Same for 'Oldbloke', his status is showing as deleted, I always read his posts with interest.....was he removed or has he deleted himself?

Also Peter and Margaret haven't posted for a long time, but are showing as active.

'Oldbloke' (Niel) has deleted himself. We speak on a regular basis. He is fed up with the mostly 2 or 3 members that have taken over the forum and nothing done.

I don't contribute much now and don't look in as much either for a similar reason. Sad really as it was a good place to learn, make great friends and have a little fun. Fun! What's that here now? I will not delete myself as I really hope to maybe one day get something out of it again.



Keep Safe on the roads and out there.

In defence of admin I can see that Rob could be very cutting with comments but I dont see why Clarky1 copped the sword when he was one of the most helpful contributors on here. I know he made a comment that was not liked but it was no worse than another comment that was ignored at that same report from another member.

Again oldbloke left of his own volition but not before begging for some moderation as to the actions of some. From experience he was looking for support from other members but support can work against any other member. You have to tread very carefully as has been seen just recently.
One member posts a topic directly related to politics and gets away with it while others like Rob did not mention politics or religion but this was sited for his removal.

Most forums are a dying media as places like FaceBook have taken over. The most successful forums that are still operating are those that are ruled strictly and fairly.

I have probably said enough to have myself removed so I will leave it there.

-- Edited by Ivan 01 on Tuesday 1st of November 2022 08:30:28 AM

Clarky1 made a comment that unfortunately for him was unacceptable in a public forum.

What he said may well happen in the privacy of home all the time, but left the moderator no choice but to remove him. I can think of another long time member who voiced similar thoughts and was also banned. From my perspective I support the moderator, and expect similar comments to attract similar action. If they had shown some restraint, they would still be on this site.

As for the rest of it, I find it quite ironic when comments are made about who may or may not be responsible for starting some of the arguments, personal comments and name calling that goes on here. One of the things I have learned as I have got older is this the traits and habits we find most annoying and upsetting in others are those traits and habits that upset most about ourselves

Like Dougwe and several others I often think twice before posting, as many times I have forgotten to ask others on here what my opinion should be.

On a different note, I trust Robs health battles go well.

-- Edited by TheHeaths on Tuesday 1st of November 2022 09:20:43 AM

Ivan 01 wrote:

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I guess Robs biggest fault was that he would not tolerate fools ...

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The problem is that people define a "fool" to be someone who doesn't agree with them. That's the fundamental flaw with a particular right-wing clique in this group. Dunning and Kruger understand them well.

Ivan, could you pass on my best wishes to Rob and Angie and all the best for the future.

Am also sorry to read that Oldbloke and Clarky1 are no longer with us.

Peter

Dougwe wrote:

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'Oldbloke' (Niel) has deleted himself. We speak on a regular basis. He is fed up with the mostly 2 or 3 members that have taken over the forum and nothing done.

I don't contribute much now and don't look in as much either for a similar reason. Sad really as it was a good place to learn, make great friends and have a little fun. Fun! What's that here now? I will not delete myself as I really hope to maybe one day get something out of it again.



Keep Safe on the roads and out there.

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 It is still a good forum, Doug

There are still good people here, who will give advice, to those who ask

I certainly miss the comradery and/or banter, of some members who no longer seem to post   

Perhaps I have had a sheltered life, as insults do not seem to worry me

Never met your friend Neil (oldbloke), but hope he comes back again

 

I think the general trend is for people to move away from forums since the introduction of other social media.

A quick word and a picture on a phone seems the trend with many younger ones.

My sister who is about to retire is helping students with their studies in psychology and they read forums to study peoples actions and reactions as displayed by the typed word.
Apparently this is a good forum because her students dont even have to become a signed member.

She says studying the typed word in short reactions between contributors takes away the personal observation of emotions and trains them more in listening to what is being said and how some people act and react to those situations.
She devoted most of her career to helping those trapped in narcissistic dominated relationships as they can easily be misunderstood by those having not experienced just how the mind of those with the disorder actually works.

When we get together I am dumbfounded as to some of the things people say to actually manipulate others into believing the faults in their relationship is with their partner.

So sad really.

landy wrote:

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PeterInSa wrote:

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Ivan, could you pass on my best wishes to Rob and Angie and all the best for the future.


Am also sorry to read that Oldbloke and Clarky1 are no longer with us.


Peter

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Make that X2 please Ivan Landy

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 Hi Landy,

I have just got off the phone from Rob and he has read all the comments for wishing him well in this topic.

He has asked me to send his thanks and regards to all.

He says he will still read the forum from time to time as he has interest in most of the topics.

 

 

RickJ wrote:

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I think the general trend is for people to move away from forums since the introduction of other social media.

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 Agree with that completely.

We're members of three Facebook groups that apply to our interests. We find them very good 

In recent years we've unsubscribed from almost every forum that we were members of mainly because of the fact that they were dominated by an inner sanctum to the detriment of everyone else.

Yes, I agree it is disappointing to see Rob can no longer post. There is no doubt that he contributed some controversial comments, but wouldn't it be a bland forum without such personalities.

Just a thought to ponder on ..... why do more experienced members read and post on a forum? Sometimes it is to help those less knowledgable on technical aspects, but there needs to be something more to keep those members coming back. Apart from "you may learn something new", which can happen any day, I like the diversity of opinion on various aspects of life. If a forum becomes too sanitised, what is the drawcard to keep experienced members from moving on?

Mike Harding wrote:

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Are We Lost wrote:

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Just a thought to ponder on ..... why do more experienced members read and post on a forum? Sometimes it is to help those less knowledgable on technical aspects, but there needs to be something more to keep those members coming back. Apart from "you may learn something new", which can happen any day, I like the diversity of opinion on various aspects of life. If a forum becomes too sanitised, what is the drawcard to keep experienced members from moving on?

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Well put; my thoughts exactly.

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 I too agree wholeheartedly.

However friendliness, non personalising of disagreement, respect & politeness does not have to equate  to 'sanitising'.

A good positive forum can, & should accommodate respectful, robust debate. It is something to aim for & to be nurtured & valued . Narky argument, & point scoring don't help. Freedom of speech is wonderful, but not without responsibility. If responsibility is missing hatreds & vendettas arise, often with the former leading to the latter. 

Anyone may think little of someone else's views. However if they frequently bag, take the mickey, undermine any particular views/beliefs which others hold dear, there is a pretty good chance that someone will get upset. 

Robust debate & a preparedness to agree to disagree is a far different thing to 'sanitised'.

The key, I suggest, is to play only the ball & leave the man (or woman) alone.  To not do so (to continue the analogy) is to commit a foul.

A lack of fouls should not be confused with 'being sanitised. Plenty of room for spirited play without the fouls. 

It makes no difference whether the 'foul' is committed on another forum member or a public figure/institution or cause others may respect & hold dear. 

If any regular contributors to any forum forget this it doesn't change all the positives they have contributed in the past, it means that they have lost sight of what they once valued. 

-- Edited by Cuppa on Wednesday 2nd of November 2022 05:58:03 PM