To any and all

A few things to consider about coming to a new forum, or in commenting in general.

There are some people who like to give an agreeable voice. Kind of like saying "hear, hear" or "well said" to a position they read. And they'll offer it to anyone they agree with, or at least like the way it was said. Some do just the opposite and just mock or insult others they don't agree with, but add very little else. Others on the other hand if they see what they were about to say has already been said, or has already been countered, they won't say anything more. Silence may be there because they have nothing more to say on a matter, or don't think they can say it any better then it already was. Or it could just be a lack of interest, or a sign of maturity to not get involved and just walk away from what you don't agree with or don't want to rehash (even if they never hashed it out here on OLO.

There are several people I've read their perspective and had nothing to contribute to it. But I was grateful to have that bit of perspective to consider. O SUNG WO, you count as that kind of person for me at least. I don't have anything to contribute to the topics that you know about, because I've known very little about them. Still I enjoy reading what you usually share.

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Others come to bumps heads. Those comments that are rude either just want to say nothing more then to mock; or shout like they are the only voice out there to point out what's wrong. Their tone against lies, against other people are often bitter and personal. Both kinds of commentary are hard to resist saying something back. Somepeople avoid these kinds of comments all together. Staying silent on a subject they are interested in because they don't want to get involved in rehashing it all with the same bitterness that comes with it. That said, I've noticed if someone has an actual criticism to something you believe or something you say, (they aren't just talking crap for the sport of it), then take it into consideration at least once. You can try to ignore all the comments after that, but at least once consider if their crap calling has merit. It sucks to receive criticism in any form rude or otherwise. But sometimes they were right, or at least they had a point even if the conclusion is still not your own.

Newcomers or not, most of you that respond regularly are going to continue on with each other until you get sick of someone to the degree that you can't stay any more. BELLY, with that in mind I get what you're saying about feeling like you're being followed and don't want more of it. I left a forum because of a few commenters that would ride on anyone who said a Christian comment, or had said one in the past. They took it as if it was their duty or their joy to disrupt, and harass those they deemed crap people and crap opinions. I left eventually, because that grew from a tolerable one annoying person to at least five, and seemed to be a growing number of people poised and ready to pounce on anything they deemed "stupid."

For what it's worth Belly, if I've done that to you, where you feel I've followed you and harassed you, then I'm sorry.

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Last thought to consider. Though newcomers might bring in fertile thoughts or perspectives, they can just as easy bring in trash or the things that make you cringe. More people doesn't mean better topics and conversations. Chances are, no matter who a newer person is though, there is already someone here who bitterly disagrees with them or hates how they post. When I first came on, I came to a subject that I thought was important, and I think I pissed off at least three posters by just being there saying what I thought should be said. Since then a few others had the same reaction.

With that in mind if a person isn't sparked to fight back they might just leave. Think about that. This is a forum of people who persisted through the bitter and angry debates. The people are probably fighters and debaters more then not. That is the crowd. Those that aren't fighters and debaters might just give an occasional "well said" or "that sucked" and offer nothing more. Sorry but that's just what I see.

That said, all of that is regarding responses people give in an already made topic.. not for opening posts to a topic. The more active people you have, the more topics that will be started (hopefully). But the conversations themselves might not change. Try to make peace with those you're likely going to bump into regularly. Or at least make peace with what you're getting involved with by continuing on. Bitterness dies slowly. Both for you, and the person you don't get along with.

Not-Now-Soon, you have never offended me, in fact even my detractors for the most part have not
I have been trolled, by four, two of whom I can take it without pain
A third has improved his posting after a brief hysterical period
I no longer read his posts period
Now for this thread
A read of my post history this month, will show I left a thread I started to avoid my tormentor
Went close to both leaving this thread [one aimed only at asking why we do not see more new posters]
I KNOW my response is wrong
KNOW I should just not read toxic stuff
Know too this part of this site needs a look at
I intend to continue to not post in threads that are those of my problem child
That in its self IS A form of censorship, self motivated but show me another way
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Now in real life we still have opinions, thankfully, why would an others opinions be reason to start a hate campaign?
On logging in this morning I was the only active member here
But I took the time to read the bottom bit *new posters*
Did they all go to the top section, or did they not want to stay around, I too am a veteran of other long gone forums, know your description is true
But here is just part of my problem, after taunting I put my whole name true address here, my detractor still claimed I was the Allan Bell [is it] that posts above
A host of claims and charges followed from three of the four, things if said in front of me would put this old man on a war footing
So let it rest but I HIGHLIGHT my freedom to post in some threads has been taken away [by my intention to avoid confrontation]
And in the end my detractor needs a look at him/her self

nns,

A reasonable attempt to stop the dogs barking, but they will continue making a lot of noise: Belly with his victim syndrome, and that woman, the only poster to bother defending him. I see her name, but scroll on right past because, after years of her know-it-all nagging, I know what she is going to say about everything and everyone. She's just a cracked record. She's enough to send anyone running from the OLO. But, unlike 'brave Belly' I can ignore her.

I don't intend to say anymore on the ridiculous subject of why anybody new doesn't come or stay, except to suggest that people might just be disinterested in OLO or might never have even heard of it. The many possible reasons are not the business of a couple of sad sacks who need to, but never will, get over themselves.