Politics in Forums

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Fishton

Sealiner
In today’s stressed out world it is tough enough trying to keep the peace within our own families, people we love.  So when it comes to social networking such as here at Sealine, and other on-line forums, with the number of members and as many personalities, it’s highly unlikely that we ALL going to get along, ALL the time.
 
When you have been an active member for long enough, you will get to know the various members and their personalities quite well.  It’s a bit like getting to know the authors of various novels you read, some you will like and some you will not, depending on your own character and what you find appealing or not. 
 
The same applies to forums, so if an ‘author’ / member’s style is not ‘appealing’ to you, stay away from it, it’s going to raise your stress levels and it’s just not worth it. 
 
Reading a newspaper can be an extremely stressful thing when hearing about murder, rape, corruption, fraud, abuse, all the things we are coming to regard as ‘every day life’ here in South Africa. 
 
Now imagine if at the end of every write up in the newspaper that made us angry, or pulled at our heart strings in some way, there was a button,  “REPLY”.  Just think about that for a second.
 
Newspapers are full of what we call ‘politics’, but isn’t it amazing how many are sold every day?  Sure, many people buy it for business updates on the market, the classifieds etc.  But the bulk of us buy it for the ‘dirt’.
 
When it comes to social networking, we brand any negative posts as ‘politics’, but isn’t it amazing how active these posts are?  Don’t feel bad, you are perfectly normal, it’s our nature. 
 
If a post is about politics, and it’s not your thing, don’t continue reading, go find another post about some guy whose 3 year old son caught his first blacktail or something.
 
The bottom of the sea bed type replies on a forum is when a member has a big moan / gripe about politics.  You are now making more ‘politics’ about ‘politics’.  How is that in any way constructive?  It’s like going to an accident scene, blocking another lane with your vehicle, going over to the ‘silver blanket’, lifting it and saying “Ooooooh! Damn! I hate seeing blood and dead people!” 
 
So if you are not in a ‘recovery vehicle’, or a ‘doctor’ – STAY AWAY!  And let other people that CAN help, get in.
 
 
 
S

skrops

Sealiner
Yip agree, very good post.

No need to run away from Sealine, just don't read the 'politics'..........
 
A

AndriesH

Sealiner
I will disagree. (I'm still p-off at GERT)

Debate is a good and healthy way of 1stly, removing doubt, 2ndly, uplifting opinion and points of view.

Where I do agree though is that such debate should be conducted in a manner reflecting the spirit of the forum you participate in and that respect for another person and another opinion always must be maintained.

I will not stand by and allow friends and the like of Sealine members to be challenged or impersonated (though it ended up being the same person) such as just happened, that questions their integrity.

I will not stick my head in the ground and claim - this does not suit me - and look away.

I am Sealine just like every other member here and looking away is not going to contribute to a solution.

Mutual respect for the forum and it's members as well as meaningfull contributions - even when raised by means of debate or question, will contribute to the growth of Sealine.
 
J

jace

Senior Member
Hi andries

I also tend to agree with you. In any form of social groups be it a company,family or religious grouping there are organisational dynamics. In these areas conflict always arises. The only way that conflict is resolved is that it is discussed OPENELY and with the mind and not the heart.

It has become mans ability to debate and rationalise discord that has led to many conflicts being resolved. On the opposite side of the coin there are instances where non resolution has led open conlict, wars and family seperations.

The head in the sand approach often leads to hidden feelings. And I am sure we have all been there in some form. Something happens at work and we are kept in the dark . We run that over and over in our head. Start adding two and two and getting five.

We as the human race cannot get rid of these and other feelings. That is why both pshcologists and phys make lots of money. They LISTEN. Problems be they implied or real need to be talked about and sorted out. There are always in Organisational Culture a means to resolve problems. In Industry we have Grievance Procedures. In Life we have Councillors and Priests. Man always need conflict resolution.

This Is not the only forum in the world that has problems with members. There will always be someone who is not happy. It is very easy to take the attitude..if you want please do go somewhere else. Note that a lot of us have been to sales seminars. The cardinal rule that is drummed into us...For every  one unhappy customer we know about there are at least 10 we do not know about.

It has become apparent if you sift through all the threads of these members we label as troublemakers ..there is unlying issue. I DO NOT condone their actions but I believe that issues raised must be resolved. Every Un resolved issue becomes a thorn in the side of the growing membership. There was a post yesterday by one of Sealines Expert saying he had enough and was leaving. He also stated that potential sponsers to the site..read our discontent and will walk away.

I do not what the issues are but clearly it has effect a lot of members over the last few days. We can continually look at this and indicate we are just a fishing forum. Know that you have over 500 active members from different backgrounds and each with his/her outputs. In the interest of clarity ( not being Sexist ) note how difficult it is for two women being in charge in one Kitchen. So here we have a few rules and 500 members..there is NO way conflict will not arise.

Whether you are fishing in a club or any other club for that matter...show me one such gathering that does not involve politics of the mind. A majority of people leave such clubs because of POLITICS. This type of Politics is part of the human mind. It cannot be left behind or forgotten. The Good Clubs/ Organisations realise that and have learnt how to manage politics. They have also learnt how to use Politics to their advantage. Note Politics takes a lot of effort in any organisation. Find a way to channel that into positive mode then you have a great club/organisation / family etc.

rdgs

Jace

 
 
D

dirkc

New member
I work at a newspaper in Gauteng and you wont believe how the sales goes up when we put posters up with the word "Sex" . As they say "SEX SELLS". But i agree, negativity attracts negativity. If the fish dont bite, rather ask advice on how and where to get the fish than coming up with millions of negative reasons why they dont bite. I am new to this site and in the past few weeks have learnt alot from other members, and this forum is very important in growing the sport of fishing and educating new anglers. I'm sure if someone publishes a book on fishing with all the tips and help from this forum and its members they will have a bestseller.(book must be called Sealine)
 
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