Thoughts of a Fool: Community and Commerce, or why I'm worried...

Don't be so predictable, Nolan.

Foolish, I think you're being a bit disingenuous here. You used Prok as an example precisely because he has such a bad history so you could point out that everyone has their good side also. Correct? If he wasn't such a controversial person he wouldn't have suited the point you were trying to make. You seem to be taking it rather personally that some people don't accept your argument when it comes to that specific example. You gave an opinion and they're giving you theirs in return, and backing it up with their own reasoning. That's the nature of discourse. None of you are wrong. I too found your example rather ironic since by far the most prolific source of disruption, hatred, and bad behavior in the history of these forums was Prok, for which he was permanently banned. The forums are nowhere near as bad now as they were then. Not by a longshot. Having said that, I do get where you're coming from. I just don't personally agree that it's as bad as you're painting it.

Yes, yes, and beleive me when I say employing vagueries while speaking "above" everyone else is a coward's act. What a thoroughly disappointing revelation.

Personally, I don't think anyone who is allowed to post here is at their "worst", and it's not about personal gratification, project much? It's about speaking one's mind. It can be that simple, hard as it is for you to understand.

Most folks have fun here too, good with the bad, yin and yang. I would think you of all people could understand that.

Zen masters don't stand in judgement, they strive to understand and grasp the greater meaning.

Nolan, I'm not getting into an argument with you. Also, zen masters know that there ain't no such thing as a greater meaning.
Friendship should not depend upon being listed in someone's friend's list.

You offer me too much credit. I used him because he bought Botany's Grove as a preserve, and I knew about it. I know about the shelter too, but know no one in charge of it right off hand.

I mentioned Prok's name because he has the Grove, and I made the Grove, and I LIKE the Grove. So, you could call it an issue with me talking about what I know.

Just consider this: I'm stupid enough to have not considered his history at all, pretty much was taken by suprise at the negative backlash, and reacted poorly to it when I got accused of things that had failed to cross my mind as an issue.

Regardless, I can't work around it at this point: The subject is too heated. All I've learned is that I DON'T mention Prok's name unless I want the subject of the discussion to BE Prok, and only BE Prok.

Anyway, When I start getting messages of condolances from Prok for 'stepped into THAT one' I figure I need to beat a hasty retreat and give up.

You offer me too much credit. I used him because he bought Botany's Grove as a preserve, and I knew about it. I know about the shelter too, but know no one in charge of it right off hand.

I mentioned Prok's name because he has the Grove, and I made the Grove, and I LIKE the Grove. So, you could call it an issue with me talking about what I know.

Just consider this: I'm stupid enough to have not considered his history at all, pretty much was taken by suprise at the negative backlash, and reacted poorly to it when I got accused of things that had failed to cross my mind as an issue.

puppet

Well, being a yearling now, I feel that I can actually see trends and patterns in the SL community that I would not have seen except over the passing of several months.

One of the first things I have noticed, is that walking into the forums, in general, is like walking into a bloody KNIFE FIGHT! Seriously, if people are not sniping at each other for every imagined slight or warring against their personal hate of the week, they're complaining about just about anything they can find.

I'm not saying that some of this is normal: People just don't get along sometimes. The problem is, the amount of crap-throwing is increasing in direct relation to the decrease of interesting discussions or themes. The same people who were happy and friendly just a year ago have become bitter as of late, and those who have not are often brutalized for voicing a happy opinion or thought!

What happened to us?

Where are the fun projects? Where are the folk who just like to sit back and talk for a bit, enjoying others company? Where is the debate without anger, hatred, and nastyness?

Even LL is not immune: In the last year, I have watched as communication between the Lindens and Avatars dropped off to nearly being non-existant! Keep in mind, that's compared with them communicating ALOT before. Have they stopped talking with us because of problems on their end, or because they just got tired of listening to us chop anything that get's close to pieces?

I don't know, and what's more, don't know if it's possible to fix it. Sadly, when married friends of mine start having this problem... Well... Let's just say they didn't stay together long.


Another side to this is the general idea that community and business are juxtiposed in a war of some kind. It never fails that I hear some kind of anti-business sentiment, either subtile or cruel.

They aren't seperate, and they ain't opposed.

Let me point out an example: Many of you are familiar with Botany's Grove? Many of you have wandered there to see it and enjoy the way it looks?

Guess who is maintaining it now? Prok Neva.

He eats the cost to keep that build up because he likes it, and he knows others do as well. When we wanted space to have a May-Day festival last year, he provided the land and free vendor spots for people with relevant items to sell.

And his other businesses helped to pay for that. My building business also payed for some things that had to be done.

Business is not bad for SL just because you can't SEE what good it does for SL. Without business, you would not even HAVE SL.


I don't want everyone to get into a group hug, or even to LIKE each other. I just want you all to look back on your posts for hte last year, and think: Was I like this before, and do I WANT to be like this now?


And to Linden Labs: Communication IS a key to success in what you have made here. I know you guys get busy, and that joining a conversation is sometimes like walking in front of a firing squad some days, but seriously consider this.

Without communication, it will only get worse. Priority's change, but don't forget that being a part of the community you created is chief among them. There was a time when Lindens could be seen wandering the world all the time. I rarly see one anymore.



Anyway, enough ramblings for this week. Just let me get my asbestos underoos on and...