Just my , but the way I see it, sometimes there is an intricate balance between content the host doesn't want to see posted here, and what is on people's minds specific to the subject matter.
So, rather than risk the ire, they just keep those thoughts to themselves.
Sort of a twist on the old saying "If you can't say something nice...etc"
That's where I believe the protracted silences come from.The community sees one member "exceed themself", and rather than get sucked into the vortex with them, they just shun the subject
charlie hebdo I look on here on Monday @ 10:35 am and last post on General Forum was 10 hours ago. An example of how boring most threads are.
I look on here on Monday @ 10:35 am and last post on General Forum was 10 hours ago. An example of how boring most threads are.
There's only so much you can discuss on whether the McGinnis scheme was red or orange.
This is a forum about a rather specialized topic - trains. Only so many people have something to say, or ask, on a given topic I'm on one forum that would probably go days without a post, if it weren't for folks posting about daily train activity.
The chats on the various train cams run into the same thing.
Besides that, people have to sleep, and work.
That's just the nature of the beast.
Edit - I just jumped up one level to see all the Trains forums.. The most recent post on the Locomotive forum was yesterday. Transit was seven hours ago. Passenger was 4 hours ago. Steam/Preservation wins this round with the most recent post just an hour ago.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
Just remember
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8VHc49ZdP4
Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.
Convicted One Just my , but the way I see it, sometimes there is an intricate balance between content the host doesn't want to see posted here, and what is on people's minds specific to the subject matter. So, rather than risk the ire, they just keep those thoughts to themselves. Sort of a twist on the old saying "If you can't say something nice...etc" That's where I believe the protracted silences come from.The community sees one member "exceed themself", and rather than get sucked into the vortex with them, they just shun the subject
Murphy Siding charlie hebdo I look on here on Monday @ 10:35 am and last post on General Forum was 10 hours ago. An example of how boring most threads are. Pardon me if this sounds cheeky, but if all the threads are boring, why not start one that isn't? It's kind of like the kid that looks in the fridge and says there's nothing good to eat. Why can't he just take it upon himself to cook something good? I guess it's not as easy as it sounds.
Pardon me if this sounds cheeky, but if all the threads are boring, why not start one that isn't? It's kind of like the kid that looks in the fridge and says there's nothing good to eat. Why can't he just take it upon himself to cook something good? I guess it's not as easy as it sounds.
The very active ones are usually controversial by nature. Topics where all agree don't generate many responses. And then those controversial threads get blocked even when the rules were not broken.
Murphy SidingWhy the generic pronouns? I think we'd all agree that 99.9% of us on here are men (or at least identify as men?) can't he just exceed himself?
I'm always hopeful that Kathi Kube might one day resume participation?
The point I was hoping to make is, that some members seem to revel pushing the envelope of what is prohibited here, and know full well they are doing so in the process.
While the majority of the community might recognize what is going on (as it happens), they have no desire to have their name in the mix once anticipated moderation begins exacting it's toll. So they shun the thread.
Very few people willing to drink in a burning bar, no matter how thirsty they might be. would be an abstract analogy.
And for anyone so misguided as to stand holding the door open bellittling passers by for their reluctance to enter, enjoy the "free beer"...and entertain them....well....I think that is a decision everyone must make for themselves. I've never felt any implicit "duty" to entertain anyone else here....
charlie hebdo Murphy Siding charlie hebdo I look on here on Monday @ 10:35 am and last post on General Forum was 10 hours ago. An example of how boring most threads are. Pardon me if this sounds cheeky, but if all the threads are boring, why not start one that isn't? It's kind of like the kid that looks in the fridge and says there's nothing good to eat. Why can't he just take it upon himself to cook something good? I guess it's not as easy as it sounds. The very active ones are usually controversial by nature. Topics where all agree don't generate many responses. And then those controversial threads get blocked even when the rules were not broken.
CO: I don't have a clue as to how your long analogy applies to these fora.
MS: Too much concern about someone's feelings getting hurt. I'm tempted to use a term a political group I don't care for. It's too many snowflakes.
charlie hebdo I'm tempted to use a term a political group I don't care for. It's too many snowflakes.
Source?
charlie hebdo... MS: Too much concern about someone's feelings getting hurt. I'm tempted to use a term a political group I don't care for. It's too many snowflakes.
Define snowflake!
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Yes, just what is a snowflake? Can you define it with sources?
This is probably the meaning intended, but it also is the smallest piece of a snow event.
The wiki definition might be deemed political, so I will narrow it down according to Urban Dictonary:
Euclid This is probably the meaning intended, but it also is the smallest piece of a snow event. The wiki definition might be deemed political, so I will narrow it down according to Urban Dictonary: Snowflake A very sensitive person. Someone who is easily hurt or offended by the statements or actions of others.
54, Tree and Balt:
Doubtful that any of you are that ill- informed. Give it up.
charlie hebdo54, Tree and Balt: Doubtful that any of you are that ill- informed. Give it up.
I'm not - just wondering about you.
CH - How's it feel?
Next time you're tempted to write "Source," remember your own words...
tree68 CH - How's it feel? Next time you're tempted to write "Source," remember your own words...
No problem, pal. I'm used to needing to provide sources when something is stated as a fact rather than a mere comment or opinion or guess. My asking for sourcing didn't apply to any of you three but you can easily guess to whom it does apply.
charlie hebdoNo problem, pal. I'm used to needing to provide sources when something is stated as a fact rather than a mere comment or opinion or guess. My asking for sourcing didn't apply to any of you three but you can easily guess to whom it does apply.
Or, you could provide said facts, instead of merely calling the poster into question. Not doing so suggests you don't know either.
tree68Or, you could provide said facts, instead of merely calling the poster into question. Not doing so suggests you don't know either.
What I would do is..... look for the posts where the person practices what they tell others (preach) and start counting those posts and see what numbers you get. You should eventually reach a conclusion.
BTW, what happened to our infamous "expert CPA"? He used to hammer others pretty good when he had no real clue himself. To this day I think most posters are hesitant about commenting on Amtrak Financials......which is a rather sad outcome and basically his behavior put that topic off limits for most posters as it became a third rail of argument.
Lithonia OperatorLithonia Operator wrote the following post 4 days ago: Steve Otte was right to lock that thread on "federal dispatching."
This thread, and the Federal Dispatching thread, reminds me of the former Atlas Forum. Towards the end, there was a lot of snark, in my opinion. Atlas Co decided that it was not worth the staff time it was taking to remind folks to be civil.
I don't mind differences of opinions when they are just opinions. Just don't get snarky, rude, and abrupt about it.
On disagreements on facts:
I think it's helpful to provide sources when you can, if you are asserting opinion as fact. It is tiresome to see inaccurate assertions in forums, as they linger on forever. An example on another forum, "cabooses are gone". Not really, just not required the same way they were 50 years ago. These inaccuracies may then become absorbed as internet wisdom by newcomers.
My two cents.
Hillyard On disagreements on facts: I think it's helpful to provide sources when you can, if you are asserting opinion as fact. It is tiresome to see inaccurate assertions in forums, as they linger on forever. An example on another forum, "cabooses are gone". Not really, just not required the same way they were 50 years ago. These inaccuracies may then become absorbed as internet wisdom by newcomers. My two cents.
Cabooses are gone - what you are looking at, that once were cabooses, are known as shoving platforms. They get assigned to jobs that routinely have long shoving moves as a part of their days work. It is safer for the employees that are required to be on the leading end of the shoving movement to ride standing on a shoving platform than it is for them to ride the side of the lead car hang on to the stirrup and ladders of the car. Some shoves can be several miles long.
Hillyard"cabooses are gone"
As you can see from Balts response, that is a matter of interpretation. Balt is interpreting it to be the role of the caboose your interpreting it as to be the car type itself. So before jumping on it as an opinion stated as fact. Perhaps ask the author a qualifying question as to what they mean specifically by "gone".
Don't worry though we have several Yosemite Sam posters that shoot the pistol before they even know the context of what was stated.
BTW, I need it explained to me a little more why facts are so important in an informal discussion forum. I am just not comprehending the importance. If you know of someone that regularly posts opinions as facts.........let them go and keep on doing it. Why do you feel the need to police it? Let the other posters decide. If you let things go usually the peer group will eventually pull back the reigns on a poster. The recurring issue here is and why the LETS POLICE OURSELVES fails repeatedly is there are a few posters that feel the need to police others or shut down their opinions repeatedly for whatever reason (and it is not just to ensure factual info I won't buy that, for me to buy that then the challenging poster would always have to post factual info.......which never happens).
Chuckles, you're not exactly into making friends here. I have no idea if you are a lawyer or not, but we are not on trial. So, stop with your demands for sources when someone expresses a " mere comment or opinion." We all know what we know through years of living and years of interest in trains. So, kindly just give it a rest.
CMStPnP tree68 Or, you could provide said facts, instead of merely calling the poster into question. Not doing so suggests you don't know either. What I would do is..... look for the posts where the person practices what they tell others (preach) and start counting those posts and see what numbers you get. You should eventually reach a conclusion. BTW, what happened to our infamous "expert CPA"? He used to hammer others pretty good when he had no real clue himself. To this day I think most posters are hesitant about commenting on Amtrak Financials......which is a rather sad outcome and basically his behavior put that topic off limits for most posters as it became a third rail of argument.
tree68 Or, you could provide said facts, instead of merely calling the poster into question. Not doing so suggests you don't know either.
I have no idea what happened to Sam but your remark attacking him is typical of your modus operandi. You claim he had no clue. Yet he was an expert on accountancy and you are not. He simply challenged posts in that arena which he knew to be BS.
in the marketplace of ideas it is the responsibility of a poster to provide a basis for his comment when asked to do so, not the responsibility of someone who questions its veracity.
All I will say about this is that some forum members apparently prefer this to be a fact free zone. Some of the railroaders, make comments, even those outside of their niche of experience, which are to be accepted carte blanche.
And no, I am not a lawyer. Nor am I a railroader, chemist, self-styled military expert, IT or IS guy or accountant. I have never pretended to be such. My creds have been stated on here numerous times: clinical psychologist and retired professor. Undergrad major was European History.
Doesn't it have to do with showing respect to the other person, even if we disagree? There were a few posts previous going through meanings of a few words-here's another one to think about-empathy. We live in a world where there is a lot of disagreement, but that does not have to turn into meanness towards each other. I enjoy learning from others on this forum, tend to agree with some more than others and usually don't say much because I am not nor have I ever been a railroader so usually feel listening is more valuable to me than talking.
Now if it come to farming that may be different.
SO I will read and try to learn and have my opinions about people because of what they say and how they say it and, hopefully, that will not be evident if I reply.
PR
charlie hebdo Some of the railroaders, make comments, even those outside of their niche of experience, which are to be accepted carte blanche.
Some of the railroaders, make comments, even those outside of their niche of experience, which are to be accepted carte blanche.
Some non railroad employees only take the word of someone who works for the railroad if it falls in line with their view point.
Also some non railroaders, and some retired railroaders evidently, have no idea what current railroad employees job duties consist of. So they are unable or unwilling to know if they are taking "outside of their niche" or not.
An "expensive model collector"
charlie hebdo Well said. However, I realize this is not academia or a research forum. Nevertheless, I think it is entirely appropriate to ask the poster for a source for his assertion that the locomotive is a dragon: actual published source or just his opinion. Such is not a personal attack and should not be construed as such in the marketplace of ideas.
Well said. However, I realize this is not academia or a research forum. Nevertheless, I think it is entirely appropriate to ask the poster for a source for his assertion that the locomotive is a dragon: actual published source or just his opinion. Such is not a personal attack and should not be construed as such in the marketplace of ideas.
Well ..... According to your reply here Charlie.. Specifically the second sentence. Sources wouldn't matter on this forum.. Matter of fact this is the information age. You can source the facts yourself. I'd rather hear what was said, and, or read. Looking it up myself... Responsibilty lies on oneself to find the truth and facts.
I think you should be more accurate since the third sentence is key. If you insist the moon is made of (whatever variety you prefer) cheese, it is your responsibility to offer some evidence for this. Apparently you don't approve of science or even the method by of a rigorous high school or college course.
By your standards it would be fine if I stated without some source to back up the opinion: "locomotive engineers are alien robots from Mars."
And BTW, source is not limited to a formal citation. It includes any evidence for the statement, such as direct observation or the opinion of someone with experience on the point in question, such as folks like Jeff or Zugmann on "engineers are aliens."
charlie hebdoBy your standards it would be fine if I stated without some source to back up the opinion: "locomotive engineers are alien robots from Mars."
Who told?
Beep boop beep.
It's been fun. But it isn't much fun anymore. Signing off for now.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any
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