When I joined this forum (two months ago to the day, I believe), I was delighted to become part of an online community of fellow pool players and enthusiasts. Over the last two months, despite my geographical separation from the pool world, I have been privileged to interact and learn from pool people ranging from legendary players to beginners and everywhere in between.
Today, and for the last few days, what I feel when I come on the forum is an overwhelming sadness and an impending sense of doom for this wonderful billiard resource. We all know what I'm talking about, and I will not add to the discussion of that matter.
Fellow AZ'ers: Why did we join this forum and why have we, collectively, spent so much time and energy in our continued participation? Was it to talk and share information about the game we love, or was it to become involved in personalities? What would happen if when you went to your usual pool room you could barely play pool because the place was too full of fights, noise and argument to concentrate on the game? If we don't take immediate and decisive action to reverse the current trend, we run the risk of ruining this online community that has contributed so much to so many enthusiasts over the last few years. And is it not worth saving? Is this not the online community that made it possible for JS to attend and win the US Open? Is this this not the forum that has brought together pool lovers from all over the world? For me, I know that in addition to being my lifeline to the pool world, this forum has made it possible to reconnect with two great pool buddies that I hadn't heard from in over 15 years. This forum is worth something, I am willing to fight to save it, and I know that most of you are too.
Therefore, I propose the following: Let us resolve, for at least the next seven days, to devote our attention and our postings solely to the discussion of the game, and let us resolve, for the new year, to "speak" to other posters the way we would want to be spoken to.
If we do not hang together, we will certainly hang, separately.
Peace and Love,
VIProfessor
Today, and for the last few days, what I feel when I come on the forum is an overwhelming sadness and an impending sense of doom for this wonderful billiard resource. We all know what I'm talking about, and I will not add to the discussion of that matter.
Fellow AZ'ers: Why did we join this forum and why have we, collectively, spent so much time and energy in our continued participation? Was it to talk and share information about the game we love, or was it to become involved in personalities? What would happen if when you went to your usual pool room you could barely play pool because the place was too full of fights, noise and argument to concentrate on the game? If we don't take immediate and decisive action to reverse the current trend, we run the risk of ruining this online community that has contributed so much to so many enthusiasts over the last few years. And is it not worth saving? Is this not the online community that made it possible for JS to attend and win the US Open? Is this this not the forum that has brought together pool lovers from all over the world? For me, I know that in addition to being my lifeline to the pool world, this forum has made it possible to reconnect with two great pool buddies that I hadn't heard from in over 15 years. This forum is worth something, I am willing to fight to save it, and I know that most of you are too.
Therefore, I propose the following: Let us resolve, for at least the next seven days, to devote our attention and our postings solely to the discussion of the game, and let us resolve, for the new year, to "speak" to other posters the way we would want to be spoken to.
If we do not hang together, we will certainly hang, separately.
Peace and Love,
VIProfessor
