I've never developed good trolling technique, too much a waste of my time. But I have to laugh at the amount of effort put forth in this thread to discuss the discussion as opposed to the 'problem'.
Thanks for the laugh, but again, I'd rather put my time towards addressing the subject, not the participants.
Everyone keeps asking me "How." I am confused. Am I being invited to be an administrator?
I would have to sit down and THINK for awhile to come up with some "how"s. If I were an admin, I would do exactly that, but I am not, nor will I be, as I am not suited to the task and it would be insane to ever put me on staff.
So, my best chance to influence policy is as a regular bluelighter. The problem is, I don't feel confident that people really care what I have to say, so why should I bother?
With the structure we have, there are a limited few heads in the admin room. Yes, we have a lot of experience, but by no means are we omniscient nor omnipresent. As such, we generally are very open to ideas or suggestions from anyone. We can't think of everything, and appreciate the ideas generated by anyone willing to put forth the thought. A bluelighter may be limited in the extent to which they can enact a change (what they post, where they post, etc), but by participating in the discussion - and more importantly offering suggestions of 'how' then working with those in the thread on refining any 'how' suggestions....that's a real benefit. Btw, thank you for making the attempt to address some 'how', as I don't see too many other people willing to do this right now - either they are worn down by the times this question has come up, or perhaps they are more interested in arguing the words used to hold the discussion.
Alasdair has linked some previous discussions in SUPPORT on how the LOUNGE ought to be managed differently. Does any of that still seem relevant? Has anyone bothered to read it (aside from those of us who have lived it...repeatedly)? Has the place become worse (according to anyone who's been here more than 6 months, it is worse....it always is, regardless of when you joined and when that 6 month period runs out). So, there is the ever present 'it was better in my day' to which many of us have gotten sick of hearing - it evolves, but does it really get much worse? And if so 'HOW' can that be addressed, reasonably? I mean, one could squeeze it in an iron grip until it bled PLUR. Or one could shut it down completely, and commit a slow suicide by either killing off the sense of community that keeps us glued together or squishing that content into other forums where it is actually cracked down on harder. Then there was the question of creating a secondary forum, one more 'high brow' and less 'riff-raff' oriented, but that's never really been pursued because it doesn't address 'the issue'.
We say the forum is what you (collective members) make it with your content and comments. We say the mods, who have a helluva job to herd cats without stepping in cat shit along the way, are doing the best they can and they only act when something becomes egregious. This is where we are....and how we got to where we are. Relying on members to make content, and mods to clean up the shit. We've just culled a lot of the shit makers out of the place, so it ought to be a little better - a little less postwhorination all over the place and more breathing room for better content and comments. So, in that regard, we have actually done something. But can we do more? And what suggestions and ideas of 'how' can anyone else provide?
Anyone is welcome to continue to hold their view that the place is fine as-is, in equal proportion to those who hold the view that it is a blight that needs serious attention. However, your opinions are just that - opinions. For those that feel it is fine, is there an objection to any efforts to improve it, and would you have any? Even chocolate cake is better with some ice cream, so could the place be better and how? And for those that see it as a cesspool - share your thoughts on HOW it could be remedied or addressed. Don't just bitch and say it sucks, don't just shrug and say you'll live with (or love) the way it currently is for now....because in 6 months it'll have gone downhill in your opinion as well, trust me. Anyone and everyone is welcome to offer suggestions - and enact them to whatever your position will allow you. But at least offer the suggestions to those that can do more but may not be able to think of such ideas. All you lose is some thought for awhile, and what you gain could be a better place for all of us today and tomorrow (even if it's the best damn place on the web already!).
![:\](https://bluelight.org/xf/BL_Images/Orig_Emoji/wrygrin.gif "wry grin :\")
