The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post

Lush · 11-01-2006, 03:15 PM

As an older member (almost 5 years!!! Can you believe it?) and a tireless fan of this site, I am saddened, both by the banning and its aftermath.

A few points,

I like davem, his sense of humour, his dashing (yes, dashing) style, and his intelligence. His posts, however, could be abrasive. People have discussed the decline of the "Books" forum here, and I'd like to admit that personally, I have been avoiding "Books" because of davem's often confrontational methods. I have been tempted to jump in many times over the recent months, but have resisted. Very few people on the Downs made have made me feel unwelcome in "Books," and, I regret to say, davem was one of them, in spite of the fact that I tended to agree with him on most of the things he said. I am sure he never meant to make me, or anyone else, feel unwelcome, of course. And this belief of mine makes me feel an even deeper sense of regret.

You know, Slavic Internet culture is a whole lot less tame than what happens on the Downs. But as a member of this community, I have learned that I cannot use the same style I employ in my Russian-language LiveJournal discussions here. This doesn't mean I have to be someone I'm not. And if davem ever reads this post, I hope he takes note of my experience.

Finally, as a moderator of a popular religious forum, I deal with such episodes on a regular basis. I've had to vote "yes" on banning charismatic, erudite members, and weather intense critcism. It's not easy, but then again, being banned isn't easy either. I completely understand what the moderators are going through, but I also see davem's point of view, and I sympathize greatly.

I would like to echo Mithadan's (Hi, Mith! What a story you related to us! I'm pretty sure I know who X is

!) statement concerning bannings - nothing is set in stone.

I hope that davem will be able to return eventually. I hope that we will all learn something from this. I do not wish to see my favourite Internet community torn apart over something like this, and will do whatever necessary to keep the flame burning.

And davem, I apologize for discussing you like this, in a place where you have no way of answering me. If you ever want to talk, come over and say "hello" on my blog.

xoxo
Lushie.

11-01-2006, 03:15 PM	#67
Lush Fair and Cold Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: the big onion Posts: 1,770	What a drag... As an older member (almost 5 years!!! Can you believe it?) and a tireless fan of this site, I am saddened, both by the banning and its aftermath. A few points, I like davem, his sense of humour, his dashing (yes, dashing) style, and his intelligence. His posts, however, could be abrasive. People have discussed the decline of the "Books" forum here, and I'd like to admit that personally, I have been avoiding "Books" because of davem's often confrontational methods. I have been tempted to jump in many times over the recent months, but have resisted. Very few people on the Downs made have made me feel unwelcome in "Books," and, I regret to say, davem was one of them, in spite of the fact that I tended to agree with him on most of the things he said. I am sure he never meant to make me, or anyone else, feel unwelcome, of course. And this belief of mine makes me feel an even deeper sense of regret. You know, Slavic Internet culture is a whole lot less tame than what happens on the Downs. But as a member of this community, I have learned that I cannot use the same style I employ in my Russian-language LiveJournal discussions here. This doesn't mean I have to be someone I'm not. And if davem ever reads this post, I hope he takes note of my experience. Finally, as a moderator of a popular religious forum, I deal with such episodes on a regular basis. I've had to vote "yes" on banning charismatic, erudite members, and weather intense critcism. It's not easy, but then again, being banned isn't easy either. I completely understand what the moderators are going through, but I also see davem's point of view, and I sympathize greatly. I would like to echo Mithadan's (Hi, Mith! What a story you related to us! I'm pretty sure I know who X is !) statement concerning bannings - nothing is set in stone. I hope that davem will be able to return eventually. I hope that we will all learn something from this. I do not wish to see my favourite Internet community torn apart over something like this, and will do whatever necessary to keep the flame burning. And davem, I apologize for discussing you like this, in a place where you have no way of answering me. If you ever want to talk, come over and say "hello" on my blog. xoxo Lushie. __________________ ~The beginning is the word and the end is silence. And in between are all the stories. This is one of mine~