EnviroLink Forum

I am rather surprised by the general lack of mature discourse on Envirolink. It strikes me that each new thread is liable to quickly dissolve into name calling and settling old scores. Some people appear to be here to block rather than facilitate discourse and/or simply make fun of propositions without offering any substantial response.
I would consider disabling these irritating 'smilies'.

RY

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"If you think that being vegan is difficult, imagine how difficult it is for animals that you are not vegan," animal rights philosopher, Gary Francione, 2009.

Roger-

Thanks for your feedback. We definitely have long time members here that seem to enjoy arguing for the sake of arguing. Unfortunately, that is a reflection of the real world, especially when discussing issues that are so personal for many. It is hard for those of us who are volunteers here to really try to shape these discussions and force them to remain on topic and cogent. We've always relied on the community at large to help with that role and it obviously has had varying results over the years.

Disable smilies? While annoyingly used by some, they are frequently a good shortcut indicator for things like sarcasm and emotional state of the poster. Like language use itself, it is usually possible to gauge a person by the frequency and style of smiley usage. Other times it is just a silly way to let off steam. I don't think there's a good argument for disabling them and a lot of users seem to like them.

I do think it is a good message for others to hear that this place is not always that welcoming of new people and ideas. I can already hear the response from the maddening crowd, "but these new people and their fancy ideas are new and different and don't make sense to me, so I must attack!" It's a sad but true reflection of how most communities (online and off) tend to be. Wouldn't it be nice if we could do better?

-josh

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TANG SOO!

I don't think any of us thinks the same way all the time. Sometimes we take a negative point of view, sometimes we take a positive point of view.

I don't fault someone for disagreeing with me. I don't care.

My problem does not lie with comments made here. The lambasting I took here is pretty well contained to this messageboard, and from what I can tell the thread has long been gone.

My problem lies with the fact that, well, let's use this morning for an example. I had a job interview this morning (that's why I Googled my own name the other day, hehe). The interview went well I think. Now I get to sit here and hope that the hiring manager doesn't Google my name and find her way down to the nasty comments left on an article that shows up at the top of the search results. The article should be something that my daughter and I can be proud of, but instead it is something I dread anyone finding. What kinds of questions will be raised when someone reads the comments? It's not fair. And it's permanent. That is WAY out of bounds.

jahshuwah, your issue is with an action taken that is totally independent of the operation of this board. That such action may have been taken by a moderator here is irrelevant and thus, so is your point.

Ann, this section is for feedback only. If you have an issue or are able to help with one (pertaining to this board, of course), then do so. Otherwise, do not engage in conversation with other posters here.

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TANG SOO!