[pct-l] Artificial concern for hikers dealing with snow and water

[Charles Doersch]

Yes, true enough. We don't want a crappy discussion forum.

But as I've seen develop on many other types of online discussion forums on
a variety of subjects, when a contributor (whoever that might be) appears to
be disrespectful, derisive, contemptuous, and/or insulting to the forum, or
to some members of it, many people who are trying to be courteous,
considerate, and on-topic feel angered. And that in turn understandably
invites expressions of impatience, frustration, resentment (etc).

This forum works so well compared to many others, it seems to me, because
the grand majority try hard to limit their commentary to personal
experiences (on the PCT or as Trail Angels), updates, helpful advice,
questions, considerations of gear, problem solving, etc. The members of this
forum don't generally get into making hurtful or disrespectful observations
of one another -- of one another's motives -- of one another.

We all know this from any organization. When the focus is on the task and
its nuts & bolts, its mission, its procedure, people can work well together.
When the focus is on each other, the group deteriorates.

But every discussion board I've ever taken part in (however briefly) always
has someone who like to toss the occasional stink bomb -- to stir things up
emotionally and viscerally -- who enjoys posting hurtful commentary that
will try to get a rise out of others. Shall we rise?

Tough as it is (and as aggro as these comments can make me feel), I'm trying
to just let them pass. No, I don't believe in ignoring bullying -- quite the
opposite. But the forum bully who wants to insult others really can't be
made to see the error of his ways, to shut up, or to back off. Forum bullies
sit safe and invulnerable behind a computer screen. We can't get to them. So
I'm trying to treat those ugly comments as a patch of poison oak on the
trail. <<Woah, see that? Step around.>>

Our forum is remarkable for its civility, collegiality, care, and
inspiration.

And luckily we have a great forum moderator who is good at yanking out
poison oak, keeping the trail pretty clear for the rest of us.

Cheers.

Charles Doersch

On Thu, Jul 7, 2011 at 1:08 AM, Shian Sung <shian.sung at gmail.com> wrote:

> Whether you agree with Postholer or not, I think limiting discourse on the
> mailing list to only those who have "thru-hiked" would make for a pretty
> crappy discussion forum.
>
> -Barrel Roll
>
> On Thu, Jul 7, 2011 at *00:25:54 AM*, Randy Forsland <hikertrsh at
> gmail.com <pct-l%
> 40backcountry.net?Subject=%5Bpct-l%5D%20Artificial%20concern%20for%20hikers%20dealing%20with%20snow%20and%0A%09water&In-Reply-To=4E152F64.6000103%40postholer.com
> >>
> wrote:
>
> > So, basically.....you're talking out your posthole when it comes to
> > thru-hiking ?? Shouldn't you should add that disclaimer to all of your
> > monday-morning quarterbacking assessments ?? I've listened to your yearly
> > whining for the last decade..and as a vet of both the PCT and Viet Nam, I
> > will say the same thing...If you haven't been there then shut the F*ck
> up..
>
> > Redwood
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