jm's random thots

[Josh]

I've heard from Josh and Temporal1.
I'd like to hear from Ken and Bootstrap.
And then i will decide whether i move forward w the experiment.
I do think that any refused $70.00 will be split among the remaining participants.

Edit, or as an alternative, that participant could designate to me who or where they want their 70.00 to go to.

When I suggested this privately with Boot and Ken, Boot thought it sounded good and agreed. Ken never responded, so the matter never went anywhere.

I saw no reason to involve t1. I’m not in the business of silencing women’s voices. I have had significant disagreements with her in the past, particularly in the MD days, as it related to posting right wing click bait. After a few years, I felt enough had been said and don’t bring it up with her anymore (much to some other people’s consternation who complain I don’t criticise right wing people enough).

[temporal1]

As a “random” thought to add, many members may not know, in the past, justme was the “top” forum poster, and/or in contention for the “title.” (i think) this was ending when i arrived? or, in process? i have no details, nor have inquired. MD had various “contests,” the youngn’s had fun with it. Contests were part of the experience.

Life is change.

For most of my life, i would have had no time for forum posting. i miss those days, for sure.
When you’re busy and overly-busy, you can’t imagine what life would be without all those many demands going on.

The young people who initiated MD had time, took time, for “trivial pursuits.” For many, life’s demands increased, they left.
In time, some may return. It’s not something i would wish on anyone. It doesn’t happen to everyone “equally.”

It’s just part of how life can unfold.

justme and the forum are a sort of extended family for me. the big diverse lively family i was born into.

[ohio jones]

In time, some may return. It’s not something i would wish on anyone.

I can see how one could come to that conclusion.

[temporal1]

In time, some may return. It’s not something i would wish on anyone.

I can see how one could come to that conclusion.

to clarify, i don’t wish anyone’s life to be filled with loss of loved ones, by distance or death.

[ken_sylvania]

Trying to determine which fruit of the spirit is conveyed here.

Perhaps it is a gift of the Spirit....discernment.

So sounds like you agree that particular people are here but their mental health and couldn't survive a week without this forum that's an interesting gift of the spirit of discernment haven't quite seen it work that way

Apparently discernment is something I lack - I simply cannot figure out what you are trying to say here.

[Valerie]

I've heard from Josh and Temporal1.
I'd like to hear from Ken and Bootstrap.
And then i will decide whether i move forward w the experiment.
I do think that any refused $70.00 will be split among the remaining participants.

Edit, or as an alternative, that participant could designate to me who or where they want their 70.00 to go to.

When I suggested this privately with Boot and Ken, Boot thought it sounded good and agreed. Ken never responded, so the matter never went anywhere.

I saw no reason to involve t1. I’m not in the business of silencing women’s voices. I have had significant disagreements with her in the past, particularly in the MD days, as it related to posting right wing click bait. After a few years, I felt enough had been said and don’t bring it up with her anymore (much to some other people’s consternation who complain I don’t criticise right wing people enough).

Or perhaps i lacked discernment. This came across as an attack to me, both by the experiment suggestion and the accusation that these 4 are so needy of this forum that as stated it could affect their mental health to abstain for a short time. If that's the prevailing discernment among the others i think they can see through it and will if pre it. Of course i could be wrong

[temporal1]

I've heard from Josh and Temporal1.
I'd like to hear from Ken and Bootstrap.
And then i will decide whether i move forward w the experiment.
I do think that any refused $70.00 will be split among the remaining participants.

Edit, or as an alternative, that participant could designate to me who or where they want their 70.00 to go to.

When I suggested this privately with Boot and Ken, Boot thought it sounded good and agreed. Ken never responded, so the matter never went anywhere.

I saw no reason to involve t1. I’m not in the business of silencing women’s voices. I have had significant disagreements with her in the past, particularly in the MD days, as it related to posting right wing click bait. After a few years, I felt enough had been said and don’t bring it up with her anymore (much to some other people’s consternation who complain I don’t criticise right wing people enough).

Or perhaps i lacked discernment. This came across as an attack to me, both by the experiment suggestion and the accusation that these 4 are so needy of this forum that as stated it could affect their mental health to abstain for a short time. If that's the prevailing discernment among the others i think they can see through it and will if pre it. Of course i could be wrong

when i mentioned justme’s history of being the top, or one top poster, i only meant to suggest, she’s been there, she knows something of which she speaks.

Valerie, you may remember more than i? you were present before me. i’ve only known justme as pretty quiet. she was always a conscientious mod, even with demanding real life work. i marvelled at her ability to keep up! i also knew what a busy demanding real life was. i felt it was the Holy Spirit that allowed me to keep up! i was grateful. i have no idea what justme’s high post count “persona” was like. not a clue.

major respect for admin and mods. they make it look easy.

[Sliceitup]

I've heard from Josh and Temporal1.
I'd like to hear from Ken and Bootstrap.
And then i will decide whether i move forward w the experiment.
I do think that any refused $70.00 will be split among the remaining participants.

Edit, or as an alternative, that participant could designate to me who or where they want their 70.00 to go to.

When I suggested this privately with Boot and Ken, Boot thought it sounded good and agreed. Ken never responded, so the matter never went anywhere.

I saw no reason to involve t1. I’m not in the business of silencing women’s voices. I have had significant disagreements with her in the past, particularly in the MD days, as it related to posting right wing click bait. After a few years, I felt enough had been said and don’t bring it up with her anymore (much to some other people’s consternation who complain I don’t criticise right wing people enough).

Or perhaps i lacked discernment. This came across as an attack to me, both by the experiment suggestion and the accusation that these 4 are so needy of this forum that as stated it could affect their mental health to abstain for a short time. If that's the prevailing discernment among the others i think they can see through it and will if pre it. Of course i could be wrong

It was not meant as an attack, although I see how I worded it unkindly.

Maybe I should explain a bit more about where I’m coming from with my original comment. Our next door neighbors spend what seems to be an inordinate amount of time outside. They eat outside, at times even when it’s so cold that they’re wearing jackets. I’ve never asked, but I assume they feel better when they spend large amounts of time outdoors. It likely fills a psychological need for them. Outside gives them something that inside does not. I don’t think that’s an attack on them to say this.

Some people pursue artistic ventures because it fulfills a need within them.
Some need to do athletic ventures.
Others need to write.
Some people participate in forums for friendship.
Some participate in forums because they like the verbal sparring. I admit that at times I fall into that category.

I’ve tried to figure out why there are times that I seem to relish the sparring. The best I can figure out is that it provides a dopamine hit. Other times I have no energy for it. I think this is because at those times I’m fulfilling my dopamine needs in other ways.

[temporal1]

Slice:
.. I’ve tried to figure out why there are times that I seem to relish the sparring. The best I can figure out is that it provides a dopamine hit. Other times I have no energy for it. I think this is because at those times I’m fulfilling my dopamine needs in other ways.

reading/writing is a form of expression many do not care for at all. this forum is an outlet for both.
i used to describe MD as like “visiting a library where you can not only read, but visit with the authors.”

there are some authentic scholars, great minds, inspired believers present.
not necessarily found in the highest post count group. (for me) they make it all worthwhile.

it’s a classic democratic phenom. i’ve not experienced anything to compare.
it’s a benefit to all. in the past, there was no efficient way for (pastors and other leaders) to truly mix with laity.
that happens here. i believe a beneficial 2-way street. as not done before.

[Bootstrap]

i'd like to give $70.00 each to Josh, Temporal1, Ken, and Bootstrap
they will need to be completely silent on mn for one week. all 4 in the same week. with a specific start time, and a specific stop time.
No posting, No hearts, No private messages, no 2nd account, NOTHING.

if one person breaks it, no one gets anything.
if one person other than Josh, Temporal1, Ken, or Bootstrap brings me proof that even one of the 4 has broken the rules, that one person will get $70.00, and Josh, Temporal1, Ken, and Bootstrap get nothing

Sure. I don't need the money, but I'm happy to be silent for a week. (This is something I do sometimes regardless).

the purpose of the experiment is to see what mn is like without the posters who are most at each other's throat. i would like to see if other people start posting if they know that they won't be drowned out by certain posters. i could do it one person at a time, but that only means that the others get free time without being set straight by their nemesis.

If I take a break all by myself, which I have done, it doesn't seem to help. So I agree with your thinking here.

is this an experiment worth pursuing?

I'm not sure that a week is enough to make people feel they can have worthwhile conversation without being drowned out. Would it make sense to run the experiment longer than a week?

At any rate, I'm in any time you want to do this. There are other experiments that could be done. For instance, suppose, for just a week, we would agree:

1. Not to tell anyone what to think of other people in the conversation
2. Not to point out what's wrong with the other person
3. To speak about the topic of the thread and nothing else