What can we do?

[Denim Deb]

Dear Diary....

That's what MY journal is for me. I can NOT tell you how many times I have gone back through my journal to find dates when things happened. I enjoy conversation with other folks who might have a response to something I've said...a suggestion.. a shoulder in some instances...

@Mini Horses is right. When folks respond to a posting it's like having a conversation with someone. I don't mind at all if my journal takes a turn because of what someone said about something. I never feel like folks are butting in. Many times they have good suggestions.

It may be boring for some folks... I have one of those boring lives, lol! I don't do daily posts many times because not much has happened in my life. Other times I might post several times a day... just because, lol.

I don't 'do' facebook either.

That's just it. For many, the journal is kind of like a letter to a bunch of pen pals. You're keeping them posted on what's going on in your life and hope they'll respond. I know I've posted pics of things that I worked on-and had no one respond. That was very discouraging, especially since someone else posted pics the same day and got all kinds of responses.

I've read post from people that were extremely discouraged because, other than myself, no one was responding to their journals. They basically felt that what they were posting wasn't important to people. And those that had almost no response ended up leaving. Responding to a journal gives some people the validation that they're looking for. If they're hurting, they want to know that there are people out there who care.

 

[MoonShadows]

Granted, I have only been a member for 3 months, but I have not seen the attack spirit that you mention still lurks here, only people talking about it in the past and not moving on from it. People who attack should be moderated, suspended or banned by the admin or moderator(s) in a properly run forum. These offenders need to see that they can either abide by the rules or they will be sanctioned or shown the door. If that is done, others shouldn't have any fear of expressing their opinions.

 

[sumi]

My thoughts, after reading this discussion… first of all maybe I should stop "lurking" and post a bit more on the journal threads, which I quite enjoy following. I think they are great contributions to this community, as they dig into the nitty gritty of homesteading and the day-by-day stuff, which is awesome.

The conflict and fighting, I recall one incident, which got sorted, I believe there were more in the past. There was unhappiness, many people sadly left. I have spoken to some of them and respect their wishes and feelings. I'm open-minded when moderating. I respect different people have different views and see and do things differently and we're not all going to agree on everything always. I just want everyone to keep this in mind, respect each other and IF something comes up and there is disagreements, to either agree to disagree and walk away, or just walk away. If needed I will intervene, so don't anyone feel unsure about sharing things, saying things, feeling they will get attacked for it.

From my side, I think we have a great community here and I genuine like each and every one of our small group of regulars that post here and I really enjoy your contributions.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I came here to learn

p.s. It's coffee KLATCH. For us SS'ers: A 'clutch' is a group of eggs laid at the same time.

 

[MoonShadows]

OPPS! I larned a new thing tonight. Thanks for edumacating me!

 

[sumi]

And, no one should ever walk away if being attacked on a forum. That is when the admin or moderator must step in. If they don't, the forum does not deserve to thrive since those running it don't really know or appreciate their role, and the forum will suffer.

What I mean with "walk away" is not respond and get into an argument/fight with the attacker, but stepping back, walking away from the attack, and letting a staff member handle it.

 

[MoonShadows]

I began in this forum reading journals, but I stopped because I thought they read like Facebook posts...this is what I did today, this is how I feel today, this is what is happening today. I see journals as just another form of Facebook, and find it amusing that most journal writers have already said "I don't do Facebook." Well, heck, they're doing it here.

Yes! Start a new thread if one of your goats has diarrhea. It's a new topic. Take a look at other homesteading forums; people discuss similar in new topics. I would probably read it then. Others might too. I think many potential members find journals intimidating, especially since 90% of the regulars have them and are so deeply entrenched in them. I think potential new members may be seeing this forum as a closed clique.

Bottom line...we can proceed here as we have, but then this forum will probably continue to have about a dozen active members. I have to be honest, there is a strong vibe of bias for the journals by the journal writers, and I can understand that, but this forum continues to only have about a dozen active members while other homesteading forums are bursting at the seams. You have to wonder.....I think the journals are counter productive to the spirit of a forum.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I would rather wait two days to have a response to a question than to dig through hundreds of toxic responses. So personally I prefer this small community.

Amen, sistah!

 

[CJ1]

I must of missed something.

I probably did. Since when I asked my friend what she needed as she screamed in pain and she responded "five shots of rumplements" and I said she can't so "Then take them for me"

So here we are. Me still not sleeping and five shots into the night with no sleep. So.
.....
.....

 

[frustratedearthmother]

So sorry you're having trouble sleeping. Ignore my rant please, lol. I just feel like somebody walked into my house and said 'it stinks in here' and somebody else said it's because 2 years ago the dog peed on the porch, lol!

Nevermind...it's just me being silly!