04-16-2011, 02:41 AM
KeaauRich asks a good question and it is worth exploring. I don't agree that every topic or many topics in fact elicit personal attacks but when they occur it can certainly seem that way.
This phenomena is not unique to Punaweb or to the internet. It has unfortunately become a structural part of our national dialogue and Puna is not exempt. I attribute it to a few factors:
Puna has grown.... a lot. We have acquired a large number of what I would call refugees from the mainland and from other islands. They were often driven out by rising costs of living. Many of them did not come here for the culture. They came here because the land was affordable and they packed their bags with the culture they were leaving and brought their fears and anxieties to Puna.
Fear and anxiety. People are afraid and anxious and there are plenty of things to be afraid of. Most of the sources of fear are things that are out of the control of any individual. Different people deal with it in different ways and one way seems to manifest itself in antisocial or personally agressive ways.
Anonymity. Like wearing a mask at a costume ball some people act in disguise in ways they would not do in public. But then again some people are just the way they are.
Thinking of Punaweb and the way it once was is like thinking of anything the way it used to be. All of our home towns and personal touch stones have changed. Puna too. What Punaweb will be in the future is up to us.
I think Punaweb has been doing rather well lately all in all. In managing the site I and the Operating Committee are a bit slow in reaction time. I admit that. We do not have the energy to beat back every perceived slight. Our basic intent is to protect a community forum - not to protect adults from each other. When Punaweb starts to transform from a community forum to a mental health facility we get busy.
I read a forum in my old hometown in California and get really depressed. The other day a resident there drowned in the ocean. 80% of the posters were ridiculing the deceased, the lifeguards, each other and unrelated nonsense. It was really depressing. I am glad I am here. Punaweb is actually doing very well by comparison.
I will continue to advise our members to not take the bait when baited. It can be hard to do. It is however the most effective response. The Operating Committee and I will likely not take as long as we used to to rein in repeat offenders. I think it was a mistake in the past to let some ill intended people carry on for so long. I have lost all patience with people who lay awake at night thinking of how to antagonize others. I still try to be sympathetic and realize that everyone is having problems... and some of them bring them here.
I do thank our members for making and keeping Punaweb a valuable resource. I would encourage the well intended (most all of you) to stand your ground and not be dissuaded from posting. If you have complaints send them to me and I will bring it to the attention of the Operating Committee. This process always takes several days. In a more timely manner I will reluctantly admonish people from time to time. Believe it or not I do not read every post and some things need to be brought to my attention.
Let's all try to Live Aloha and in doing so show others how it is done.
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
This phenomena is not unique to Punaweb or to the internet. It has unfortunately become a structural part of our national dialogue and Puna is not exempt. I attribute it to a few factors:
Puna has grown.... a lot. We have acquired a large number of what I would call refugees from the mainland and from other islands. They were often driven out by rising costs of living. Many of them did not come here for the culture. They came here because the land was affordable and they packed their bags with the culture they were leaving and brought their fears and anxieties to Puna.
Fear and anxiety. People are afraid and anxious and there are plenty of things to be afraid of. Most of the sources of fear are things that are out of the control of any individual. Different people deal with it in different ways and one way seems to manifest itself in antisocial or personally agressive ways.
Anonymity. Like wearing a mask at a costume ball some people act in disguise in ways they would not do in public. But then again some people are just the way they are.
Thinking of Punaweb and the way it once was is like thinking of anything the way it used to be. All of our home towns and personal touch stones have changed. Puna too. What Punaweb will be in the future is up to us.
I think Punaweb has been doing rather well lately all in all. In managing the site I and the Operating Committee are a bit slow in reaction time. I admit that. We do not have the energy to beat back every perceived slight. Our basic intent is to protect a community forum - not to protect adults from each other. When Punaweb starts to transform from a community forum to a mental health facility we get busy.
I read a forum in my old hometown in California and get really depressed. The other day a resident there drowned in the ocean. 80% of the posters were ridiculing the deceased, the lifeguards, each other and unrelated nonsense. It was really depressing. I am glad I am here. Punaweb is actually doing very well by comparison.
I will continue to advise our members to not take the bait when baited. It can be hard to do. It is however the most effective response. The Operating Committee and I will likely not take as long as we used to to rein in repeat offenders. I think it was a mistake in the past to let some ill intended people carry on for so long. I have lost all patience with people who lay awake at night thinking of how to antagonize others. I still try to be sympathetic and realize that everyone is having problems... and some of them bring them here.
I do thank our members for making and keeping Punaweb a valuable resource. I would encourage the well intended (most all of you) to stand your ground and not be dissuaded from posting. If you have complaints send them to me and I will bring it to the attention of the Operating Committee. This process always takes several days. In a more timely manner I will reluctantly admonish people from time to time. Believe it or not I do not read every post and some things need to be brought to my attention.
Let's all try to Live Aloha and in doing so show others how it is done.
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
Punaweb moderator