vpFREE2 Forums

musings on pleasant conversations

#1

I want to make a point about moderating threads.

I firmly believe that if any group of people are going to have
pleasant civil conversations, those conversations need to be
multidimensional.

Friendships are built on common interests, we are all here because of
a common interest. When people have dinner parties, the host does
not moderate the table chat.

I am of the opinion that if people are left to there own accord, and
participate in threads (conversations)of interest, and ignore threads
(conversations)of no interest, a more relaxed atmosphere would be
enjoyed by all.

Think of it this way folks, when you are at a dinner or a cocktail
party, the guests will almost always break up into little
conversation groups. There is no reason we cannot do the same here.

Bad manners and poor social skills are usually self limiting. The
population at large will ostracize the offenders, and they will move
along of their own accord.

To my way of thinking, a person saying they are offended my a thread,
is like a person saying they are offended by a television show. If
you don't like it, change the channel, or in the case of e-mail,
create a filter, and you will never be bothered again.

Brad Humelsine

#2

Brad,

I understand your sentiments and to a very limited extent I can agree
with them. However, there's a very large issue concerned here. Let
me use your analogy:

Brad wrote:

To my way of thinking, a person saying they are offended my a thread,
is like a person saying they are offended by a television show. If
you don't like it, change the channel, or in the case of e-mail,
create a filter, and you will never be bothered again.

The problem has to do with the reason why most members come here. If
I tune into CNN and find myself watching a half-hour of Tom and Jerry
cartoons, then I'm going to be frustrated and upset. Most people
"tune in" to vpFREE to read and discuss vp related topics and have no
interest in wading through, or filtering out, extended unrelated threads.

I agree with you in that the people around here are largely a decent
and fascinating lot who would make for entertaining discussion at a
dinner party. Frankly, however, there are more appropriate social
forums if you're looking for that type of participation. This group
should be kept on topic (vp). As others have written, hopefully that
could be achieved without complete moderation of member posts.

- Harry

#3

--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "Harry Porter <harry.porter@v...>"
<harry.porter@v...> wrote:

Brad,

I understand your sentiments and to a very limited extent I can

agree

with them. However, there's a very large issue concerned here.

<snip>

I belong to a number of groups that cover a variety of topics. The
video poker groups are the only ones where friendships do not seem to
be a part of the fabric of the group.

Now it could be due to the fact that playing VP is by it's very
nature an anti-social activity. Unlike being a participant in other
recreational pursuits Playing a video poker machine allows a person
to sit in one place and never have to interact with anyone if they
don't chose to.

I enjoy seeing people snipe, and make light of friends and
situations. Laughter creates a common bond among people. My
observation is that a little more light heartedness would go a long
way around here.

Brad Humelsine

#4

<<The
video poker groups are the only ones where friendships do not seem to
be a part of the fabric of the group.>>

I have many many friends from the VP groups. I think people make friends online just like they do in real life. We choose to be friendly with those that have posts with a non-argumentative and non-hostile tone and with those who seem to share common interests with us. It's back to what I said awhile back: by one's posts, you define yourself. There are some posters I don't care to meet because they talk rude, make insulting remarks, put others down, puff themselves up to sound important, etc., etc. - all characteristics that I don't admire and therefore I don't try to develop friendships with these persons - online or in person.

···

____________________
Jean $cott - "The Frugal Gambler"
Order autographed book, cassette tape, and the new
   Frugal VP software at http://www.frugalgambler.biz
Read Frugal Fridays at http://www.lasvegasadvisor.com

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

#5

<<The
video poker groups are the only ones where friendships do not seem

to

be a part of the fabric of the group.>>

I have many many friends from the VP groups. I think people make

friends online just like they do in real life.

<SNIP>

I think that view is a little narrow. I tend to be more open minded
about people and their viewpoints. Life has taught me not to judge
people by their writing ability. I have friends who are as friendly
as could be. When they sit down to write, they sound like an ax
murdered. I have also met a person or two who could woo the last buck
from your pocket, in writing, and scare a junk yard dog in person.

I like to deal with people face to face. Spoken word, body language,
and voice inflection tell me very quickly what kind of personality I
am dealing with. You need to remember Jean the art of putting the
written word to paper in terms of the personal letter is almost a
dead art. I chalk up much of what I read here to that.

Some folks like diplomatic friends others like honest friends. Not
being a diplomat, I choose friends who are honest to a fault.

In parting: your enemies will tell you things your friends are to
polite to tell you.

Brad Humelsine

···

--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "Jean Scott" <queenofcomps@l...> wrote:

#6

I heartily agree with Jean. We have made some excellent friendships with
people we "met" on a VP group. It is such that we have actually adjusted
vacation schedules to be able to meet. What I also find very interesting is
that in one sense we are quite dis-similar from some of these people. In
one specific case we are much different in age and have different interests
and backgrounds. Yet to a major extent that diversity is what makes the
friendship so special. Friendship is often cultivated by "being friendly"
even with people with whom we may not agree on everything.

Someone said...

<<The

video poker groups are the only ones where friendships do not seem to
be a part of the fabric of the group.>>

SNIP from Jean's reply.

I have many many friends from the VP groups. I think people make friends

online just like they do in real life.

···

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jean Scott" <queenofcomps@lvcm.com>

#7

For those who like Celine Dion, but don't want to pay the outrageous price
for her show, may I suggest the Riviera's "Night at La Cage" female
impersonator show. The actor who plays Celine also plays Cher. By the way,
there was a story on him the other night on the local news. Besides this
job, he's also a kindergarten teacher! Anyway, this guy's impersonation of
Celine (as a very haughty diva) is a hoot, and the show is much cheaper than
seeing Celine herself.
-- Steve in LV