This sandbox gets so full of kitty litter...

[Kalanianiole]

I have been trying read more in this forum but I get so shame face from watching all the cat fights. One cat swells up, shows claws, acts all big time, the others one hisses, snarls and mayhem ensues. I know the moderater cannot control this all the time, but the long time members, no matter how terribly amusing and powerful they are (cats with large teeth,plenty of experience on the playground, no way they going give in when they are being naughty) can surely keep this under control a little bit more. So many prickly personalities, this is hard to control for sure, but you know, ever since I read about that Thelema guy leaving I notice so many others not feeling like they can express themselves. Anyway, you can jump on this one, no problem, yeah? But I like see you guys fix this, so we can read the forums, not just feel all embarass for the losers slink away. thanks, yeah?

[trainer101]

I have been trying read more in this forum but I get so shame face from watching all the cat fights. One cat swells up, shows claws, acts all big time, the others one hisses, snarls and mayhem ensues. I know the moderater cannot control this all the time, but the long time members, no matter how terribly amusing and powerful they are (cats with large teeth,plenty of experience on the playground, no way they going give in when they are being naughty) can surely keep this under control a little bit more. So many prickly personalities, this is hard to control for sure, but you know, ever since I read about that Thelema guy leaving I notice so many others not feeling like they can express themselves. Anyway, you can jump on this one, no problem, yeah? But I like see you guys fix this, so we can read the forums, not just feel all embarass for the losers slink away. thanks, yeah?

I've found that the best way through the cat fights is to keep right on posting. If there's something of value in the posts, eventually people start to pay attention.
It also helps to join some of the other discussions beside the plotline talks. Just jump in and make friends.
My little bit of advice to the newbies (of which I'm one).

[GoodGollyItsHolly]

I have been trying read more in this forum but I get so shame face from watching all the cat fights. One cat swells up, shows claws, acts all big time, the others one hisses, snarls and mayhem ensues. I know the moderater cannot control this all the time, but the long time members, no matter how terribly amusing and powerful they are (cats with large teeth,plenty of experience on the playground, no way they going give in when they are being naughty) can surely keep this under control a little bit more. So many prickly personalities, this is hard to control for sure, but you know, ever since I read about that Thelema guy leaving I notice so many others not feeling like they can express themselves. Anyway, you can jump on this one, no problem, yeah? But I like see you guys fix this, so we can read the forums, not just feel all embarass for the losers slink away. thanks, yeah?

I've found that the best way through the cat fights is to keep right on posting. If there's something of value in the posts, eventually people start to pay attention.
It also helps to join some of the other discussions beside the plotline talks. Just jump in and make friends.
My little bit of advice to the newbies (of which I'm one).

youre my friend trainer!

[trainer101]

youre my friend trainer!

Aww... you're such a sweetie... but I promise I won't tell, your secret is safe with me.

[rachelalexis]

You're hardly a newb trainer! Your hope for the elusive Illuminati connection makes me smile!

[trainer101]

You're hardly a newb trainer! Your hope for the elusive Illuminati connection makes me smile!

Oh my, I'm surrounded by sweetness! I can really get used to this.

[rachelalexis]

You're hardly a newb trainer! Your hope for the elusive Illuminati connection makes me smile!

Oh my, I'm surrounded by sweetness! I can really get used to this.

As long as we don't put you into a diabetic coma.

[trainer101]

You're hardly a newb trainer! Your hope for the elusive Illuminati connection makes me smile!

Oh my, I'm surrounded by sweetness! I can really get used to this.

As long as we don't put you into a diabetic coma.

But what a way to go...

[Broken Kid]

I have been trying read more in this forum but I get so shame face from watching all the cat fights. One cat swells up, shows claws, acts all big time, the others one hisses, snarls and mayhem ensues. I know the moderater cannot control this all the time, but the long time members, no matter how terribly amusing and powerful they are (cats with large teeth,plenty of experience on the playground, no way they going give in when they are being naughty) can surely keep this under control a little bit more. So many prickly personalities, this is hard to control for sure, but you know, ever since I read about that Thelema guy leaving I notice so many others not feeling like they can express themselves. Anyway, you can jump on this one, no problem, yeah? But I like see you guys fix this, so we can read the forums, not just feel all embarass for the losers slink away. thanks, yeah?

I personally feel people should read this post and think about it a little before posting. He/she makes a good point. Even if you don't mean something abrasive or hurtful in your post, you could probably see how others would take it that way. Sorta like thinking twice before talking.

But I'm not talking censorship. Just a suggestion.

[GoodGollyItsHolly]

I have been trying read more in this forum but I get so shame face from watching all the cat fights. One cat swells up, shows claws, acts all big time, the others one hisses, snarls and mayhem ensues. I know the moderater cannot control this all the time, but the long time members, no matter how terribly amusing and powerful they are (cats with large teeth,plenty of experience on the playground, no way they going give in when they are being naughty) can surely keep this under control a little bit more. So many prickly personalities, this is hard to control for sure, but you know, ever since I read about that Thelema guy leaving I notice so many others not feeling like they can express themselves. Anyway, you can jump on this one, no problem, yeah? But I like see you guys fix this, so we can read the forums, not just feel all embarass for the losers slink away. thanks, yeah?

I personally feel people should read this post and think about it a little before posting. He/she makes a good point. Even if you don't mean something abrasive or hurtful in your post, you could probably see how others would take it that way. Sorta like thinking twice before talking.

But I'm not talking censorship. Just a suggestion.

I second that!
spread the lurve!

[spaciegirlreturn]

I understand what you're saying, but this (forum/ community) is an extension of real life and people are not all perfect and nicey-nice all the time. You don't have to get involved in heated arguements if you don't want to, just like you don't have to get involved in things like the "party thread" where being nice is sort of the unspoken code. Personally, I act the same way here as I would in real life. I happen to be the kind of person that is going to speak up if I think someone is being a jerk...which leads to arguements sometimes, but that's OK.

[SbS]

I disagree with those critical of the "catfights" as representative of our culture as a community. I find this community to be exceptional in comparison to others. Look at the way we work together to solve problems and discuss theories. Even those who we consider to be trolls would be considered social butterflies elsewhere. Our forum culture can't be perfect all the time--if it was we'd all be Stepford Wives.

[Kalanianiole]

So, everybody express their opinion very nicely, it doesn't seem so bad, yeah? No scratching, sand flying, etc...the reason I bring it up in the first place is because sometimes it is so good. Sometimes this is one good place to read.
But take the good and the bad, for real-sometimes this board needs less hissyfit. Everybody lose it sometimes, but we got time with the keyboard to think a minute. Or not. My big concern is the number of folks who come, read and leave. Like me. I try come back again cuz I want to try address this. If it cannot be any better, okay. Maybe there should be one section "Arguments and One Ups". I just like read the threads without so many arguments about who's the biggest idiot. Already have my own list, so pretty boring...And not all online communities are outacontrol, guaranteed. This one has plenty of controls-just you guys have decided which ones the most important. The alley cats been here the longest own the territory. They like the howling on the back fence, it going stay...It just make it hard for me to hear the story sometimes. Drives away the smaller more timid animals, too. That's real life for sure.

Who knows what ideas they might have had? (Like that Thelema guy...) I want to read them. I'm just asking the more ferocious cats to sheathe claws when they feel like shred some poor sincere turkey. Educate the newbie, be hysterically funny and articulate and amusingly sarky. Just as funny, less painful to watch. But really thanks for listening, eh?

[SbS]

No scratching,

What if I like being scratched?

[Kalanianiole]

Not a problem. Go say something mildly critical of the bigger cats in this sandbox and stand back. The issue is if you don't like get hissed at, chased off, scratched. Cute comment though.