I think what Flock said is very true. The simple fact that this type of thread always seem to come up could be there is some validity that there IS "cliquish" behavior in the TMF.
An outside observer could merely peruse the threads and certain names seem to pop up a LOT. You go to threads and you can see this long, high response, type of topic and generally, you see people posting to each other a lot. I also see in these same threads that someone can post something and no one responds to their point of view, but people tend to respond to, let's say, more "popular" members. The person who posted one post in the thread could feel excluded because no one addressed their point of view, it was as though they were skipped over.
So, because this phenomenon happens, (and it DOES), it's not easy for people to say "just post in threads! Be interactive!" and then people can get involved. Sometimes people do not realize they are "skipping" over people, just human nature. How many times have you seen someone post a topic and they barely get any response? But I promise you that if a "popular" poster creates a thread, see how many responses they get. Think I'm making this up? Look around....
There is no "right" or "wrong". There is cliquish behavior, even if it is unintentional. People are not aware of it. But try to look at it from the point of view of a lurker. Why else is there a perception of cliques? Why would it even come up if the perception is not there? It is because it is there. I hate to break it to people, but it is human nature to belong in a "clique". We all have "cliques" in our lives. They are our closest friends/family. In all of our lives, certain people will ALWAYS be closer than others within the people you know in everyday life. You have your "close circle" of friends, and you have your "casual friends/acquaintences". That "close circle" is your clique. People need to acknowledge this phenomenon and being in a "clique" is not necessarily a negative thing. You just so happen to be closer to a certain set of people than others. This is not a bad thing. But, you also have to realize that others will view you as a "popular" group and feel they can't be included. They tried and no one responded to them from that "popular" group.
Anyone remember High School? The TMF is similar to it. You have your "sports people", you have your "A crowd" people (perceived), you have your stories people, your clips people, your chat people, your P&R people, etc. Anyone denying clique behavior doesn't exist just needs to look around and you will see it... Now, what can be done about it? Not much. Just try to roll with the punches and find things YOU like to do in this forum and stick with it...
An outside observer could merely peruse the threads and certain names seem to pop up a LOT. You go to threads and you can see this long, high response, type of topic and generally, you see people posting to each other a lot. I also see in these same threads that someone can post something and no one responds to their point of view, but people tend to respond to, let's say, more "popular" members. The person who posted one post in the thread could feel excluded because no one addressed their point of view, it was as though they were skipped over.
So, because this phenomenon happens, (and it DOES), it's not easy for people to say "just post in threads! Be interactive!" and then people can get involved. Sometimes people do not realize they are "skipping" over people, just human nature. How many times have you seen someone post a topic and they barely get any response? But I promise you that if a "popular" poster creates a thread, see how many responses they get. Think I'm making this up? Look around....
There is no "right" or "wrong". There is cliquish behavior, even if it is unintentional. People are not aware of it. But try to look at it from the point of view of a lurker. Why else is there a perception of cliques? Why would it even come up if the perception is not there? It is because it is there. I hate to break it to people, but it is human nature to belong in a "clique". We all have "cliques" in our lives. They are our closest friends/family. In all of our lives, certain people will ALWAYS be closer than others within the people you know in everyday life. You have your "close circle" of friends, and you have your "casual friends/acquaintences". That "close circle" is your clique. People need to acknowledge this phenomenon and being in a "clique" is not necessarily a negative thing. You just so happen to be closer to a certain set of people than others. This is not a bad thing. But, you also have to realize that others will view you as a "popular" group and feel they can't be included. They tried and no one responded to them from that "popular" group.
Anyone remember High School? The TMF is similar to it. You have your "sports people", you have your "A crowd" people (perceived), you have your stories people, your clips people, your chat people, your P&R people, etc. Anyone denying clique behavior doesn't exist just needs to look around and you will see it... Now, what can be done about it? Not much. Just try to roll with the punches and find things YOU like to do in this forum and stick with it...
I do perceive a change in the style and quality of discourse - it seems like a few people make themselves very loud, but fewer voices are coming through the noise.
). But honestly, I find it absolutely impossible for everyone to get along.
