You're All Dead

[tokar]

something i have found is that when you write (type) something down on paper (monitor) the written word does not translate the vocal tone that the writer heard in their head as they wrote it. 

for example think of the words that shakespeare wrote in hamlet ...  too be or not to be, that is the question. etc.  if a 10 year old kid read it out loud it would be just words.  if you were at a performance in a theater in Stratford and heard the actor say them they would be artistic, inspiring and more.  therefore some people do not read the humour or seriousness of the written comment.  the tone is just not there for the reader to comprehend the writers total intent.

many times i have written something that the reader has had to be told to read it again so they pick up on the humour that was intended.  so what you interpret as being a rant or complaint is just an observation or further comment to a conversation.  it all boils down to how the reader intrerprets what was written and if they are in the right mood to read the humour, the comment, the complaint or the rant. 

but no matter what is written, is is something somebody has taken the time to put to paper (monitor) for others to discuss, make comment about or otherwise enjoy or complain about.  it is dialogue.

[Kuviare]

I had to really point out this lill part here, while people may not agree with Neox's outlook/ opinion on things, you can be assured that no one here is petty enough to try and drag something as trivial as species into a subject like this, at least till you tried to impose that's why people were even speaking out their different viewpoints and feelings on the subject for. Lets just keep the furry race cards in the deck because not everything revolves around that, the validity and dismiss-ability of ones words is not so easily summed up by their having a fuzzy or a scaly face. At least for those of us that know a fursona doesn't make the man.

Uh, if you'll read what I said, it was that the stereotype does not apply, and that it is wrong to make assumptions based on it. Please actually read what I wrote before jumping on me for 'playing a race card'. Thank you.

[Vukasin]

I can see what you are trying to say Neox, however, despite the fact that you think having those types of discussions would be beneficial for newcomers I would say that it is actually detrimental.

Newcomers will join forums so that they can meet some new people, make friends, have fun conversations, ect. It can even act as an escape from reality sometimes. They will not want to have intense political discussions where members are going to rip their opinions to shreds. That's not very welcoming at all. It's going to be very off-putting to new members and you will scare most of them away. Perhaps for members who are familiar with each other and have known each other for a long time these kind of discussions are okay, but even then I will avoid them myself.

You may enjoy those types of conversations and debates, but then there are also those who don't. Me, for example. I absolutely loathe debates. Does that mean I don't have opinions? No. Does that mean I am any less of an intellectual? No. It just means I simply don't like arguing, so I avoid it.

I don't know how much my opinion is going to weigh since I am new to these forums, but that's my two cents.

[Neox]

Here's a thought: how about we all discontinue the personal attacks and white-knighting here and pay some attention to the point I was trying to get across in my original post. If anyone here has an issue with me personally, I welcome a PM from that person so we can deal with it in private.

SO, in my OP, I said some stuff that had some strong language and, now that I re-read it, can come across as a bit negative and abrasive in my attempts to emphasize. It's never my intention to insult anyone, directly or indirectly, and I apologize if it sounds like I'm doing that.  HOWEVER, it sounds like a lot of people are mad at the fact that I dislike how the forums have gone quiet and there have been some jabs at my use of the word "intellectual" to describe the types of discussions that I miss, and I'm here to talk about THAT.

1) What is wrong with wanting to inject a little life into the message boards here? I fail to see how this could possibly be a bad thing. Yes, you all have your own interpretations of what is your ideal mode of conversation, and that's cool if you like the threads that offer-up the invitation for a quick post to outline one's complaints in a simple one-or-two sentence post. I'm not telling you that you should stop doing that. I am merely inviting those who might want to say a little more than one-or-two sentences to open up and create a thread to get feedback or support. Don't go telling me I'm out of my rights to say that I want to encourage further discussion. If you don't like reading paragraphs out of someone's mind, then don't. Stick with your 1-on-1 conversations and quick-post threads. I want to bring others like me, who enjoy a lengthy read, into an environment that we had in the past when people USED to do this shit for fun and sometimes personal development. I don't get how you think my wish to restart these types of conversations somehow goes against the interests of our community. It seems to me you just want to oppose anything that jumps in and tries to ignite a bit of change in the way things are.

2) The fact that people are taking the way I use the word "intellectual" as a self-righteous marker that I think of myself as the Einstein of BC Furs is hilarious. What the hell is wrong with wanting to bring back discussions where people actually use their brains to bring up points and arguments instead of whipping out the "you're stupid, this post and its maker are fucking retarded," remarks? Sue me if I like having debates and conversations over topics that ask for a little more than a simple one-sentence opinion; but rather, ask for people to get together and talk about things in detail, gather and mingle on facts and individual beliefs so that someone might learn something, or might change someone's viewpoint on an issue. I don't use "intellect" to draw a line between dumb people and smart people; well-worded essay masters and net-speak messenger jockeys. I use the word to describe the topics that are MEANT to pick peoples' brains, ask them to think, share knowledge and points-of-view. Not everybody enjoys those kinds of topics; and just the same, not everybody enjoys quick-post threads with almost zero feedback. Don't mistake it to mean that anyone that chooses NOT to participate in those conversations is stupid and unsophisticated.

TL;DR:

-I apologize for my default nature of being blunt and harsh and I mean no offense in my words. Ever.
-I am only inviting those who DO enjoy lengthy conversations to start discussions of their own and participate in those already available. If you don't like it, no probs. Keep doing what you're doing.
-I never use the words "intelligence" or "intellect" to categorize people into stupid and smart, or to classify myself as a superior in the IQ level of my peers. I use them to separate the conversations whose specific purpose is to invite debate and to pick peoples' brains from those who provide a simple outlet for people to get in a quick word and be done.

[Neox]

I can see what you are trying to say Neox, however, despite the fact that you think having those types of discussions would be beneficial for newcomers I would say that it is actually detrimental.

Newcomers will join forums so that they can meet some new people, make friends, have fun conversations, ect. It can even act as an escape from reality sometimes. They will not want to have intense political discussions where members are going to rip their opinions to shreds. That's not very welcoming at all. It's going to be very off-putting to new members and you will scare most of them away. Perhaps for members who are familiar with each other and have known each other for a long time these kind of discussions are okay, but even then I will avoid them myself.

You may enjoy those types of conversations and debates, but then there are also those who don't. Me, for example. I absolutely loathe debates. Does that mean I don't have opinions? No. Does that mean I am any less of an intellectual? No. It just means I simply don't like arguing, so I avoid it.

I don't know how much my opinion is going to weigh since I am new to these forums, but that's my two cents.

That's perfectly valid, and I agree with you. But in my more recent post, I outlined how it's not that I'm trying to get EVERYONE to participate in these types of conversations. I have no problem perusing the forums and occasionally jumping into a small discussion where people are just chatting away. The difference is that we USED to have good, lengthy debates about stuff in the General boards, and I kinda miss that. I used to spend a lot of time here getting to know people through their opinions and debates. Now it just feels like this place is primarily used for posting events and the occasional post about some current event. If I could have it, I would love that some of the sleepers here in the forums could start posting again, make themselves known and start up discussions again. This is just my own call to action aimed at those who would receive it. =)

[Vukasin]

That's perfectly valid, and I agree with you. But in my more recent post, I outlined how it's not that I'm trying to get EVERYONE to participate in these types of conversations. I have no problem perusing the forums and occasionally jumping into a small discussion where people are just chatting away. The difference is that we USED to have good, lengthy debates about stuff in the General boards, and I kinda miss that. I used to spend a lot of time here getting to know people through their opinions and debates. Now it just feels like this place is primarily used for posting events and the occasional post about some current event. If I could have it, I would love that some of the sleepers here in the forums could start posting again, make themselves known and start up discussions again. This is just my own call to action aimed at those who would receive it. =)

Yes, your more recent post has made everything more clear so I understand what you are trying to get at now.

My apologies for the misinterpretation.

[Neox]

Yes, your more recent post has made everything more clear so I understand what you are trying to get at now.

My apologies for the misinterpretation.

=P No worries! I was typing up that post while you posted yours. Hehe.

[Kai-Wolf]

I agree it would be nice to see some more activity on this forum. We have it for a reason, yeah? Using it for actual social encounters (conversations) would be good. I've noticed many people's attempts to get advice or meet people on the forum has been met with responses of "go to the weekly meet" or what have you.

I'm new here, and not really into massive, high-stakes type debates, but still enjoy the occasional chat. I'll admit, I'm definitely the type who acts with caution so as not to step on any toes. But I don't think there's anything wrong with it - we are all different as individuals, and I wouldn't want it any other way.

And it's now a day late, but happy birthday, Neox!

[Tef]

Unfortunately, many of the similar points Neox pointed out could be said about the BC Furs Chat Lounge and its Backroom counterpart. Both chats have been more or less dead for months now.

[Star Wonder]

Unfortunately, many of the similar points Neox pointed out could be said about the BC Furs Chat Lounge and its Backroom counterpart. Both chats have been more or less dead for months now.

I've never used them. Not in all the years I've been on BCF from when I deleted my account way back when to this point.

But ...heh.. I was staring at the title "You're all dead" and now just realized we are all Zombies!

[RainRat]

[admin] Responding to reported post: I'm giving KermodeJay a warning for personal attacks, and deleting that branch of the thread. I certainly do want to hear constructive criticism, so I'm not deleting anything else, nor locking the thread. [/admin]

[Silvermink]

Unfortunately, many of the similar points Neox pointed out could be said about the BC Furs Chat Lounge and its Backroom counterpart. Both chats have been more or less dead for months now.

Everyone pretty much moved to the Paws & Claws chat, which is reasonably active.

[Star Wonder]

Everyone pretty much moved to the Paws & Claws chat, which is reasonably active.

...lol... I laughed...cause you said pretty much everyone... but then you said "reasonably active". XD It made me laugh. Over 1500 people on this forum... *snickerfits*

I'm so over tired...forgive me... I am finding all sorts of things amusing.

[Silvermink]

...lol... I laughed...cause you said pretty much everyone... but then you said "reasonably active". XD It made me laugh. Over 1500 people on this forum... *snickerfits*

I'm so over tired...forgive me... I am finding all sorts of things amusing.

Yeah, by "pretty much everyone" I meant "most of the people that used the two older chats".

[Tef]

Ahah, indeed. I got into the Paws and Claws chat quite recently, so I was pretty much living under a rock for quite a while. XP