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Where have the long-time regulars gone?

With the holiday season here, I find myself thinking about friends and acquaintances, as well as the good people I have met here on Audiogon. Next month will mark the start of my fourth year of participation on Audiogon, so it is with regret that I note how many of the long-time "regulars" who began this forum are no longer making posts (at least not with any regularity).

I miss the spirited exchange and occasionally sharp differences of opinion that were aired here (although I don't miss the nastiness that sometimes crept into some posts). I always enjoyed and/or learned from the posts by folks such as Albertporter, Cornfedboy , Garfish, Bob Bundus, Tireguy, Trelja, Sc53, and others, and the forum section is the poorer for their absence.

So, I pose a 2-part question: where have the long-time regulars gone, and what will it take for them to return so that this forum section regains its vitality of old?
sdcampbell
david99
1,467 posts
 
Right on Unsound!
unsound
7,329 posts
 
Asa, I'm guilty of speculating on an unfounded premise, but my gut tells me the root of what I consider to be over zealous moderating is money. Either the money that could be tied up in legal problems and/or the money that could be possibly lost in revenue. While I have to respect the fact that it's not directly my money, it still concerns me that freedom of speech can be bought and sold, no matter how indirectly. It's upsetting to think that we might have to resort to strategies to convey ideas in order to share the beauty of music.
unsound
7,329 posts
 
Asa, I'm guilty of speculating on an unfounded premise, but my gut tells me the root of what I consider to be over zealous moderating is money. Either the money that could be tied up in legal problems and/or the money that could be possibly lost in revenue. While I have to respect the fact that it's not directly my money, it still concerns me that freedom of speech can be bought and sold, no matter how indirectly. It's upsetting to think that we might have to resort to strategies to convey ideas in order to share the beauty of music.
asa
662 posts
 
Yes, people are always worried that someone will attack them legally; worried that they will become prey. I was a prosecutor in a former life and I have seen that default to greed (predator) and retreating self-interest (prey). The question is what comes first, chicken or egg; seeking safety through limiting adversarial discussion, that might tangentially be laid at managements door, or seeking to keep dialogue mature?

You are right, your gut, that is. It is probably both. The question then becomes whether this monitoring is over zealous. Or, another way, when do people tell themselves that they are doing something for the collective good and really they are doing it to protect themselves (inauthenticity), and, secondly, even in that context, does the action taken exceed what would be proper if they were, in fact, looking out for the general good?

I think, in the beginning, the former behavior was more prominent. This is understandable because 1) the fear of litigation was highest, or highest felt, and 2) this was coupled with management becoming acclimitized to the measured use of power and 3) a situation in need of being addressed (the flamers that were hiding anonymously as cute and smarter; another issue of inauthenticity). In fact, I have contacted the management previously for explanation, specifically when someone told me that they had been warned for something while posting with me (opposed to me, conceptually) that I didn't think was a big deal. I think, however, with a reduction of some of the more egregious offenders the finger has come off the trigger a bit. Its a matter of inexperience breeding over reaction. I think that period had dissipated, but, obviously left a bad taste in some peope's mouth (which, hint, is what apologizing is for... but then, that would be admitting nunc pro tunc culpability, which might lead to...).

So, the question is, regardless of one's fear of being sued (coersion from other), do you nonetheless strive ahead in favor of unfettered freedom for the all (inclusiveness with other = empathy), even if materialistically unviable?

Well, I never have been much of an appeaser, and have lived a life of the later, at my materialistic loss, but would note that the society you live in - democratic-capitalism - does not function with these objects in mind. The management, in that context, is merely doing the "American" thing. Any self-inetrest exhibited is only a reactive symptom. One that, I would assume - as you see it in the world, not just here - has made you chafe...

So, then, what to do about it?

Starting at audiogon - the symptom - seems to miss the cause.

Which is...?
unsound
7,329 posts
 
Asa, could you dumb it down for me? I'm not a lawyer or fluent in Latin. "Nunc pro tunc culpabiltiy"? My chafed response was due to the rejection of a question. I can understand a liableous statement, but not an open ended question. Was it just an effort to prempt the answer? Am I really that naive to believe that Audiogon would be cleany free from legal obligation under the concepts of freedom of speech and freedom of the press. Are these rights only available to those who can afford to buy and maintain them?
I find the whole thing truly disturbing.
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