If you were an activist ...

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51 Replies Last post: Mar 27, 2007 6:42 PM by lyndenrunner078 Go to original post 1 2 3 4 Previous Next

choover

1,120 posts since
Oct 7, 2007

45. Mar 26, 2007 1:19 PM

in response to: Tamalina

Re: If you were an activist

This has been an interesting thread and many excellent comments have been made by very articulate people. I definitely agree with our moderator that censorship is not the answer. What else would a librarian say? My thoughts on the subject:

When I think about the wide variety of Boomer topics covered on a daily basis, I am reminded of conversations had with friends while running. When my friends and I run together, we don?t limit the conversation to running only topics and I would venture to guess the majority of you don?t either. The conversations are as varied and interesting as the conversations are on Boomers. As you know, running with other people provides the opportunity to really get to know someone well, giving more meaning to the activity. My friends and I discuss all types of subjects ? nothing is taboo. Some typical topics include sex, politics, family, sex, work, sex, and sometimes we actually talk about running. This freedom to share thoughts and feelings during an uninterrupted couple of hours is quality time that leaves us physically and mentally refreshed and most definitely bonded to one another. It is therapy of the highest quality.

In my mind, the Boomer forum is similar to this. People participate in Boomers because they love running and feel a kinship with the other people on the site because of this shared interest. Personally, I think it would be dreadfully boring if ONLY running was discussed. Variety is the spice of life and it seems natural to me that people who frequently post would want to share their thoughts on other subjects while learning more about others.

Keeping up with everyone?s daily activities is darn near impossible so each individual has to make a choice about how to best spend his or her time on the website. I find myself focusing on a few folks at a time in regards to following their running and/or life activities. Posting off-topic items in separate threads is appreciated as it helps me determine if it is something I want to read or not.

Larry, I also love the postcards? don?t stop posting them!

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choover[/URL" target="_blank">

spankee

421 posts since
Nov 4, 2005

46. Mar 26, 2007 3:13 PM

in response to: Tamalina

Re: If you were an activist

quote:<HR>Originally posted by Ileneforward:
Free Willie! <HR>

I think that`s illegal. Just ask Peewee Herman.

My view is that we have a nice mix of running threads (thanks Tall for the thread on preparing for different races) and threads such as this. I respect the thought that the Boomers put in their threads and appreciate the respect that everyone shows for other perspectives.

Now let`s get on with that global de-worming shall we!!

rochrunner

934 posts since
Aug 14, 2007

47. Mar 27, 2007 1:55 PM

in response to: Tamalina

Re: If you were an activist

One of the mistakes that I've seen people make in all special-interest forums, and one that I've made a few times myself, is to assume that because the others share a particular interest with you, that they are like you in most other ways. Sort of like "I'm a runner over 40 who is politically conservative, and all the guys that I run with around here are politically conservative; therefore runners my age tend to be politically conservative and I'm sure the runners on this forum would enjoy hearing this opinion of mine..."

Substitute "liberal" or "religious" or whatever, and you get the idea. This then leads to hurt feelings when that person posts an opinion and gets flamed for it. I'm a lot more careful these days about off-topic posts of that nature.

Dark Horse

1,684 posts since
Oct 9, 2005

48. Mar 27, 2007 2:07 PM

in response to: Tamalina

Re: If you were an activist

I'm not offended when people have opinions that differ from mine.

I like to hear opinions from people with varied points of view, because it gives me a chance to learn something new, either about the subject or the person.

Moving as I have among many different worlds--the Ivy League, the Army infantry, financial people, writers and artists, people of different faiths, people of no faith, chessplayers, runners, couch potatoes, very rich people, very poor people, et cetera--I have benefited greatly from giving people the benefit of the doubt, and listening carefully to what they have to say, even if their opinions seem wrong to me at first, and even if they are expressed in ways I find jarring.

Dark Horse

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I'm a dark horse, running on a dark race course

tomwhite

1,980 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

49. Mar 27, 2007 6:22 PM

in response to: Tamalina

Re: If you were an activist

......I vote for choover's post........we tried seperating the chat from the numbers once before....
......it just killed the spirit of the thread, and shooting the breeze with other runners is just Fun.....

......(plus everybody posted when WRFB posted so they could hit him up for free beer)........

dg9005

1,325 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

50. Mar 27, 2007 6:34 PM

in response to: Tamalina

Re: If you were an activist

When I saw this topic, my initial concern was the same as what Roch expressed.

quote:<HR>I really appreciate the civility in this forum along with the breadth of knowledge and experience.<HR>

I really agree with Aamos, & wondered if certain kinds of topics could threaten part of what makes this so nice.

I also agree with DH (how'd that happen??)(

). The variety of input & the ability to respond to things that way makes life much more interesting, & relationships more real & worth having.

However, I've known few people that are consistently able to maintain logic & rational thought when emotions really get involved; that is one my pet peeves in life. They shouldn't be mutually exclusive. (ok, I'll add that one to the global worming concern) Although if any group could handle it, I'd think this would be it. There seems to be genuine mutual concern.

I like the mix of topics, but as a new person don't feel I have the background or qualifications to really say much about that. I suppose there's a teetering kind of balance. One thing, & this may sound stoopid but that's ok. Thinking about what Mike said re Tall's topic on racing & similar threads that die for lack of response... we're all busy, & sometimes tired. We might pick the easy ones first & intend to go back to what might make us think a little more when we have the chance. But might not do it. If we like the more informative running topics, we should support them or they might not be offered as often. Like the store or restaurant that you always mean to go to & by the time you do it closes.

lyndenrunner078

421 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

51. Mar 27, 2007 6:42 PM

in response to: Tamalina

Re: If you were an activist

I've read this thread many times,it just fascinates me how many great thinkers and writers we have contributing to this thing we call Boomers & Beyond.

In my case I'm guilty sometimes of just reading a post and not responding.However in the case of Tall's post,I printed it out so I can use that knowledge at a later date,just like the Boston Tips thread of last year.

We all come from different walks of life...

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Gordon
My Profile[/URL" target="_blank">

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