...It's not even something I keep track of until I had to look before I posted this. It. Simply. Doesn't. Matter.
Someone else's?I agree from one perspective.
Like your user account?That is why I started this fund raising thread. Pure capitalism. Sell something without any intrinsic value to help support TOL.
I don't believe I've ever actually seen that...I'm not saying it hasn't happened (though I mostly am) but it doesn't make sense if you think about it. But I've seen people come in with attitude and find the line to "get some" forming pretty quickly.But now that the thread has degenerated into a general discussion of Rep Power let me tell you where I do think it matters. I have seen a number of newbies leave because they were pummeled into negative reputations by "heavy hitters". Instead of engaging them in discussions and pointing out where perhaps there was "wrong thinking" just hammer them.
Sometimes people simply don't get the lay of the land and do themselves a bad turn by making quick assumptions about how things are and should be and proceeding without noticing how they actually are and will be.
And now and again it's a confluence of things. When I first arrived it wasn't exactly a love fest.
I survived it. Partly because in my experience even if you catch some people on a bad day there are always those around here looking for people who want to contribute and who are here to do that and they'll help ease you into forum life. A few people did just that for me. AB and AMR chief and first among them. Zoo in fairly short order and even old chrys...a few others who have faded into the woodwork since. Over time I found a large number of friends from any number of TOL camps to cement my feeling of community.
The thing is, you can disagree on nearly anything with anyone and still find that. It's all in how you go about it and how you choose to fit into the place...or how you don't.
That's because you're melodramatic and prone to hyperbole.I look at that as abusive behavior.
Or give them the best advice you can and befriend them if they're friendly, differ with them when you differ, etc.Try telling a newbie that it simply doesn't matter.
Anyone who can be put into those states by anonymous internet posters doesn't belong on a forum in the first place. They aren't made of the right stuff for it. :nono:But be sure to do it before they leave in disappointment or even despair.