how attitudes impact our educational goals

[rvm]

I've stopped spending so much time here because the tone of several posts over the last few months has been negative.  It seems like people tend to nit-pick - throwing around some virtual weight that's only in their minds - and setting a not-so-polite mood which causes a domino effect.   Thank goodness this is mostly the work of only a few people but it only takes a few to spoil the fun of many.

That's sad because I've seen a reduction in posts by long-timers like Jennifer, BJ, JDS, DaveWill and Others and even a reduction in posts from Dfrecore, who seemed to always answer everyone's post. 

There's a huge separation going on throughout the world and, perhaps, it's just timing because many people are focusing on how to get their own personal needs met - which is often good as long as we as don't let that feed our egos in a negative way.

While this may be a post for the "Off Topic" category of this forum, I posted here for two reasons:  visibility and education.  We're here to help each other with our educational goals.  Without these great leaders on this forum, it's a loss for everyone.

I would love to see these great minds come back to the table!

[dfrecore]

I've stopped spending so much time here because the tone of several posts over the last few months has been negative.  It seems like people tend to nit-pick - throwing around some virtual weight that's only in their minds - and setting a not-so-polite mood which causes a domino effect.   Thank goodness this is mostly the work of only a few people but it only takes a few to spoil the fun of many.

That's sad because I've seen a reduction in posts by long-timers like Jennifer, BJ, JDS, DaveWill and Others and even a reduction in posts from Dfrecore, who seemed to always answer everyone's post. 

There's a huge separation going on throughout the world and, perhaps, it's just timing because many people are focusing on how to get their own personal needs met - which is often good as long as we as don't let that feed our egos in a negative way.

While this may be a post for the "Off Topic" category of this forum, I posted here for two reasons:  visibility and education.  We're here to help each other with our educational goals.  Without these great leaders on this forum, it's a loss for everyone.

I would love to see these great minds come back to the table!

I hadn't noticed; I think it's fine here.

My reason for fewer posts is because I actually have a job now, so less time to do the free forum stuff.  But I still come here daily, because it's where I get all of my info about TESU, ACE/NCCRS, changes, etc.  Invaluable.

[davewill]

We've had a couple of threads go off into the political weeds, but it really hasn't been anything too bad. I'm certainly not pulling back because of it. I have decreased my posting some because there are a number of newer contributors who have been jumping in and helping, so I don't feel the need as much.

[dfrecore]

We've had a couple of threads go off into the political weeds, but it really hasn't been anything too bad. I'm certainly not pulling back because of it. I have decreased my posting some because there are a number of newer contributors who have been jumping in and helping, so I don't feel the need as much.

Ah yes, and I feel like there are some things I just don't want to answer any more after a million times, and others are better at it, or more interested.

[rvm]

We've had a couple of threads go off into the political weeds, but it really hasn't been anything too bad. I'm certainly not pulling back because of it. I have decreased my posting some because there are a number of newer contributors who have been jumping in and helping, so I don't feel the need as much.

@DaveWill, right you are.  I was definitely thinking about some of the posts that turned political. 

---

Also, I was thinking of the "I'm right and you're wrong" arguments.  As adults, we should be interacting at a higher level.

[rvm]

I've stopped spending so much time here because the tone of several posts over the last few months has been negative.  It seems like people tend to nit-pick - throwing around some virtual weight that's only in their minds - and setting a not-so-polite mood which causes a domino effect.   Thank goodness this is mostly the work of only a few people but it only takes a few to spoil the fun of many.

That's sad because I've seen a reduction in posts by long-timers like Jennifer, BJ, JDS, DaveWill and Others and even a reduction in posts from Dfrecore, who seemed to always answer everyone's post. 

There's a huge separation going on throughout the world and, perhaps, it's just timing because many people are focusing on how to get their own personal needs met - which is often good as long as we as don't let that feed our egos in a negative way.

While this may be a post for the "Off Topic" category of this forum, I posted here for two reasons:  visibility and education.  We're here to help each other with our educational goals.  Without these great leaders on this forum, it's a loss for everyone.

I would love to see these great minds come back to the table!

I hadn't noticed; I think it's fine here.

My reason for fewer posts is because I actually have a job now, so less time to do the free forum stuff.  But I still come here daily, because it's where I get all of my info about TESU, ACE/NCCRS, changes, etc.  Invaluable.

Dfrecore, glad to hear it!  Congratulations on your new job!

[jsd]

Wow, I'm a long-timer now

I have been posting much less because I've started my grad studies. I still try to chime in when I think it's helpful, but I don't read every new post immediately like I used to

Aside from starting at Georgia tech, I'm also in a job role that has more responsibilities now and much less free time to browse the internet -- which is mostly a good thing

I also agree with what dfrecore said -- We've been answering the same questions asked in different ways for a while now. That's to be expected, new members pop up all the time and we can't expect them to read everything on the forum before asking a question. But I answer those questions less so than I used to, but thankfully there are other newer folks (and some patienter long time folks) that are still there to help out.

I try to stay out of the political talks for the most part, but I definitely get sucked in from time to time. It's a very fruitless endeavor on this form, and I'm happy that I've apparently been missing these posts lately.

[rvm]

Wow, I'm a long-timer now

I have been posting much less because I've started my grad studies. I still try to chime in when I think it's helpful, but I don't read every new post immediately like I used to

Aside from starting at Georgia tech, I'm also in a job role that has more responsibilities now and much less free time to browse the internet -- which is mostly a good thing

I also agree with what dfrecore said -- We've been answering the same questions asked in different ways for a while now. That's to be expected, new members pop up all the time and we can't expect them to read everything on the forum before asking a question. But I answer those questions less so than I used to, but thankfully there are other newer folks (and some patienter long time folks) that are still there to help out.

I try to stay out of the political talks for the most part, but I definitely get sucked in from time to time. It's a very fruitless endeavor on this form, and I'm happy that I've apparently been missing these posts lately.

My apologies for mixing up the letters of your forum ID.  Congratulations on pursual of your GT degree.  Glad you're still here!

Those political posts are fruitless.  From my perspective, it seemed like that was what was driving away the folks with the knowledge-base.  I wish folks on this forum would not bring politics to the table as there are an endless number of venues to express any viewpoint.  No matter which side we stand on, we all have something to contribute to a better educational experience.  Isn't that the reason we're all here?

[sanantone]

Outside of the off topic forum, I haven't seen many threads turn political. 99.99% of the threads have no political content. Most of the political threads are in the off topic forum where they they belong. The off topic forum is not very active, and it's easily avoidable.

[dfrecore]

Wow, I'm a long-timer now

I have been posting much less because I've started my grad studies. I still try to chime in when I think it's helpful, but I don't read every new post immediately like I used to

Aside from starting at Georgia tech, I'm also in a job role that has more responsibilities now and much less free time to browse the internet -- which is mostly a good thing

I also agree with what dfrecore said -- We've been answering the same questions asked in different ways for a while now. That's to be expected, new members pop up all the time and we can't expect them to read everything on the forum before asking a question. But I answer those questions less so than I used to, but thankfully there are other newer folks (and some patienter long time folks) that are still there to help out.

I try to stay out of the political talks for the most part, but I definitely get sucked in from time to time. It's a very fruitless endeavor on this form, and I'm happy that I've apparently been missing these posts lately.

My apologies for mixing up the letters of your forum ID.  Congratulations on pursual of your GT degree.  Glad you're still here!

Those political posts are fruitless.  From my perspective, it seemed like that was what was driving away the folks with the knowledge-base.  I wish folks on this forum would not bring politics to the table as there are an endless number of venues to express any viewpoint.  No matter which side we stand on, we all have something to contribute to a better educational experience.  Isn't that the reason we're all here?

I'm pretty lost at this point - no idea what you're talking about.  The reason some people leave is because they've gotten their degrees, have other stuff going on, etc.  I'm almost positive they're not "driven away" by any particular posts.  They might be driven away by someone complaining about the forum though!  The political stuff is almost entirely relegated to the Off Topic Area, which you could simply avoid by not going to that section.  I only go there when I'm feeling a little feisty!