I'm tired, and I think it's time I say goodbye

If the Ivory Tower is the brain of the board, and the Transformers discussion is its heart, then General Discussions is the waste disposal pipe. Or kidney. Or something suitably pulpy and soft, like 4 week old bananas.

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Redstreak
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I'm tired, and I think it's time I say goodbye

Post by Redstreak » Thu Jul 07, 2005 4:26 am

Hello all.

Recently I came to the realization that I do not enjoy TF anymore. Whatever is behind that, I know it to be true. This is why I have taken it upon myself to post my list of items for sale. My collection will be no more by the time this is done, and it doesn't bother me. I have moved on, and I feel I can leave this in the past and never worry about it again and be content with my decision.

A few parting shots if you'll all bear with me...know that I'm not picking on anyone when I say these things. If you read something and take it to mean I'm talking about you, I'll tell you right now you'll be wrong to do so.

As this is the most laid-back of any TF board I've ever been on, there are still points where I grow very much concerned about how we treat one another. People bark orders at one another, rip each other for no good reason, denegrate anyone who disagrees with their point of view, and more than I'm willing to list here. Across the board this fandom needs to treat each other far better than it does. The fandom itself polarizes ppl regularly; what storyline you like, what character, etc. But differing POVs should not cause ppl to deliver the hatred just cuz they don't agree.

And don't get me started on politics...I'm hard pressed to find many political threads that don't fall into flames. Disagreeing is fine and is the backbone of the systems the USA and UK represent. But pounding your view into others and slamming those who don't agree is something else. We ripped Sheba for doing things like that, but I think that some need to take a good hard look and see if the way they express their POV isn't every bit as bad. Just cuz you don't believe what she does doesn't mean you can't sound like her when arguing for it, y'know?

I think Transfandom itself is what has soured me on my childhood love. The way we act to one another, the way things go down, always fighting and not often just chilling out and shooting the ****, just wears on a body. The ppl that think they know it all, or place themselves at some higher eschilon for whatever reason, need to take a step down. Just because you may have a position of power, or get respect because of your intelligence, or you're popular, doesn't mean you should just act like an ass. Mods elsewhere will say they'll rip someone when they're acting like the dick. Yeah, you can do that, but should you? Is the job not to perform to a higher, differing standard? If so, is calling the person a dick really the right way to act?

A mod standard is something we all need to hold ourselves to. Courtesy and thoughtfulness over rashness and venom.

I have been as guilty of some of these things as anyone else; I do not claim to be perfect, nor do I say that I know better than anyone else about this. I have simply gotten to the point where I feel I need to say these things, state what I have come to believe, and hope that maybe I can get a message out there to make this place better for everyone else. Because as I've learned, not all MBs are like TF ones. Just because we all have so many different views doesn't mean we can't discuss them like sane ppl. I'm on another board with 1100 members and I have been there nearly two months and never, not once, seen a flame. I think this and other TF boards can learn something from that place.

Like I say, this is probly the best of any other, the place where civility is most often present, but there are always places we can improve in the way we act toward one another. Many of us claim to believe in things such as equality for all men and women, that prejudice is an archaic thing that should be ceased, and many other things. But how often will be bow to a prejudice, or treat someone unequally? I think we all need to do some thinking about these kinds of things. I realize our lives are not always great, but let's try to remember to keep ourselves in check if we're in a bad mood, and not vent by going off on others. Things like that.

I don't know though. These are my ideas and points and I hope you all will consider them as you go about your internet adventures, or even your daily lives. Peace begins with forgiveness, and begets more peace. We may not be able to create world peace, but I think peace on a message board is certainly possible, and I encourage you all to create peace in whatever way you can.

With that I bid you all adieu; there's nothing more for me to say or do here anymore. Thank you to those who are my friends, I apologize to those who dislike me, and good luck to you all. May our days grow free of war and despair, and may you all find whatever it is in this world you need to make your lives complete. Thank you for reading.

Sincerely,


Jason R. "The Streak"
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Sex with animals? There's no time, man! --Master Shake

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Best First
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Post by Best First » Thu Jul 07, 2005 9:44 am

Take care dude.
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Predabot
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Post by Predabot » Thu Jul 07, 2005 3:07 pm

Be well on your journey dude. :( I don't think you should feel that you have to give up a part of either the TF-phenomenon because of the community, or the community because of the TF-phenomenon tho.

I think I agree on what you've said about the venom enfermiating the air of the TF-boards, as I frequent some other pop-culture phenomenon boards, and the TF ones are the only one where I've ever gotten into trouble in. :eek:

I say, keep one last vestige, if you like. The IDW-comic is coming out in a few months, and maybe, jsut maybe things will have changed slightly for how you feel, and you can try that out, and perhaps, you will like it. Then, you can keep that as your last vestige of TF. The fiction is much of what has captured us all over the years

I really hope you'll be back some day.

Cheers mate, I hardly knew thee.

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Kup_1
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Post by Kup_1 » Thu Jul 07, 2005 11:21 pm

Later days and better times, Red.

Sure hope you pop in here from time to time to say hi. :-)
Autobloke's girl.

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Aaron Hong
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Post by Aaron Hong » Fri Jul 08, 2005 12:42 am

Or just lurk around, at the very least. :)
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KingMob
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Post by KingMob » Fri Jul 08, 2005 7:04 am

It won't be quite the same without you kicking it somewhere in the TF community, Red. Good luck with your future endeavours, you deserve it.
Take it easy, man.

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Legion
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Post by Legion » Fri Jul 08, 2005 9:57 am

sorry to see you go Red, good luck for the future!

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Eline
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Post by Eline » Fri Jul 08, 2005 10:24 am

Take care, and enjoy yourself in the real world.

:)

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Impactor returns 2.0
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Post by Impactor returns 2.0 » Fri Jul 08, 2005 10:35 am

yes, sorry to see you leave Red, hope things go well for you.
Id argue with you to stay but you seem to want to leave.
Do what you feel you must, we will always be here
Till all are one.
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sprunkner
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Post by sprunkner » Fri Jul 08, 2005 11:47 pm

We'll miss ya. I appreciate the observations.

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Jetfire
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:(

Post by Jetfire » Sat Jul 09, 2005 1:45 am

and you are?
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Transformers: Arsenal fans in disgise

spiderfrommars
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Post by spiderfrommars » Sat Jul 09, 2005 11:16 am

Goodbye and good luck Red.

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Señior's Covenant
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Post by Señior's Covenant » Sat Jul 09, 2005 4:54 pm

Hmm, astute observations there. Though, truly, similar could apply in most matters of life. But, if bailing and selling or just getting rid of every reminder of what said observations have been applied to is what it takes to get you through life, best of luck to ya. B'bye.
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Muchas gracias to Mob for the Sig, proving why he's called 'King'.

The "i" in "Señior" from "Señior's Covenant" is intentional and part of a stupid & cheesy inside joke from '02. Thank you for your concern.

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