I’m considered by most to be a fairly well educated person, but for the life of me I often get confused on what the purpose of this board is……

It seems that no matter what is posted someone ultimately takes offense or goes out of their way to insult.  I just don’t get it.  Don’t get me wrong, I love confrontation, and some of the “barbs” can be a little funny.  But there seems to be a lot of anger and bitterness on the board.

Now here’s my questions…….

What’s the purpose of this board?

For me it’s always been and always will be about the free flow of information.  Whether it be asking information about providers, which I tend to do, and have at times gotten some grief, or simply asking opinions of others associated with the hobby.  It’s about information.

They say that knowledge is power, and I believe that’s especially true here.  By having this knowledge or information a greater feeling of confidence and/or security should had in making choices and decisions regarding the hobby.

What do others think?

Why do people ask a question when they know they may get answers that they do not agree on?  

Sharing information doesn't always mean that everyone agrees.    

I could not agree more, it's ok to agree to disagree.  I do think that there should also be a certain level of respect for opposing opinions though.

Again, I'm simply wanting to see what people think the purpose of electronic bullitin boards such as this one is.

-- Modified on 2/2/2013 2:13:06 PM

It just is... This board ebbs and flows.

People use the board to:

Show off a personality that doesn't always radiate through the photos.
Answer questions so guys are potty trained when they meet us
Ask questions to get answers
Ask questions to hear opinions (different than answers)
Ask questions to start discussions (different from sharing opinions, these should have cited sources)
To hear what others have to say and use our right for free speech in a way we find enjoyable
(enjoyable may be different to each person, one might enjoy bashing ideas where another enjoys bringing people up)
To avoid judgement in real life
To avoid judgement in hobby life (how many of us use this board to explain ourselves/our situation!)
To communicate with participants of the hobby and have "fellowship" lol


I have heard so many of you admit to bromances.... and I'll admit I wouldn't have  the lady friends I have if it weren't for TER!

I always thought these boards were for information but I learned through the years that they're not.
Personally, I use the ad board when I travel and occasionally post my opinion to somebody's thread.  
Last night, I started my own thread thanking the MN guys and showing a photo that was taking last time I was there wearing a Viking jersey (making it as a joke telling you guys not to save the photo for future blackmail because I am a Packer fan.. lol).  TER staff moved it from Minnesota Regional to the Michigan Ad, I contacted TER and they deleted it, I posted it again today on the Minnesota Regional and they deleted it.  I thought it would be OK for a provider to start a post on Regional not the Ad board but I guess not.  
My guess is that this board is for men to post whatever is on their mind and the Ad board is for the providers.

END OF MESSAGE

And having a photo means it's an Ad?

No, it's just certain days and what you can and can't say, blah blah.  It may have come across as an ad, but I think it might have just been improper protocol for starting a photo thread or something.  I've had my share of deletions.  That's the only way I'd know

...but I didn't see it that way. I took it that someone dared a Packers fan to wear a Vikings jersey and post it on the MN board and you took them up on your dare. Now, if you would have added to your post that you were going to visit soon and would like some recommendations for a different place to stay and ask for restaurant ideas, that would have been OK.

The day is still young and it is Saturday and I don't see that anyone has started a Saturday photo thread yet. I sure enjoy seeing women in mesh or too short sports jerseys that show some nice underboob. (hint, hint)

Each board takes on it's own personality. There was a time when some guys believed the MN regional discussion board should be guys only and the ladies should just keep quiet if they couldn't just be sweet but I think we've managed to purge most of those fossils from the board. How boring it would be without the ladies' participation.

It's advertising...letting gents and ladies know my schedule and traveling info...

I always say "If you have nothing to say nice...don't say anything!!!"

Xoxo,
Amber Monroe

Gonna fuck away all day!  Okay I did this morning and he was incredible!

This is what TER Staff just sent me.. "Honestly,  we were trying to keep your posts up. But we were getting so many "Report a Posts" about them, it was just easier to pull. Sorry..."
I'd like to know exactly what it was that made guys report that post so I never do it again..

I was out of left field for a moment but I'm back.. lol

I agree.  Advertising and with some shilling/white knighting/ass kissing thrown in.
P.S.  $100,000 says you say something not nice once in a while.

This is not a recent phenomenon, nor is it one in any way isolated to this board.

I believe that two things are at work:

1.  The online world offers anonymity.   That can good a good thing for things like, say, the hobby...  But it also gives people a forum to behave in ways that they cannot in person.  If I act like a complete asshat at work, it will have consequences for me.  If I treat my family with antagonism, they'll evetually all go away.  There are consequences in "real" life to being a troll.  But online, there are very few consequences.  Some people do well in in-person relationships, but free of the cultural queues of personal contact, just don't know how to act online.  They can't self-regulate their behavior, they need the positive influence of perosnal contact to serve as the external motivation for good behavior.  And some people simpy lack the interpersonal skills to thrive in in-person relationships, and those people are often drawn to the online forum world.  It's the only place where they can act out and not get their ass jacked for it.

2.  We live in the false outrage culture.  Every time a politician says anything, an opponent is always ready to feign completely fabricated insult.  I am not choosing political sides but I will give an example...  Remember when Ann Romney was out campaigning for Mitt, and talking about the realities of being a working mother in tough economic times...  And Hilary Rosen said Ann was the wrong person to be out addressing women's economic iissues.  Everyone--every single human being in the US, without exception, knew that what Rosen meant was, being wealthy all her adult life, Ann was out of touch with the real challenges of working mothers, single moms, etc. that didn't have a driver and domestic help.  The false outrage machine successfully characterized it as an attack on Ann being a stay-at-home mom, which isn't what Rosen was sayng at all.  We all knew it was false outrage, and even though we all knew it was, Obama still had to distance himself from Rosen.  False outrage has become a common component of ad hominem attacks.  It works, and so people use it here, just like elsewhere.

I think about stuff too much.

I used it a lot when I was new to the hobby, to get my bearings. And being a part of a community, especially one so clandestine, is compelling.

As time went on, I found myself passing along tips and info to other newcomers. That's worthwhile; I got advice I could use from calmer voices.

But then the trolls arrived, and then some people began to appoint themselves to somewhat official positions, arbiters of the board, as if you can have prestige from strangers. So I left. I maintain contact with one fellow I enjoy communicating with, but now I just lurk, and post for shill Fridays, and answer good questions like this one.

I think you may have answered your own question. I don't think there is one purpose. It's different for everyone.

I've had the same experience lately! There are "certain" people who think the Discussion Board is they're own private club or that it's all for them and their attitude. No one else should dare to post any opinion! It's all about being honest, not just being "Minnesota Nice" or something like that... It's called freedom of speech, opinion, expression, etc... But if you don't agree or like it, just move along!

Very true Quod......  Great point!

Buck

-- Modified on 2/3/2013 8:29:13 AM

END OF MESSAGE

As OmegaZap pointed out, many people behave in in a rude and antagonistic way online when they do not do so elsewhere because there are few, if any, conseqences to it.  Some of them enjoy stirring things up and getting a rise out of people.  I think it is pretty pathetic that some people's idea of having a good time is by annoying others but that's humanity for you; we can be a very unpleasant species.

As far as this board goes, I have seen it ebb and flow over the years.  FWIW, it used to be far far worse.  In my opinion, the best way to deal with the issue is to not allow yourself to be bated by the trolls.  If you want to answer them, do so but not by getting riled up by them.

END OF MESSAGE

is for hobbyists in this area to exchange information regarding their hobby. It's also used (lightly) to advertise hobbying opportunities or recent sessions.

It was never intended for trolling or flaming others but it does seem to be a prime time opportunity for trollers and flamers to enjoy their sophomoric endeavors. The hatred and bitterness comes (largely) from the anonymity of a board like this. People can let their ugly side out without fear of retaliation for the most part.

One really unfortunate side of this hobby is the attraction that certain "types" seem to cling to it like stink on shit. So, for those that identify as the psycho-stalker creeps, puritanistic bible thumpers or johnny law, please go fuck yourselves. No one else is going to.  

-- Modified on 2/3/2013 4:03:49 PM