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I have to say something about Hal9000. I'm not, ordinarily, in favor of revealing a great deal of personal information on the internet. It's a public place and I'm a private person. I'm going to make an exception because this whole thing about what can be said in an OT thread is becoming such a bone of contention.
Who is Hal9000? Well, he's a complex person. He is passionate, abrasive, confrontational, well read, extremly funny, opinionated, insightful, supportive, a pain in the ass, and a loyal friend. No one knows better than I. I have known him for 18 years. I was his girlfriend and lived with him, at one time.
While Hal has a style that can be attaking, at times, the same can be said for many others in this forum. The funniest part is that those who have been most critical of the heated debates are, often, some of the most combative! Hal could never be accused of that type of hypocricy.
Some of the threads that have been most heated have been some of the longest. It is obvious that many people enjoy challenging each others ideas and opinions. Has it gotten a little personal, at times? Sure, but so what? Many of the members who have argued with each other are friendly in another thread. Most people are mature enough to participate in a good argument and then move on.
I am learning more about the controlling of a forum. Being relatively new to the internet, I thought it was pretty much wide open. Afterall, it is about as public as it gets. I'm a little perplexed about all of the outrage at people speaking their minds in the way they chose. Why are some so worried about how other individuals decide to communicate? That is so politically correct! God forbid that someone might be offended. Isn't the exchange of ideas more important than good etiquite? If someone is uncomfortable with confrontation, they don't have to go down that road.
Some members here have been very critical of those who post, primarily, in OT threads. They have complained that some of us don't offer computer advise. They remind us that this is a computer forum, as if to say that it is that exclusively. They seem to resent the off topic threads while, at the same time, participating in them! I don't post computer advise because I'm not knowledgable enough. I would imagine that other people don't offer advise when they don't have any. Doesn't that make sense? Some of us are not as experienced or talented in these matters so we just GET advise. There are people here that seem angry about that. Why is that? It seems a little elitist to me.
I didn't understand Marti theatening to lock the other thread. What was so bad? Was it that Islam was being discussed? Is religion off limits, again, because it would be politically inccorect to offend someone? I know Ed W was annoyed that the discussion strayed from his original post, but that happens all the time. Conversations take on a life of their own - especially OT. Marti and Alex, maybe you are the ones who should calm down. What are you getting so uptight about? These are adults. They can enter these threads without harm. Nobody needs to be protected from speech. This is America, afterall. We're used to being pissed off at the opinions of others, it's part of our heritage and it's healthy. It gives you thicker skin and reminds you that you are only one voice among many. Alex, you said that this forum is analogous to your living room. Being that this is the internet, it seems more like a public space, to me. Perhaps I am wrong. If it's a private space then maybe there should be an application process, like a country club, so you can screen out the undesirables or those who can't offer computer advise. Having OT threads is an invitation to lively conversation so you may want to think about that. Unlike your living room, anybody can get in here. Maybe you don't want that.
As one who has known Hal9000 for so long, I can say I've had many arguments with him! He's probably gotten me more riled up than anyone I know. In the process, I have learned much about myself. He has contributed a great deal to my life and, I would say, to the interesting atmosphere of this forum. Hal is one of the smartest persons I've ever known. He can't stand injustice and has taken up the fight of the underdog, in this forum, many times. That position has made him unpopular with some and a favorite of others. He has been a noteworthy character in this facinating and quirky community here at PC911. To threaten to silence what makes this place so appealing makes no sense at all. It is the vast variety of personalities that give PC911 its spice. If you squelch that, you'll be left with white bread. Boring.
Alex, you have a great place here. You can kick out whomever you chose. Marti, you can be as politically correct as you want. Please do not interpret my criticisms the wrong way. I'm aware that you run the show and can do whatever you want. I just want to say that I think you're making a mistake and you'll smother what's been an open and free environment.
Someone here said that Alex or Marti spoke for all of us. Nobody speaks for everybody and you're mistaken in saying that. I speak for myself, thank you.
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