Emotionally-Charged Topics

[BobD]

This is a scroll saw forum that has grown into a strong community--some would say a family.

Like most things, when you grow rapidly, you can expect growing pains. I view the recent thread on gas prices as a growing pain.

It started out fine, with people talking about gas prices in their area, but economic issues are always close to people's heart. I hate to sound jaded, but emotional issues like this usually lead to conflict...it's human nature.

When we make a decision on something, we tend to look for all the evidence that supports our decision, and try to refute any evidence that is contrary to our decision. If we can't refute the evidence, we refute the person providing the evidence. Watch a few minutes of Court TV...you'll see what I mean.

I really need to stress that as a community, let's try to stay away from emotionally-charged issues such as discussions of religion, philosophy, or politics. I read once that if you are in an argument, you have lost. Even if you get your point across and "win" the argument, you have lost in the personal relationship you had with the person you are arguing with.

I'm not naive; I know we will have discussions here on the board. But we have enough trouble dealing with discussions of the best woods, or finishes, or techniques. None of us need the extra stress of off-topic discussions or arguments.

Thank you for reading and understanding.

Bob Duncan
Technical Editor

[knothead]

Thanks Bob. There are plenty of forums out there to vent.

[TerryInMich]

Good points Bob. Thanks. Besides if we need to have heated discussions, it can be over blades, saws, finishes, etc.

Terry

[workin for wood]

on that note...my gas is free, but I do charge for bottling and shipping

[Marcel in Longueuil]

Ian (?),
DukeNukem,

You made the same mistake as as Jeff did.
Carter NEVER reffered to you as a loser, he said looser, as in not tight.

There is no need to remove the post, the only thing Carter did was take to time to try and make a suggestion that could improve your puzzles.

If you look at his postings of the puzzles he makes, you should feel honored that he is willing to help you improve yourself: personally, I think of him as a master puzzle maker.

Take care,
Marcel

[miamw]

Marcel, it looks like you replied to the wrong thread. Oops!

About the arguments on here. I personally don't think there are any arguments going on, only statements of personal opinion. So what if the government was mentioned in a thread about how they could possibly be influencing nationwide prices? Nobody is being singled out especially by name. What would happen if the prices for blades went up due to a shortage of steel or something? Would that thread be audited for issues regarding who is at fault for the high prices? Probably. I'm sure if a thread was started about how few issues of SSWC were published per year, that would be deleted too.

So, the way I see it is I suppose it's ok to start a new thread about poop, but we can't vent about gas prices? I don't get it. Maybe there shouldn't be an off topic section here if people are going to get their feathers ruffled a little.

[Minnesota scroller]

Originally Posted by miamw

So, the way I see it is I suppose it's ok to start a new thread about poop, but we can't vent about gas prices? I don't get it. Maybe there shouldn't be an off topic section here if people are going to get their feathers ruffled a little.

Speaking of poop, did you know that the the largest contributor to the greenhouse warming is cow poop? This is due to the methane gas. Maybe we shouldn't go there. We might ruffle the feathers of a couple cattle farmers.

[kerry_nf]

Originally Posted by Minnesota scroller

Speaking of poop, did you know that the the largest contributor to the greenhouse warming is cow poop? This is due to the methane gas. Maybe we shouldn't go there. We might ruffle the feathers of a couple cattle farmers.

I dunno about that Mike. My in-laws are visiting and I think my father in law got the cows beat to be honest. LOL!

[Old Forester]

This seems like a lot of concern about nothing!! I like the "off topic" threads BECAUSE there are lots of people here having many different opinions. This is what makes it interesting!!! As I read these pages I see different ideas, friendly jibes, and a lot of support and caring. This seems to me to be a healthy group!!! I think it's great that discussions can range from serious mass shootings to the frivolous subject of poop. I hope we continue just as we are.

[workin for wood]

nothing is more emotionally charged than having in-laws come to visit.