In no other forum would an honest, technical question about a Zombie Plan be taken seriously and I can think of few other place where I could, if I were so inclined, take part in a detailed conversation about Large Hadron Collider while simultaneously eavesdropping on favourite pee stories.
I bought a new bicycle after a conversation in IMHO. I excitedly tried a new wine recommended in Cafe Society and it has become a favorite. Of posts here, I have been infuriated by a few, indebted to others, and entertained by them all. I value the opinion of almost everyone here, even those whose world-views are in exact opposition to mine. The open dialogue has been greatly appreciated.
I intended to keep subscribing even though P2P was revoked, but his forum feels like a favorite pub with a banner that says: “Under New Management”. The regulars are the same, but now the bartender looks at us with disdain and has the bouncer throw out a guy for making a wisecrack about the peanuts. He wasn’t a buddy of mine, but somehow I don’t feel welcome either.
I would like to return some day. Until then, I’ll be visiting the pub down the street. The beer sucks and the barstools wobble, but it will have to do. If I ever come back, I’ll try to remember to bring pie, and the first round will be on me.
I’m right there with you. This board has brought me joy and broadened my horizons. But recent events have peeled back the lid and shown that I was fooling myself to think it was the great place I always thought it was. Maybe there’ll be genuine free and respectful exchanging of ideas again someday; if that day comes I’ll think about returning.
I may hate the boards right now but I’ll always love Tripler.
But the ripple effect of posters leaving in the wake of said banning is sadder still, because many of those who have chosen to leave are the very posters that exemplified the SDMB in my mind - intelligent, well-spoken, diplomatic and downright witty at times.
While the Large Hadron Collider failed to make our universe implode today, Ed Zotti did manage to make one of my favourite places in the universe implode in its place.
I’m with you, Mahna Mahna – people, a lot of people, even normally sane people, are acting like idiots right and left. If you hate the craziness – on the part of posters and on the part of the mods and administration – the way to get things back to normal around here is not to pack up and leave, but to stick around and create some non-crazy thread activity for those of us who ain’t enjoying the insanity to participate in.