14 replies to this topic

[GuiltyCol]

Given the recent off topic conversations on the "I'm a new member!" thread and a few complaints about it, I thought I'd start a separate thread here to discuss not the politics of those posts, but simply to debate whether non pyro topics have a place here.

So here is the topic for debate: Is this UK Rocketry forum:

A ) a place for pyro topics, questions, answers and facts to be exchanged? Or
B ) all of (A) plus a place to chill, hang out, and have a natter with like minded lads (and lasses?) where no subject is off topic?


To get us going, I'll start:

Whether it is or not now, I think the answer is (B ). Yes there is structure to this forum, with key facts and safety information readily available, and that must be maintained. There are areas that are categorised so that people only have to look in the places that they have an interest, and this is all good.

But for my mind, I'd like to think of this as a community of peers, a place where I can hang out and share my thoughts and experiences, both those about pyro and maybe if I chose, also those that are not. If no one cares to reply to me, that's fine. If someone is not interested in chat and banter, that's fine too. But because some people aren't here to discuss (say) the weather and if it's linked to global warming, why should others not be allowed that freedom? I think we already have a precedent for this in "The green room" forum, but that seems to be more about jokes.

Put simply, if I'm going to be spending any time here and learning and sharing about pyro stuff, I'd rather do it amongst friends that I've got to know from, well, just talking to!

Edited by GuiltyCol, 28 November 2005 - 07:05 PM.

[Ghost_Walker]

my thought was the "Im a new member" thread was there to introduce yourself and say hello, then move onto those posts which interest you the most...any non pyro topics should be in their own area.

just my 2 cents

Edited by Ghost_Walker, 28 November 2005 - 07:07 PM.

[Richard H]

Hmmm, a tricky one, It doesn't bother me too much. General discussion is the place to do it I suppose. Personally I think this forum is often used to discuss topics which are vaguely topical but not technical. Heavily off-topic stuff is rarely discussed IMHO.

Edited by Richard H, 28 November 2005 - 07:15 PM.

[sizzle]

I agree with Richard here, The Green Room was intended for non-pyro related discussions. People seem to think that because it's the "General chat and discussion" forum that it means you can discusss anything, it is intended for general pyro discussion.

[GuiltyCol]

The green room is the correct place to have such off-topic discussion.

Ok maybe I misunderstood Mark's post when he said:

And all this has exactly what to do with pyrotechnics ?

If you guy's want to carry on this conversation please take it elsewhere.. this is not the place for this subject as it is somewhat tedious....

Mark

Given the reference to pyrotechnics, I took "elsewhere" to mean not on the UK Rocketry forum at all. As a moderator obviously his opinion carries considerable weight.

EDIT:

Haha I just went to check the description of General Chat & Discussion and it says this: "General topics related or not to pyrotechnics." Did that just appear, or has it always said that?

The reason I went to look was that if you are saying that off pyro topic conversations ARE ok, then I was going to suggest that the descriptions of the General Chat and the Green room might be able to steer people in the right direction.

Edited by GuiltyCol, 28 November 2005 - 07:21 PM.

[sizzle]

Haha I just went to check the description of General Chat & Discussion and it says this: "General topics related or not to pyrotechnics." Did that just appear, or has it always said that?

Terribly sorry GuiltyCol, you are right, I must have misread it.

[Richard H]

I think it is getting to the point where it is confusing people. This will change soon with a bunch of other stuff.

[GuiltyCol]

Terribly sorry GuiltyCol, you are right, I must have misread it.

What's funny was that I hadn't noticed myself when I started this thread.

[The_Djinn]

Okay, a little clarity to my post or my thoughts around it.

Personaly I think the way the discusion was heading bordered on racism.. not between colour or race but based on geographical location and historic events.
If the discusion was left to continue I feel that it would have become more heated than it already was hence trying to nip it in the bud so to speak before things were allowed to get out of hand.

I dont care if the general area is for pyro or non pyro discusion but I do feel that there is a place for everything and as far as I am concerned this forum as a whole is not the place for the topic that had arrisen.

We are all members of this forum because we share an interest in pyrotechnics and it shouldnt matter where the hell we are from and no one should start drawing divisions among members due to geographical location / heretidge etc.

Mark

Edited by The_Djinn, 28 November 2005 - 08:48 PM.

[karlfoxman]

Okay, a little clarity to my post or my thoughts around it.

Personaly I think the way the discusion was heading bordered on racism.. not between colour or race but based on geographical location and historic events.
If the discusion was left to continue I feel that it would have become more heated than it already was hence trying to nip it in the bud so to speak before things were allowed to get out of hand.

I dont care if the general area is for pyro or non pyro discusion but I do feel that there is a place for everything and as far as I am concerned this forum as a whole is not the place for the topic that had arrisen.

We are all members of this forum because we share an interest in pyrotechnics and it shouldnt matter where the hell we are from and no one should start drawing divisions among members due to geographical location / heretidge etc.

Mark

Very well put Mark, i thought it was getting a little bit nasty. We welcome everyone that plays safe and we all are here to help and learn and we often have a jolly good laugh on the way!

[fishy1]

Okay, a little clarity to my post or my thoughts around it.

Personaly I think the way the discusion was heading bordered on racism.. not between colour or race but based on geographical location and historic events.
If the discusion was left to continue I feel that it would have become more heated than it already was hence trying to nip it in the bud so to speak before things were allowed to get out of hand.

I dont care if the general area is for pyro or non pyro discusion but I do feel that there is a place for everything and as far as I am concerned this forum as a whole is not the place for the topic that had arrisen.

We are all members of this forum because we share an interest in pyrotechnics and it shouldnt matter where the hell we are from and no one should start drawing divisions among members due to geographical location / heretidge etc.

Mark

"I generally hate the French, for the simple reason that it's in my genes and embedded in the English coulture."

that's not bordering on racist, that is racist.

[RegimentalPyro]

"I generally hate the French, for the simple reason that it's in my genes and embedded in the English coulture."

that's not bordering on racist, that is racist.

Actually no. It's not racist. Racism is the discrimination on the basis of *race*, and the French are not a race. Possibly the correct word to use to describe the hatred on the basis of Nationality is "Xenophobism". Now this may seem to be pedantic to the point of extreme, but we have to use language very carefully when dealing with matters of this nature. It's like the difference between "Nationality" and "Ethnicity"

Hmmm - "Xenophobe" - Even that does not really describe very well the love of the cultural dislike that encompasses what the English / French relationship is all about - It's very complex....No wonder we both refer to it as the "Entente-Cordial".

The bottom line is that it *is* somewhat irrational, and politically incorrect, but to deny it exists is to destroy our shared heritage, and I aint prepared to let that happen. Now I suppose this opens the doors for swarms of Frenchies to start calling us dirty "RosBif's". Ah well - So be it. Vive la difference!

I still say we make better fireworks....

[GuiltyCol]

My god, you guys are taking it waaaay too seriously!

that's not bordering on racist, that is racist.

Ok hate is a strong word, I think RegimentalPyro said it better when he called it: "the love of the cultural dislike". It's all a bit of fun, poking fun at the French and latterly Brussels is a part of what makes up our English culture, and whether you like it or not, there are elements of our culture that's are ingrained, as I demonstrated before.

it shouldnt matter where the hell we are from and no one should start drawing divisions among members due to geographical location / heretidge etc.

Well of course it doesn't matter, jeez you'd have thought I'd have said that all Scots should be decapitated at birth or something! Though I must confess to being at a loss about how exactly there were divisions being drawn?

Very well put Mark, i thought it was getting a little bit nasty.

Ok I guess that sums up the previous posts. So I'd just like to draw your attention back to my original post where I said: "For the record, no offense intended, but I just love a good argument! " If that's not clear in some way, let me try a few other phrases: "It's a friendly debate"; "I'm just sparking a verbal jousting match"; "This is in jest"; "I'm not trying to hurt anyone's feelings".

Now I don't mean to be rude, but I think you have blown this completely out of proportion. However I am aware that the written word is not a particularly good way of getting your point across, especially where there's subtleties like sarcasm and irony involved. So yes, I can see how you got the wrong end of the stick. So, if I've offended anyone about anything, then I apologise wholeheartedly, whether he be French, or Scots.

I'm neither a racist, nor a Xenophobe, irrespective of whether they are the right words or not. But I do like to poke fun at French culture. Just like I like to poke fun at anyone who can take a joke and poke fun back. I like to call it "banter". There are only a few better ways to pass the time than having a good natured debate where the opposing sides' arguments are fueled with mock indignation. So to be clear, if I ever do find the need or desire to be writing vitriolic posts here, I will leave no doubt about my intentions and if you think the original thread was nasty, then you've been fortunate to live a sheltered and serene life and I envy your tranquility.

However, I will say I have learned my lesson and it will be a while now before I dare to have a bit of fun on these forums again. Which is a shame I think, as there's no better way of getting to know people.

[Draco_Americanus]

Hmmm what word in general would define the dis taste for humanity?
Afterall we know that I am dragon, my family's gold is gone and I am forced to hide away and live in mobile lairs. On top of all that my blood line used to be that of a scotish dragon. It could be said that humans striped us of our very scales and force us into driving substandard cars.
ohwell what'sa dragon to do...mmmhmm...

[The_Djinn]

GuiltyCol..

None of my comments were directed at any one specific person but more at the topic of conversation in general.
I agree a bit of friendly remarks said in jest are normally taken with a pinch of salt and I for one often come up with the odd off the cuff remark. Problem is that some people take these comments a bit more seriously than would be expected and you can see that tension was starting to rise in some of the follow up posts hence me stepping in to cut it short before it got out of hand.
If I or any other admin felt that strongly about it, warnings would have been given and the posts would have been swiftly removed.

Unfortunately things have changed and we tend to have to be more carefull how we say things and in most cases things said amongst people that know each other well are taken lightly but there are a lot of members on this forum that do not communicate a lot with other members hence not understand their sence of humour so may not take odd comments in a light hearted manour..

Sad but true....


Mark