An Apology to Forum Members

[DavidRoss]

I'm no stranger to animosity myself, Dave, and I know we've had quite a few unpleasant exchanges in the past. I've actually apologized to you, but you and I seem to be getting along a lot better now than we have in the past and I want to thank you for putting up with my moronic, insensitive remarks. This is quite a noble thing you've done here and I sincerely accept your apology even though I wasn't mad or upset with you. I've tried my best to be civil with some members here however and with some it has been like pulling teeth, but I soldier on in hopes that we'll find some common ground.

All the best to you my friend.

Thanks, John, for your gracious response ... and especially for confirming my belief that you and I have been getting along better recently and really are becoming friends (despite the way it might seem to third parties witnessing only our most difficult exchanges).

Cheers, dude!

[springrite]

Well, more than once I was tempted to pick a fight with MI just for entertainment. But then something stopped me...

[Mirror Image]

Thanks, John, for your gracious response ... and especially for confirming my belief that you and I have been getting along better recently and really are becoming friends (despite the way it might seem to third parties witnessing only our most difficult exchanges).

Cheers, dude!

Thanks, Dave. Sometimes there can't help but be a little friction from time to time, but, yes, I think we're getting along better than we have in the past. Again, I thank you for your tolerance.

[Mirror Image]

Well, more than once I was tempted to pick a fight with MI just for entertainment. But then something stopped me...

I've certainly put my foot in my mouth more than enough times that it would make it easy for anyone on this forum to call me an idiot.

[springrite]

I've certainly put my foot in my mouth more than enough times that it would make it easy for anyone on this forum to call me an idiot.

I don't think too many people would mind if you put your foot in your own mouth. What I have found is that if your foot appear to be aimed at my mouth, if I just keep my mouth shut for a few minutes, another willing mouth will open to accomodate the foot, thus freeing me from the trouble. Ha!

[Mirror Image]

I don't think too many people would mind if you put your foot in your own mouth. What I have found is that if your foot appear to be aimed at my mouth, if I just keep my mouth shut for a few minutes, another willing mouth will open to accomodate the foot, thus freeing me from the trouble. Ha!

Lol... This is true, Paul.

[DavidRoss]

Well, more than once I was tempted to pick a fight with MI just for entertainment. But then something stopped me...

Good judgment? (Abetted by your clinical experience, no doubt!)

[Mirror Image]

Good judgment? (Abetted by your clinical experience, no doubt!)

[PaulSC]

It's often said that people are angrier on the Internet — It's probably something to do with the lack of face-to-face contact, or the sounds of people's voices, or other humanizing cues, lowering our inhibitions.

In any case, one of the pleasures of GMG is that it remains a relatively civilized place. I have googled my way into discussions on other classical music boards that are frankly horrifying when you consider the insult-to-information ratio. Actually, the worst of these tend to be archived from boards that no longer exist, and it's easy to imagine what led to their demise.

Long live GMG!

[North Star]

It's often said that people are angrier on the Internet — It's probably something to do with the lack of face-to-face contact, or the sounds of people's voices, or other humanizing cues, lowering our inhibitions.

Indeed.
There are a lot of changes in the brain that happen when interacting in person - we bond emotionally with these people, and that doesn't happen on a forum, at least not even close to the same degree.
And, in a real conversation, gestures and expressions are even more important than what is actually said, and there is none of that on a forum like this, at least not beyond the smilies.
Having more emotional connections with the subject matter than others participating in the conversation can't be a good thing.

And then there are psychopaths, who are extremely selfish, and get pleasure from offending others. They might be very bright otherwise. Usually it's best to just avoid these people.
Psychopathy is in essence a dysfunction of the brains that affects the emotions - mostly it makes them weaker. When Internet already decreases the emotional connections, psychopaths can obviously be even more problematic on forums than in real life.

So, on the Internet, even normal people can act like psychopaths. We ought to think of this, and try to control ourselves. If you feel offended by a post, reread it, and think whether there is any reason to feel offended, and think again before replying.

[Rinaldo]

If you feel offended by a post, reread it, and think whether there is any reason to feel offended, and think again before replying.

That's what puzzles me about people "leaving" a forum because somebody "drove them off". It's the goddamn internet! It's not somebody leaving a dead carcass at your front door day after day so you eventually decide to call the cops move. It's just text.. on a screen.

[Scarpia]

It's just text.. on a screen.

What drives me away is too much drivel on my screen.  : (

[bigshot]

No problem at all. We're all grownups. We can take it.

[CaughtintheGaze]

No problem at all. We're all grownups. We can take it.

Apparently not, as I've received some reprimands because of the supplications of simpering morons.

[Karl Henning]

What a coincidence! Everyone who disagrees with me is a simpering moron, too!

[Gurn Blanston]

Apparently not, as I've received some reprimands because of the supplications of simpering morons.

Actually, you received reprimands because you were acting like a mannerless asshole. The fact that it got pointed out and you were asked to stop that behavior is not indicative of any particular failing on the part of the reporters. Fortunately, you are an adult and can take it. Which you did, gracefully at the time, less so now.

[bigshot]

I don't see any need for any sort of repremands around here.

[Bogey]

*while sipping some Maj. D's*

Well everybody in Casablanca has problems. Yours may work out.  'Boards a better place with you, David....always has been. 


Lock thread.

[DavidRoss]

Good idea, Bill. Let's follow Rick's example and take the high road! Thread locked.

Coincidentally, I'm enjoying some Major D's, too!

[Gurn Blanston]

I don't see any need for any sort of repremands around here.

That's the way it should be.