HerOttoman wonders "What's the point of this, anyway?"

[HerOttoman]

I was going to post something about all you locals rooting for Seattle in the the XL, but I couldn't bring myself to think it matters enough to open a whole 'nother can of worms. Maybe I'm just gun-shy about the way things happen around here. Maybe now that I'm finally back, I don't need to be. This post should help me answer which one it is.

I am having trouble lately with the whole concept of this forum. There really doesn't seem to be a reason for me to be in it. Maybe when I started coming here, there was; but that was years ago, and the need isn't there anymore. I don't know. The pictures are still nice, I guess, but you can only post and view so many, and the constant battles between "what doesn't anyone reply to my posts?" and posting "thank you, great pics" gets tiresome.

So I tried the flamepit for a few months, but the real sadists live there. It gets old after a while; I learned to look at things a different way, sure, but I think I was the only one. The idiologies are so ingrained that it's more like an attempt at political brainwashing than an actual discussion group. Add in the folks who can't, or choose not to, refute a point and resort to name calling and irrelevant rebuttals, and you eventually throw up your hands and give up. (For those of you who haven't been there, dont go-- you will have nothing to add, and you will be frustrated by the brainwashing methods.) There is far more mental masturbation in that forum than physical masturbation in the rest of them combined.

Add to this the fact that you can be booted off the board for months without warning and never given a reason, and the whole thing has changed from something I really liked checking out to something I rarely think about. Did I change, or did the forum?

Mike "I used to be HerOttoman" getem'up

[undrneath1]

Add to this the fact that you can be booted off the board for months without warning and never given a reason

Mike...to be honest I've never heard of anyone being booted off this forum for no reason. If it happened to you, why not ask one of the mods why it happened?

as far as political brainwashing as opposed to a discussion group....yes I would love to see more discussion there as well with individual viewpoints but if one decides not to offer theirs, it's kinda hard to have a discussion.

[DownUnder007]

Hi, Mike....good to see you again...


You've noticed that we now have this 'General Discussions' forum...This is a place where you can air views, and expect a civil debate - absolutely no flaming predators here...So, that's worth exploring, if you enjoy exchanges of ideas...


I agree, that after a time, its natural that the pics & clips sort of lose a bit of impact for us...just so many of them, and it can become less fascinating just to see a pic...


But, its still a wonderful meeting point for those that share a fetish, isn't it? And, discussions around that topic won't get you into hostile territory unless, of course, you criticise Ms Sara, or something - or, tell another member he's a dickhead - which is fair enough.


As to ideologues....Well, there are those with strongly held positions on politics - It was ever thus, anywhere - not just MDFF. No one can 'brainwash' you on a Message Board, of course. But, yes, in the political arena folks are going to express their views, and often hold them strongly. Engaging in that is a personal choice....but, can be avoided, if you wish.


My thought on your central question - ie has the forum changed, or is it you? - is that personal interest in these kind of online meeting places can go in cycles...ie periods of intense involvement, followed by periods of 'break'....I believe these cycles are a normal part of the living condition in most areas of our lives.

Also, engagement fosters engagement - ie the more one gets involved, the more one wants to get involved. But also, vica-versa. This is because, if we engage others, we hook into links and connections with others, and form common ground and common bonds, and this draws us into feeling the connection is of value.....Disengagement - uninvolvement - creates a disconnect, and we drift away.


So, the secret is: Can you find an interest in engaging with fellow members here - on any level? The answer to that question will determine your engagement, or not, with MDFF...

Just a few thoughts...

[HerOttoman]

Thanks for responding. I've been at work for the past two weeks, about 60 miles from my computer, so I couldn't respond until now.

Underneath1: Well, here's what happened. I was on-line in the morning about 6 months ago, and everything was cool-- you know, looking at pictures, responding to posts, etc. Then, in the afternoon, I went back to the forum and "POOF!", I was no longer a member. As in "you are not a member". No warning, no explaination, and no clue how to fix it. I eventually sent Ken a few e-mails, but I understand he's very busy, and there are a lot of people to try to mollify, so when I didn't get a reply, I understood. Still, it was frustrating-- I honestly didn't do anything wrong, but there was no way of solving my dismissal. I eventually signed back up as a new member, as my old name was taken (by me) -- hence the rather lame handle I am going by currently. And I still don't know what happened; hope it doesn't happen again...

I guess my original post was when I was in a slightly pissy mood; the flamepit was an entertaining diversion for a while, and I didn't mean to imply everyone there is a meathead; but when you've spent an hour or more logically plotting your reply, and feel you've built the strongest possible case supporting your view, only to have your target audience respond with slurs and irrelevant items, you just want to throw up your hands and say "whatever" after the first 23 times or so. As I am sure you have also encountered.

Oh yeah, one more thing-- is there any way to get my old name back?

DownUnder007: I really appreciate you taking the time to pull me back in. You made a lot of sense, and hit the central issue right on. Obviously, if I didn't care at least a little, I wouldn't have bothered to post in the first place, or responded here; so yes, I guess there is a place for me in this forum. For the time being, I probably won't be nearly as active as I was before ( what with the rest of "life", and all that stuff), but that also may change again as quickly as it did before. At any rate, it IS good to have the option again; so maybe I'll dive back in. It really is a pretty cool community here...

Mike
"I used to be HerOttoman"

[undrneath1]

Mike

I hope you do return to fulltime participation.
You know I agree with your trying to answer a discussion with a serious and thoughtful reply and then you get the dickheads on here who just ruin it so I can sympathise with you (not that I am perfect)
but you can't let the shitheads get you down because they eventually leave when people tire of their shit.

but glad to have you back honestly:thumbsup: