VEGANGELICA

Hey, I read that! And "dissertation" has two s's, by the way.

I'm very sorry to hear Jackhammer left...hopefully not for good...though I agree with Urban that people will come and go as suits them, and this doesn't mean the site is diminished as a whole. I continue to meet new members each month with whom I enjoy interacting and whom a genuinely like, even as I miss some of the members who never return. (AwwSugar, you better not leave!!!)

This is my viewpoint exactly, Big3. I have only skimmed the surface of the music information and opinions on MB, and so can't imagine ever running out of new music to listen to or think about here.

I agree that cruelty toward others based on their preferences or because of their attempts to contribute to MB is something I wish MB would discourage even more than it does.

During the last 8 months, there have been several cases where new or older members end up discussing their musical questions or lyrics with me in PMs partly because, I think, they feared their contributions would not receive helpful information or constructive feedback on the Boards.

In one situation, the person was a young musician whose music was a delight for me to listen to and discuss with him by PM after his thread got closed when a mod felt it was pure self-promotion. So, I felt sorry for MB because here was someone who had a great love of music and yet was not welcomed as openly as he might have been.

In another situation, someone who asked a legitimate question on the Boards, but was pounced on and accused of being The Unfan, ended up discussing music with me back and forth in PMs. That was one of the best music discussions I've had here...I learned about "counterpoint" and compared and contrasted modern and classical songs by following up his questions.

Similarly, several people who write lyrics have sent me the songs they are working on in PMs for feedback (which, if you are familiar with me on MB, you'll know I love to give!)..and I think it is sad that perhaps the Boards don't make them feel welcome to share their ideas in public, since that is what MB is for (I feel).

I agree with your first paragraph very much, duga. As for the second, I feel that saying negative things is fine, but saying them in ways that aren't insulting is important.

One of the things I like best about MB is that the mods let people pretty much express what they really feel in the way they want to. Free speech (even with limitations) is rare in the world, and it is nice to find a place where you can just be who you are, or let different sides of yourself show.

The negative side of free speech is that fear of being pounced on harshly can make it harder for some people to feel like opening up about their feelings about music, which is often very personal to people. I don't think people are pounced on often here, but it does happen occasionally.

That would be cool, right-track!

I certainly feel your opinion counts just as much as anyone else's, Phoenix!

Your post shows, noise, how hopefully MB can provide something for everyone: banter for people who don't like verbose reviews; verbose reviews (my favorite!) for people who like them; casual interactions for those who don't wish to make friends; friendships and a feeling of connection for those who came here open to that (such as myself).

Though I joined MB for the music and I stay for the music, the connections I've made with some people here are what really make me want to return with semi-addicted frequency. I feel anything that helps people feel part of a friendly community would help MB become even stronger.

This concludes my dissertation on improving message boards.

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