|
One of the things I sometimes say to new artists on the main site, don't just sit back and wait for something to happen. Be interested in your site, talk about it, make changes to it periodically to keep it fresh. I said this after I noticed that some people would get a web site and then just sit back and wait for something to happen instead of being proactive. And then they would not understand that nothing happened. I think there may be a similar situation here.
Any group is only as good as those who participate. And, I think those who would like the Forum to be a better place should be proactive about helping that happen.
And in any situation in life, a person can sit back and blame, saying it's the other guys fault. Is it the fault of the Board or moderators that some people have left? In some cases probably. Is it the fault of some members who have chosen to be attacking that some members have left/ Probably. But, the higher road is to take positive action and make positive contributions and not get into the blame game.
Does the Forum ownership have the right to define the parameters for the Forum - to say what it will be and not be? Absolutely. Just because this Forum is displayed publicly for all to see, there is no obligation to be all things to all people.
As defined previously, this Forum is about traditional portraiture - as is the main site. This Forum is not intended to exist by itself - it is intended as a reflection of the main site. It's purpose is not even primarily teaching - it is for information exchange. If teaching results from that, that's great.
By the way, rebellion and diplomacy do not have to be mutually exclusive. Rebellion and tolerance are not necessarily mutually exclusive either.
I think when there have been cat fights in the past that have sent people running for the hills, it is usually as a result of "my way is the one and only true way." Seldom is there only one way to do something and it's an attitude that will scare people and make them run for the hills. Sometimes you just have to agree to disagree.
There are the forever students. There are the forever teachers. How about if everyone were a bit student and a bit teacher?
|