Rule of thumb.. Which works anywhere in the world for all cultures.. Treat people how you want to be treated.
Originally Posted by xtrem
My general rule(s). . .
- HAVE FUN AMID GENERAL FOOLISHNESS: I poke fun at myself and with friends at myself, my foibles. I do not suffer fools, bullies and other excrement easily. . .(does NOT pertain to present company).
- BE RESPONSIBLE: I count on people to say what they mean and mean what they say, and take responsibility.
- BE COOPERATIVE, SUPPORTIVE.
- IN THE FACE OF OPPOSITION, SEEK THE WIN-WIN. Only a fool refuses to seek the win-win. With a fool (like Hitler), DRAW THE LINE.
- DEFINE THE BOUNDARY: In the face of conflict, identify the issue and its boundary, draw the line, toe the line, hold the line. Do NOT seek 'peace in our time at any cost' for the sake of expediency. Do not cow to the demands for political correctness. Peace at that cost is too expensive and an illusion at best. It is true at the UN, in Austin, in City Hall, and this community, too. The dynamics of communities transcend borders, real or virtual.
- KEEP AN OPEN MIND. Sometimes a strategic retreat (lose the battle) is in order to win the war.
- LEARN FROM MISTAKES, mine and others. I do not insist on making all my own mistakes (i.e. to repeat others' mistakes knowingly).
- ACCEPT 'STUFF' AS PART OF LIFE IN THE BIG CITY.
- HELP THE CLANTON GANG TO FIND THEIR WAY OUT OF DODGE CITY.
- DRAW THE WEAPON IF NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN ORDER.
Make of it what you wish.
I began this open thread with the staff seeking some discussion; and have come away with something else altogether. I defined a general not a rhetorical topic (LIMITS) seeking some perspective from a general discussion, not seeking to tie it in to a previously
CLOSED THREAD. I had myself requested the CHINESE FLOWER thread be closed; and I had hoped it would die with my adversaries having the last word.
But I guess not and I get
your (pl.) message. And I am surprised by this response from staff. I come away feeling like some have taken cheap shots in these thread. Am I injured? Not in the least, but your stock with me has gone down, not that you care, not that it matters I suppose. So I hope you feel better for it like the others, thinking you have the last word.
My style is my style. It is my less traveled road.
My less traveled road is not for everyone. I am not here to please a lot of people, mainly the providers I meet and my clients who provide my income.
My less traveled road is not for everyone. I owe no one an explanation, nor a defense. However I am willing to engage in a civil discussion in private among equals of whatever tenure in eccie.
IN THE FACE OF OPPOSITION, SEEK THE WIN-WIN.
"Limits" is a topic I shall continue with the MOD's in private if they wish, or not. Their choice. It is not about me but about the community.
"Limits" is a timely topic since a community without limits is destined to become an abusive and chaotic community.
The Mission Statement says we will not find a lot of rules. I agree.
But there comes a time to define what kind of community you (MODs and Owners) wish to maintain or grow. With growth -- especially the rapid growth with the demise of ASPD and other newbies-- will come conflict.
Identify the base values.
Brain storm the situations -- role play the situations -- prepare for the storm or crisis of conflict which comes to every growing community.
Prepare some 'police' policies, remedies and penalties,
Publish it as a Vision Statement to describe in S.M.A.R.T.* terms for all to read and understand.
(*Specific.Measureable.Attaina ble.Realistic.Tangible terms)
If you do not do it of purpose, some one will do it for you through chaos and conflict.
It is your choice.
FINALLY, (and I know you are GLAD) EXPECTATIONS:
I give everyone the same respect I desire and expect. Regards being a newbie, I did not just jump off the turnip truck. For ANY 'old timer' to claim some privilege based on his tenure in this site is absurd to me. The only 'privileged' characters are the MOD's and Owners, and that by vested authority, NOT BY TENURE. For anyone to think they will squelch me by invective or otherwise makes me smirk.
When you disagree with me, let's talk about it -- i.e. the issue -- in private.
Let's NOT hijack a thread to hash out a disagreement. Let us not prresume to know what the other person feels or needs. No one can REALLY know what another person is feeling, only what he himself might have felt in a similar situation. No one can be the expert for another person's needs.
Anyone who really thinks he knows what another person feels or needs is in error or deluded. There may be room for discussion if he is willing to listen to that person as a sounding board and help him clarify.
If he insists he knows, he is arrogant or manipulative and not to be trusted.
Since YOU injected that closed review [CHINESE FLOWER] into this thread, I will not rehash it, but I will say I erred in my heated responses. I let htownhammer and Horsefly get my goat. My bad. The only way to keep the Devil from getting your goat is to not let the Devil know where you have your goat stabled. I erred and you saw the result. My bad.
I ought to have told those obtuse persons that I did not feel the need to "reaffirm" what I had stated in the review and confirmed to in a previous post.
I might have clarified the description as "Karen-ish" or similar.
But to be told I ought to confirm or
recant?!!! Hardly.
Only a MOD has authority to demand that from someone. When last I looked, htownhammer was no MOD, and Horsefly had two posts and no reviews.
Why do they get a pass? I do not wish a reply from anyone.
It is not a topic I wish to explore. It is one topic which is closed in my mind, an exception to Rule 6. Some things do NOT need to be reconsidered.
Peace.
rr