This is a "Re-post". But I'm wondering, under these "new rules", should this count as as a half-post, or as TWO posts???? Let's see...:crazy:
Since the announcement was made, I have noticed either a DECLINE in the frequency of posts, or an unmistakeable lack of ENERGY within the posts that are made------this is more true in some sections than in others.
True, this "rule" may add a positive benefit to some of the forums here over time, however, the Mature Man section, in particular, seems a much more sterile, lethargic, and increasingly desolate place over the past week or so. But is that just MY imagination????
It would appear that So Suave is flirting with the possibility of becoming more a Discussion "BORED", as opposed to a Discussion Board. But who knows, I could be wrong.
I also concur with Macavoy and Thundermaverick (and others...) when they mentioned how just the very "idea" that there is now an imposed "Posting CAP", it has only presented them with a deterrant FROM posting, as opposed to filling them with a desire to post "MO BETTER".
And YES, I realize it's "just a message board", but what might be in jeopardy here is the something BIGGER----yet more intangible:
The sense of camaraderie, the strength of the online, bond of brotherhood that has been formed, and MOST IMPORTANTLY------the danger of extinguishing the "almost" unbridled ENTHUSIASM with which many of the more knowledgeable of us here ordinarily reach out to our brothers IN NEED.
In "real life" my commitment to be the best man that I can be by pursuing my spiritual, relational, and financial goals is NEVERENDING. And so is my willingness to reach out to help others that I encounter along the way. But I also enjoy being an asset to my brothers (and some sisters) on here as well.
It saddens me to think that instead of Global Warming (a TEMPORARY attempt at shaking some things up), what we COULD actually be experiencing is, in fact, a Climate Change (a PERMANENT decision to begin making snowball-like changes in the So Suave atmosphere).
Sure, there could be a lot of overreacting going on here, but what's really at stake here (for ME, at least), is the close-knit community that So Suave has previously fostered. In essence, I have observed that it very well may be "BECAUSE" of our freedom to post so frequently that valuable "online" relationships of MUTUAL RESPECT are even born.
And there IS an argument that can be made that it is also BECAUSE certain posters DO post frequently "enough" that the visitors are actually able to get a good enough grasp of those poster's personalities and mindsets-----a grasp strong enough to discern which posters to pay closer attention to, depending on the specificities of the problem.
For a man's body of work, his consistency of output, in real life, or even on a message board, tends to tell the story of WHO he is.
In fact, it was the CONSISTENCY and the FREQUENCY of many of the legendary So Suave posters that inspired ME to join and contribute to this particular site a few years ago.
Here's some questions:
What if I had not found them?
What If they had not posted enough for me to come to respect their viewpoints?
Here's the answer:
Life would have been great regardless. But would it have been AS great, AS quickly? Who knows...
In conclusion, it is my HOPE that this new rule is NOT merely a precursor of others to come. MORE rules that are even MORE restrictive------that may accidentally douse the fire burning in the hearts of some of the better CURRENT posters on here------thus DISCOURAGING them from contributing as much as they would like, or worse-----not contributing AT ALL.
But regardless, I have thoroughly ENJOYED my stay here so far. And who knows what the future holds, it COULD all turn out for the better...but if it doesn't, remember one thing, troops:
When the going get's tough, the tough always go UNDERGROUND.
This is Victory Unlimited...and I "approve" this message.
And as always...MARCH ON.
