Here is my take on certain subjects like guns and politics and religion. I don't think they belong here. I can go to all kinds of other forums to get in a bout of keyboard bravery with just about anyone anywhere on the Net, day or night. I firmly believe it is childish to intentionally invite disagreement, especially to relieve boredom. Nobody will change their mind on core issues and all that follows is without benefit to anyone. It draws lines in the sand... then you have to decide which side of the line to stand on. The interest and knowledge regarding razors and shaving is an untouched iceberg for all we can learn without going through the disappointment of discovering who we don't like because their views are so far on the opposite field as our own. Do you honestly think a Jewish person would go to a skinhead picnic just because they both like a BBQ steak? No they won't... they will go to a different picnic. And, oh yes, I can dislike someone who is on the other end of the spectrum than me... easy. Although I try very hard to be civil to everyone, I can also jump in the middle of someone's chest when I feel they desperately deserve it. I also never say anything that I wouldn't say to someone's face. A quality desperately lacking in some keyboard warriors, I might add. (an srp reference) I have my own very strong views on all those volatile subjects and actually left srp, in part, because I discovered there were too many people over there whose core beliefs I despised. So why in the world would I keep going back to a place that just got me all fired up and angry all the time? And then they want to know how to remove rust from a razor? I don't think so. If I wind up disliking someone, why in the world would I want to help them out with the little I know? I'm not that big of a person. Ignore them? Right. "Don't look at the dead cat on the side of the road, dear." What happens next? I certainly lost the desire to share what I knew with the bunch as a whole because of a dozen dinkweeds. Why should I contribute? For the most part those guys over there are great. Lynn has worked really hard to give a tremendous amount of himself to the razor community and I feel badly that he has to deal with issues like he is now. He certainly doesn't deserve it. My thought is that a handful of malcontents are tearing the place down trying to wear the overcoat that belongs to a real intellectual. I think they should start their own forum and get out of Lynn's hair. Therefore, I will try my best to avoid those hot topics here at the Den. I still haven't looked at the Guns thread and I won't. I don't want to wind up disliking any of you. That goes double for political threads. I can easily accept someone as a friend who has different beliefs, but I rage when they tell me I'm messed up because I have some of my own. Although I really like this place so far, I don't need to be here to be a happy boy. I can get with arguing about the Velva or which lure to use on a fishing trip all day long, but I will hate you forever if I found out you had a huge picture of Jane Fonda in your living room... So there is no misconception, I think Mark is a stand-up guy and don't find what he has said objectionable at all. I just don't think I'd like this place much if it wound up with the problems that srp is currently enjoying.
I just didn't want you to think my tirade was directed specifically at you with any intentions of injecting venom.
Agreed. Bill you are very true. I never thought of complications stretching beyond the thread itself. Most of us have our opinions, and probably aren't gonna change easily. I'm gonna call a meeting with the staff, and put our heads together on this one. It is our intention here to make things fun. Charged topics may stand to do us more harm than good. Give us a couple to think this one out gents.
Please don't let me be a reason for changing anything y'all want to do. I'm only one person with a lot of gas bubbles most of the time. Like I said, I'll be ignoring those topics like the plague, anyway. I think I remember something about you guys giving the option to not have certain forums show up on the individual accounts when they sign in. I think it had something to do with the dirty jokes or whatnot. Make one called "hot topics" and then give us the option to ignore that it is part of the site. I don't even know if that's possible, but it sounds cool. That will definitely make the argumentative snot-noses happy as well and they can tick each other off to their little heart's content. They can all pretend they have the answer to life... only to be corrected by someone else who really does have the answer. You could even give it a catchy title like "foolish banter" or "No, dude. You are so wrong." In the end, though, there will be folks who wind up not liking each other. I'm a going to be avoiding that dance, thank you very much.
A separate political section that can be ignored is a good idea and "No, dude. You are so wrong" as a title is an even better one. What I found these past few months is that most of the controversial threads on shaving boards were actually very Americano-centred, which is not surprising since all these forums were created by Americans and the vast majority of their members are Americans (and the European ones are mostly British). As a person in his late 20’, I only know Jane Fonda as an American actress my parents may or may have not seen in movies and a 70 year-old woman that makes advertisements for French cosmetics (with a strong American accent). I did not know Hanoi Jane was still controversial across the pond.
Hell, Bill I do know you! Your Billy's blades Bill!! I emailed you and expressed my sorrow over you selling the SRP LE And that you were, in my opinion, treated poorly by a couple of members over there! Good to see you Sir! Mark Avery
I remember you as well, Mark, which is where the stand-up thing came from. I wasn't going to push it cause I know I am easily forgettable... :sad023
I kind of understand why SHAVING forums like to have heated OT threads. Most of us are here for shaving, then we get confortable and talk about Pipes Cigars Cutters Knives Guns Golf Clubs Fountain Pens Hot Wings Cheese Stakes Football Ping Pong Bikini Waxing :rofl ::ban The political banter is soon to follow, whey do we talk about these things? Because we feel comfortable on shaving forums to talk about whatever we want. However in the Wardroom no one speaks of Politics or Religion, why? So a game "put up yer dukes" dose not break out (probably why I am Enlisted).
Y'know, I must be gone when we talk about the really good stuff. Hey, that might show up in the women's shaving forum...who knows?
