My early Net54 Holiday wish –

[ramram]

I miss the old days.

I’m one of those guys that have been on Net54 for a couple of decades. I believe I pre-date Leon’s captaincy. My collecting has ebbed and flowed over the years, as have my posts, but I’ve always enjoyed it on here…for the most part. However, I’m amazed anymore at how surly and antagonistic a number of members are on Net54. Every thread that goes longer than 10 posts ends up with somebody taking pot shots at somebody else. Weird. Didn’t use to be that way. Somebody who starts a topic with “OT – I hope everybody has a great day today!” would still be roasted within a few hours. Even several of the long-time members are starting to show their rush-hour mentality. I guess it’s a sign of the times. Kind of the “beat my own chest” and “put a finger in your opponent’s face” attitude rather than showing respect. Some of my favorite members (BS, JL, etc.) don’t even post on here anymore because of the disrespect. I’ve even noticed that Leon, who I greatly respect, seems to be wearing down dealing with it.

How can it be fixed? I have no idea. I can dream a bit though. Maybe a "Back Room" button?

The button would be right there by the Net54 Homepage button. It would only be accessible to members who had been registered for at least a year. All are welcome but – attitudes would have to be left at the door. Only respect enters. Members of this Back Room club could vote when they felt it necessary (via clicks on a counter) any other member out of the club if they cop an attitude or target another member. Each member would only be allowed, say, ten negative votes before banishment for a period of time. After that, they could come back but if it happened again, they would be permanently banished from the Back Room. Members would have the ability to police the Room themselves but would also have a limited number of banishment bullets so that they didn't abuse their rights. No babysitting required by Leon. Members could get back to just talking Vintage Sports again just like the good old days. Probably not realistic but, hey, it's ok to dream a bit….

Hope everybody has a great collecting day!

Rob M

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

What kind of stupid Pollyanna crap is this? Are we men or little girls who get our feelings hurt every time some mean man on the interwebs calls us a bad name. We really need a safe space here on net 54? Try not being a panty-waist...

I was going to go on, but I figured people might not get to the part where I say this was completely tongue-in-cheek, and I always wondered what people got out of treating others poorly online. It seems in today's society nobody is capable of merely agreeing to disagree anymore. The party with whom you disagree has to be the stupidest person ever born to think the way they do etc... I'll never get it.

[Leon]

Hey Rob
I hear what you are saying but just think the communications are the sign of the times. I know when I see Who it was who posted about something, I can already be prepared for the negativity or as I have said, "expected". I know when certain people post it is going to be antagonistic or hateful, especially if there is room for a jab. I was actually thinking of showing 2 more members the door just yesterday. But that is always a last resort. As for having a secret or private forum, I have never thought much of those. You might check out the LTS forum, I think it's secret.


BTW, if I go all the way back to our predecessor, the original Fullcount chat board (late 1990s) by John and Mike, this is very, very tame stuff.

.

[kkkkandp]

Originally Posted by Leon

BTW, if I go all the way back to our predecessor, the original Fullcount chat board (late 1990s) by John and Mike, this is very, very tame stuff.

The original board was much more like the Wild West than it is today. Leon and his immediate predecessors on this new board keep things way more civil. I loved John's and Mike's original venue, but you must remember that things got much crazier than they do now!

[timn1]

It's much more civil around here now than ten years ago, at least the way I remember it. Leon rules with a light but firm hand, which is what is needed. And a lot of the chronic framers moved on to other pastures,it seems. Good riddance to them, and keep up the good work, Leon!

[Fred]

Rob,

How about getting a little more sunlight to toughen and leather that skin.

It does get a bit old when you continually get stuck reading posts where someone gets diarrhea of the fingers to relieve themselves of the constipation of their brain. It absolutely gets old, quickly.

Most of the time there's just no reason for it.

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by kkkkandp

The original board was much more like the Wild West than it is today. Leon and his immediate predecessors on this new board keep things way more civil. I loved John's and Mike's original venue, but you must remember that things got much crazier than they do now!

So crazy that I had to shut it down on the advise of my lawyer.

[barrysloate]

I agree with Rob to some degree, but we should remember how completely chaotic and hateful the board used to get when Bruce was posting, or the nonsense from people like Marshall and Adrian. Fortunately, things have improved considerably from those days.

But there is still quite a bit of personal insulting going on which I could do without. Several times I've seen posters call other posters snowflakes, which is a clear political slur. I asked Leon why he doesn't intervene and put a stop to it, but he doesn't want to and it's his board and his choice. I also see too many arguments with the parties calling each other idiots, probably not the ideal way to advance one's position.

But this is all a sign of the times. America is angry and some of the coarse dialogue leeches onto the board. As long as it's minimal, I guess we can all live with it. And Leon is doing a very good job dealing with the many disparate personalities. But a little more civility could never hurt.