A lot of potential for damage in such groups. I mention that I've blocked some people but never offer up names.

Everyone has a "thing" that they wish not be a part of "the discussion" whatever that may be. Myself included. But then when I think about it, do I want my standards (or lack thereof) applicable? My answer is no. Then we get into a situation where one is not able to freely speak their mind. I don't like censoring based on my personal tastes. That's what the block button is for. Keep in mind however, that the freedom to speak one's mind opens a great opportunity to contribute in a thoughtful and intelligent manner, or in a stupid, ignorant, and childish manner, be prepared in that however you choose to comment here, there are going to be consequences. Some kind and agreeable, some harsh and brutal, and some neutral/meh. You'll either learn something interesting or you won't. Freedom of thought doesn't always mean one is right or one's sensitivities may not be ruffled. All I'm saying is expect consequences.

I am brand new to the site, but I will add my two cents. I think the civil discord has dramatically shifted in this country since the 1970's and has exponentially grown since 2016. Many feel "their time has come and political correctness has been thrown out the window", freeing them to be rude, have lack of empathy for anything other than themselves, promote bigotry, dishonesty, and ignore human traits that promote common decency. Ironically, I have witnessed this drastic civil change in Christians, especially the Evangelicals. Sometimes I wish Christian beliefs, as I understand them, were true. If their god came back today, he or she would slap the shit out 99% of those proclaiming to be devoutly worshipping their god and looking forward to "heaven". I feel the same way with the Muslims. I am a Pagan and have been more many years. I have no deities that I worship, solely believing in reason, science, and my limited understanding of my place in the universe. Maybe this group will be good and then maybe not. Nothing ventured....nothing gained.

We have lost respect and the site is becoming bizarre with regard to topics.

Building fences? Is that what this site is becoming? I've been a member for a few months and I'm very happy to be among such great minds! I lead my life according to the philosophy of greeting each day with a smile and I understand that life could be worse. People will be people and I say reach one, teach one. Those of us with patience and knowledge should lead by example instead of letting others bring us to an emotional level equaling theirs. This is a great community and I make new friends daily. Although we haven't interacted, I would sincerely see a great mind such as yours leave before it's been explored. Please stay.

Some comments are kind and profound. Let them represent the site. But for any that may be nasty, I see that at the end of a post, you can move the mouse arrow over the three lines and one of the links is labeled, "Report."

I'm fairly new here and have been enjoying the site. It's easy to discover the folks with whom I want to interact and I just ignore the others. As far as the groups, they're probably necessary due to the growth of the sites population. I like having specific groups to join for various interests of mine (books and a local group). I hope those of you who are concerned will stay and help keep the site positive.

I don't remember when I joined, but I have been haunting this site for a little while. I have also noticed more aggressive and better-than-thou types showing up. I simply do not respond to them. If enough do that, the ones with the attitude will start to get bored with a 'site where no one types to me'. It has become so easy to scroll past comments from people that are only concerned with how sophisticated they are, and enjoy comments from people who are here for community.

Maybe I’m being a little naive, I’ve not been on the site long. I think it’s healthy to have an accurate representation of society here. It seems more real-for better and for worse.

Hi
I think when you joined, the site had a certain feel about it. Perhaps the Zeitgeist was of a community that was literally akin to a village community..where everyone got to know everyone and everybody new and respected the rules of polite and intelligent discourse in a spirit of goodwill. Blocking was withheld for rare threats like incoming Trolls or pests.

Now that village has been annexed into an evolving city..with a less friendly atmosphere..people are hostile and more aggressive.. others have become suspicious and defensive..a lot of trigger happy blocking happening like it's a trophy sport to be celebrated and bragged about..not realising that blocking is a good example of a failure to communicate by both parties.

This site is evolving while a political storm rages outside..this phenomenon I believe is polarizing beliefs and attitudes too..making all of us jittery and we discourse with one hand on our block holster..that is unfortunate.

Bee...you are one of the great ameliorating calming pillars of this community..members have love for you..they trust you..they listen to you..they are listening now. It would be a terrible loss not just to me..but those who choose to remain to keep the backbone of this community grounded in what we are supposed to stand for...which is each other is it not?

These nuances of change..may be unavoidable..but..the pendulum may swing the other way as those that don't fit in to the community take their badass attitudes and leave for greener pastures.

But when gentle kind intelligent humorous members leave it so diminishes the balance so as to only make things worse.

In short..PLEASE DON'T GO!

I don't know how it used to be because iv'e only been here for about two months.
But with the exception of one person, every one I've met here has been kind and respectful.
Even if we disagree we still are civil in our discussions. And sometimes I've even learned things from others, I try to keep an open mind.

Even though i've only been here a short while I feel like I've made some new friends already.
I am really happy I found this site, it's the first place I've really felt welcomed in a long time.

I think your comments are interesting and I'm going to reflect on them and about how the site is evolving. But for now, I'm going to say two things which might not be popular:

I don't think the groups function has been a great success, with the best of intentions. I think they have fractured the community. I remember back in 2017 when it was just one communal discussion place. I know that omelette can't be unscrambled now, but it's how I feel.

The blocking function, which I think was meant as a last resort, has become too much of a focus, when ignoring in most cases would suffice. Some thickening of skins around here wouldn't go astray.

Also, it feels less like a truly global non religious community than it seemed back then.

These are some initial impressions anyway.

Most of the people we encounter in our lives are assholes. Just ignore them, and treasure the ones who aren’t. XX

No you are not unrealistic at all. But when the leader from the free world acts like a complete psychopath, unfortunately people think it's all right to do the same.

I often wonder if its really worth the time to remain. This doesn't seem like the same site I joined last November. I don't think the atmosphere is as pleasant or friendly as it once was, and a lot of the people I looked forward to hearing from, have left the site, curtailed their activity here, or hang it in groups that I didn't join.

It's discouraging, but if you look at my profile, it says I'm here for community, and I am beginning to wonder if that is still possible here.

Recently I joined the Wordperfect officecommunity forum. I posted a question about a particular feature. The next day i was flagged as an abuser and a spammer. Obviously by a troll.

This is happening on all forums. The admins are so afraid of being accused of whatever that they will believe the worst about anyone.

FB managers are so stupid that they marked the Declaration of Independence as hate speech.

That's how the leftees do it, uh-huh uh-huh.

"Hate speech?" We are in deep shit.

I think it was better prior to the formation of groups. I also think that in the early times no one knew each other, and that fostered a different environment that what is seen today. Now, members have had a chance to overcome that situation, even though new members are still filing in. Absolutely, it is different, but at least I’ve never said dangerdave is a dick.

The blockers have invaded.

And I got a couple of ad hominems thrown at me this past week. Sad those types are here and so impolite. And often they are the ones who block others so they do not learn anything new.

I might block. I doubt i would tell publicly.

Hmmm. A week or so ago I received a very sharp rude response from you to something I had written in reply to your comment or post. I thought "this is weird, BeeHappy has not been like this in the six months that we have interacted". Perhaps you had been under attack all day and at the end of your tether. Then yesterday I gave my opinion on a post that was asking for site change to allow for rewarding members for doing similar to what you are now mentioning. I ran a poll months ago with my group's members and there was virtually no interest in what yesterday's proposal was wanting to be rewarded for. It eventually was claimed by the 'Bear' baiters that I had deleted replies or edited some that they had complained about - I hadn't. However it started me wondering if in fact we have a troll who has hacked the site and is writing comments and replies to actually create friction or was it simply my baiters now trying to gaslight me having deleted their posts to thus remove mine but then are so guilty at their dishonest behaviour are now projecting their behaviour on to me? Perhaps I should have enquired as to their medication regime and its efficacy?
To a certain degree @BeeHappy I agree with you that the site is not what it was six months ago. My first conclusion would be to say the godbotherers are taking notice and like little children and the American government are being ugly around the world to anyone they do not agree with or perceive to be the slightest threat to their power base.
Some of us outside of the USA look on in amazement at how many of our American fellow non believers waste their lives discussing something that they claim to have eschewed or simply are refusing to look as to how to fill the other half of their glass in order to make their own and everyone else's lives more fulfilling.
No, I don't think that you are ranting. You are simply rationally identifying some current site problems and member's stupidity.
I have thoroughly enjoyed some of your posts that you have shared and yet again thank you for them. Only you can decide when your satisfaction level falls below acceptable. I can only point out that in more than 20 years of broadcasting music that is not only actively discouraged by godbotherers, ruling classes and embarassed governments I have always applied the Never Ending Story rule - so long as there is one person still believing and listening I will continue to broadcast.

I think as it grows it is as you say... I may have gotten here as it was changing? Change is going to happen anyplace we go. I think it’s better to state your concerns and be selective about what posts you engage in. I have seen the occasional friction and sometimes been the target and I can be terse on a topic I’m passionate about... I’ll try and do better. If everyone increase the kindness a little it will drown out the hate allot

Don't worry...

(sorry, couldn't resist)

Sounds like an issue for the community senate.

Probably not a group for introverts to join.

societies change grow for better or worse im very new so don't know what it was like 6 mths ago but it seems a fairly well balanced group with very few dick heads

Well the group here where people get social credit for getting others to block them seems like nothing more than a troll factory to me. Has @Admin had a look at what they're encouraging? I've seen multiple members of that group starting fights with people. I suspect they're playing a not very pleasant game at the expense of the community.