When I first joined this site, I thought it was really cool that I could talk about anything pool related with people that have vast and superior knowledge than myself. I knew I would learn so much from reading what everyone had to say on any subject matter, and when I felt I had something to add, that I could throw my $.02 in there as well. A couple of years went by and then I saw that there was a way to become a member. I wanted to support the site, so I joined. Got my cool little "Member" flag and off I went. I'll admit I felt slightly more important having the "Member" by my name, almost like what I had to say would be viewed as more important simply for being a member. Obviously, that is not the case, but that's how I felt! I can feel the judging going on right now!
Anyways, it's been over a year, and once again I'm just a guest. I will be a "member" again soon, but then I start to think. Regardless of if I'm a member or not, people can come on here, criticize and insult anyone and the worse that happens to them is that they get an earful from some of the old schooler's or are banned. Well, then they just create another screen name and it starts all over again. What can be done about these individuals to either make them calm down or just go away?
There are different ways that you can express your disagreement with what someone's opinion or viewpoint is on any given subject. Some people just automatically resort to being nasty and insulting. I don't know about anyone else, but the meaning of the thread becomes lost when someone starts insulting others. It takes the thread from its original meaning and turns it into an insult match. From there, some good opinions, answers and viewpoints get lost between all the insult posts. Hoping to get the views from the people that have a lot of experience and can actually answer and add important information to the thread is lost, because once the thread turns into an insult war, they just tune out the thread.
I'm tired of missing out on the experience of drawing knowledge from all that actually want to contribute to this wonderful forum. Old and young! Every one of us might have some different viewpoint that can sway someone's opinion from one direction to the other. It doesn't have to be in a bad way, and we can definitely agree to disagree.
Here's my solution. And this is where I turn into Tiger Woods and you all beat me over the head with a 5-iron!!
Charge a membership for anyone that actually wants to post, or send PM's!! You can still be a lurker for free. Read till your brain hurts, but if you want to be heard, you must become a paying member. The first time that someone becomes insulting to a personal level, and is either reported or caught by one of the moderators, than they get banned for a year! Then they have to pay to become a member and be heard again! Trust me, in time they will either change their ways, or just quit coming on here all together.
There are a ton of people on here that have valuable knowledge to share, but will not do so because they fear they will be attacked with insults. I personally want to hear from them and anybody else that has something constructive to say. I have no problem debating with anyone either, just as long as it's kept civil. No need for obscenities or personal insults.
Thanks for letting me get this off my chest, and if this has been said before on another thread, I apologize for the repeat. I know this is not "Pool Related" but I feel it is related to the complete site.
Anyways, it's been over a year, and once again I'm just a guest. I will be a "member" again soon, but then I start to think. Regardless of if I'm a member or not, people can come on here, criticize and insult anyone and the worse that happens to them is that they get an earful from some of the old schooler's or are banned. Well, then they just create another screen name and it starts all over again. What can be done about these individuals to either make them calm down or just go away?
There are different ways that you can express your disagreement with what someone's opinion or viewpoint is on any given subject. Some people just automatically resort to being nasty and insulting. I don't know about anyone else, but the meaning of the thread becomes lost when someone starts insulting others. It takes the thread from its original meaning and turns it into an insult match. From there, some good opinions, answers and viewpoints get lost between all the insult posts. Hoping to get the views from the people that have a lot of experience and can actually answer and add important information to the thread is lost, because once the thread turns into an insult war, they just tune out the thread.
I'm tired of missing out on the experience of drawing knowledge from all that actually want to contribute to this wonderful forum. Old and young! Every one of us might have some different viewpoint that can sway someone's opinion from one direction to the other. It doesn't have to be in a bad way, and we can definitely agree to disagree.
Here's my solution. And this is where I turn into Tiger Woods and you all beat me over the head with a 5-iron!!
Charge a membership for anyone that actually wants to post, or send PM's!! You can still be a lurker for free. Read till your brain hurts, but if you want to be heard, you must become a paying member. The first time that someone becomes insulting to a personal level, and is either reported or caught by one of the moderators, than they get banned for a year! Then they have to pay to become a member and be heard again! Trust me, in time they will either change their ways, or just quit coming on here all together.
There are a ton of people on here that have valuable knowledge to share, but will not do so because they fear they will be attacked with insults. I personally want to hear from them and anybody else that has something constructive to say. I have no problem debating with anyone either, just as long as it's kept civil. No need for obscenities or personal insults.
Thanks for letting me get this off my chest, and if this has been said before on another thread, I apologize for the repeat. I know this is not "Pool Related" but I feel it is related to the complete site.
