Insomniac's Curse.

[shrapnel]

This old man sometimes wakes up in the middle of the night and can’t get back to sleep. Usually I don’t let it bother me. I just get up and find something useful to do like cleaning my office or paying the bills. Other times I simply do something quite useless like staring at the wall or reading posts on these forums. Tonight I read everything I’ve missed in the last couple of months. I saw there had been a wee bit of controversy in the pilot lounge and even just the other day in a post that Admiral started about his return to the game. It started me thinking about what a community site like ours should be and how it should be allowed to develop.

I know Tbar feels quite strongly that this is a gaming site and should be only for that purpose:

To all:

And that is the reason those topics don't belong on a site dedicated to gaming.. and in specific Air Attack. You want to discuss those things and turn your friends into rivals .. be my guest .. but do it on another site.

In my mind you don't..
>> go to a church site to discuss porno
>> you don't go to a gardening site to discuss politics
>> you don't  go to a World Affairs site to discuss gaming

/tbar

I respect Tbar’s opinion because it is what he genuinely believes and it has a lot of validity. He’s right that if animosities are allowed to flourish everyone could end up being enemies instead of friends. Still it kinda bothers me that while his approach might create an efficient place for game information to be found who will be there to read it if there isn’t something else to draw them to the site? I don’t do a hell of a lot of deep thinking. It gives me a headache but I started wondering about what makes any community site work while others fail. I had the weird thought that maybe it’s because of a quality that I’ll call “soul” for want of a better description..

If individuals have souls then so do the communities that they create.
What is that soul but the positive and negative energy that people put into it. Every on-line community, no matter what it was created for has opportunities  for socializing and maybe that’s the emotional glue that holds that community together. There’s a tremendous potential for forging and deepening personal and community connectedness.

When a community site is created it should be aimed at deepening community members' connection to one another for the common purpose. I think it should offer a meaningful outlet for expression and conversation that builds social capital.

There are those, of course who will use such a site to express their confrontational and hostile feelings. There is a need, therefore, to be sensibly discreet and protective to avoid abuse and anti social behavior, But caution can co-exist with connection, and even hostility can be met with empathy and kindness.  Good moderation can quell or re-direct the confrontation and hostility without violating anyone’s right to say what they want.

 Every online encounter that dispenses with personal affection in favor of brusque efficiency or places self-protection ahead of empathy for others will damage the soul of that community. Threats and bluster can never replace diplomatic moderation. The soul of a community will be forged, by those who care about the quality of human connection and community. This can make the difference between a flourishing community and one that’s doomed to a slow death.

I’m going back to bed now.

[Tbar]

Shrap,

Go back to bed.. get some sleep.. there is nobody here to read what you wrote :)

What brings you here .. bad case of "can't sleet" .. or  "I need to stir the pot"?

What brings me here .. is Air Attack and the people I've rubbed shoulders with for years. I don't come here to find out what the latest Sports Scores are.. or to debate Hand Guns ... or talk about the latest developments on the recent Gulf Oil Spill problems. Nope.. what brings me here is Air Attack and my Air Attack Buddies.

So what if it get slow for a bit. Nobody is going any where.. place will be here today.. and next week.. and next year. Why? Because there is a need adn because we have dedicated people.

What is a successful community anyway?  One that started small and now has thousands of users?  ... or one that started years ago .. and is still here. Same time, same station, same channel.

Eventually, Air Attack as a game will die.. or maybe we will die first. In any event this site will migrate to another Air Game .. but the basic of this site is Air Combat.... not social services, uban dictionary, a political platform .. etc. We aint' google, utube, facebook ,, etc.. We be Air Attack US :)

Frankly.. I think that any site that tries to "provide it all" is doomed to failure. So if you don't mind.. this site will specialize in Air Combat and related and hopefully the specific game of Air Attack.

This site.. has done what it was designed for, and I suspect will continue to do so. Should purpose change in the future, I'm sure the site will change slightly but I suspect it would be a site that the primary focus is anything other than Air Combat or related.

[shrapnel]

You're right. There's hardly anyone here to read it but I suspect that's not entirely due to it being summer. Doesn't matter anyway. For me it has become academic. Seems I'm "stirring the pot." That's become a common accusation levelled at anyone who thinks outside of this little box so before I am threatened with expulsion by Tbar I will, instead, give the Administrator an opportunity to express his favorite phrase which is "good riddance."

If the end objective is to eliminate all those who think differently from you then you can claim a large degree of success. Pretty soon those that are left will be of one mind and all will be in blissful agreement. It will be heaven on earth and I wouldn't want to be an obstacle in the way of that admirable objective.

And because of what this weekend stands for I will conclude with the wish that time will bring peace to those who mourn the loss of loved ones in the terrible human tragedy of war.

We must honor those who gave up everything to defend what needed to be defended but at the same time let us put our energies to work in finding better ways to preserve the freedoms we hold so dear. We must seek solutions that do not require this continuous sacrifice of human life.

Above all we must defend against the enemy within that, in the  guise of patriotism or expediency, tries to take away our right to free speech.

[Vipor]

Ahh Shrapnel... I was wondering when and if you would catch up on all that happened whilst you were off gallivanting around the world!!

I sort of liked your insomniatic views but then again, I have always liked to think outside the box and be different (or difficult some may say) then most....

The summer is just about here and outdoor activities take precedence!! I am playing golf twice a week at least and loving it!! Shot 70 today on a par 72 with 4 birdies and 2 bogies. Have a tournament at same course Saturday and will take another 70 in a heart beat!!!

And I did play today in remembrance of those who have donned the uniform for our country!!

Cheers to all of you!!!

[j69o]

Funny thing is it says on the link to the Pilots forum

Posting Of All Topics "NOT" Related To Air Attack.

Politics will get heated and I am guilty, Tull and I often disagree on matters but we are internet friends to this day.
If an exchange of ideas, concepts or current events is not allowed here, why have the forum?
J

[Temper]

Funny thing is it says on the link to the Pilots forum

Posting Of All Topics "NOT" Related To Air Attack.

And why do we have a Photo Gallery? What do images of trees growing what appears to be penises have to do with AA?

[Mutley]

Well...... next time you find you can't sleep "old man", come join me and the Mrs on facebook poker.

you won't be stirring the pot but you just might find........ you win it

[freshy]

Funny thing is it says on the link to the Pilots forum

Posting Of All Topics "NOT" Related To Air Attack.

And why do we have a Photo Gallery? What do images of trees growing what appears to be penises have to do with AA?

 

[Firestorm]

And why do we have a Photo Gallery? What do images of trees growing what appears to be penises have to do with AA

LOL..you mean we have to tell you 

[Tbar]

Shrap,

Your listening.. but not hearing the message.

You're right. There's hardly anyone here to read it but I suspect that's not entirely due to it being summer. Doesn't matter anyway. For me it has become academic. Seems I'm "stirring the pot." That's become a common accusation levelled at anyone who thinks outside of this little box so before I am threatened with expulsion by Tbar I will, instead, give the Administrator an opportunity to express his favorite phrase which is "good riddance."

I think out of the box all the time.. brought much "new stuff" to Air Attack. Planted the seeds and watched new program starts. But... this box is Air Attack... not the universe.

... and why would I threaten you with expulsion?  No one has to agree with anyone, differences of opinion are good. .. healthy, so long as the individuals express their difference in a civil and gentleman way :)

If the end objective is to eliminate all those who think differently from you then you can claim a large degree of success. Pretty soon those that are left will be of one mind and all will be in blissful agreement. It will be heaven on earth and I wouldn't want to be an obstacle in the way of that admirable objective.

The objective here is what the USAAC is here for .. AA and any improvement we can bring to the game and environment. The objective is not to run folks off.. who think differently. Again, the site is about Air Attack, so if you think "differently" about "religion" or "politics".. once again I feel this is not the platform for that. This platform is Air Attack and related .. air combat games and such.

Pretty much the rest of what you have to say about Memorial Day etc.. I agree with.

J69,

This forum is here because a past Forum Mgr created it. Part of the reason was to seperate the BS from the Game discussions. Decent Pilots had to read thru things that had nothing to do with AA at all. Since the forum is here.. we keep it. We keep it so you guys have a place for all that "other" discussions. You wanted the forum, so we provided it ( a mistake IMHO ). So long as the conversation is kept civil and decent, I'm sure the forum will stay. However, get out of line like it did a month or so ago .. and watch it disappear.

Temper comment on the Photo Gallery and the 'trees' is spot on.. don't need that kinda stuff on an Air Attack content site.

Some of you have done one damn fine job trying to tare this community apart and inject controversy any time you can. Your great at one liners and off colored jokes.. but I ask you to take a self examination and tell us all the positive things you have done for this community .. or the game of AA itself. Some of you have never volunteered any time to help at any station, you have contributed .. nada to anything .. with except of smart remarks and one liners.  If the shoe fits.. wear it, otherwise my comments are not directed at you.

[Temper]

Temper comment on the Photo Gallery and the 'trees' is spot on.. don't need that kinda stuff on an Air Attack content site.

So why was it left there for 2 weeks, until I pointed it out?

[j69o]

This forum is here because a past Forum Mgr created it. Part of the reason was to seperate the BS from the Game discussions. Decent Pilots had to read thru things that had nothing to do with AA at all. Since the forum is here.. we keep it. We keep it so you guys have a place for all that "other" discussions. You wanted the forum, so we provided it ( a mistake IMHO ). So long as the conversation is kept civil and decent, I'm sure the forum will stay. However, get out of line like it did a month or so ago .. and watch it disappear.

Well if a past manager had the wisdom to set it up he did for a purpose, but apparently this is your little ball game now and you have your own self centered purpose, Go for it Ralph!
You gonna make us go to Church next?
Your world and all of our worlds are falling apart, many of us just are here just to let off steam, Hell why do you think we play the game in the first place?
You want to be the dominate factor here, go for it!
Now my question is who will follow you?
From one Old Man to another just let them play!
Just Chill out and let the idiots banter and enjoy!
John E. Olive Jr.

[Vipor]

Shrapnel,

You must be getting to me as I woke up last night thinking to myself how many shots I left out there on the golf course. My 70 could have easily been a 66! So today I play again and after 16 holes I am in the same exact spot, 2 under par with 3 holes to go. I hit the 16th green in 2 and proceed to 3 putt for a bogey, then bogey #17 and make par in 18 to shoot 72.

Now I know I will have insomnia tonight going over in my mind how I was sooo close to shooting the elusive sub 70 round. Which I have never done (70 3 different rounds)

I think this is not off topic as it pertains to my lack of sleep which is a curse I have never incurred before.   

I place all blame on Tulla, erm, I mean Temper...or is it Shrappy?  Dang, now I am losing my memory too....ya know they say it is the second thing to go once you grow old!!!

In all seriousness I had a great day and enjoyed playing a round of golf with some great friends and then having a good BBQ cook out with family for Memorial Day!!

Cheers

Rex Munsey

[j69o]

Rex just keep your eye on the ball and swing easy you will be ok!
Hell I wish I was a scratch golfer!
Just relax and enjoy the game.
John

[Vipor]

John,

Can you read greens and carry a bag?

I may need a caddy after next year when I turn 50!!!