daBaroness
08-03-2005, 01:57 PM
The Harry Potter thread took and interesting turn (at least to me) that got me thinking about the IWG Web site, and specifically about the message boards and why, after checking e-mail, www.wench.org is always my second stop on the Internet. Here's the question that kicked my brain into gear and a few thoughts ... share yours as well!
I understand why these threads are posted, but my question is...why do we continue to revisit an old subject repeatedly?
One could well ask this question about every single response to every single thread on these boards - we do see a lot of revisiting of old subject matter here - from FAQs about the guild to current events to visiting faires to garb to requests for thoughts and prayers. That's what these message boards are about - discussion, expression of thoughts (new and old) and a chance to share with a large online community of generally like-minded people.
We don't always have the answers or solutions to the questions and issues we discuss here. And one person's solution isn't always another's. But I for one have always been happy I've got a place to vent, share and ramble about things that interest, concern, alarm, terrify or delight me. For the most part, we've always been able to express those wide range of emotions, thoughts and opinions without being toasted, flamed, ridiculed or run off the boards - and there aren't a lot of places like that.
Granted, we've had some tense moments, a few hurt feelings and some pissing contests - but overall when you think about the number and variety of strong-willed, opinionated, passionate and convicted wenches (OK and rogues) we have here - I think this is a remarkable, unique and awesome venue. And I love the fact that we have the opportunity to express ourselves in such a supportive environment. On the few occasions where people started getting slammed for their personal views and opinions, the members managed to quell the rhetoric and guide the collective back to a place where even if we disagree with another's opinions, we respect their right to have and express them without being cyberly beaten.
Some may think the courtesy demanded and shown to be a bit wimpy, or somehow a throwback to a time when women were expected to keep their mouths shut if they disagreed. I wholeheartedly disagree with that particular thought - all of us ought to be able to express our wide range of emotions, thoughts, feelings and share our knowledge without the stress of having to do battle.
Politeness, courtesy and civility are grossly underrated and underpracticed these days - and certainly not synonymous with being spineless. In fact, I personally believe some of the greatest examples of strength, courage and conviction have been shown by people who stood silently in the face of great adversity and let their actions speak for them. Ghandi comes to mind ...
The feminist part of me loves the fact that we have a place here where we can express ourselves and disagree with one another in the most complimentary of female ways - using our intelligence, our passion, our compassion, our self-respect, our respect for the rights of others and a sharing of a unique sisterhood. There are too many important issues out in the "real" world that require us to do battle on a daily basis - defending our opinions, our thoughts, our beliefs: fighting for simple equality in many facets of life including women's health, pay disparity, decent and affordable child care and housing ... I for one find it a great relief to log in here, read about current events, laugh at the fluff, create and sustain friendships, get a sewing question answered and even ramble endlessly about something as (in)significant (your choice) as a work of fiction and the religious community's reaction to it.
Thank you for being that place ... each and every one of you! And if we occasionally rehash an old issue, I just try to remember it's helping someone get a load off their mind and heart for even a few moments.
Huzzah to all of us!
I understand why these threads are posted, but my question is...why do we continue to revisit an old subject repeatedly?
One could well ask this question about every single response to every single thread on these boards - we do see a lot of revisiting of old subject matter here - from FAQs about the guild to current events to visiting faires to garb to requests for thoughts and prayers. That's what these message boards are about - discussion, expression of thoughts (new and old) and a chance to share with a large online community of generally like-minded people.
We don't always have the answers or solutions to the questions and issues we discuss here. And one person's solution isn't always another's. But I for one have always been happy I've got a place to vent, share and ramble about things that interest, concern, alarm, terrify or delight me. For the most part, we've always been able to express those wide range of emotions, thoughts and opinions without being toasted, flamed, ridiculed or run off the boards - and there aren't a lot of places like that.
Granted, we've had some tense moments, a few hurt feelings and some pissing contests - but overall when you think about the number and variety of strong-willed, opinionated, passionate and convicted wenches (OK and rogues) we have here - I think this is a remarkable, unique and awesome venue. And I love the fact that we have the opportunity to express ourselves in such a supportive environment. On the few occasions where people started getting slammed for their personal views and opinions, the members managed to quell the rhetoric and guide the collective back to a place where even if we disagree with another's opinions, we respect their right to have and express them without being cyberly beaten.
Some may think the courtesy demanded and shown to be a bit wimpy, or somehow a throwback to a time when women were expected to keep their mouths shut if they disagreed. I wholeheartedly disagree with that particular thought - all of us ought to be able to express our wide range of emotions, thoughts, feelings and share our knowledge without the stress of having to do battle.
Politeness, courtesy and civility are grossly underrated and underpracticed these days - and certainly not synonymous with being spineless. In fact, I personally believe some of the greatest examples of strength, courage and conviction have been shown by people who stood silently in the face of great adversity and let their actions speak for them. Ghandi comes to mind ...
The feminist part of me loves the fact that we have a place here where we can express ourselves and disagree with one another in the most complimentary of female ways - using our intelligence, our passion, our compassion, our self-respect, our respect for the rights of others and a sharing of a unique sisterhood. There are too many important issues out in the "real" world that require us to do battle on a daily basis - defending our opinions, our thoughts, our beliefs: fighting for simple equality in many facets of life including women's health, pay disparity, decent and affordable child care and housing ... I for one find it a great relief to log in here, read about current events, laugh at the fluff, create and sustain friendships, get a sewing question answered and even ramble endlessly about something as (in)significant (your choice) as a work of fiction and the religious community's reaction to it.
Thank you for being that place ... each and every one of you! And if we occasionally rehash an old issue, I just try to remember it's helping someone get a load off their mind and heart for even a few moments.
Huzzah to all of us!