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Deleted member 23845
Guest
Interesting question, what use TWT Forum, and the participants (yes there are people behind all the posts) ?
Ok, I am going to uncork a bit here. I came and went to two motorcycle forums in the past four to five years. One was a local Houston forum, composed mostly of young riders. I participated a lot when I was new back into riding. And, I learned a LOT about freeway riding, general strategies, safety and such. Yet, I found the forum culture to often be just plain nasty. Negative commentary and snark were common, and Admin could care less. After a series of pretty nasty and rude comments on my questions and experiences, I just left, good bye.
Next was the Moto Guzzi forum as I ride one of the gorgeous Italian transverse V-twins. I did my very best to be a positive contributor. I learned a lot about the quirky bikes. Even met up with some local members and for nearly five years participated, had fun and made some virtual friends. About a month ago an Admin and several members got into trying to force me into attending a rally upcoming early this October. I wanted to go, I really did, but I have prior commitments and priorities. And longer distance riding on my Guzzi is very hard on my body. Nobody cared, and pressure mounted that got beyond my tolerance. So, unfortunately, I got very angry and deleted my account and left. I have mixed feelings, but in the end: were they friends? Were they kind? Were they tolerant of who I really am? Did they respect that at age 62 I might just be able to manage my own life? Nope. Very frustrating experience. I am still angry and disappointed.
Same experience with a personality type forum. Very difficult and wounding experience. Many of the forum participants I considered close friends, and yes I had seen them multiple times face to face. Admin turned on me, deliberately misunderstanding the written posts without context of facial and body language-- and allowing some members to go on vicious attacks. So, I left.
So, what is different here? I see an Admin enforcing respect. Christian values are applied. I think that TWT is a better place? Time will tell. Simply hold each other up. Do unto others...
As an introvert, I struggle at times with face to face meetings with new people. Large groups can really intimidate me. And this from a very mature retired guy, who has trod the Sahara sands of Tunisia, Libya and Egypt and drilled $150 million wells and raised a family and stayed married almost 30 years. Many do not "get" introverts: groups and small talk can drain our energy dramatically. But, we can be great to have around as we actually listen, are usually deep thinkers, and great story tellers in the right setting.
Enough I guess. Thanks for listening. Remember that even a few kind words can make a huge difference in someone's life. And words, like an arrow, once loosed -- cannot be taken back. So be careful when you speak or type.
Ok, I am going to uncork a bit here. I came and went to two motorcycle forums in the past four to five years. One was a local Houston forum, composed mostly of young riders. I participated a lot when I was new back into riding. And, I learned a LOT about freeway riding, general strategies, safety and such. Yet, I found the forum culture to often be just plain nasty. Negative commentary and snark were common, and Admin could care less. After a series of pretty nasty and rude comments on my questions and experiences, I just left, good bye.
Next was the Moto Guzzi forum as I ride one of the gorgeous Italian transverse V-twins. I did my very best to be a positive contributor. I learned a lot about the quirky bikes. Even met up with some local members and for nearly five years participated, had fun and made some virtual friends. About a month ago an Admin and several members got into trying to force me into attending a rally upcoming early this October. I wanted to go, I really did, but I have prior commitments and priorities. And longer distance riding on my Guzzi is very hard on my body. Nobody cared, and pressure mounted that got beyond my tolerance. So, unfortunately, I got very angry and deleted my account and left. I have mixed feelings, but in the end: were they friends? Were they kind? Were they tolerant of who I really am? Did they respect that at age 62 I might just be able to manage my own life? Nope. Very frustrating experience. I am still angry and disappointed.
Same experience with a personality type forum. Very difficult and wounding experience. Many of the forum participants I considered close friends, and yes I had seen them multiple times face to face. Admin turned on me, deliberately misunderstanding the written posts without context of facial and body language-- and allowing some members to go on vicious attacks. So, I left.
So, what is different here? I see an Admin enforcing respect. Christian values are applied. I think that TWT is a better place? Time will tell. Simply hold each other up. Do unto others...
As an introvert, I struggle at times with face to face meetings with new people. Large groups can really intimidate me. And this from a very mature retired guy, who has trod the Sahara sands of Tunisia, Libya and Egypt and drilled $150 million wells and raised a family and stayed married almost 30 years. Many do not "get" introverts: groups and small talk can drain our energy dramatically. But, we can be great to have around as we actually listen, are usually deep thinkers, and great story tellers in the right setting.
Enough I guess. Thanks for listening. Remember that even a few kind words can make a huge difference in someone's life. And words, like an arrow, once loosed -- cannot be taken back. So be careful when you speak or type.