Wow, Lotus 7 Club's quiet ... how can we help it recover

[apexcone]

Helluvaname said:

unless you are referring to the only significant drop, which was in the number of Canadian members over recent years?

My point exactly, I know most of them and why they left has a lot to do with Canadians not being comfortable with abuse, judgement and piss taking; all most people want to do is join a club where they have shared interests and can make new friends. The point that's been missed in all of this is the L7C promotes its self as a global community, yet it reality its style of humour (its not humour) is alienating people from other cultures and life style choices. I personally know of several Caterham owners (7 in fact) who are part of the Gay, Lesbian & Transgender Community in London, all very much UNDER the radar when it comes to other L7C members nothing there sexual preferences.

I cant imagine the legal st storm (one of them is a female Barrister) if they were the recipients of some of the smart arse & sexist remarks others have been subject to, the club would find itself in deep legal st VERY rapidly.

The SUN Front Page:
"Leading UK Leukaemia charity distances itself from Sports Car Forum that tolerates a culture of sexist remarks"

Edited by apexcone on Wednesday 15th April 17:13

[Eric Mc]

I agree. I've heard the L7 Club has very few members in Libya for that very reason.

[Toaster]

apexcone said:

In the end clubs and forums are communities and communities are about relationships and shared interests. As I have said before its easy to make smart arse maligning remarks behind the safety of our computer screens, but how does that help build community?

When we engage in passing judgement, sarcasm and derogatory comments about the live style choices of are members we have moved WAY past the shared interests that bring us together.

Thats why in the real world the L7C does have a good membership, the tripe that goes on within forums can only be taken with a pic of salt there is the real world of club meets and the virtual world of pretenders..

[apexcone]

Eric Mc said:

:DI agree. I've heard the L7 Club has very few members in Libya for that very reason.

Exactly

[Jmracing66]

Well as of today I'm now a member of the L7C and I'm looking forward to seeing what all the fuss is about.

[downsman]

Welcome to the club

[anotherjohnv]

apexcone said:

My point exactly, I know most of them and why they left has a lot to do with Canadians not being comfortable with abuse, judgement and piss taking; all most people want to do is join a club where they have shared interests and can make new friends. The point that's been missed in all of this is the L7C promotes its self as a global community, yet it reality its style of humour (its not humour) is alienating people from other cultures and life style choices. I personally know of several Caterham owners (7 in fact) who are part of the Gay, Lesbian & Transgender Community in London, all very much UNDER the radar when it comes to other L7C members nothing there sexual preferences.

I cant imagine the legal st storm (one of them is a female Barrister) if they were the recipients of some of the smart arse & sexist remarks others have been subject to, the club would find itself in deep legal st VERY rapidly.

The SUN Front Page:
"Leading UK Leukaemia charity distances itself from Sports Car Forum that tolerates a culture of sexist remarks"

Edited by apexcone on Wednesday 15th April 17:13

sorry, but FFS get over yourself .. it's a car club, not the BBC

Edited by anotherjohnv on Wednesday 15th April 20:51

[anonymous-user]

anotherjohnv said:

apexcone said:

My point exactly, I know most of them and why they left has a lot to do with Canadians not being comfortable with abuse, judgement and piss taking; all most people want to do is join a club where they have shared interests and can make new friends. The point that's been missed in all of this is the L7C promotes its self as a global community, yet it reality its style of humour (its not humour) is alienating people from other cultures and life style choices. I personally know of several Caterham owners (7 in fact) who are part of the Gay, Lesbian & Transgender Community in London, all very much UNDER the radar when it comes to other L7C members nothing there sexual preferences.

I cant imagine the legal st storm (one of them is a female Barrister) if they were the recipients of some of the smart arse & sexist remarks others have been subject to, the club would find itself in deep legal st VERY rapidly.

The SUN Front Page:
"Leading UK Leukaemia charity distances itself from Sports Car Forum that tolerates a culture of sexist remarks"

Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 15th April 17:13

sorry, but FFS get over yourself

Yes, that does seem rather melodramatic doesn't it?

[sjmmarsh]

Smollet said:

I've not been on there much of late but I think the person you're referring to seems to have vanished.

I am fairly sure he is in France with his dad at the moment.

Steve

[Chrisp5782]

Toaster said:

Crossflow Kid said:

Lots of people contribute to the club in lots of ways, some of them more significantly than some of the ARs. Not all of them get a freebie.
Look, I just don't like it. I don't begrudge anyone who takes advantage of it, but for me it's a bit Catch 22.
ARs are there to head up a local group of members, yet from a certain point of view they're not members themselves because they haven't paid the standard membership fee.
And of course now there's a rival "club" where everyone can get free membership.....it's called Facebook.

Edited by Crossflow Kid on Wednesday 15th April 09:06

Facebook is not a club it does not have a constitution, PH is a community as is Facebook........a virtual community, I doubt that many opinions would be expressed in such a way in 'real life'

As for AR's getting free membership I suspect for many AR's if they are actually paid membership for all would be a lot more so giving a little to those who do care is the minimum the membership can do

Correct, to a point.

The last event I organised for the C&L7OG on Easter Sunday at PT Sports Cars had seventy five 7's in attendance and we had a great get together, it didn't cost anyone anything but the fuel to get there and home again.

We've got beyond virtual now.

Worth noting that a lot of those that came are L7C members too, as am I.

[Chrisp5782]

Toaster said:

apexcone said:

In the end clubs and forums are communities and communities are about relationships and shared interests. As I have said before its easy to make smart arse maligning remarks behind the safety of our computer screens, but how does that help build community?

When we engage in passing judgement, sarcasm and derogatory comments about the live style choices of are members we have moved WAY past the shared interests that bring us together.

Thats why in the real world the L7C does have a good membership, the tripe that goes on within forums can only be taken with a pic of salt there is the real world of club meets and the virtual world of pretenders..

If you're referring to the C&L7OG on FB you'd be wrong, very wrong. Over 800 members and our last meet had 75 cars in attendance, hardly pretending is it.

[apexcone]

Chrisp5782 said:

Correct, to a point.

The last event I organised for the C&L7OG on Easter Sunday at PT Sports Cars had seventy five 7's in attendance and we had a great get together, it didn't cost anyone anything but the fuel to get there and home again.

We've got beyond virtual now.

Worth noting that a lot of those that came are L7C members too, as am I.

Good for you, my experience with live is events is equally encouraging. In 2013 my wife and I organized the Grizzle Bear Blat, met some wonderful people and made some good long term friends. In 2016 we are running the Polar Bear Blat to Alaska.

My issue isn't with the club, its with BC and the management for not dealing with the small minority of people who have polluted it.

[Smollet]

apexcone said:

Good for you, my experience with live is events is equally encouraging. In 2013 my wife and I organized the Grizzle Bear Blat, met some wonderful people and made some good long term friends. In 2016 we are running the Polar Bear Blat to Alaska.

My issue isn't with the club, its with BC and the management for not dealing with the small minority of people who have polluted it.

Your problem is your inability to differentiate between harmless banter and real abuse. You think they are the same.

[apexcone]

Smollet said:

Your problem is your inability to differentiate between harmless banter and real abuse. You think they are the same.

I guess we all have different standards, so who decides what's harmless, YOU? I can only guess you wouldn't object to some harmless banter being directed at the your wife or kids, that would be ok right!

Edited by apexcone on Thursday 16th April 06:17

[Guy Lowe]

Apexcone leave it alone, this is going the same way as your rant on Blatchat did, you get offended, you get upset and you end up throwing all your toys out of the pram.

[Smollet]

apexcone said:

I guess we all have different standards, so who decides what's harmless, YOU? I can only guess you wouldn't object to some harmless banter being directed at the your wife or kids, that would be ok right!

Edited by apexcone on Thursday 16th April 06:17

It wouldn't bother me in the slightest. . Follow Guy's advice.

[BertBert]

apexcone said:

My point exactly, I know most of them and why they left has a lot to do with Canadians not being comfortable with abuse, judgement and piss taking; all most people want to do is join a club where they have shared interests and can make new friends. The point that's been missed in all of this is the L7C promotes its self as a global community, yet it reality its style of humour (its not humour) is alienating people from other cultures and life style choices. I personally know of several Caterham owners (7 in fact) who are part of the Gay, Lesbian & Transgender Community in London, all very much UNDER the radar when it comes to other L7C members nothing there sexual preferences.

I cant imagine the legal st storm (one of them is a female Barrister) if they were the recipients of some of the smart arse & sexist remarks others have been subject to, the club would find itself in deep legal st VERY rapidly.

The SUN Front Page:
"Leading UK Leukaemia charity distances itself from Sports Car Forum that tolerates a culture of sexist remarks"

Edited by apexcone on Wednesday 15th April 17:13

If there is anything wrong with blatchat, this thought process has to be it. Any chance of coming back to earth?

[anotherjohnv]

apexcone said:

I guess we all have different standards, so who decides what's harmless, YOU? I can only guess you wouldn't object to some harmless banter being directed at the your wife or kids, that would be ok right!

When you posted on Blatchat about some serious family problems you were enduring you had nothing but support and sympathy, not a dissenting voice in any of the many many posts supporting you.

When you started your wife swapping thread it got the piss ripped out of it .. nobody personally insulted you. We were termed 'low-life scum' by you and you flounced out.

So to answer your post above, the 'community' you were posting in decided that your personal issues were treated with compassion and care, and your wife swapping thread was fair game for some harmless banter.

Get it?

[hst7]

So is Blatchat too PC, or under-moderated/abusive? Can't have it both ways, and the current balance seems about right to me.

I'd imagine a fairly p1ss taking response on all car forums (definitely including this one, and not just UK forums) if a topic such as "The benefits of open marriage" was posted for (attempted) serious discussion.

[Toaster]

Chrisp5782 said:

If you're referring to the C&L7OG on FB you'd be wrong, very wrong. Over 800 members and our last meet had 75 cars in attendance, hardly pretending is it.

Did you do a survey of how many of those attendees are also members of the L7C......if not your claim is null and void

I am sure all sorts of people do meet up, give it time people will fall out with each other either its all the same rubbish that goes on.

Edited by Toaster on Thursday 16th April 12:31