Pet Talk going down hill? I don't think so.

**Kfamr** · 08-03-2003, 02:27 AM

Originally posted by wolf_Q
Ahh see you need to teach me NOT TO tell them.... Actually I hold myself back quite a bit, otherwise I might be the one banned!

Someone's gotta tell em.

**jenluckenbach** · 08-03-2003, 05:47 AM

Originally posted by zanzanfergie

I know that the 'old' (not as in age, as in time spent at this board) members are very close, as well as the late night AIM group. That closeness is what makes this board great, and it's wonderful to see, but at the same time it makes it very very difficult for 'newbies', like myself, to make any kind of impression on this board. .......but to break into that close circle of 'oldies' it seems you have to be one of the originals.
And I don't know what else I'm supposed to do to be accepted by everyone.

Guess what, I have times when I feel this way too. When I read a thread about "who is your favorite pet talker?" (for example) I read all about those people that broke off into groups: The younger ones, the late night AIM ones.....etc....and I feel quite left out. But still, it is GOOD to have been able to find a group to relate to.
Since I have not even been posting on pet talk for a full year yet, I am not an OLD-timer, so maybe I missed a lot of what you say is gone. But I don't see anything GONE. Those things that I like about pet talk are still here.
I do have one wish though, that we could stop debating so much and get back to the PETS. the PICTURES!!!!!!!!!!!!

**neko1** · 08-03-2003, 08:09 AM

I agree with Jen

**mugsy** · 08-03-2003, 08:20 AM

For me, and just me, Pet Talk is not as much fun as it used to be. There is far more "junk" to sift through. There are a couple of people on here that I will never speak to again for hurting me and Mike so badly. But, on the whole, most people on here are great. If we didn't think so, we would not drive 2 hours every 6 weeks to meet at the dog park. Those meetings are something we look forward to as soon as we leave the park. I love seeing the pictues of the dogs (sorry cat people, knowing that I am never on that side, I assume you know I mean you no disrespect

), hearing stories, etc. Just my opinion. Will I leave PT? No. Am I posting less? Yes. But, part of that is because I have, basically, 2 full time jobs.

**neko1** · 08-03-2003, 08:20 AM

Smile!

**Pam** · 08-03-2003, 08:22 AM

Originally posted by zanzanfergie
See, this is the part that worries me. What do you mean by a "chat type" poster? Am I one, just because I use emoticons and am a teenager?

What I mean by that is that some threads are nothing but a bunch of people chit-chatting back and forth and usually about nothing remotely involving pets. As I have said before in another thread where this has been discussed (and overly discussed I think at this point) age is not the issue. The use of emoticons is not the issue. The issue is maturity. Some of the teens here are great contributors to this site and I would have never even known they were teens if not for them saying so.

Zanzanfergie just look at the post you wrote about this now. It is not a chat-type post. You are stating an opinion and it is well written and well thought out. I just get tired of the conversations that go back and forth that probably should be going on by PM or instant message instead of in a post. Hope I have explained myself.

**Cookiebaker** · 08-03-2003, 08:32 AM

What really bothers me is when 2 people get into a personal conversation (that nobody else can even enter into) and takes over somebody else's thread. Private messages are wonderful things and where such conversations belong.

**shais_mom** · 08-03-2003, 09:23 AM

Originally posted by luckies4me
I know this sounds weird, but I always hear mention of Frito Feet? Do pets toes really smell that way? Should I go sniff some toes?

hehe I really want to know though lol.

I think the Thread was started by Sandra and it has been around as long as I have been.

**Cataholic** · 08-03-2003, 09:37 AM

Pam and Cookiebaker- what I am wondering if more spcific examples would help emphasize your point, one I happen to concur with, btw. I am going to try, after first making an explanatory introduction (do I really talk like this???).

The old vs. the young....yuck, I know which category I belong in, too. This isn't a straight old v. young issue, but, one of maturity. BUT having said that, I think it is fair to say the ones that do the objected to posting, for the most part, are young. That raises the issue of 1) what is the objected to posting, and 2)who is objecting to it. I can only speak to what I think it objectionable postings, and TRY not to read into things...I am NOT singling out anyone, really. If you know anything about me at all by now, you know I will tell it to you directly if I am taking issue. I can use PCB as an example- she and I do not see feather to fur on some issues, but, she and I both know where we stand with one another. I used her as an example because I know she will not take offense with me for singling her out, and it won't start a war.

To me, objectionable posts-ones with absolutely no purpose, i.e., "I'm bored".

Ones that start a topic that has no less than five other recent threds on it already.

Seeing five, or even ten threds started by the same person in less than twenty minutes- it seems like it is a game...who can start more threds.

Threds that start with "I just want to apologize", or threds that have posts that read, "well, if I offended someone I am sorry....."

Posts that are nothing but inflammatory in nature- use vulgar language, etc.

Again, I recognize that what I consider objectionable may not be what you consider objectionable. But, majority rules, here, and in life. We have noise ordinances to keep neighbors from playing guitar at 2 am...admittably, the one playing the guitar doesn't see the problem. I think if you go back and look at General-Other, you can see a pattern of what might be called nonsensical threds. And, it is usally the younger set that starts them. While it isn't scientific, it is somewhat factual.

That takes us to 'who is objecting to the threds'. It seems like the older set is the one doing the objecting. I don't know if it is the members that have been here the longest or the older members. I am in the older members set, but, not the been here the longest set.

I think we need to come to some sort of agreement about what is objectionable. I am not saying we have the 'right' to do it...and that it can be easily clarified. But, everywhere there are rules. I think they belong here, too.

**bnormal** · 08-03-2003, 09:44 AM

"We have noise ordinances to keep neighbors from playing guitar at 2 am"

Gee Cataholic, that hurt!

**Cataholic** · 08-03-2003, 09:47 AM

Originally posted by bnormal
"We have noise ordinances to keep neighbors from playing guitar at 2 am"

Gee Cataholic, that hurt!

I should have said, "that play guitar POORLY at 2 am..."....he he he

**bnormal** · 08-03-2003, 09:50 AM

"I should have said, "that play guitar POORLY at 2 am..."....he he he"

thank you

**Freckles** · 08-04-2003, 11:22 AM

I'm staying here.

**aly** · 08-04-2003, 11:33 AM

I haven't read all the replies on this thread, but here is my opinion..

I don't think Pet Talk is going downhill at all. I do think it is getting bigger and with that comes problems. There is no way to have a large community with absolutely no "bad eggs".

I am ready to move on from the lies. It won't stop me from trusting other people, but I may be more cautious before I let my emotions feel so strongly again over something online.

BIG HUGS to you all