Thumper’s Mother

OP:  Thanks for having the courage and class to keep the discussion on a civil tone.  I have read far too immature, reactionary and ascorbic comments in this forum during the past five years.  

@audphile1 : "People are people and will behave the way they choose in that particular moment". ... you are right, of course, but that fact seems both assumed and irrelevant.  The OP is requesting for more than that from this group, and rightfully so.  He requested civility, curtesy and respect in this forum, and I whole-heartedly support him. 

It is truly sad how many people are no longer here to share their knowledge, insights and aspirations simply because of the bad manners of folks who know better.  

Nothing wrong with disagreements as long as you don’t make it personal and/or get nasty or insulting.

Frankly however, right or wrong, public forums on the internet are not generally a good place for the easily offended.  

@megabyte 

" public forums on the internet are not generally a good place for the easily offended."

I think that is really at the heart of this. The OP would like to see a peaceful site at all times, and I understand that. I don't think that it's possible, but I understand how he feels.   

I can’t overstate the value "little" forums like this one. People coming together to share common links and connections is unappreciated and undervalued. We learn and share from each. But, we also have the opportunity show our humanity in a world with an overabundance of clicks, emojis, and shocking headlines. Sometimes the best version of ourselves is not what shows up on a given topic or remark. That’s what makes us "human", I suppose.

My friends at Unite.us and the University of Utah have put together a thing they refer to as a "Dignity Scale". The purpose was to evaluate an individual based on how much dignity that showed the other party, and not entirely on the content or voracity of the statement or argument they presented. It’s having an impact on politics, among other things, and seems to be getting some traction. The goal, of course, was to make people stop and take note of how they address others and show some level of dignity towards those they may not agree with. The moderators of this forum have no control over how much "dignity" they tolerate among members, nor should they. But, pausing for a moment before the performing a full body takedown might be helpful at times.

I wish I could say I don’t fail daily to be the best person I could be, but that would be a lie. I’m impatient, self-centered, and prone to jump to conclusions. Sadly, this leads to my words being careless at times. 
 

But I promise I’m trying. Bottom line is, I need grace and need to extend grace to others.
 

If we are aware and try to do our best caring for others, maybe that’s good enough. Maybe it has to be.  
 

I wish you all peace.