I've been dropping randomly back into the forums now and then, and I have to say I'm very impressed with most of what I've seen in terms of continuing development and growth.

And I want to applaud the introduction of the four new awards since I last looked at that thread - Eloquence, Humor, Peacekeeper, and Creativity. I'm not "current" with my knowledge of what is going on around here, or I'd want to nominate several people; these are virtues I greatly admire in people, and there are certainly several around here who deserve such recognition!

But I also must give some specific feedback about the Eloquence award.


Eloquence Award
Fluent, forcible, elegant, and persuasive speech in public; the power of expressing strong emotions in striking and appropriate language either spoken or written, thereby producing conviction or persuasion.


I've refrained from prodding old wounds for a long time, but I have to admit a certain amount of bitterness at seeing this here.

This is the first indication I've ever seen at these forums that these qualities are to be ALLOWED in a member, much less respected and rewarded. Almost every time in the past that I've attempted to express "strong emotions" to the moderators and administrators (and I daresay I'm a fairly good speaker, and have attempted to express them in polite and acceptable ways), I've been responded to with extreme negativity. I've been asked to stop stirring up trouble, ordered to stop discussing my issues with other members, had an official warning from a moderator, or sometimes just been ignored, without any response or apparent care as to how upset I was.

Has the ADDforums' position on constructive criticism evolved, or is this accidental hypocrisy?

Paul.

Hey Clam,

It's good to see you again! We have been working really, really hard to get the forums moving in a more positive direction. There have been a lot of changes here and I think most of them have been for the better. Obviously, we all continue to struggle with the issues of etiquette, debate, expressing ourselves, and, not to forget...

Attention Deficit Disorder :D

and all it's comorbids!

Hope you find even more here that you like and I'm looking foward to hearing more from you again! (hint, hint ;))

Kim

WC.
That you felt safe enough to bring this up now after so long a period of silence is very encouraging to me.

Thank-you for taking the time to compliment the efforts of the staff in growing and developing this place. There is a bit of a buzz in the air I find exciting!

I too like the sounds of the new awards. I hope you will make your recommnedations known to a moderator near you. :D

I have been ignored in the past as well and know how dismal it feels to find the leadership lacking. We are all trying to celebrate a much more positive approach to life here and that includes celebrating our abilities to exercise those skills noted below.


Eloquence Award
Fluent, forcible, elegant, and persuasive speech in public; the power of expressing strong emotions in striking and appropriate language either spoken or written, thereby producing conviction or persuasion.

It is a fine line between attack that evokes a defensive posture and stating clearly something I feel passionate about. We definatly retain the right to draw the line on what's helping and what's just a personal rant at the expense of others.

I do not believe we can grow to our potiential without the keen words of our harshest critics being heard.

That bulls eye you see on my forehead is real, but I'm not a door mat and I'll defend others from attack everywhere I find it.

Rational passionate enquiry that remains open to input, is at the heart of how I came to be an administator here.

We all make mistakes in posting and sometimes say things that would have been better left unsaid. I know I've taken to writing in a seperate program to ensure I take more time with what I write to keep the spontainous combustion out of more of my posts here.

I don't expect we will always see eye to eye on everything, and it is now part of my duty to guide policy for where the lines are to be drawn and I'm very willing to make those calls.

Your passions are welcome here but not at the expense of others. Not everyone can avoid the triggers that are often on display when emotions run to the hot side. We are here for the support of the vulnerable first.

With your help we'll evolve.

I would hope you could find in yourself, a leader on these matters of eloquence.
Welcome back.
Cheers! Ian.

Push to Test.
Release to Detonate. :eek: :p ;)

Thank you both for your strong but fair responses.

That's it? I suppose the proof will be in the eating of that pudding anyway.. lmbo! Post number 3000 for you!