Discussions
Is Blog Catalog Dying?
Posted by thefly • 10/24/08 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: blog catalog
Ive been at BC for a while, about a year and have noticed certain things about BC.
So my question is, do you feel that the playfulness that was such a staple of this community has diminished?
And if so, what caused that to happen?
I would like to hear what people think because in my opinion, this place should be much bigger and yet certain stains and intimidation has stunt its growth.
What are your guys thoughts?
User Comments
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I'm hoping things will cool down after the election....-
Is there an election???? -
Zing!
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I'm new here, I don't know how it was before. So I can not give an opinion about it.Why don't you be specific about those strain and intimidation-
I dont want to give specifics, I guess Im asking the veteran members.
Its an idealistic question, one that doesnt require specifics and just their feelings. How do you feel? Thats all. -
sorry,wrong place. wrong topic.
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This is my personal take only.
Q: Is Blog Catalog Dying?
A: Hell no!-
I suspect that it's also that, in the US at least, people increasingly segregate themselves among others who share their political and religious outlooks (I've seen statistics on this--the number of districts where there are even splits between Democrats and Republicans has gone way down, while the numbers of those with overwhelming numbers of one or the other have grown and grown) (and, I can't deny that I'm part of the problem--voting was 93% Democratic in my area in the last election, and I suspect that much of that other 7% went to the Green Party)--thus, people get used to being able to walk into a coffee shop, start loudly spouting their political views, and get no resistance, as well as to turning on news shows where they'll hear nothing but their own views (and those views are being expressed more obnoxiously all the time). So, people come into the forums here, where there are so many different viewpoints, and are horrified when they find disagreement, and can't turn off anybody's mike....
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But dont you think that that apprehensive view toward God and religion threads causes intimidation to the newer members? Especially coming from a veteran member like yourself.
If I were new here and felt like talking about something on my mind, I would start into it and then immediately get bombarded by people that arent open to talking about it because it has been done to death wouldnt make me feel invited.
There would be that stigma of "I better not start a thread no one likes" which causes very specified and perhaps superficial threads that everyone is ok with and yet are done to death as well.
I think, the aggressiveness toward newer members and even veteran members about their views or talking points causes very specified threads that the certain elite allow to be the main draw at the discussion boards which causes a stunt in growth. Dont you think?
buzz buzz -
@fly - I first came here over a year ago ... before TT or most of you all were here ... when I did my first post I got bombarded too by the "then" veteran users. That's just the way things go. The trick is to put it into perspective ... this is just a discussion group, after all.
edit: this idea that there's an elite group here is silly because that all depends on who you like and who you hang with. No one here is more elite or important than anyone else, altho some seem to get away with more ... but I have a feeling fly, that you and I would disagree on who those people are ... which tells me admin is upsetting people equally, lol. In other words, they're more fair than we realize. -
I understand that DM, thats why Im asking. Its normal sure. Im just curious on how people feel. And yes, it is a discussion board but not all discussions are always welcomed.
Its just that I feel that the "elite-veteran" members are the ones that decide which threads are up to "their" standards and thus allow on the discussion boards. Is that fair? No matter who the veteran members are?
edit: I totally think there is an elite group of members that have more sway over the admins than others. Just the way it is. But thats not the issue here. -
Given that some of those "elite" veteran members have been banned from BC several times over lately, I hardly doubt they have more pull with the Admin than anyone else does.
I'm sure there are people here who you think are fantastic that I find offensive or annoying and vice versa, and I don't think any of them have more pull with Admin.
Sometimes Admin removes a thread and you may not agree with their decision, but that doesn't mean some 'elite' veteran member has extra pull, it just may mean you were wrong. -
My point isnt who has more pull with the admins. Its which veteran-members group up on the threads they dont like and therefore a certain filter is built in based on these members. Its not about the admins at all.
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Well, I disagree, but you'll probably put me in that elite veteran group, whatever.
There are argumentative people here, I'm one of them ... if people don't like it they can hit the report button. I don't join with other members for the purpose of "group up", I think it's more of a majority may feel a certain way and then they express it, and yes sometimes it can get out of hand. But maybe those in the minority are just not happy that they are in the minority, I dunno.
Like I said, when I was new here I got thrashed quite a few times too ... heck it still happens from time to time ... but I know those who like to do that to me so I try to avoid them. "Try" but don't always succeed, of course.
G'Night. -
Yes, it can get out of hand and thats what I mean about the intimidation thing for new members. Its not about being unhappy in the minority, its about not being able to voice an opinion because people have prejudged your opinion.
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Ah well, if ya can't stand the heat. I mean, if people are getting intimidated in a discussion group not much anyone can do about that. I'm no different in real life than I am in my online life...I can't ever remember saying anything online that I wouldn't say in real life. Life isn't for the meek. I'm not here to hold the hand of people too afraid to say what they mean and then defend it.
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It's not dying, you've just been here a while and the shine goes off things when they're not new. It's cyclical. Group dynamics ... and all that stuff.
People have a tendency to make friends and those friends then get a "group think" kind of thing going, which is a bit childish but that's life.
New people come in ... the ones who've been here a while move on ... it's all good. And perfectly normal. -
Are most of the God posts designed to illicit arguments and attention because it becomes known that starting a religious thread will receive a large and emotional response?-
I feel God and religious threads are more apparent online because people have questions that arent easily brought up in the real world because a lot of people dont like to share their views. But online, its easier to bring these subjects up because it allows you to attach a certain view and see many different sides from people all over.
There's a certain detachment that allows you to talk about these things and a certain curiousity to bring them up because the real world is just not always the easiest of places to do it. -
There's a certain detachment that allows you to talk about these things and a certain curiousity to bring them up because the real world is just not always the easiest of places to do it.
I disagree because I do not experience detachment on this forum. BC is an all age forum. If 20 year olds, who are still separating from their parents and developing their individuality want to explore these highly charged religious and political issues with people like me, who are twice their age, then IMO they had better not enter the kitchen unless they can cook and are willing to risk being burned. On the other hand, if they want to issues that aren't highly emotionally charged like religion and politics are - no problem. -
I didnt say that you would get easier answers to swallow, my point was that; bringing up these discussions are easier online because of a certain detachment they have with the people they are discussing with.
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Speaking for myself alone, when it comes to being a newcomer "bringing up" religion and/or politics on a public forum for bloggers ie. thinkers & writers, there is no sense of detachment. This is not a college environment.
Can you feature anyone walking unannounced into a public restaurant or lounge full of strangers and immediately quizzing them on politics, god, heaven and hell?
Maybe you can. Maybe that happens where you live. I assure you that it does NOT happen where I live. Where I live those kind of questions are NOT asked until a personal one on one relationship has been formed. Perhaps that's another difference between USA and Canada [shrug]. -
Youre missing my point.
Heres the thing, you are voicing your opinion on a discussion board that is displayed on a computer monitor that you can walk away from at any point. "Detachment" -
I agree, posting online is much more anonymous and "detached" than a real life conversation. -
Uhh, first off, I dont like that you added a lot to your comment and even changed the tone of it to fit what I told you.
Second, I dont know where the heck you are going with this "people immediately quizzing each other in restaurants." I think you are completely missing my point about the online Discussion board. Ill just throw this out, how about random television crews or surveys done about these issues that need to talk to random people?
Here's my point: Its not easy to bring these types of issues up with anyone, close to you or random people. The detachment allowed online makes it easier to talk about these things whether you are close to that person or not. -
G'night.
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I don't think newbies come in here and start these threads because they want to explore the subject with detachment. I think they do it to get attention and validation of their own beliefs, biases and opinions.
Further, I think anyone who opens a thread on a controversial subject such as religion or politics, should expect dissent, including strong and emotional dissent: these are emotionally charged topics. To expect a detached argument on an emotionally charged topic is unrealistic.
I think Admins contribute to the problem by allowing certain members to violate the rules by which the rest of us abide. People who open threads in inappropriate discussions...especially those who repeatedly open controversial threads in General Discussions rather than in their own, separate venues...do so with full knowledge that they will spark uproar. My personal opinion is that members who do this should not only have such discussions killed (not moved...REmoved), but they should be sanctioned by Admin for doing so.
TT made a good point about bringing up emotionally charged topics to a bunch of strangers: who among us would walk into a gathering of people we don't know and throw out a topic virtually guaranteed to polarize the group? Most people take their political and religious beliefs seriously and personally, and if they aren't up to being challenged on them, they should keep to venues in which they are guaranteed agreement.
We cannot be all things to all people. Personally, if this place devolves into a venue in which strongly voiced contrasting opinions are discouraged, then I'll be one of those pulling up stakes. Venues in which only agreement is permitted are stultifying. -
@TonyB
You have said: "Are most of the God posts designed to illicit arguments and attention because it becomes known that starting a religious thread will receive a large and emotional response?"
I'm not sure that most are but I do believe that SOME are indeed deliberately posted to evoke emotional responses.
If I may what I'd like to add is that as individuals we are all responsible to keep ourselves "safe". Mature adults, who truly have deep seated faith in their belief systems (both religious and political), do not have to make the choice to feel personally threatened and protest that they are being victimized, if and when their belief system, and not their "self" is criticized.
In another thread, cooper shared this:
"I think on a board full of adults (mostly adults I think), it should be acceptable to attack the argument and the ideas, even with sharp words, after all what is the use of language if it can't be used to express a sharper tone if the commenter intends for that.
Sometimes when one attacks the ideas of one person it appears to that person that someone is attacking them. It is not usually the case, but to make a valid argument I suppose technically one should stick to attacking the premise of the argument or the argument itself instead of the ideology of the argument, thus preventing all these hurt feelings."
www.blogcatalog.com/discuss/entry/why-do-people-get-so-mean-on-bc-discussio...
Immediately following cooper's comment morgantj chimed in with this:
I agree cooper. And I think some people recognize this even, but when presented with a valid argument they are unable to refute, some people will try to misdirect the conversation away from that they can't dispute the substance of the argument to "that was a personal attack," in an attempt to never really have to address what has been presented in the opposing argument.
I strongly agree with both cooper and morgantj. And, I'm well aware that there are many places and spaces on the internet where BC members can share their religious and political opinions in venues that have been specifically created for those purposes.
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Well, blog catalog sure won't be on forever. Personally I hope the whole "blog" thing kind of fades away. It's such an ugly word.
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I think blogging and social communities, like blogcatalog, are tools that possess neither good or bad qualities. It's the people that use them who possess these qualities.
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I agree Tony.
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I agree with you tony
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we are all dying-
good point
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Not I. I fully intend on ascending into Heaven
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I think some people just float in and out while they do work. That's what I do. At any given time there may be people who prefer some threads over another. There is not much to control that really. Social communities come and go, it's really interesting to observe really. Maybe like fashion after a certain amount of time the old will be new again. -
Reality has set in and after the election, which is one of the most important we have had yet, things will be less tense. We shall play once more "BlogCatalog Lives," I say.
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@theFly ... I think you just answered your own question in conversation with tt above ..
Youre missing my point.
Heres the thing, you are voicing your opinion on a discussion board that is displayed on a computer monitor that you can walk away from at any point. "Detachment"
.. and ..
Here's my point: Its not easy to bring these types of issues up with anyone, close to you or random people. The detachment allowed online makes it easier to talk about these things whether you are close to that person or not.
Blogging is partly about building relationships with your readers, and other bloggers. If you can't build a relationship with your peers, and fellow bloggers .. I suppose all you can feel is detached from the conversation. But, I assure there are a lot of great people in here and worth being meaningful and respectful in the way you talk to them, or about them, and with them - not just at them, and then turn off your monitor and leave them.
No wonder you feel like it is dying - when most of the time (except a small handful of other members) it seems evident that comments are most of the time FLYbys, 2 cent comments etc. Its one thing to voice your opinion about a topic, but quite completely the opposite to attack other people's opinions and such.
"Uhh, first off, I dont like that you added a lot to your comment and even changed the tone of it to fit what I told you."
Now, c'mon .. surely even YOU realize that this is a forum, and everybody is allowed to edit their comments for a short time period and this is not an instant message board. Just posting a comment like that shows you are definitely not a "people person".
And .. that is why Blog Catalog seems to be dying to you .. maybe you just hate the people in here (or at least believe certain stains and intimidation has stunt its growth)
If there are people that tick you off one day - then, by all means turn off your monitor that night, but don't carry a grudge the next day. This community is what it is from its community members, and I personally don't think it's dying at all ... i.m.o.
// deliberate afterthought edited and added here //
burp. (forgot why I edited this)-
Uh, first off. I asked the question, is BC dying? I never said it was.
You making certain judgments about me and about my views shows the point I was trying to make. Thank you for pointing out that prejudgmental state of mind.
The building relationship point you brought up is the point Im trying to make. Certain intimidation creates less than appealing views that are hard to create those relationships you referred to.
And finally, the edit button is to edit, not to change your comment or add something to it to change the tone of it. If you arent gonna stand by what you say then dont say it is all Im asking. -
Are you schizophrenic?
Oh wait - I wasn't implying you are schizophrenic ..
It's obvious to everybody here that if you have to ask if BlogCatalog is dying - you are trying to validate your own thoughts - and must think BlogCatalog is dying - although, you confirm that yourself when you start off by saying
"I would like to hear what people think because in my opinion, this place should be much bigger and yet certain stains and intimidation has stunt its growth.
Don't be a cop-out. You asked a question inviting people's opinions - why are you trying to put people down who offer them? -
Its stunt its growth, not dying. See the difference? So, ok, based on your logic, if I ask if there is a God then I must believe there is one and therefore believe in one? Im not copping out of anything I was just pointing out you prejudging and attaching certain views to me when Im asking for the views and opinions from the members here. Not "what do you think I think?" Get it right.
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oh - sorry, I didn't get it.
I didn't get it .. that you were either
a) asking for views and opinions from all the members EXCEPT me because I pointed out that you prejudge people all the time, or
b) you were just bored and don't really care what other members think.
And, if you were to ask .. "Is there a God" - to me it would mean that you are not sure or do not believe or have doubts in your faith or beliefs. To be similar to this thread, the similar question that would be relevant to would be if you asked .. "Is Religion Dying?" then, I would say - yes - you believe that.
Did I get that right? or, did I fail again?
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I don't think BC is dying; I have read and been part of some very light-hearted entertaining threads lately... I guess it really depends on which threads you chose to enter.
I know that most political and religions threads can get really heated and things are said and done in the heat of the battle that are normally not said and done in a person to person debate, and entering into the fray thinking you won’t get battle wounds is like spitting into a spinning fan and think you won’t get wet. I will usually follow a thread and see what is going on, and then if I really feel compelled I will enter in. But usually I just find something else to do.
I don’t just use BC for the forums, I also network with other members, find other interesting blogs to read, comment on them, give blog reviews, etc, etc, which I enjoy doing. Plus get a plug in for my blog too sometimes which is what BC is all about…promoting blogs. I could find a chat forum anywhere else on the net if that is all I was interested in doing.
I can imagine it may be intimidating to some new people who come in and get caught up with or into a battle with someone, but most bloggers seem to have a knack for giving as good as they get… they are good with words and getting their ideas, feelings and points across in writing. So, I am pretty sure most just move on to another thread or jump right in to the fray!-
Very Good points. There are a lot of other aspects to BC that are still very vibrant and effective.
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comment removed by the community.
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Just to add to the conversation, (I'll answer the original question later) Something everyone should remember at the end of the day, other people's opinions are just opinions, get over it! I do side with thefly when he speaks of detachment. But personally I think it is just a generational/age different between members. I'm conflicted between taking a removed tone and censoring my own opinion as a young person. I'll try my best not to offend and try to explain my reasons, but at the end of the day you still can't make everyone happy. Anyway...
The older, veteran members such as PetLvr, and timethief have a more personal, relationship building approach to blogging, and life. It's just how they've lived.
Where as younger members such as myself and thefly are more so at the age where we feel we have very valid and strong opinions, but we get frustrated when we are met with opposition from older members who we feel just don't understand or have more traditional opinions/views.
But you have to keep in mind that young people have been told what to think by parents and teachers for most of their lives, and after so long we will scream and shout our views just to be heard. I'm sure you did it when you were younger too. Is it really any different than in real life, where's is hard for different generations to agree?
No one has a better answer or opinion, remember that. Just because it's different doesn't mean it's bad or wrong, it's just different from yours. Everyone should keep in mind something can be learned from any person old or young. Young people need to listen to the wisdom of older people. While older people need to keep an open mind about new ideas. Believe it or not you can still learn something new from younger people. Don't be so quick to write us off as young an naive.
I do feel that BC has become a bit stuffy lately (not dead yet, but maybe soon). More or less for reasons others had mentioned, political arguments and religious conflict. I personally think their should defiantly be room for open discussion on these topics, the internet should be all about free speech. And remember this is a social blogging community. Bloggers are renown for their edgy opinions.
However I think the biggest reason I am beginning to loath BC is because of the surge in older bloggers finally making it online. And the very close minded mentality they have.
Great example is available right it this very discussion.
"Here's my point: Its not easy to bring these types of issues up with anyone, close to you or random people. The detachment allowed online makes it easier to talk about these things whether you are close to that person or not."
And someone else replies with a remark such as:
"If 20 year olds, who are still separating from their parents and developing their individuality want to explore these highly charged religious and political issues with people like me, who are twice their age, then IMO they had better not enter the kitchen unless they can cook and are willing to risk being burned. On the other hand, if they want to issues that aren't highly emotionally charged like religion and politics are - no problem."
Just switching off when someone hears something that they don't side with or understand is common. And while both old and young are very guilty of doing this. I have only seen the older generation uphold themselves with a snobbish self belief of genius and knowing.
It's no wonder the younger generation gets pissed when get into conversations of this nature. You truly don't listen!
And you think you are better just because you are older! WTF?! Age makes not difference what-so-ever! And then they try to dictate what is ok to talk about "if they want to issues that aren't highly emotionally charged like religion and politics are - no problem."
I had posted a sexual discussion a while back and was very peeved that people went out of their way to say that what I was talking about was inappropriate. Honestly if you don't like something steer clear of it. Remember IT IS the internet like thefly mentioned; detachment is how the younger people approach it.
The way I see it is you can choose not to click on a link. Or not read a topic you don't agree is appropriate. If there are people partaking in an active conversation why would you go out of your way to say it offends you? Just leave it the hell alone. If it offends you, you more than likely don't know enough about it to understand where other's are coming from. So learn before you speak please. This goes for young and old alike.
As far as this reporting comments/discussions goes, I think it's a load! And I can see where people are coming from when they say the older members have more pull than the admins. In the sense that sure the admins have the final call so of course they have the power. BUT! They are just dogs/police. That are called to sensor a topic or response they do not usually go out themselves and start deleting posts unless someone complains about something they find unfavorable.
My two cents anyway...-
I just want to point out that yes, you can in fact have a bad or wrong opinion. The thing with opinions is that you must listen to them to actually realize they are wrong or bad and a lot of people like you state, rather not listen to a different angle and have already prejudged certain views and have attached a verdict on it without being open to those views. What this leads to is very narrow minded arguments that run in circles that never get settled because of the redundancy of wrong or bad opinions that have attached to them a sense of being more "correct/right" than the other because of the pre-stamped stigma people have already labeled it with. This goes for whatever issue.
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Horseradish!
There are passionately involved younger people and detached older ones. You can't stereotype by age.
And I find your remark about younger people "knowing they are right" feeling frustrated by opposing views from older people to be hilarious. Ask yourself this: if an 11 year old kid insisted he was right about something but you had had enough life experience to know he was wrong, would you find his insistence and frustration to be a compelling argument for you to change your mind? The very idea that a person half your age knows more than you do about subjects he has not experienced but you have, is just laughable, isn't it? Imagine how someone twice...or three times...your age views some barely adult spouting off "knowledge" that is not backed by experience or maturity of thought.
Detachment is not something to aspire to, it is something to avoid. If you go through life emotionally detached, you go through life only half alive. When the day comes that you feel disaffected, generally unhappy, and disconnected, you don't need to wonder why: you will be experiencing the "rewards" of detachment. If you genuinely seek to dampen your enthusiasm and involvement in life by detaching yourself from the highs and lows of emotion, then I feel sorry for you.
But, then, this is just a case of someone who has two to three times your life experience talking...what could I have possibly learned in all that time? -
SweetViolet, you dont even realize the hypocrisy of your point. You say you cant stereotype and yet you are doing so by saying that someone young cant have the maturity of thought? What does age or time have to do with idealistic and mature thoughts. Life experiences? That doesnt change the fact that their opinion of something can be stronger.
And no one is saying detachment is something to aspire to, for you to not realize that there is a generation of people that approach the online community with a sense of detachment because of a certain anonymity is narrow. Im not saying everyone is like this but there is a large amount.
Here's an example, racism is much more apparent and rampant in the online arena, be it online gaming, online forums, message boards, e-mail. Whatever the case, racial slurs are more apparent and clearly visible online because of that detachment and anonymity. Ive been a victim to this seperation, so you cant say its not there.
And when I say, that people have detachment its not that Im saying they value the relationship they have developed online any less than real life ones, its just that you can treat these online relationships much differently than real life ones.
And even though I said that detachment isnt something to apsire to, it certainly needs to be excercised because of the plethora of opinions that can dig deep. There was a story about a girl a few months back that killed herself because of certain mean-spirited messages she received on MySpace. This was from an online relationship she developed. Discretion and detachment needs to be excercised responsibily.
buzz buzz -
@thefly:SweetViolet, you dont even realize the hypocrisy of your point. You say you cant stereotype and yet you are doing so by saying that someone young cant have the maturity of thought? What does age or time have to do with idealistic and mature thoughts. Life experiences? That doesnt change the fact that their opinion of something can be stronger.
Strength of opinion has nothing to do with validity. And claiming that a younger person has less life experience is not a stereotype, it is a fact.
What you so conveniently overlook is that those of us who are older were, at one time, younger. We have been there, done that. We KNOW that when we were younger we harboured beliefs (that we took as "facts") that, over time, turned out to be just conceits...that reality was, ultimately, very different. But it took us time and experience and maturity to come to those realizations and make adjustments.
Tell me, if you had a 10 year old tell you that smoking was cool, it was good for your image, it made you look adult and made people respect and envy you, what would you think? Do you say, wow, this is a mature person who has a good grasp on life and how it works? Or do you discount what he says as being the result of a lack of maturity of thought and an arrogant disregard for the facts? He may fervently hold his beliefs and think that being "cool" is the most important thing in life, but is he right? What prevents him from seeing the error of his opinions...but allows you to see them?
What makes you think that the pronouncements of people with only 20 years experience at life are any more profound to those with 40, 50, even 60 years of experience? Granted, there ARE mature young people, but in my experience, they are rare. And there are older people who suffer from arrested development and they fail to mature as they age. But for the most part, it takes time to have the experiences that bring wisdom.
Intelligence knows no age limit, but the wisdom born of experience is rarely available to the young. -
To keep drawing parallels with ten and eleven year olds is insulting. There's a huge difference between someone in their 20s and someone that is ten. To treat or even have that ideal of someone is insulting and very narrow. You are prejudging a whole generation of people based on age, thats not very "wise" of you. You are basically saying that someone older has better opinions than someone younger. The fact about being correct is irrelevant at this point because the argument was about opinions. You have stamped a young persons opinion invalid in comparison to someone older. Not wise, not wise at all. Wisdom doesnt have any prejudgment in it.
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Just like anything that is said nothing it bullet proof. I could go on for hours backing up and explaining everything that I said but I don't have the time or patience, but I'll make an attempt at it considering I'm bored.
@SweetViolet at some point in time you do have to make stereotypes or generalizations to say something about a similar group of people. Of course not everyone is the same, I'm not ignorant of that fact.
Hahah and if anyone reading this is using firefox press Ctrl + F. It brings up you search feature. Then type in (without the quotes) "knowing they are right" and hit the next and previous arrows. Someone please tell me where that phrase shows up? And how many times it occurs.
I find detachment to work great for me. But that is my opinion. I take pride in my opinions, and the fact that I can look at the facts, quote what other people have said, and try to see both sides of the argument. But hey that's just me.
And when I was writing this I wasn't thinking of 11 year olds I had the ideas of religion and politics in mind. As I was speaking of matters of opinion. People's views of religion and politics are merely opinions and I was explaining that you can't not pull fact from opinion, as I've seen may do before...
If you want to debate weather or not age equates to life experience please give me your (personal) definition of the phrase "life experience". -
As a teacher...
And in regards to SweetViolet...
And Benspak... talking about the old vs. the young views...
One learns best when they are given freedom to come to their own conclusions, and grow in their own time. People feel frustrated when others are "missing the point" or "not getting it," and they try to "help" by infringing their sense of reason onto others.
Accepting someone else's reason over your own goes against human nature. If a human feels that his or her freedom (to be themselves, act themselves- however imperfectly) is threatened- they will rebel against the perceived repressor (even if this authority is indeed correct.) People need to come to things in their own time... even in the case of the adult who knows better from experience. Well- unless a 3 year old is walking across a freeway. Then grab their arm and yank.
Otherwise- you win the battle but lose the war. You have substituted your reason for the child's. We have generations of older people who think they have "taught children" when really they just substituted their children's sense of reason for their own. Now we have generations of people who- when they tried to think/experience for themselves- ran up against respected adult figures who said "no, no- take my word for this." This has led to generations of young people who have no sense of who they are and their own reason... because society has been forcing it's own agendas, reasons, etc on to them for their whole lives.
This is a disgrace. All people, regardless of age- are on their own path. They must be given the freedom and respect from their society to walk this path and discover knowledge in their own way and time. I find the fact that this DOESN'T happen- one of the biggest fallacies of our time.
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Couldn't have said it better myself ^_^
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Don't you think long posts are killing the BC?
(Just an ice-breaker question, nothing personal. :D)-
haha, perhaps.
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lol yeah I wouldn't read what I posted if I was someone else hahahah
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@benspak
Nevertheless, I read your post, expecting it would give me the content of this discussion. I realized that this is about the unwillingness of the elders to listen and accept ideas from the young ones.
It happens. I'm also one of the young ones with radical ideas usually opposing known beliefs of the elders. I'm giving them the opportunity to learn something, if they don't listen, who do you think lost something?
Silence is the best response to a fool.
Arguing with a close-minded person is pointless.
Arguing about faith/opinions is pointless, argue for the truth/facts instead and it will be settled.
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No it is not dying. It just needs to try a few new things to get people fascinated again.-
Any ideas? I think they should revamp site to make it more like digg.com where users can submit their favorite posts from other peoples blogs and people can vote for the submitted content.
Wordpress.com comes to mind. I love how their blogs are presented. Atomatic is working towards more social features where as Blog Catalog already has rich social features they just need a more solid system of presenting blogs. I think that extra dynamic would make it interesting to me again.
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Dear thefly,
#Blogcatalog will not die untill it is shutdown
#BC is a Forum for all-which means...In all you will find everything-good or bad. We cannot expect only what we expect or want. But our attitude towards them can changes it.
#BC is a (real)virtual life. The good, the bad and the ugly exist together here. And that's make it interesting! -
I have been here for an age, since the discussions part of this opened, so I guess I am a veteran.
I don't think people should start certain discussions because of the safety or detachment that the internet provides, because that's just something I wouldn't do myself.
Things have taken a turn for worse and I think if I voiced the reasons, some would agree and some would not. Elite groups are mentioned yet again, holding more sway with the admin and so forth. I think the admin will listen to anyone that approaches them in a calm, rational manner. Can you blame them for being more harsh to those that incite hatred and specific personal attacks?
I would like people to start more threads about blogging and highlight posts that they are proud of. When people do a great job of shameless blog promotion, it proves that that category is worth having. -
I've also been here for a while now - not so long as others - and I think that there are few things that need to be mentioned or put into perspective:
1) All message board forums go through spurts. Spam spurts, humor/fun spurts, debate spurts, attack spurts...it happens everywhere, an dis to be expected. No amount of moderation or openness will change that.
2) BC is by far a lot calmer than other groups I have been a part of. Relatively speaking there are other groups where posts and threads that we see here, and opinions expressed would be eaten alive for breakfast elsewhere, with no regard to feelings. Those groups are doing just fine, they just tend to be inhabited by people who can take (that kind of) heat.
3) The election this year has brought out a lot animosity and nastiness. Not just on the boards and webgroups, but everywhere. It will pass.
4) If everyone actually read the TOS and "read before posting" before posting for the first few times here, there would be less confusion as to what is OK to post on the main board, subcategories, and what needs to go on the political boards or into groups. There are rules here, and we agree to follow those rules when we sign up, and again for every thread we start.
I do agree that perhaps gentle reminders for the new members would be better than jumping all over them. But, sometimes, people get frustrated with the abundant inflow of inappropriate topics, spamming, link drops etc... and so they just tell them right off the bat.
5) People should realize that when they put their opinion out there on he internet, and specifically on a forum where they have no control over the other members, their ideas will be challenged. And a challenge is not an attack.
But no, I don't think BC is dying at all. Just having some growing pains, is all.-
Hear hear, the ninja has spoken. -
Hey Alex! My favorite Teddy! ♥
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Hmm a very valid view ^_^
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As long as I still technically drop by every now and then, it'll never die! (And clearly I'm not overrating my importance in the least, clearly.)-
I was wondering where you've been!
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I'm still here! And trying to get back to doing an entry a week or so these days. Getting started on grad school apps, finishing up my novel, etc. Been distracted by a ton of things as usual, and I'm not always great at being consistent about keeping up with message boards. (Rather obviously, haha.)
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No, I don't think it's dying-- I just believe these things are cyclical. Things right now are tense all around-- not just at BC. There's the world economy, there's the US political situation... I know it's affecting the tone of things in my own work, and I see it straining people here.
I think everyone's nerves are on edge right now, in particular.
Personally, I try to just disengage when I see a topic or strong opinion I know I can make no positive difference with in discussing. Sometimes people just want a voice.
If we keep in mind treating folks the way we would in person-- in trying to see everybody online as dimensional people with plusses and minuses to their personalities, and to view even the behavior we don't care for with a bit of empathy, I think that helps quite a bit.
It gives us personally a little less stress and a little more peace of mind.
Just my half-a-penny.-
Amen. Plus, logging out BEFORE you open a suspiciously controversial thread...that helps
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I tend to pull out when there's a conflict with another memeber and I have a feeling that the member is not open to debate. I mean there's no point screaming at the top of your head at another individual who's not going to change his/her view.
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I agree
Although to be fair, actually meeting some of the folk on here in person, has actually helped me quite a bit. -
Yeah, I think meeting, and/or carrying on conversations with members outside of BC, and outside of blogging has helped me a bit too.
It makes them "real". -
I hear you, Alex.
I've found it's helped, too, in those moments I've gotten into a thread where I'm thinking, "Why, oh, why did I check this out?" to recognize I have a choice to disengage.
To take responsibility for my own looking or not looking, responding or not responding....
It's actually empowering in a way. You begin to realize you're in control of your own emotions and actions online-- not at the mercy of the things that nag and irritate.
It's helped me enjoy the positive interactions on BC more. And there are some really funny and helpful people here. So it's always good to be reminded of that, too.
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I don't think so, it's just one of the cool SN sites and will grow, is what I believe. Things are organized here, and also has a good support team too, its my experience here on BC. Bad habits die hard..........I have my blog at valleyz.blogspot.com.... Read it !
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I don't think it's dying, however could be so much more, was glad admin added some features that the folk requested, but it's like a baby, needs nutruing and well will continue to evolve-
I agree, breastfeeding would definitely help.
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well I am too busy giving myself a self examination, Cripit told me to smoosh and I am smooshing
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If you need some help. . .
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last time i said smoosh i was talking about stuffing McCain in a playdough can
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When I first came here to BC i really liked talking and reading other blogs to get ideas on what to do with mine and also help with some html,etc..
I also like the discussions here on the forum , but because of the Jesus scared and the politically insane , it has become like the old south and we had to separate... one fountain for you and one for me...
The people who complain about topics here, really just need to logout and get some fresh air. If you cannot speak on the Internet where the hell can u?
This was a forum , then it went to a screaming room full .......
ok i am done -
Long summer.
Things will pick up in the winter.
Been here about a year.
Does that qualify me as a veteran? lol-
You get a gold star.
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i haven't been on long enough to know exactly what you're talking about here.
people are pretty humorless about deeply held beliefs, no doubt about that.
you'd think that the internet and the anonymity it provides would be conducive to more detached and open discussion, like you said earlier, but it doesn't play out that way.
when i come to chat forums like this, i employ a different mode from what i do on my blog.
my blog tends to be much angrier and sarcastic, but i know that doesn't play in a group setting, so i generally tone it down.
anyway, i just joined and have found it to be a pretty pleasant way to find new things to read and new readers, so i hope it doesn't go anywhere.
i've certainly had more positive than negative experiences here.
i've actually had more problems with people who are ostensibly on the same side as me, so that maybe undermines some of your point? -
There's a forum here???? I never knew!
Sounds like the usual friction between religionistas and atheist/agnostics which happens all over. That doesn't mean BC is dying however, but that it's alive and well and part of human interaction.
I think the reason why religion is a friction area these days is because of the rise of religious fundamentalism. Years ago, it seemed that religion was gradually dying out as rationalism slowly gained a hold in human consciousness and people's religious views were mostly kept private, but with the rise of, first, Islamic fundamentalism, and lately Christian fundamentalism, this has dismayed atheists who thought it was just a matter of time before everyone came to their senses and religion was consigned to the superstitious past, and now they realise they have to fight their corner against the hordes of unreason [as they see it!].
Since I've been here since 2005, I guess that makes me a vet!
Where do I get my gold star? -
here's one from the teacher!
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BlogCatalog ...
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IS DYING
*clash of thunder*
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No, the answer is, no, not dying, though some of us may be suffering from small coronary unsteadiness after this photo.
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Cool photograph -
ROFLMAO.....
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Lets make sure Bush wins this election too...
BC rocks -
Fly,
I was excited that you posted this.
I'm certainly not a vet- started in march. And I don't know anything in regards to BC's metaphorical "death" persay...
But I have been largely turned off by these discussion forums- even though I usually just read them and avoid participation. I always leave with an icky feeling in my stomach... and so ANGRY. These aren't feelings that promote understanding between cross-views- which is what this world (and BC for that matter) needs.
Understanding can exist even if there isn't agreement between parties. I think many people imagine if you express understanding- you are expressing agreement as well. Perhaps BC isn't dying- perhaps it's been this way all along- and your viewpoint is the one that's changing.
Perhaps you're seeing the interaction here as counterproductive because you view a productive exchange as one that involves understanding rather than ego driven jabs used to elevate community member's self concept. People who use anger and bullying words to disarm others- are doing so because they are too afraid to admit their view might not be valid enough to stand on it's own merit.
To the people who say that BC is not dying I offer up this possibility- not as the way it is- but just as an alternative viewpoint:
"It is no measure of healthy to be well adjusted in a profoundly sick society."--- Jiddu Krishnamurti-
I like you ^_^ You're very Zen
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I think you really got what I was trying to say Brazen. Count on a teacher, haha.
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No Fly, it was you all along my son. You have the force within yourself to count on. ;-)
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That was some zen for benspak. Thanks for the complimentary action :-D
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BTW I started a thread talking about how to improve Blog Catalog if anyone's interested. www.blogcatalog.com/discuss/entry/how-to-improve-blog-catalog
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Interesting Q. How can Blogcatalog die? it's simply a lump of software. Might the social network that uses Blogcatalog die...now that's different thing altogether. Any social entity thrives due to the dynamism of the participants...I reckon there's enough witty intelligent and motivated people around to keep the network alive -
Thumbs up
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I am witty, intelligent and motivated..........but no-one recognises it
On a serious note...very true.
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It isn't dying but it is a lot less useful and fun.... Politics and religion are debated all over the internet. They don't need to be debated here, no matter what side you are on.-
I agree hence my recent discussion thread about massage. No takers yet - can't think why unless its not politically religious enough?? LOL
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I didn't see it.... but how can one not love a topic about massage?
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Ugh! I can't believe I am agreeing with something else PointlessBanter has just wrote!
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yes I was deeply puzzled too
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Hello. so far I never feel anything unusual for me.
Hope peace always. -
Disagree
Alive and well I say.
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That a very witty pic. So funny -
comment removed by the community.
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Tony! You're saying God is weak! Blasphemer! You should be banned. I'm reporting you to...errmmm...you. Please take appropriate action at once. -
jesus no
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You sure you want to encourage that kind of behavior Tony?
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@tony mwhahahah! Oh... I see what you did there. I. I like you. You're funny. lol Family Guy FTW
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What would be far more debilitating to BC than any amount of controversial discussion would be a large number of people who feel a "detachment" from these discussions. Absent passion, in which detachment can not exist, there can not be greatness.
"No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care."
~Theodore Roosevelt -
It's got a lot of cool features. I don't think it is dying. -
Fixes rarely work. What is required is a new way of Being. It's becoming apparent that we are trying to band-aid this situation. Perhaps what's need instead is for BlogCatalog to move all discussions to a new discussion area where we can only discuss what everyone agrees on.
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I disagree.
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ekim941 your comment can't go in the new discussion area.
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Or just stop trying to "fix" it.
Plain and simple the discussion forums here have been a mixed bag since I got here. There isn't really a "focus" on the discussions here, and I don't see why that's a bad thing. BC is unique in allowing bloggers to come together in a place where there are other bloggers and discuss whatever it is that they are passionate about in a big salad bowl of conversations.
People can easily look in on topics that seem promising, and they can just as easily stay out of ones that don't.
The "problems" here are more about a few people who like to stir Sh*t and a few people who like to complain about other people not wanting to talk about the same things they want to talk about.
The only fix that we need is one hard fast rule "Be nice, or at least polite, or STFU". Failure to comply demonstrates a lack of desire to add value to the community, and thus removal from it is good for both parties. -
If anything - I've found that most of the participation, excitement and interest is generated by the political and religions debates.
The trick is to make sure no one's feelings get hurt.
HA!!!
Sorry - Slipped out.
Changing the structure of the BC could risk negative growth.
I wonder if we couldn’t promote a network wide Good Citizenship “guideline“.
Purely suggestive of course.
A “Golden Rule” type of respect for each other.
Lets face it - The religious and political topics are not going away.
Unless of course TonyB wishes it away.
But isn’t that what the BC is all about?
I agree with TonyB.
We need a new way of “Being”.
Mutual respect for one another.
That sounds to me like something we could all get behind.
Everyone accept those renegade yahoos out there. Lol -
Start some discussions on sex and they will easily compete with religion and politics.
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Pfft. Darned edit feature
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@TonyB I did and it got deleted hahahah
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@Dane..that's about it:
"BE NICE, OR AT LEAST BE POLITE OR STFU:-
LOL!!!
ROTFL -
oh TOny used weekend words, well weekend acronyms, wait it's the weekend...so carry on
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"weekend words", you're such a teacher
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Tony is right. I would put it this way: Follow and comment on good energies, ignore the bad.
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Much more eloquent than my version.
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exactly
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I haven't been here in awhile, but seems the energy is still there. Good or bad, ignore what you must, and participate in what you trust. -
Very good
Simple words to live by. -
Thanks, I actually just made it up on the spot, although it could have been formed from reading one too many quotes in my life.
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I don't know. It seems the same to me, but I've only been on here for a few months.-
@pumpkininlights, I'm in 100% agreement with you.
Months ago if you focused on fights, you'd see the fights, if you focused on humor you'd have seen humor and if you focused on love and caring of many BC members, you'd have seen that too.
We get what we look for. -
True Tony.
It's interesting to see all the people who promote positive ideals among all bickering.
That's one thing the BC should be proud of; having attracted so many high caliber people here.
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Long Live BC! I love the diversity and random discussions...some cause you to look deep inside of yourself and others make you chuckle. I have been introduced to some very excellent blogs through BC! love it ♥ -
Man; y'all are amusing.
BC isn't dying; maybe it's going through a period of extra turbulence but it's not low on fuel... hm bad plane comparison. -
Is blogcatalog dying ?
Time will tell...
My antique personal computer I resurrected from a garbage bin is dying due to a virus picked up visiting an approved blogcatalog member's blog who initiated contact...-
@gerry
TrendMicro housecall may be able to remove it for you. It's a free service housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/ -
Try a windows restore to a point before you visited the page.
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I hope not. I've enjoyed my time (most of my time ) here and the friendly folks here (most of them are anyway) I've not been here long, but I hope to be here for a long time. I just lurk and if I feel like I can contribute, I do. If not, I don't. If someone is rude or seems aggressive for no reason, I just try to avoid them from then on out. Life is too short to let a few mean-spirited people get you down. Cheers!
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@AngieSS, It's good to see you coming out of your lurking to say hi.
You have healthy way of being in the discussions. I think some of us are compelled to get into heated debates and take on mean-spirited attacks. -
So that's why you won't talk to me....
I kept putting on more deodorant....
I have enjoyed your contributions, keep it up. -
@TonyB- No we don't!!
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@Ekim941... well you're wrong!!!
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@TonyB- I can't be, God says so.
Go take care of your tick -
ROTFL
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Angie,
There is no reason for unfriendly. I think here many friendly blogger, you are one of them. -
Angie,
There is no reason for unfriendly. I think here many friendly blogger, you are one of them. -
Angie,
There is no reason for unfriendly. I think here many friendly blogger, you are one of them. -
You can say that again
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LOL!!!
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Maybe your just getting bored of the community. Maybe you can make suggestion of what's missing? -
Still very strong, that's why I am active here.
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I like the discussion formula here. If there is something being discussed that I really am not interested in I just skip it, if a discussion gets a little too heated for me, I just leave and find another to join into… no big deal.
There are many, many, highly talented and creative bloggers in BC.. And passion is what drives that kind of talent and creativity. They are passionate at what they do, think, feel and know, so it is to be expected that there will be heated passionate discussions sometimes, because of the nature of the peoples and the subjects on BC.
The thing that we all need to remember is we are not just writing a story, but we are communicating with other people who can be just as passionate with their views… and can also be hurt, offended or even frightened by an over-zealous comment or reply.-
Agreed
Well put. -
hmmmm, plenty of things to think about!
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BTW I started a thread talking about how to improve Blog Catalog if anyone's interested. www.blogcatalog.com/discuss/entry/how-to-improve-blog-catalog
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