The statistics that Treesa Hertzel, our moderator, posted show that the rate
of subscribers to BOO compared to OBOL is 196/1278 = 15%, yet the volume of
BOO postings is at 75% of the OBOL posting rate. That tells you something.
I'm glad BOO exists. I'm glad it gives those who want that kind of forum a
place to express themselves. It gives the folks who love to be in the
maelstrom of arguing with other humans a place to argue with other humans.
I'm glad that conversation is not on OBOL.
It makes OBOL a much more peaceful, palatable place, where folks who want to
connect with nature have a place for quiet walk in the woods.
Hooray for BOO. I'm not listening.
Please note. This doesn't mean I don't care deeply about conservation
issues, Malheur, and many other similar topics. I care deeply about these
things, but arguing, ranting, going to rallies, etc, etc, just eats up my
insides. I don't have the stomach for such things -- literally. The reason
I love nature, the reason I will lead walks and weekend trips, the reason I
will share sightings is to find solace and joy and share that with others.
My mode of approaching nature is not through public hearings or letters to
the editor or campaigns to "Save the ____________." I'm OK with others who
want that approach, but it is not mine.
Edward Abbey once said something to this effect (not an exact quote)
'Sure, attend the hearings and write your Congressman. Fight for
conservation. But also get out there and hike the trails, bag the peaks,
enjoy the sunrises.
You won't win all the battles, but you'll outlive the bastards.'
Good birding, everyone,
Paul Sullivan
-------------------------
Subject: This kind of saddens me.
Date: Fri Mar 4 2016 23:07 pm
From: joel.geier AT peak.org
Rich & All,
I think what you're observing is simply that there has been a
long-pent-up demand for political expression by Oregon birders, which
BOO has finally given an opening to.
It has long been my belief that political expression on OBOL was being
tamped down by a minority. We were all hiding behind and trying to
ignore the issues that were bubbling up behind the scenes.
...
No, I don't think most of us will ever get back to just talking about
birds. ...
I have no intention of "politicizing" OBOL with this posting but the
real Oregon birding list these days is on BOO. ...
Good birding,
Joel
---------------------------
Subject: This kind of saddens me.
Date: Fri Mar 4 2016 22:48 pm
From: whoffman AT peak.org
Hi, Rich -
Participation on both lists is voluntary.
You are not obligated to stay subscribed to boo if you do not like the
volume.
Personally, I think the split into two lists was a great idea, precisely
because it allows us to choose which conversations we want to follow, or
join.
One thing that has become very clear since the invention of email is that
attempts to drive discussions and comments off the internet as a whole are
doomed to failure. Even stuff that is illegal and IMO totally reprehensible
(child pornography, snuff videos) can't be completely eliminated.
So, we have to make our own choices about which parts of the great river of
information flowing at us we let in, and which we let flow past.
Wayne
---------------------------
On Fri, 2016-03-04 at 20:12 -0800, R. Adney Jr. wrote:
Ever since the Bundy gang blew into Burns I've noticed that some things ontouchy
OBOL are different. OBOL has added the BOO mail list for discussing
subjects, Ever since its introduction, BOO has had more emails in myinbox
than OBOL, Mid Valley and Umpqua Birds combined. I used to love the postson
OBOL and the others. I joined the BOO list to keep tabs on the scuttlebutt.
Now, I can't believe that the number of OBOL posts now pale in number tothe
number of posts on the BOO mail list. Can't we just get back to talking
about the birds?
