[obol] Re: Fwd: Obol, recreational or scientific? From The Moderator.........
- From: Stephen Deagle <sdeagle@xxxxxxx>
- To: jdoylesmith@xxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 07 Jul 2014 19:10:40 -0700
I think OBOL has been great...if something comes up that sounds like it might
be a negative or contentious conversation, I just skip it! I consider myself a
novice birder and haven't been a subscriber to OBOL for long. I have tons of
questions and some of them I actually get the nerve to ask on line....and I
don't think anyone has been grouchy with me so far! I think your comments are
good ones, Dave, and I appreciate you writing. I plan to continue to be a
supporter of OBOL.
Susie Deagle
> I enjoy all the information that is available & where to find birds. I
> don't post because I'm more interested in bird behavior and habitat then
> counting birds. Thanks to all of you who do. Judy
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
> On Jul 7, 2014, at 4:08 PM, DJ Lauten and KACastelein
> <deweysage@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>> Hello Obolites,
>>
>> So, I got this email today (below) from a relatively new OBOLer.
>>
>> 1) Sad that some people refuse to contribute to OBOL.
>>
>> 2) Sad that they won't because apparently we have a reputation for being
>> "grouchy people".
>>
>> I will say that not contributing to OBOL because you think some of us are
>> "grouchy" is a bit defeating. Just because some politicians are grouchy
>> doesn't mean we shouldn't participate. Maybe if these folks contributed
>> more it wouldn't be such a grouchy place. Be the change you seek.
>>
>> But with that said, maybe the heavy weights involved here ought to check
>> themselves at the OBOL door and try a little harder not to be grouchy. If
>> you don't have something nice to say, don't say it.
>>
>> And maybe this is all like the fog blowing past my house right now. It
>> will come and go and form and reform and evaporate, over and over again.
>> Eventually the sun shines through.
>>
>> Carry on,
>>
>> Cheers
>> Dave Lauten
>> OBOL moderator
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> I would have to assume it is no secret that many birders read obol but shy
>> away from posting due to the attitudes of some of the participants. I am new
>> to birding and have posted some pretty silly questions. Not once have I
>> been chastised, but the main debates seem to be between experienced people.
>> When I am out birding I almost always ask other birders what they have seen,
>> what they might be looking for. When I have asked if they frequent obol I
>> have gotten mostly eye rolling about grouchy people. I personally know
>> people that are intimidated and do not post even though they have valid
>> questions. I sometimes post for other people because of that.
>>
>> Then there are people like Bob archer who challenged me to determine what
>> type of hawk I had submitted a photograph of and explain my reasoning. I
>> loved that response, a natural teacher. It was a cooper's, not a sharpie
>> and he explained why after I had sent him my reasoning.
>>
>> I guess the reason I am writing this is to try and find a way to keep obol
>> positive and encourage recreational birders like me. I do like many of the
>> more serious post and scientific nature of much of obol but some dissuade
>> people from participating.
>>
>> Not my place to say any of this really, please don't take offense. I have
>> had a great time recently finding new places and new birds and would love to
>> encourage more people to get involved.
>>
>> I have gone out birding with very knowledgeably person, one of the most
>> prolific posters on Ebird and he reads obol, but I have seen only one
>> posting from him. He said he doesn't post because of the attitude of some
>> people. He would benefit obol with his knowledge.
>>
>>
>>
>>
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