Where's the Beef ???

Well, I'd like to put in my 5 cents worth. (Use to be 2 cents worth, but, you know, with inflation )

Let me start by answering Darrell's original questions:

"1. whats bothering you as Older Hippies in relation to this forum ("Old Hippies")?"

Very little is bothering me about the "Old Hippies" forum. However, I am saddened when friends leave. Even more sad when they feel they've been "run off". But let's face it, as has been stated, "The Hip Forums" is big and growing. Currently there are: Threads: 75,534, Posts: 1,077,984, Members: 18,341. In a dynamic, growing group of that size there will be a WIDE range of folks, and they won't all get along with each other. Another cause of friction, in the opinion of this old hippie, is that a lot of us old hippies have very firm, strongly held, beliefs. Some of us have been fighting and struggling for those beliefs for decades, and we continue to defend them here. Not necessarily a bad thing, but it can cause friction.


"2. are you unhappy because certain folk have been frequenting this forum ("Old Hippies") lately?"

No, I'm not. Some have taken "certain folk" to mean young(er) folk. My opinion is, if I may be so bold as to paraphrase Dr. King, I judge people by the content of their character, not the candles on their cake. Some of the "young" have an awesome depth. MattInVegas mentioned "UnionPacificRailroad", I would add "Fractal". Some say the young are fluff. I would suggest they check the "Support the troops... why?" http://www.hipforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74546 thread and the posts of soulrebel51 (age 17) and Lodui (19). Their posts (among others) are intelligent, articulate and very well researched.
If "certain folk" means those whose post are mean and/or offensive, that I object to (a lot). But that objection applies to all forums and all of life in total. Disagreement and debate are good things if approached with mutual respect and open minds. Once again, that's just this old hippies opinion.

"3. assuming a problem exists, what suggestions can you give or offer to fix it, or at least make it more comfortable for you to participate?"

This is the tough one, because although there are fellow forum members who are un-happy, they aren't saying much. Perhaps instead of where's the beef, we should ask (similar to what shameless_heifer said), "What's the 'BEEF'"?

"perhaps you can suggest other questions we should be asking ourselves and the path that leads to a cessation of the source of discomfort!"

Some have suggested more active moderators. On this I agree with my favorite author (and some would say the original hippie), Henry David Thoreau. In "On the Duty of Civil Disobedience" [1849, original title: Resistance to Civil Government], he said, "I heartily accept the motto, 'That government is best which governs least'". It looks to me like the moderators are in the back ground and when a problem appears (like now) they come forward to try to solve it (like here). I'd say that's about as good as it'll get.

Another thing, and I think WE1 put it best, "the sign on the door say's, 'This is for OLD hippies to rap about the old daze, what's happenin' now and to get it together...'. But,its not the reality." Of course he's correct. But one problem is that hippies are known to not always obey signs. A bigger problem is that despite the "sign on the door", OHF is a public forum. While I've been typing this, "Meagain" suggested "start a Private Forum". I was going to suggest this too, but I don't know how they work. Then I see that "Meagain" also said "I'm not sure about the mechanism involved". Who does? As he said, "What, I think, many of you are seeking is a buffer, insulation, a closed door. Somewhere to kick off your boots, sit around and shoot the bull without outside interference." Isn't a private forum at least part of the answer?

Above all, we must all remember, the world still needs hippies. There's still a lot that needs doing. Please, with tears in my eyes, I plead with all who read this, We must nurture the young and not fight among ourselves.

Peace, Please,
Sincerely,
poor_old_dad

 

/snifs

I wish I can give you a "poor_old_dad" hug ... guess you'll have to settle for the intention instead ...



Darrell

 

{{{{{POD}}}}}

I would visit a private forum.

And thanks Darrell I've gotten over my guilt(I did serve time in parochial school after all)......but I really should come around more....if I ask it from others.

teepi

 

Hi Darrell,

I just came across your message and jumped up here to the forum to see what was being said.

I personally have no problems with the old hippies forum. I do admit that I seldom get up here as often as I use to. Why? I don't really know. I do miss some of the people that use to frequent here that have become really scarce, tho not just in the old hippies forum, but elsewhere around the site.

When I see something that interests me, I respond. That doesn't mean that there hasn't been anything interesting here, just that perhaps it did not spark my personal attention, preferences etc.

Being somewhat of an activist, I spend a great deal of time in those threads that spark that interest. The politics, protest, and America attacks forums..However even those as of late have been a bit unappealing. I use to spend quite a bit of time in the philosophy/religion forum as well, but not lately. This year has just not been a year, thus far, where I have had alot of time.

I think we all go through "dry" periods where we are more reader's than posters. Personally I like to see what is on other old hippies minds as to the state of things, their personal beliefs, spiritual and otherwise, as well as their personal experiences with difficult situations, how they are coping living in this material world, has it jaded their core beliefs? You know all that kind of stuff. I believe that all the old hippies shared a sort of philosophical/spiritual connection. You know that feeling....you could meet total strangers and KNOW by "instinct" that they were like-minded....

I haven't seen too much of that here lately. Course, like I said, I have not been up here too often as of late and I could have missed some stuff.

Anyhooo....just my thoughts...a bit rambling as it appears...ha!

 

Long time no see, Darrell!
For me, the only problems are pain in the joints which make it difficult to type and a cantankerous computer circa 1997 which is quite likely to kick off without notice.
While I miss everyone and do not even get into my personal forum any where near enough, I don't have any complaints regarding anyone else.
It's true that there are sometimes trite topics, but they can be overlooked. It's just my health and my old dinosaur computer that cause problems for me.
You're doing great, Darrell.

 

I have no real problems with the forums...I haven't been around as much as I used to be because of all of the stuff going on in my life (and a home 'puter that, I swear, is possessed), but I come here and read, and post as I can. I agree with Teepi that this is the best place in cyber space, and I am grateful for the day I discovered Hipforums. Darrell, you are doing a great job as far as I'm concerned...keep up the good work!

 

A lot of reading and great information here.
Makes me feel bad have not logged on here much.
I only occasiaonaly breeze around other places on the Forums.
I reall y like this old Hippie place, and think the mix of real and crap is
more like the Hippie era than we would like to admit.
Best part here is a grat mix of great people.
See no problem

 

Ahh synchronicity - what a great way to get some of the oldies but goodies to let us know that they're still out there even when quiet
love it

 

The one word I've been avoiding ... like the plague ... was "committee".


Not sure committee's are appropriate for a forum, since all it takes is a separate forum to conduct business on.

But, I am not a great writer, nor am I an ardent researcher. That said, I will need help from all of you on putting together a FAQ. I hesitate to ask Meagain to do this, because I've already talked him into being a Moderator (sort-of), and that's asking a lot of anyone. Asking anything more would be like asking for the Moon ... IMO.

So, I would like input, and output, from everyone ... Old ... and young ... on compiling a FAQ for this forum, in the form of Topic/Question (on one line) Relevance/Answer (on the next). Examples: (these were done by Meagain in the Philosophy and Religion forum)

FAQs about Athiesm and Agnostics
FAQs about Animism
FAQ about Buddhism
FAQ about Christianity
Ethics FAQ
FAQs about Existentialism
FAQ about Hinduism
FAQ about Islam
FAQ about Judaism
FAQs about Pagans
FAQ about Taoism
​

As you can see, Meagain has been quite busy. So, using those as examples how about sending me something we can use to convey the Old Hippies forum ???

Darrell

PS: And if Meagain wants to help, since he is so good with creating these FAQs ... well ... I'll not turn it down in the least ... what do I look like ... chopped liver, err... I mean a fool ???

 

No, Darrell. "Commitee" implies that there is someone other than the Mod, in charge of it.

FAQ about Hippies. We've ALL answered at least ONE thread on "What a Hippy is".
Usually something like: Do I have to wear Tie Dye to be a Hippy?
Answer: Of course not!

 

one of these days we gotta get organized

 

Well, I've been through all 27 pages of threads and couldn't find a thread titled "What a Hippy is". Granted, looking at all them titles caused me on occasion to forget what it was I was looking for, so I'd have to come back here to remember what the title was ... but none found. ... just being a little facitious here ...

I did, however run up on some rather interesting threads. It might be interesting to others to just rummage backward for a while and look about. I did find Southerman's post "The Young to Old Hippie FAQ Thread" and made it sticky till we can get something HipForum-member official ... saying something put together by you folk rather than a pointer to a web page off-site.

Also found an interesting thread called "How Old is an Old Hippie" by Hippieken, age 33. And basically ... to sum up ... You're only as old as you act. Most would say if you have personal memories of "the Summer of Love," the first "Woodstock," "Apollo 11 Moon Landing," the "Vietnam War" or the "Watergate Scandal" that drove Richard Nixon out of the White House, and some would say rocking out as a kid to "Chubby Checker." Since this concensus was pointed out by those between 51 and 54, then it would presuppose 50 to 60. Although, any age over 50, and some in their mid- to late-40's would most certainly fit in this catagory.

Ehhh ... ehhh ... is this a starter ???

Darrell

 

Okay. Now I know where you're goin.

 

I really can't see any of this keeping the Old Hippies for just Old Hippies. Unless it's locked and a pass word involved. The kids are gonna come in to see what's going on. They're curious about us and what we think and talk about. I don't think any thing will set bounderies as kids will be kids. But then again I don't think we should lock any doors as we are hippies and freedom and love IS what we're all about. The work that Meagain has done will help prevent threads being repeated over and over but I doupt if the younguns will want to be kept out. I don't really see any younguns starting any trouble in the OHF, but I haven't been here all that long either.
I think this is a great site and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it. I think everyone is doing a fantastic job. THANK YOU.

 

I don't see it as setting up fences and locked doors, or keeping the Old for just the Old. More of an etiquette. This is an Old Hippies Forum. This is what we're about. This is how you should behave. You wouldn't go over to Grandma's house and ransack the place and expect her to like it now would you? Nor, Grandma and/or Grandpa would want the kids/grandkids to come over and ransack their house. Same for Ma and Pa.

If they're gonna come, they need to respect this forum for what it is, for the Old[er] Hippies.

If you take a look through the previous 27 pages of threads, you'll see that some of the threads are ... well ... rediculous, and have nothing to do with this forum. It's just younger folk coming in and making idle conversation that has nothing to do with the Old Hippies, nor is it conversation directed to or at the Old[er] Hippies ... however, some of it is. The ones not related could just as well have been done in the Hippies root forum.

A polite and curtious "would you mind moving this thread" to the moderator will ensure the thread is where it belongs. Nothing wrong with that ... mater of fact, that tidbit of informatin can also be a part of the FAQ ...
What is On-Topic in this forum?
What happens to my thread if its not On-Topic with the Old Hippies?

I couldn't agree with you more, Shameless_Heifer ...
No locked doors ...
Freedom and love ...

However, like Number 5 said ... Input ... need Input ...

Darrell

 

Okay ... but I'm curious ... is this thread limited to only age 40+ ???

Also ... I like the idea. I had thought it myself, but not sure if I mentioned it but I tried to in post #21, only subtly.

Would you mind starting the thread? You can even make it sticky ... don't need to ask me.

Darrell

 

I was under the impression that the hippies(root) forum was the melding pot for hippies of all ages, as there is an old and young forum. But like you said there's a lot of threads that are really meaningless and have no point. THey do take up a lot of space and time reading to at least try to connect with the younguns. I can't see much of a future without them. But respect is something that is becoming rare in the forums.

I think most of the oldies are willing to communicate with the youngers, but they dont want to be 'flamed' by other kids when they are trying to answer questions. The grandma and grandpa depiction was right on.

The sticky is a good way to have the cake and eat it too, and everybody gets a peice.
If some one has a ligitmate question or need help in some area there would be a place for discussion. Or perhaps it could be directed to an individual, but that may infringe on the personal forums since there are a lot of titles/subjects brought up in them.

I wonder if that will bring in more OH posters. When I first came here, there was some debate then about young posting in OHF. From what I read in responce from the OH was that it was cool for the younguns to post there.(the few that did respond that is).
I pray not to give the impression that us oldies dont want the youngers around. I think it's just we get asked the same things again and again and when we've answered them time and time again, we stop responding... so yes an question and answer forum might work.