04-17-2011, 03:57 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Rob Tucker
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 first want to say I really appreciate what Rob provides with Punaweb. I still think its a great resource for the Big Island. We no longer live in Hilo (Waimea now) so I am not as invested in some of the specifically local topics.
But at the risk of being the "defender of the Mainland" I want to challenge Rob's example of comparing a California messageboard to Punaweb.
Since I come from basically Smallville, USA I think the attitudes Rob found have to do with population density rather than geography. And population density is something the Big Island doesn't have a problem with.
Cruel comments at an accidental death would be just as unheard of where I am from on the mainland. Compassion isn't a Hawaii exclusive.
Just want to throw this in since it seems its tempting to adopt a "better than" attitude living out here in the middle of the Pacific.