"Wayne Harrison" schrieb im Newsbeitrag
. com...
SNIP
of the people involved to hold out hope that we can mend the tears in the
fabric, at least for long enough to fish together again, and thereby heal
ourselves and this community.

yfitons
wayno



Even train wrecks pall eventually.

This is not a community, it is basically a motley collection of widely
differing individuals who happen to come in here for whatever reason.
There may be some community feeling at claves etc, but there is not much
here. This is mainly because many people can not get along with total
freedom of speech. (Within the limitations obtaining here of course).

Wishing others to be friendly and polite is not sufficient, one must also be
friendly and polite.

Without some form of control, chaos invariably eventually reigns. The only
real control here is self-control, and some simply don´t have any. I don´t
see this changing either.

If one discusses off-topic contentious material, then the results are
inevitable, as many disagreements almost immediately deteriorate into
personal battles. Hardly anybody wants to read or become otherwise involved
in such. It is embarrassing and pointless.

As a fishing NG, this place has become almost useless. Just like
governments, you get the newsgroup you deserve. If you want a better one,
then the general behaviour and attitude of the participants has to change. I
don´t think this is likely either.

This group can only become extinct if the level of posting sinks below a
certain level for a certain period of time. This too is unlikely. What is
possible is that more and more of the once prolific posters retire, or at
least post less, this might allow some new blood to assert itself. Whether
that is then "better" is a moot point, and entirely subjective.

As it happens, I agree with your sentiments, and Tom Littleton´s as well,
but others will not do so, and even this will cause contention, as doubtless
even my agreement therewith! Some comments to this effect have already been
made. Unless a common basis is found, and some people practice a little
restraint, things will simply not change.

TL
MC