DFogg Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 Hi All, I am often conflicted when I moderate the forum. On the one hand, I enjoy free ranging and spirited discussions, on the other, emotions quickly boil over on the internet and folks get riled up and before they can control themselves it spills out. The result is always uncomfortable for those who are not involved in the dispute because of all the negativity, those who are involved are often so angry that they leave the forum and we all lose a member. So, it has been my policy to intervene immediately when tempers rise. I will contact parties privately and ask that things be toned down, if that fails I will suspend or delete the thread. If members are so angry that they can not restrain themselves from reinjecting their anger, I will ban them from the forum. The result of this policy on my part, I believe, has created a forum that is a polite, constructive, and supportive community. I am conflicted when there are good topics, pertinent to our subject, but destined to be inflamatory. At those times I feel like a censor and it is uncomfortable for me. Not only am I forced to intervene, but I am aware of the danger of creating a bland and uninteresting community. It would be of great help to us all if when you begin a thread that you suspect will fan the fires, that you do it consciously, with the intent of constructive discussion, and that you do not contribute to or engage in angry and insulting responses. I think a good rule of thumb would be to not engage in any behavior that you would not truly do face to face, in public. This is a public place, we get a lot of traffic and you create an impression in the public mind by how you respond here. It can be positive and constructive or it can hurt you. Behave yourselves and be the best you can be. God I feel like a Dad. Don Fogg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacques Delfosse Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 yes, Sir! you can feel like a Dad...our Dad ! a good one... thanks, Pa ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Sexstone Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 Don, like Jacques says. You are Dad.... thank you!!!!!! dick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Attwood Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 fully understood (I think)!! we should practice more self censorship and more self control when confronted with an emotive subject and respect Don's position and responsibilities and the conflicts that, that some times raises with Don's sense of ethics, inner peace and tranquility. Don shouldn't have to be put in this position. "When our eyes see our hands doing the work of our hearts, the circle of Creation is completed inside us, the doors of our souls fly open and love steps forth to heal everything in sight." Â Michael Bridge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeremy Vaught Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 Sorry if I fueled the fire in that thread Uncle Don! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SIXFOOTER Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 Don, I beleive you do an excellent job moderating this forum, it is absolutely the most polite one that I frequent. This is a good thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clay Walker Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 Don, We all have bosses at some point, the wife, customers, a work boss. Around here Don is the man in charge. I appreciate his efforts to keep the forum on an even and positive keel. I have to agree whole heartedly with Don. I love this forum in part for its polite and thoughtful discussion of bladesmithing. I would say if you are the fiery type and love a good fight. There are a couple of branches of the military that can always use a "few good men" or women. I guarantee they will provide you with all the opportunity you need to get fighting out of your system once and for all. Clay Walker Ragnarok Forge When your a Bladesmith, Stupid Hurts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Lawrence Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 (edited) This is the only knifemaking or bladesmithing forum that I support or participate in. I'm here because I want to learn about and discuss the making of blades and their accessories. I must admit that when the conversation becomes rhetorical, and generates more heat than light, it is a bit entertaining, confusing, and uncomfortable all at the same time. It appears that some have much more combustable and disposable energy than I. For now I am consumed by the fire, the hammer, and the anvil. The Bladesmith's Forum feels right. It must have something to do with Don's fatherly way. Thanks Don. Edited February 20, 2009 by Art Lawrence "My sword and my shield are at your command" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David D. Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 Thanks Don. You do an awesome job of modding this place! We would be a lost crazy bunch of rude hooligans without ya! This crazy little community definitely needs a Dad and you are no doubt a grade A+ Pop! I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend" J.R.R. Tolkien www.CedarloreForge.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Potter Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 Well said! Thanks for doing such a great job! I really apprietiate what a friendly place this is thanks to your modderating. Ben Potter Bladesmith It's not that I would trade my lot Or any other man's, Nor that I will be ashamed Of my work torn hands- For I have chosen the path I tread Knowing it would be steep, And I will take the joys thereof And the consequences reap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Keyes Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 I agree with all of the above, and if I overstepped myself, I apologize to everyone. Geoff "The worst day smithing is better than the best day working for someone else." I said that. If a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing badly. - - -G. K. Chesterton So, just for the record: the fact that it does work still should not be taken as definitive proof that you are not crazy. Grant Sarver Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hÿllyn Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 (edited) Well I didn't get to read the flames if there were any after my comment, but whichever way I maintain I would not hold a grudge against anyone if any insults were aimed at me. It's a shame it gets to that sometimes but I suppose it is just the eternal job of tempering oneself day in and day out to be able to live in a world where other people exist. I too am uncomfortable with Don having to do this, so I apologize to him if I "soiled the cage" as we say here. Edited February 20, 2009 by Hÿllyn Grey hair and alopecia are signs of age, not of wisdom... Rósta að, maðr! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bennett Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 I apologize for starting that thread. I should have kept it to myself and not posted when I was upset. Sorry Don. Sorry all. Jerry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Leavitt Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 I'm not sure what happened in that thread but if I contributed in any way please accept my humblest apologies..... I'm truly saddened that my actions may place you in an uncomfortable role as a censor/mediator. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Lester Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 Whether we are reading or writing a post it would be good if we (and I am most assuridly including myself) remember that voice inflection is not included which could make our message come across a little differently than we intended. Maybe we could wait a little before we posted back. This has saved me from making an ass of myself (one of my more indearing qualities) on several occasions. Doug Lester HELP...I'm a twenty year old trapped in the body of an old man!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DFogg Posted February 21, 2009 Author Share Posted February 21, 2009 Thanks everyone for the support, it means a lot to me. Don Fogg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Kelley Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 WOW! I musta missed something...and I'm glad I did. Don, you do a fantastic job of both keeping the peace and lending advice PRN. I love your forum and because of your attention it runs very well. Civility and common courtesy are traits sadly lacking in today's society but by and large the people on this forum seem to do quite well. If anyone really wants to rant and roar I suggest they go over to Whine & Cheese on the Blade Forum and indulge themselves to their heart's content. Thanks for the superb job you're doing, Don! Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Attwood Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 Thanks everyone for the support, it means a lot to me. this is a place of spiritual peace and tranquility, and it reflects the inner spiritual peace and tranquility that I perceive is inside you, Don. A word on the parental aspect, from someone that has studied a bit about transactional game analysis; Don't ever become a parent on here because parents bring out the children in others. Always maintain & encourage the attitude of adult discourse, and you encourage the adult to come out in others. I can think of another site that I used to belong to, where the parental position taken by some of the moderation team had a very negative effect upon the tone of the forum. The more parental the moderation team became, the more unruly and undisciplined became the members. besides, I could never see you as a Dad, you're not older than me by enough "When our eyes see our hands doing the work of our hearts, the circle of Creation is completed inside us, the doors of our souls fly open and love steps forth to heal everything in sight." Â Michael Bridge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.Arthur Loose Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 We love you, pops! jloose.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Thomas Obach Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 ;) North Shore Forge & Ironworks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B. Norris Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 Don, There is a reason this is the one place on the internet that I feel at home. Thank you! You set the tone here and do an extremely good job of it. Without your presence it would just not be the same. ~Bruce~ “All work is empty save when there is love, for work is love made visible.” Kahlil Gibran "It is easier to fight for one's principles than to live up to them." - Alfred Adler Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kristopher Skelton Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 So, dad, can I borrow the car next Friday? I haven't always agreed with some of your decisions at the time, but I've always seen your point and thought you were fair. Like several others this is the only bladesmithing site I frequent and often I check in just to get away from whatever stress stuff I'm doing- it's very Zen, if I may approach cliche. Even if I can't afford time in the shop I feel like I'm learning while I'm here and for me that's progress. I appreciate all the work you put into this place and that you allow us to run around basically self-supervised. I do apologize for my parts in the recent threads that you've had to delete. Thanks Don. Kristopher Skelton, M.A. "There was never a good knife made from bad steel" A quiet person will perish ~ Basotho Proverb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Hoffman Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 Hi Guys, Just a quick bit of information. I've found that after I write a response to something in a forum, I don't send it for at least 15-20 minutes. I re-read it, and if it's non-inflammatory, then I'll send it. Hopefully this process keeps me from firmly placing both feet in my mouth. Don is to be complimented for running a forum which is polite, informative, and occasionally allows a little silliness. It's the place where I've learned a great deal and made some friendships. Can't get much better than that. Thanks, Don! Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Sheffield Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 Bill I think I'm going to adopt that if you don't mind. I'm too quick to comment, when I should just let it alone. My life is like shaving with a razor sharp machete. It's a bit awkward and I feel a sting every now and then, but in the end I'm happy with the results. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C Daniel Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 out of all the forums i've been to, none of which were smithing, i might add, this is by far the only one where i've not seen flaming, or a moderator intevention, every 2 minutes. i love the feel of this forum, because when people know what they're talking about, they share their opinion, and their opinion is respected, instead of questioned or flamed. i think don's done a great job of moderating and wish more sites were like this one. oh, by the way, can i have a raise in my allowance? i only need 3 things to be happy: my girlfriend, my forge, and fruit juice. Casey W Daniel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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