Date: Wed, 29 May 2002 12:52:45 -0400
Reply-To: The Bus Depot <vanagon@BUSDEPOT.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: The Bus Depot <vanagon@BUSDEPOT.COM>
Subject: Re: IS THE LIST GETTING SMALLER?
In-Reply-To: <f05100314b91a652e8c00@[210.54.64.164]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
It is the ultimate irony that this thread (and several of its offshoots,
except for Ken Wilford's - thanks for the positive spin, Ken!) has itself
become a perfect example of the kind of nastiness that the original poster
was complaining about. This very thread, like so many other off-topic
threads, has resulted in name-calling and personal attacks that have
absolutely nothing to do with Vanagons.
I never cease to be amazed at the immaturity and provocational nature of
some people who seem to relish turning this list into the Ricky Lake Show
whenever the slightest opportunity arises. As a result, whenever the
subject moves from the strict confines of Vanagon nuts-and-bolts into
anything less structured, it quickly sinks to the lowest common denominator,
due to the disruptive behavior of a very small minority. This is a shame,
because were it not for the inability of a handful of people to hold their
tongues and act like adults, there would be no reason why a subject
shouldn't be able to take an off-topic turn without becoming a bar-room
brawl (and without the need for an active moderator). Often, all it takes
is one instigator to turn a heated but mature conversation into a fist
fight. And some people seem to take pleasure in being instigators, ruining
an otherwise good thing for everybody just so they can sit back and watch
the fists fly (or throw a few punches themselves).
When my four year old behaves disruptively or has a temper tantrum, I give
her a "time out." She is not permitted to interact with the group again
until she is able to do so in a constructive and respectful manner. If her
behavior is extreme, she is permanently removed from the situation. Tom has
now had to stoop to doling out 30 day "time outs" to several adults on this
list because they, too, were behaving like four year olds. Oddly, some
persist in behaving like four year olds. By comparison, my actual four year
old seems to be learning from her experience that this is not a proper way
to behave.
I for one feel that we would all be better off if there were a "zero
tolerance" policy toward those who use this list to provoke or attack
others. This would not only remove the elements that cause most of the
problems, but would also serve as a stern warning to others who might do the
same. Given that 99% of the people on this list are not in that category,
it seems to me that eliminating the habitual 1% would result in a list that
ran much more smoothly on its own accord, without the need for active
moderation on a daily basis. Ultimately, those 1% will be replaced by
other, more productive members, who are now being driven away by all of the
hair-pulling and shin-kicking.
- Ron Salmon
The Bus Depot, Inc.
(215) 234-VWVW
www.busdepot.com
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Toll-Free for Orders by Part # 1-866-BUS-DEPOT
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