are the posters here their own worst enemies?

ShootingArts said:
Rick you are very mistaken. I have seen great harm done to men's character and to their businesses by words you think have no power. It isn't what you think, it is what the readers think. It isn't always what I think but what any reader thinks. Slam my business repeatedly on the net and I will sue for libel. I have seen businesses completely destroyed by the power of the internet so I don't take it lightly.

As I said, perception is what counts and many people take what they read on the net seriously. If enough readers take it seriously, then it matters. Much like slanted news, it does damage.

Our posts have power regardless of what any individual poster thinks.

Hu
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Hu,

I see your point but I wasn't even thinking about this involving business in any way. I guess I don't even think about the business aspects of this site because I come here for pure entertainment. I'm not in any business, retired, so I guess that's not something I think much about.

I grew up in a small business so now that I have a better understanding of where you're coming from, I totally understand your position. Sorry for being unconscious to your plight.
 
Thanks

Thanks Rick,

I do agree with you that it is wrong that messages on the net have such power. Another example is when a dry sense of humor cost me a friend. We are fortunate to have some of the best benchrest shooters in the world in my state. As a beginner knowing this, I posted very tongue in cheek that I was going to take care of the easy pickings in Louisiana before heading to the Nationals. A fellow shooter who had been very helpful and that I considered a friend read this and took it to heart. At the next day's match he stomped by me all day muttering "easy pickings" as he went by. I made it plain that it was a joke, I thought a very obvious joke, but he never accepted that and it cost me a friend. I saw him many times afterwards but he never got past that remark on the net that I gave no weight at all to.

Hu


Rickw said:
Hu,

I see your point but I wasn't even thinking about this involving business in any way. I guess I don't even think about the business aspects of this site because I come here for pure entertainment. I'm not in any business, retired, so I guess that's not something I think much about.

I grew up in a small business so now that I have a better understanding of where you're coming from, I totally understand your position. Sorry for being unconscious to your plight.
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Rickw said:
Hu,

I understand what you're saying but I don't agree with you. You are who you are and you're not what could be inferred to be from comments someone else says on here. If you take seriously what someone on here says about you, you give them way too much power. If you do that, you've been sucked in and then they've won.

This site is a pseudo environment. Learn and have fun but don't take it seriously. Believe me, there is a life outside of AZ! If there isn't, you're in big trouble!
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Yes, there is a life outside AZ and sometimes it overlaps with life on AZ. I know many good people from here and other newsgroups that I wouldn't otherwise know in Real Life. They also know more about me and my business than they would otherwise know.

Very often people come on newsgroups and slam businesses and people and this has consequences in the real world. The written word has a lot of power. Especially when it's one sided.

Arguments do suck. No doubt about it. I think that it's just a sad byproduct of the "Information" Age that it's too easy for many of us to speak first without realizing that what we write can not be taken back.

AZB is not much different than any other community. Every pool room has all the characters you see here. The biggest difference is that when people are face to face they usually know when to back off.

In the absence of a tightly moderated forum I don't really see much hope for a fully civilized place where people aren't subject to attack.

I participate in several other forums and the ones that are tightly moderated are the most civil as well. Nonsensical posts and inflammatory posts are not tolerated. Everyone gets along and most of what is posted is high caliber material. Many luminaries in the particular subjects post in those forums and share their wisdom freely.

Then again they also don't whine and complain and snipe either. So they are treated with the respect they have earned in real life and with the courtesy they show online. If you are going to mix it up then you have to take what comes. I know this all to well. And I have gone toe to toe with the best of them. Once in a while I have to leave just to clear my head and get back to work. One thing remains clear though. I come back because I like the community, good and bad.
 
Just a few short notes...

I hate to see Grady leave. I know he posts on other forums, but a legend in the pool world who has paid his dues, so to speak; should at least be treated with more respect than Grady was by too many posters.

Don't rehash all the "other sides" I already know them. When my Uncle talks about the good ol' days, I listen with respect I don't start yapping about how much better things really are today.

It's not a sign of weakness to let the other guy have some sunshine once in a while. It's not always about your own ego.

I hope it's only a rumor that Blackjack is leaving. I was actually hoping to win over his respect and convince him that it's a case of mistaken identity.

Let's all just keep having a good time in this great room!

Yours Very Truly,
The Woim
 
I tend to think that it is healthy to leave this site from time to time. When you come back, there are different posters and the landscape is a little different. Blackjack has left before and come back. I left for quite a while and came back. This is a great site for pool but like anything else, it can get stale after a while. I'm sure David will come back and maybe even Grady someday. Let's hope so.
 
Rickw said:
I tend to think that it is healthy to leave this site from time to time. When you come back, there are different posters and the landscape is a little different. Blackjack has left before and come back. I left for quite a while and came back. This is a great site for pool but like anything else, it can get stale after a while. I'm sure David will come back and maybe even Grady someday. Let's hope so.
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I totally agree! Breaks are good!

Yesterday I was away for more than 3 hours and I really liked it! Soooo many new posts!!!! Today I had at least 3 2hour breaks.

Tomorrow I think I will be logged off all day. (but maybe lurk around, though)
 
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