Cynthetiq

Those are all some interesting observations. While I know that the navel gazing is really stressful to me, it's when the discussion gets to the meat of why we interact the way we do, not just here, but I can start to imagine why high school or college wasn't fun (bullying and greek systems aside) if one doesn't participate.

I was at a wedding this weekend, it was one of the funnest weddings I was ever at, Skogafoss and I went as Professor and school girl, and another couple was a zombie couple, and the best was Lela and Bender. The whole night was fun until the dance floor opened and after about an hour, Skogafoss looked at me and asked what was the matter. I responded that I was bored because I know she doesn't like to dance, she just sits and watches. I like to dance. I like to dance. I like to dance. I find it fun and a good time to just move my body around. She told me to go ahead and dance, and I replied, "But I want to dance with you." After a few more songs, she got up and danced a slow dance with me to Righteous Bros. "Unchained Melody" While it fulfilled what I had said I wanted, it really wasn't what I wanted. I wanted some "Kick off your shoes Footloose" dancing.

So a friend of ours saw us sitting way in the back of the room and she said, "Why oh why are you two not dancing???" It was the same conversation, and Skogafoss said that she isn't prohibiting me from going. So our friend gabbed my hand and took me to the dance floor.

I had a great time dancing to about 5 songs and then I was just plum worn out.

Now I could have just sat back in the room and lamented that I wasn't participating or dancing with the rest of the folks. I wasn't part of the "in crowd". Ultimately I had a great time.

Now what does this have to do with this thread? It can't be forced upon people to participate. I can only remind people that they should participate, and invite them to participate and keep an open manner for them to participate. Ultimately, it is up to the individual.

MM, yes, you are right some of those that jump right in can show themselves are complete nutjobs. I don't that it's mutually exclusive but it is not much different to any interaction that we have with each other as human beings.

We're damned if we do and damned if we don't. I don't think that we're responsible any more than providing the framework. Unless a staff member actually does something to another individual directly like edit their post unfairly or troll them, we can't effectively be members first, staff second.

Wes, there is a simple dictation of interaction we put upon all users. Don't be an asshole, don't troll. Really should also be, "Don't just read discussions, you'll get more out of it if you add to the discussions."

We can't force people, we can just encourage.

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