birding-aus

A few threads keep coming up

To: Keith Weekes <>
Subject: A few threads keep coming up
From: Ian May <>
Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2008 12:44:53 +0930

<>Hi all

The information, banter and controversy all contribute towards making birding.aus a thriving online community and for me; it is an enjoyable and entertaining experience to be associated with it. Therefore, I agree with most of Keith's sentiments and enjoy reading most of the discussion on the list. In my humble opinion (IMHO), members should be free to politely express their views on birding-aus no matter what the subject or how frequently it has been canvassed as long as they stick to the list rules and agree to stop when the moderator enters the arena.

As a person who has chosen to live in isolated areas for most of my adult life, all the discussion matters, helping to keep me informed and to know what other birders see as relevant. From the day to day discussion I obtain a perspective of subject currency, and when a subject has been done to death, the latest posts still serve a purpose; to indicate what is currently relevant to the birding fraternity.

Some long term observations about controversial debate on the list;

1.   One person's "done to death list" will not be another's.
2. Rarely, if ever does an expressed opinion on the list appear to influence any others view related to a controversial subject.

After placing a message in the public domain, it could be useful to know how much influence one really has on society by participating in a list such as birding-aus Visualise a bucket of water with your arm in it. The lasting impression left in the water when you withdraw your arm is about the same as the influence you will have on others. . Again, IMHO it is about the same as the influence one has had after working for the public service for many years
So now lets have a civil discussion about climate change.

Regards

Ian May

PO Box 110
St Helens, Tasmania 7216





Keith Weekes wrote:a level rising

I'm trying (for a change) not to inflame hostilities here, but would like toad 
them so i can be informed
add to this list "if you don't like it, the delete button still works", as a
topic that's been done to death.

As stated, this is an open forum, and as such, any attempts to regulate
which topics are 'in' and 'out'  amounts to censorship, to which I am
vehemently opposed. It was an honest musing, and clearly has touched a few
raw nerves. But that's what the net's for. It's not the be all and end all,
nor is it a tool for to be 'used' by people to their own end. It is a
melting pot of opinions and optlooks, and you should take what you want from
it, not govern what others put into it.

KW

2008/7/9 <>:

G'day all

I've been a member of BA since 1996 and am aware that many of us are
recent arrivals to the forum.

There are several threads that turn up regularly every year or so.
'Twitching rules' is one of them.  So is 'cats', 'flags', 'cannon' and
'banding'.  These came quickly to mind but their must be a few more.  All
have been done to death.  All polarise opinion.  All have the potential to
get out of hand (as the current one is threatening to do).

I would urge everyone to think carefully before they post aggressive,
abusive messages on open forums.  These things are in the public domain
forever.

I would also urge everyone to have a search of archives to see if a
subject has been dealt with before and if they have anything new to offer.

Just now I found:

twitching - 573 hits
cats - 808 hits
flags - 228 hits
cannon - 185 hits
banding - 767 hits

That's enough to be getting on with ...

Cheers
Steve

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