(Hi, everybody; I be new. *waves*)


> Finding a solution probably first requires identifying what the cause of this perception -- that people must live up to a high standard to be worthy to post -- is in the first place. Maybe it's threads like these, containing people complaining about the state of the forum.
>
> Others have said that posting things frequently results in debate, and that that's the problem. I'm not so sure that's the whole story. This place isn't all that hostile -- in fact I think it's pretty supportive compared to similar set-ups elsewhere on the net. (Just look at Zarniwoop's initial comments, that he can't/doesn't flip out at people on here.) Discussion and differing opinions should be welcome, and I think, with exceptions, we do a good job of keeping the flame wars out.
>
> But it's perceptions, not facts, that matter. Is the perception *really* that this is such a hostile place, akin to a job interview, where you can be accepted or rejected based on how others feel about it? What on earth created this perception? Maybe it's my moderation of the forum? My deletion of posts is never personal, but, again, it's perception that counts. Maybe it's comments made here years ago, the one koalamom quoted about posts needing to be intellectual, original, or at least funny. But that was years ago, and tides change. It's probably time to move on from standards set up to seven years ago and abide by principles that better suit the times.






Just to weigh in -- I've been going through the archives in preparation to start posting, and I didn't get any impression that this forum was hostile or uptight or anything like that. Y'all seem like a bunch of interesting, intelligent (but not _intimidatingly_ intelligent), funny, and fun people who just post whatever comes to mind. That's the perspective of at least one person who hasn't been here forever. ;)


~Chrysanthemum~