While the following post is long, it offers an outline of my thoughts and refers to comments and suggestions offered by other members. The post can therefore, be read in sections. Please do not let the word count deter you from having a look.
Some of what I say could be taken personally by other members, however, everything contributes to where we are and the options that we have. I would be very disappointed if anyone felt offended by what I offer.
{~3030 words, in 2 Parts}
Thank You to everyone for your replies, comments and discussion regarding the progress and development of the thread;
@Appleblossom, @Bunniekins , @Peri , @Former-Member , @Anastasia ,
1stepup61 (acknowledged but not tagged by request)
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Thank You also to the members who have acknowledged the comments and posts of others with "Support"s;
@Emelia8, @Anastasia , @Clawde , @Appleblossom , @Bunniekins , @Peri , @Former-Member , @Snowie , @MDT , @Faith-and-Hope , @Alicat
@Emelia8, @Anastasia , @Clawde , @Appleblossom , @Bunniekins , @Peri , @Former-Member , @Snowie , @MDT , @Faith-and-Hope , @Alicat
In my post of *30 Nov 21 at 06.45 PM which was my last post before the one where I raised the question, as I see it, regarding the
“identity of this thread”
*Grumman Albatross Post {(on my screen) The post referred to postponement of the “Hangar” party and had a photograph of a Grumman Albatross “flying boat”}
I stated:
“Though aircraft and flying are obviously of interest to me, I would like to see other ideas presented on this thread. In that way, it may be seen as more widely, {interest and gender} inclusive. A place where we can talk about our own situations, concerns and issues that we face, but also a place that we can have some fun, while showing respect, courtesy and nurturing care toward each other. It is certainly in my thoughts and feelings, that the thread has functioned that way, for the greater proportion of its existence so far.”
To another member, I said
“I certainly hope that you do have an interest in air-craft, if not, I apologise for being quite so expansive.”
Our initial discussion arose out of the question as to whether my avatar was of an Albatros, referring to a German biplane of about 1917. Hence, my question about interest in air-craft, was:
"to query, or confirm her interest, or otherwise, questioning whether I had assumed too much as a result of that and another brief conversation??
What, I hope is apparent, is that rather than stifle conversation, I am keen to see discussion on the thread become more robust and broad based, in terms of topics and therefore more interesting and more gender inclusive. I also wish to protect a particular style, on the thread, that so far has seemed to have had appeal for quite a number of members.
However, what I would prefer not to see, is for the thread to become like so many other threads already existing on this forum site, which also cater for people with a variety of interests and forms of expression. A quick look back through the last 2 or 3 pages of this thread, I think, will show what I mean. I have already offered examples, which I do not wish to repeat again. Neither do I wish to point toward specific posts in order to demonstrate my meaning. Consequently, I am keen to see that not all the threads on the site be so fluid as to lose their identity, which I believe is likely, as a result of certain types of "fluidity", an issue that I believe is worth exploring. What I discuss in this treatise may also apply to other threads on this website and those on other sites too.
I think it is a question of identity. Some people will feel more comfortable in one thread, some in another. But if the style in one thread continues to dribble into another, it will not be long before the dribble becomes a flood and then the threads both become the same. One subsumed by the other. It is then likely that the members of one of the threads will have been alienated or isolated, and possibly leave the thread, and, by extension, possibly the forum. That is, unless they are just to be expected to fold into the new thread and new regime, that in effect has been changed from the purposes that those members had previously desired, envisioned and presumably enjoyed. So, to my way of thinking it is important that the threads are not all so fluid as to become the same; blended together in the same "tank" - read "forum". Surely, each thread meets certain desired style, format, function, presentation and structure parameters that any other may not. In this way, what I am really proposing is diversification, rather than the opposite, being condensation to a common denominator, which I believe will happen if everyone just goes with the flow.
{"Fluidly" and "Organically"}
My understanding is, in most forum sites, that it is the moderator's function and resposibility to see that conversations in threads and the responses and posts, conform to the initial purpose and intention of the thread. This ensures continuity for people participating as members of that thread. It is the style, format, function, presentation and structure that supports the content within the thread that is important in maintaining continuity. I know of at least one thread, on this forum, where members have desired that the implied or explicit requirements of the title of the thread should or must be adhered to.
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The following comments are replies, by me, to each member's comments and observations, which have been offered following my "Grumman Albatross post of the 30 Nov 21."
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@Former-Member
I noticed that you have had difficulties losing material that you had wished to post. It is a difficulty that many of us have had, including me. I have been very close to doing so while putting this piece together. If I had not had a couple of copies, I would have lost much of what I am presenting here in this post. May I catch up with you so that we can discuss how to avoid such losses?
I am sorry to hear that your daughter and you had a scare regarding her health. I hope that you and she are both ok. While you mentioned D's friend qualified as a paramedic, and your D graduated with high distinction, I'm not sure in which discipline it was that your daughter qualified; if you can do so, while retaining anonymity, would you mind letting us know please? In any case,
Congratulations to both your daughter and her friend.
@Former-Member , From your comment to @Appleblossom , I'm aware that there appear to be a few issues and stressors at the moment. You mention having trouble keeping up. There is no problem from my point of view or, I'm sure, that of others. If you like, we can look at where you are at and help out in any way that we can through our forum connections.
But, there is definitely no pressure. It is really important to use the forum for relaxing activity, as well as personal awareness and the mutual and reciprocal, nurturing support of each other. I think that it may, as I would hope, be a maxim of the thread and possibly in the forum, that;
"No offence taken, no forgiveness required; particularly with regard to replies."
We do what we can do, when we can, and only as much as we can do.
I enjoy your company, here on the forum, @Former-Member . I am very pleased that you are here
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I think that you have acurately understood my thoughts about "chit chat" on this thread.
Personally, I find the "chit chat" type messages tiresome, unimaginative and uninspiring for the most part, as may others (who might be afraid to say so}. That type of interchange is, I believe, a product of the "social media environment" in which, particularly younger people immerse themselves, but older people also. Many people have, unfortunately, become accustomed to it as a form of communication in their day-to-day lives. No wonder many people complain about being lonely.
On the other hand, I understand that others may probably find my style tedious and tiresome, - and there-in lies the difference.
Why should any of us be obliged to put up with the style, format, function, presentation and structure that may appeal to others, if it does not appeal to us, and 'vice versa'. That's part of the reason that I do not talk about planes etc., in other threads, unless it may be used to demonstrate a particular point, for which such analogy serves the purpose. There are plenty of avenues for "chatter", both in other threads on this forum, and other media sites such as Facebook, twitter etc. Unfortunately I consider that that type of banter and chatter is now dribbling, even flooding, not only into various threads, but this site as a whole. Hence my defensive position.
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@Appleblossom
Thank you so much for your post and greetings for singing - I was up at Aged Care this morning {2 Dec '21}, for the singing group with residents.
I was delighted with your reference to the Albatross in various music scores and definitely not "too left field". This graphic caught my eye:
The article on PTSD, prescribed medications for veterans and their effects, is something I will come back to. At the present time I am sorting through some of my past and present issues and hope, later, to be able to consider whether there are any similar civilian issues in parallel with studies and reports relating to military service and PTSD. I have one friend who has served in Afghanistan. We have not yet broached the issues of residual effects, though I am aware that he suffers PTSD in consequence of his service.
I really liked your observation and support for @Former-Member , and her daughter.
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To be continued in the next post: Part 2. @Appleblossom > @Bunniekins
