Topic: I'm losing interest...

QUOTE:

Well, perhaps my insinuations were insulting, but they got people talking! ;)

Nobody insults someone armed with a nuke ;) :D

I read far more than I post and I can understand anyone losing interest.

This is a cruise forum. There is only so much that can be said on the subject before you start recycling old topics. First time cruisers will always come along and rehash the same questions time after time. They get their answer - which is all well and good - but regular visitors/posters/readers will be going through the same old same old.

How many times have tips and smoking been done to death? How many contributors have repeated their views on the subject ad nauseum?

Nobody wants to discuss thrusters and propulsion and discombobulators... that's not what cruising is about. Cruising is about being a passenger not an engineer. It's about what goes on aboard your chosen "floatel"... the entertainment, the food, the destinations... the ship.

It's like dedicating a discussion forum to the potato masher - eventually you will have said all that can be said about it.

When it comes to cruises, apart from the launch of the odd new ship and new itineraries there is very little that will be original to discuss (and even itineraries are finite eventually).

Your contributions are among the better ones Dave. I'd rather you stuck with it but I could understand if you called it a day and looked elsewhere for interesting discussion and debate.

QUOTE:

Well, perhaps my insinuations were insulting, but they got people talking! ;)

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Dave, I found your post yesterday most interesting as I do with your posts on the whole, and while disagreements often happen, I always respect people's opinions even if I dont always agree with them. I do support your post and wish I were able to offer more constructive contributions to the forum, but thats the problem if you are new to cruising and lack experiance.

Like you today, I spoke of what I personally felt on the topic started by your good-self which, as you have read my post you will know that it included an item on near death experiance which has happened to me on three occasions.

Therefore I do not find it in the least bit funny when a long time member of this forum comes back with a uncalled for remark, I do not find death, be it mine, or someone else's, a topic to be ridiculed. It takes a lot to P*** me off - in fact I cannot remember the last time I was.

I do hope you accept my post in the manner it was meant, and not as a joke, as other's may - my opinions and my words.

As you will see from the time of posting, now 3.15am I am still up as a result of three thoughtless words, most likely said in jest, but on this subject not considered appropriate.

And finally your comments are of value to this forum, do not be put off, It will come back. Regards
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So So sad to read all this.....yes we all have our opinions and mostly when people ask for advice etc most of us give .......without anything attached......

Barrowman.....don't let anything anyone says on here upset/bother you to the point of sleepless nights.....you don't actually know them and I kind of hope ......no I am sure those remarks were not said to personally hurt you........ obviously steam needed to be let off and now it has been.......lets hope things simmer down now.

I see it too often on forums...(that makes it sound as if I am on many)........I'm not but it only takes 1 or 2 members to start something and before you know it all hell breaks loose and there's trouble in cyber space.....
not worth it my friend........

I for 1 would not post anything that would insult or bug anyone intentionally......life is too short....

I joined here for the Cruise help/info and interaction.......looking and shareing of photo's etc...and some will now most proberly say I am nieve.......but I had no clue that posting to increase numbers/posts got you any closer to having an invite........call me thick ....I really don't care......
I also thought this was an extended family of cruise mates...............
Happy sailing to all......Eclipse.....BRING IT ON!!!!!!! OR SHOULD I OF SAID ........

BRING HER ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!

QUOTE:

So So sad to read all this.....yes we all have our opinions and mostly when people ask for advice etc most of us give .......without anything attached......

Barrowman.....don't let anything anyone says on here upset/bother you to the point of sleepless nights.....you don't actually know them and I kind of hope ......no I am sure those remarks were not said to personally hurt you........ obviously steam needed to be let off and now it has been.......lets hope things simmer down now.

I see it too often on forums...(that makes it sound as if I am on many)........I'm not but it only takes 1 or 2 members to start something and before you know it all hell breaks loose and there's trouble in cyber space.....
not worth it my friend........

I for 1 would not post anything that would insult or bug anyone intentionally......life is too short....

I joined here for the Cruise help/info and interaction.......looking and shareing of photo's etc...and some will now most proberly say I am nieve.......but I had no clue that posting to increase numbers/posts got you any closer to having an invite........call me thick ....I really don't care......
I also thought this was an extended family of cruise mates...............
Happy sailing to all......Eclipse.....BRING IT ON!!!!!!! OR SHOULD I OF SAID ........

BRING HER ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree with every word Sue , it was so nice to meet with upbeat people instead of grouches.

QUOTE:

...in this forum.

Why? Because (and this is purely a personal opinion) I'm finding it increasingly bland.

I visit several times daily and I always go straight to New Posts. Usually about 20 topics have been added / updated since my last visit, but I'm finding that very few grab my attention nowadays. There's an ever-increasing number of 'Another newbie says Hi!' -type posts; more and more great cruise offers from staff; and the inevitable cut-and-paste press releases thinly disguised as news items (I'm not talking about Robinson's posts because at least he finishes his with a question to encourage discussion).

I've enjoyed following the threads in which Gordon et al have engaged in lively debate. Here at least were discussions where the participants were anything but bland. But unfortunately such sparring isn't to everyone's taste. People were actively seeking out this thread in order to declare it 'dead'. Such arrogance!

And then come the rules. Why now? Have people been telling tales to Mummy? Do we really need to be told how to behave? Don't get me wrong - I've long campaigned against nastiness in posts, and I warned about the danger of libel months ago. But I have faith in human nature; I believe that in any large group of people there will be enough decent ones to keep things civilised. Unlike many (most?), I don't feel 'lucky' that this forum has fewer rules than others - I simply wouldn't be here otherwise.

So what now? I don't presume to know what everyone else wants from this forum, but for me I'd like to see far more topics started by its members. Robinson does a sterling job trying to get discussion going, but I'd prefer it if he didn't have to. I'd like an end to cruise deals on the forum - what's the point? Are we supposed to debate the pros and cons of the latest offer? And I'd like to read more, not less, from people who challenge me and interest me and make me want to come back for more.

Rant over. :o

Regards

Dave, I know exactly how you feel and understand where you are coming from. I would also thank you for raising the subject. A little water has passed under the bridge since you initiated this topic yesterday forenoon and I have already noted some of the responses. However, little that has been written since the topic opened has changed my mind. I recall some months ago that it was Aplmac that broached the subject with criticism of the way the forum was going, vis-a- vis banter and drivel affecting the validity of the site. Indeed, if my memory serves me correctly, I initially used the descriptive term 'Chat Room' in support of his views in that post.

So five months down the line we are back drawing 'battle lines' between those who want to socially network and those who feel the intended purpose of the site is being either corrupted or watered down. Needless to say I am quite happy to 'nail my flag' to the mast of the latter group.

Sadly, since inception, the forum has seen a number of the more experienced and articulate contributors disappear. One has to ask why that has happened. I'm sure that their interest waned due to the propensity of 'off thread' banter and lack of serious stimulating cruise exchange.

The internet is a wonderful place, it is very diverse, and accommodates many tastes, interests and cultures. However, to make the best use of it users must recognise the divisions of interest, and therein I believe lies our problem.

I would certainly be willing to wager that the Forum's current usage and content is not entirely that what the site's founding fathers envisaged. I would have said that even before this week's reiteration of the rules.

Anyway, before I hit Gordonesque lengths of posturing, let me finish with this

In cruising terms I respect Neil Down's knowledge, advice and general conduct on this site. He is a prolific contributor and I would guess that that view is shared by the majority. Sure, there are not many who can match his experience. I'm sure he will not mind if I use his 'profile' as my example.

Do I know if Neil had Fishcake and Chips last Saturday Night? Do I know what car Neil drives? Do I know if he watched Emmerdale last night? Of course the answers are a definite No.

Now, Do I know his views on cruising Gratuities? Do I know his views on Smoking on cruise ships? You bet I do.

Thanks again Dave for the opportunity. Twitter for the twitters, Facebook for the socially inclined, Cruise. for cruising.

and NO, I don't want a badge.

Personally I have sympathy for both points of view and have contributed myself to cruise information and drivel (in fact done both within the last hour or so).

Cruising is what we all share in common and there are a lot of issues that are related, such as the current foie gras and disability discussions that are wider. However once you join a forum like this you start recognising individuals and personalities and begin to enjoy the banter and chat side of things more. I have been a member of this forum almost from the start but was more a viewer than a contributor until the last month or so. Now I feel as though I have had dialogue with regulars (some more than ohters!) and am more inclined to 'chat'. I am therefore guilty as charged, m'lud.

I like the debates and would love to see more serious issues discussed. However internet forums can be a minefield as people don't always come over as they had intended. I like to think I can look after myself if someone disagrees with me (even if it was personal) and I think it would be a shame if the content got blander due to people fearing giving offence. I was brought up to believe every opinion is valid even if you don't share it, but that it shouldn't stop you debating the point. I enjoyed the heated debate on the 'yellow peril' topic (and might have impishly added a little to the heat?;)) but think it was correctly declared dead once all sides of the argument had been aired and we completed the circle. I would like to see more of this type of issue discussed.

Perhaps we should all make more of an effort to raise issues as we come across them rather than just start banter threads?

I have never read such arrogant replies from posts against, they are filled with the letter me and me time and time again, this is a forum straight and simple, posters have different ideas on cruising , and if a little bit of fun comes into it so much the better. Posters are interested in cruising ,most are not interested in how ship goes, mention the Azipods ,thrusters etc and a lot of people's eyes glaze over, they are only interested in cabins, destinations and dining arrangements etc.
Richard you mention Neil , he also enters into the fun side of it and so far has not commented on this thread, in fact I find some of his posts very funny, anyway, that is beside the point I also have nailed my colours to the mast , and encourage all posters who want to continue posting funny anecdotes, and making friends to continue doing so, there is no reason why the two cannot live side by side, long live the forum and it's diversity.

QUOTE:

I have never read such arrogant replies from posts against, they are filled with the letter me and me time and time again,

Bit difficult to give a personal opinion without the use of a pronoun occasionally.

QUOTE:

Please don't think about leaving us David.
We love your twaddle but most of all love your photos.
Jill

Here's a new one for you, then...


Huge boulders on the beach at..

Bathsheba, over on the island's East Coast.


There's a secret grotto of a tidepool
nestled between a cluster of boulders touching each other.
Had a swim in there, Wednesday afternoon
with an old childhood friend who now lives in Norfolk.

Pictures of said grotto...soon.
.