, but ya' know what I'd question Eddie Reese, not to challenge him but to gain more insight and to further understand the idea.
I also think the I'm just not going to post any more attitude is immature, get over yourself and post useful and helpful comments rather than just giving up, but that's me ...
I am in full force fiesty loud flyer mood this evening
And this seems like a personal attack on SwimStud and newmastersswimmer. I don't think anyone is going to come to Swimr4Life's lurker thread now. :( I don't want to anymore. You guys are too mean for my taste.
Here lies the trajedy. I think this proves my point I stated earlier..... about the mean posts driving people away more than anything.
Is Terry immortal? How'd I miss that? I do not agree with Terry's advice/techniques/style/training methods or whatever you call them ..
Mortal was in refrence to non-olympic swimmers such as myself.
Though you and others would like the world to believe that appreciation=worship (in the case of TI), it does not
I don't believe that it was the "heat" of the kitchen that was unbearable, but rather the lack of topic related discussion.....which in this case is message board etiquette....so I will refrain from biting sarcasm for now.
Do you think Terry will come back if he sees that the banter is more confined to NSR threads that he can avoid? It seems like everyone wants to play fair. And your other post was a good idea, Dave. It sounds like many really enjoyed Terry's expertise. I guess no one person is liked by all though ...
