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skdadl: Francis, I suspect, wanted what Francis always wants.

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At the time I took it as a compliment for consistency but then I realized that there is no consistency at all. What I want on Babble has changed over time.

First, I was like a kid in a candy store -– first time in my adult life I found a Forum of intelligent, like-minded people to discuss political, philosophical and general intellectual issues with. It was great -– I was among friends.

Second phase: I noticed the few intelligent right-wingers who seemed to need only logic and facts to rethink their take on issues. It was a challenge and I worked very hard, trying to convince them about ‘truths’ that were so obvious to me.

Third phase: I hoped to go beyond talk and tried to actually do something on Babble. I tried to organize a work-group that would produce a document on contemporary issues -– an exercise in consensus building. I thought this document could be circulated in the media and may actually do some good in the world by clarifying issues that may be confusing to the general public.

Fourth phase: The alarmingly increasing ratio of trolls on Babble worried me and I set out to ‘demolish’ their pretence of rationality and honesty. During this phase I did say some unkind things about a number of people which I felt they richly deserved. Still it ruffled some feathers, even feathers of some I had thought were on my side.

Fifth phase: This year I got very deeply involved with a local peace group and I am having a marvellous time with them, so I have much less time to spend on Babble than I used to. However, Babble is still very important for me as a unique testing ground of ideas and a source of valuable feedback. Due to the cyberspace anonymity (I think), there is no reason for people to hide their true feelings and opinions (on the contrary) and those Babblers who respond to my threads tell me exactly what they think. This is extremely valuable for me, because it forces me to clarify my own thinking and the presentation of my ideas, plus it gives me further clues about how people think and feel.

If there was any consistency at all, during my 21 months involvement with Babble, it was my insistence on how important individual life-styles are in the fight against injustice and exploitation. I have been trying to raise awareness of the importance of practicing what we preach and putting our money where our mouths are. This is one area where I received the most valuable feedback of all.

I don’t know if there will be more phases, it seems to have settled down in this very practical and pleasant (fifth) phase where I don’t have unreasonable expectations and unrealistic wishes any more.

I started this thread because I assumed others may have gone through different phases in their relationship with Babble and it might be interesting to hear what they were.

[ 28 May 2003: Message edited by: Francis Mont ]