Post by BlueAndGold on Jan 24, 2020 1:23:32 GMT
An Internet Fairy Tale True Story
Once upon a time there was an internet discussion board where Happy Hobbyists congregated to discuss their common interests and offer help and information to all who came, whether they were advanced in their knowledge or the rankest of beginners. It was a safe, quiet, happy, comfortable place which drew devoted members and participants and grew healthy and strong for many years.
Then one day, the Political Monster raised its ugly head and the arguments ensued. Divisions fractured the membership and the tranquility was shattered.
Thankfully, the discussion board had a resident Junkyard Dog who was more than happy to bark loudly and scare the monster away. Many of the Peaceful Residents learned from this exercise and lived happily in their discussions of the hobby topics of interest to all. Common ground was peaceful and productive.
Soon though, the Junkyard Dog became addicted to his taste for member blood and became overly-zealous in his defense of the board. At the very hint of a posted idea with which he might disagree he would launch lengthy and viciously vindictive tirades on the unsuspecting poster. (The Junkyard Dog was crotchety and opinionated and retired so he had all day and night to construct his lengthy diatribes. This became his new hobby and obsession, in the name of Protection of the Board from Invading Whackjobs.)
Unfortunately, the Junkyard Dog was a relative of the Board Owner so none of the administrators or moderators were allowed to shoot the offending beast to preserve the limbs of the many unsuspecting visitors and prospective members who crossed his arbitrary boundaries and fell victim to his bite.
Many long-time members shrank away and no longer participated in the discussions for fear of these public attacks. Membership stalled and began to subside.
A pair of Caring Administrators counceled Junkyard Dog that it was nice that he shared his opinions and it was great that he chased the true bandits away, but he didn't need to rip the friggin' arms off of everyone who came to the board.
Junkyard Dog took the advice to heart for a whole week - or maybe a month, but once a Junkyard Dog, always a Junkyard Dog and by now the damage to the board was done. In short order, active membership dwindled from many hundreds to less than a handful.
Then the Board Owner burned down the board for there was no one left to hold its roof up.
The End.
Readers can take three good lessons away from this story. Or they can choose not to.
The Storyteller has seen elements of this story happen more than once and doesn't care to see it again.
Once upon a time there was an internet discussion board where Happy Hobbyists congregated to discuss their common interests and offer help and information to all who came, whether they were advanced in their knowledge or the rankest of beginners. It was a safe, quiet, happy, comfortable place which drew devoted members and participants and grew healthy and strong for many years.
Then one day, the Political Monster raised its ugly head and the arguments ensued. Divisions fractured the membership and the tranquility was shattered.
Thankfully, the discussion board had a resident Junkyard Dog who was more than happy to bark loudly and scare the monster away. Many of the Peaceful Residents learned from this exercise and lived happily in their discussions of the hobby topics of interest to all. Common ground was peaceful and productive.
Soon though, the Junkyard Dog became addicted to his taste for member blood and became overly-zealous in his defense of the board. At the very hint of a posted idea with which he might disagree he would launch lengthy and viciously vindictive tirades on the unsuspecting poster. (The Junkyard Dog was crotchety and opinionated and retired so he had all day and night to construct his lengthy diatribes. This became his new hobby and obsession, in the name of Protection of the Board from Invading Whackjobs.)
Unfortunately, the Junkyard Dog was a relative of the Board Owner so none of the administrators or moderators were allowed to shoot the offending beast to preserve the limbs of the many unsuspecting visitors and prospective members who crossed his arbitrary boundaries and fell victim to his bite.
Many long-time members shrank away and no longer participated in the discussions for fear of these public attacks. Membership stalled and began to subside.
A pair of Caring Administrators counceled Junkyard Dog that it was nice that he shared his opinions and it was great that he chased the true bandits away, but he didn't need to rip the friggin' arms off of everyone who came to the board.
Junkyard Dog took the advice to heart for a whole week - or maybe a month, but once a Junkyard Dog, always a Junkyard Dog and by now the damage to the board was done. In short order, active membership dwindled from many hundreds to less than a handful.
Then the Board Owner burned down the board for there was no one left to hold its roof up.
The End.
Readers can take three good lessons away from this story. Or they can choose not to.
The Storyteller has seen elements of this story happen more than once and doesn't care to see it again.