The Pistonheads Community
Discussion
I've not posted since the unpleasant events of last week, and I have given this post some considerable thought, so I hope that Ted and the moderators will "allow" it to remain up.
I have been a member of Pistonheads for some time, and a regular contributor over the past year - and experience that I have very much enjoyed. I've met some fantastic people (some just online) in that time, and learned a great deal about cars, people and a whole host of off topic unrelated stuff.
The incidents of last week amazed me... I was shocked at how quickly things seem to get out of hand. Everyone took things the wrong way, and we spiralled into oblivion. Posts were made, deleted, as were whole threads... it's a great shame. Some of the comments made were simply out of line, and in retrospect I did not help matters, and for that I apologise.
Gassing Station is not just an information source, but also an outlet for some of us that have a stressful job... I for one sit in audio meetings and post at the same time... I do enjoy the off topic banter and admit that I have probably crossed the line once (or twice) to often. I will try and keep this in check.
A couple of things have perplexed me though. The sheer number of people on here that claim to have a hatred for political correctness is huge... yet when un-PC comments are made, they are sometimes frowned upon. Ted welcomes off topic posts, and people (in the majority) use the O/T and 18 symbols... and further to that, if a thread has an 18 on it, surely you should perhaps expect humour from a gutter level?
Banter is pretty much restricted to the 18 and O/T threads so I personally see little harm. However, this site is Ted's and his livelyhood, so I will try harder to respect his wishes. Therefore, I would like to apologise publically to Ted for raising his blood pressure a bit too often.
All of this left me very hesitant to post again, and having spoken to many other regular posters, we were taken aback a bit at how things panned out; in fact given some of the comments thrown around some people were actually a bit upset.
I am not looking to re-open a can of worms, I'm actually trying to do my best to make an apology, but also explain that I (and the others I've spoken too) love contributing to PH. Strangely it has become a way of life for many of us...
Last week I wanted to announce that I was going to pick up my first TVR - an S3c, but everyone was too busy having a slanging match to pay any interest, so I didn't bother. Having sought the help and advice of so many of you, this took the shine of an otherwise fantastic experience.
Before anyone asks, I am not "back" and will not be contributing on a regular basis for a little while yet. I still feel that there is dust that needs to settle, but I will be keeping an eye on the Gassing Station to keep up to date. I can be contacted via my profile if anyone is bothered.
Other than that, I have nothing else to add, except to say that "whatever doesn't kill you, will only make you stronger". Long live PH.
I have been a member of Pistonheads for some time, and a regular contributor over the past year - and experience that I have very much enjoyed. I've met some fantastic people (some just online) in that time, and learned a great deal about cars, people and a whole host of off topic unrelated stuff.
The incidents of last week amazed me... I was shocked at how quickly things seem to get out of hand. Everyone took things the wrong way, and we spiralled into oblivion. Posts were made, deleted, as were whole threads... it's a great shame. Some of the comments made were simply out of line, and in retrospect I did not help matters, and for that I apologise.
Gassing Station is not just an information source, but also an outlet for some of us that have a stressful job... I for one sit in audio meetings and post at the same time... I do enjoy the off topic banter and admit that I have probably crossed the line once (or twice) to often. I will try and keep this in check.
A couple of things have perplexed me though. The sheer number of people on here that claim to have a hatred for political correctness is huge... yet when un-PC comments are made, they are sometimes frowned upon. Ted welcomes off topic posts, and people (in the majority) use the O/T and 18 symbols... and further to that, if a thread has an 18 on it, surely you should perhaps expect humour from a gutter level?
Banter is pretty much restricted to the 18 and O/T threads so I personally see little harm. However, this site is Ted's and his livelyhood, so I will try harder to respect his wishes. Therefore, I would like to apologise publically to Ted for raising his blood pressure a bit too often.
All of this left me very hesitant to post again, and having spoken to many other regular posters, we were taken aback a bit at how things panned out; in fact given some of the comments thrown around some people were actually a bit upset.
I am not looking to re-open a can of worms, I'm actually trying to do my best to make an apology, but also explain that I (and the others I've spoken too) love contributing to PH. Strangely it has become a way of life for many of us...
Last week I wanted to announce that I was going to pick up my first TVR - an S3c, but everyone was too busy having a slanging match to pay any interest, so I didn't bother. Having sought the help and advice of so many of you, this took the shine of an otherwise fantastic experience.
Before anyone asks, I am not "back" and will not be contributing on a regular basis for a little while yet. I still feel that there is dust that needs to settle, but I will be keeping an eye on the Gassing Station to keep up to date. I can be contacted via my profile if anyone is bothered.
Other than that, I have nothing else to add, except to say that "whatever doesn't kill you, will only make you stronger". Long live PH.
Podie - a great post and well thought out.
I am relativly new here but have found myself quite addicted. I hope over time to become a regular poster and maybe even get to meet some of the many characters who are at present just screen names.
Long live Ted and his creation and long may the community spirit remain.
Phil
edited to say "congrats on the new TVR Podie, I am green with envy, as I am to all you other TVR owners"
>> Edited by mannginger on Monday 2nd December 11:06
I am relativly new here but have found myself quite addicted. I hope over time to become a regular poster and maybe even get to meet some of the many characters who are at present just screen names.
Long live Ted and his creation and long may the community spirit remain.
Phil
edited to say "congrats on the new TVR Podie, I am green with envy, as I am to all you other TVR owners"
>> Edited by mannginger on Monday 2nd December 11:06
) 
Nicely put I didn't read all the posts, but we were certainly at risk of a 'regulars vs newbies' divide, simply because our community can be a little tight-knit at times. So sometimes, the regulars chat to the other regulars almost exclusively, forgetting that others may be reading as well.
This led to mungo getting some flak, as he entertains the regulars par excellence, and there was also some firing at newbies as one or two had seemed to come on and show a lack of 'repect to the family'.
In short, I think it was getting a bit divisive. Everyone, newbie or regular is welcome. We were all newbies once, whether we went to BTaP or have posted a million posts in ten minutes etc.
Still the best car forum on the net, though
This led to mungo getting some flak, as he entertains the regulars par excellence, and there was also some firing at newbies as one or two had seemed to come on and show a lack of 'repect to the family'.
In short, I think it was getting a bit divisive. Everyone, newbie or regular is welcome. We were all newbies once, whether we went to BTaP or have posted a million posts in ten minutes etc.
Still the best car forum on the net, though
Basically those of us in the the Viz style / purile / schoolboy / toilet humour / knob joke fraternity got our knuckles rapped on what became a heated afternoon..........
It is still slightly unclear where the line drawn in the sand that day actually is on the beach, therefore some people are trying to get a feel for it.
I guess the balance is somewhere between keeping the O/T topics 'interesting' without affecting what is Ted's business.
I have found that without risque humour I don't have anything to say, but hopefully the team of psychiatrists assigned to my case will help......that and regular thwacks across the fetlocks with a riding crop while I bite on my bridle.
It is still slightly unclear where the line drawn in the sand that day actually is on the beach, therefore some people are trying to get a feel for it.
I guess the balance is somewhere between keeping the O/T topics 'interesting' without affecting what is Ted's business.
I have found that without risque humour I don't have anything to say, but hopefully the team of psychiatrists assigned to my case will help......that and regular thwacks across the fetlocks with a riding crop while I bite on my bridle.
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