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Newbism

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19:27 / 24.10.05

This is Barbelith. No need to come over all masculine., In fact, probably better not.

Discrimination is a noun that simply betokens differentiating between one thing and another. It is a good thing to make choices; to evaluate options. There are newbies who thrill me and newbies who can fuck right off. And sometimes, over time, those unpromising newbies become interesting because I'm an arse who didn't evaluate them correctly to begin with or, more likely, because they grow and change and up their game. It's certainly true that there are some long time posters who piss each other off royally and it's such fun.

I have to say, things seems to be kicking off a little recently, which is cool, and that's probably due to the injection of new blood. Oddman's a good lad for one.

All Acting Regiment

19:31 / 24.10.05

Yeah, I think all the old(er: I'm not that much of an establishment figure round here m'self) posters would agree that it's better to have new stuff with a few minor problems here and there than no new stuff at all.

22:34 / 24.10.05

i dont mind new folks, just so long as everyone knows their place.
there'll be no 'trolling'as soon as everyone learns to accept their place in the hive mind.

22:39 / 24.10.05

He's been so smug, ever since Britney Spears wrote that song about him.

00:30 / 25.10.05

its not just britney.

~robbie williams loves me too.

14:47 / 25.10.05

I don't think it's the case that the established posters are unwelcoming or harsh to newcomers; I think it's just that a number of the regular posters have made such a substantial investment of time and effort into making Barbelith what it is that they're understandably protective when new people come around.

In this way, it reminds me a bit of the spelunking community. Newcomers are greeted warmly but it's very important that they understand the protocols and the care that needs to be taken to avoid wrecking the special places for everyone. Just like in a cave, on Barbelith a bit too much carelessness can wreck things for everyone.

And this doesn't necessary apply just to newcomers; I think that this why I don't post much - because I want to be fairly sure that when I do I'm not fouling up the pretty formations.

Tuna Ghost: Pratt knot hero

19:22 / 27.10.05

Because, good lord, this is just a message board.

Wait, so telling people "I'm a big deal on the internet" WON'T yield copious amounts of casual sex? Time for plan B...

[loads saber-toothed marmoset into catapult, adjusts azimuth]

If this doesn't work, I quit.

15:06 / 01.11.05

*looks around to see if anyone else is here....*

Barbelith from what I have read has evolved in posting style, a fair few of the oldest posts do seem like those on other boards where people congratulate others on their post and boost newer people with hellos and stuff.

However on this board you can't easily see who is a new poster and who is a long-timer who lurks and doesn't post much. Hence I think the old style phased out which is good because there are no post counts under our names nor are mods and admins highlighted (other than at the top of each forum). In general people are taken as you find them, if they post something intellient and backed up with relevent links then others will respond in that manner, this is a very good thing.

However if you make a mistake (sometime in innocence) then you do tend to get some stick which isn't helped by the fact we can't edit our own posts quickly. I can fully understand the reason for this and it does tend to make people think twice before hitting that enter key by mistakes in posting do happen.

Barbelith has (from what I have read) suffered with some horrible trolls in it's past and that does tend to make some of the older posters a bit quick to jump on someone if they post a bit uncarefully. But there's nothing worse than to give someone a bit of lee-way and them throw it in your face, something I have seen happen in my short time here. So I think it's a bit Catch 22 for everyone involved and I can't see an easy answer to it.

Regardless of what others may feel about this post, I don't think barbelith suffers from newbism at all. The way this board works has taught me to read posts more carefully, to think before posting and above all to be glad it's not one of those sites where because I have acorn or new member put under my name, other members treat me like a nobody with no opinion.

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