What would you like to discuss today?
 

Defining the TFP.

Ok let's start basic. The TFP is a community.
Ok, now what is our purpose? We are here to harbor social enlightenment.
Enlightenment is an elitist word though, and it may not work well it today's politically correct society. Perhaps a more general word could be used... maturity.
Ahh.. now it sounds like a harbor for fuck-ups.
How can I describe this social experiment of mine?

Well, Hal, it's an evolving community, for sure.

I think most would agree, after a while here, we are changing for the better.

An experiment in social collaboration?

An opportunity for people to discuss what's on their minds? A place where you can get philosophy and titties at more or less the same time?

To paraphrase one of my favorite books,

"Sometimes you shift much sand and rock to find the nuggets, but the nuggets make it all worth it."

-Robert A. Heinlein


And so I believe.

It appears to me as a vehicle to share common interests

Take the cop-out.

"It's a social experiment beyond description."


But now you sound even more elitist or "hippie-ish" ;)

well, how about if we accept the first part, duckduck, and work toward a description?

...to determine the right amount of authority and freedom needed to inspire a self-policing and responsible community

...struggling to balance personal responsibility and freedom with authority and rules...

...nudging it periodically toward positively transcending its current level...

Didnt the Romans have a 'forum'? Do forums (or is it forii?) not provide for our basic need to socialise and create and renew the 'network connections' which give us a sense of belonging in a society? I suppose we are pack animals by instinct and have a need to form a pack or 'community'. Maybe the tfp members have subconciously elevated Hal to the alpha-male role?

With so many people living alone and with fewer extended families living together it is natural that people should use the internet to emulate physical forums.

I think the inclusive plural of 'forum' is 'fora'. However 'forums' is so much more understandable.

I think one's ability to get up and leave a community at any time puts more pressure on we as the administration to provide a better environment. To say people conduct themselves into a community automatically is assuming too much. A lot of work has gone into getting people to talk with eachother, especially here on the TFP where we aren't really tied together by a common trait.

What people project is their responsibility - not the responsibility of those upon whom they do their projecting.
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Thinking and talking about it while we build it is fun.
I am a collaborator. That's what I do.
This is one of the places where I am able to collaborate and where doing so yields positive and inspiring results.
Alpha males and females, if there are such things, can work together if they want to.

So, the TFP is something different to everyone involved. That makes it that much harder to define.

the TFP is fast becoming a wonderful yet fragile thing. The hard work you put in is very much appreciated by all members I am certain . . . . . and not underestimated.

I guess the biggest challenge and dificulty is fine tuning the balance in keeping the forum as open and 'uncensored' as possible, whilst ensuring that respect and fairness is maintained between members and preventing the forum becoming an arena for flame wars. I dont envy you the task . . . . particularly as many threads are on emotional topics about which feelings can be very strong. I recently had a mild 'locking of horns' with one of the Mods and was extremely impressed by the way the matter was handled. The easy option would have been to just ban me but by making the effort to explain the position the Mod in question de-fused the situation with diginity and mutual respect, thus ensuring that I remain a member and continue to post . . . . and now with a better understanding of my duty to consider how others might read my posts, and yet retaining my right to make my own opinion felt