RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Chit Chat posts
I suppose that my little interaction with another member on this site last night was the cause of this thread. (Hope it's not just my ego that suggests that!) There are a few points I'd like to make in defence of my actions on this site, definitely not because I feel the need to defend myself or my actions, but in the hope that I can make it clear just where I'm coming from, especially with regard to "newbies" and the serial chitchat posters, some of whom have loaded the site with crap (someone else's word!) I have been fairly blunt with some individuals on this site, and it has earned me some criticism from time-to-time, but I'm happy to wear that.
Firstly, there are newbies, and then there are newbies. I have never abused or ridiculed a newbie for asking reasoned or thoughtful questions, and have always offered advice and assistance wherever I think it may be of some use. But as a newbie myself many years ago, I never even thought of keeping a scorpion with my snake, if I did, I would have thought the question through myself and come to the conclusion that it wasn't sensible. Nor would I proudly boast that my snake enjoys riding the cat. Two stupid newbies...
The idea that there are no stupid questions is absurd - there are some very stupid questions indeed - often (mostly) coming from a few individuals, and these same individuals are the ones that clog the system with huge amounts of garbage.
Last night was a point worth considering. A member posts a question, seemingly about thermostats, but with photos that were solely designed to get some significant attention (not related to the post at all.) And get attention it did indeed, to the point of embarrassment. I made a comment about the reaction (perhaps signifying my impatience fairly strongly) and get howled down as a spoiler for the poor newbies. especially by one very vocal member of this site, who began to communicate with me by threatening PMs. In my opinion, this wasn't a "newbie" at all posting the thermostat question, but someone who knew exactly what they were doing, and the reaction they would get.
I'm not easily deterred from promoting the things I feel are important, but that doesn't mean I don't have a sense of humour, it doesn't mean I support censorship in any way, it doesn't mean I'm a wowser - I can tell you I'm not. I like fun as much as anyone - maybe more than some on occasion! But I can tell you that after decades of reptile related activities, I CAN tell who is using the reptile thing to seek the attention they crave - you learn to pick them a mile off, and these are the people who just get up my nose.
As a non-newbie, I fully acknowledge that I don't know it all, and in spite of the accusations thrown at me last night, I don't regard myself as "elite." I do enjoy passing any useful knowledge I may have on to others it may help, and I spend a lot of time doing that (I'm not alone there either). I enjoy being politically active - not one of the individuals who criticise me (or others who have copped it themselves), and who have their ego-boosting snakes, would give any thought to the endless hours of negotiations with bureaucrats that people like me around the country have done to get laws in place just so they can keep their snakes. I and a couple of colleagues in WA were in negotiations with a very reluctant CALM for 8 years to get that system in place. That doesn't make me a hero (something I was called last night) but it does irritate me when a real lightweight with nothing to offer this site except a load of drivel gets very aggressive indeed with me.
I am not even remotely concerned about the opinions of these attention seeking time-wasters, and will continue to assist where I feel I can, and even though I am part of the elite, I can still pick up some useful information here myself from time to time!!! Not often of course, but occasionally :wink: ) That was a joke for those of you who might think I don't have a sense of humour...
Have a good day everyone - I slept very well last night, after i got to bed!
Think this is my longest ever post... (thinks... will anyone read it?) :roll:
Jamie.
