State of the TK Community Address…

[BigJim]

Utopia isn't a place where no-one clashes mate. It's a place where people accept that they will and don't lose sleep or friends over it.

 

[dtrell]

What, specifically, were we seeing? We saw people starting to be
suspicious of and defensive towards one another. People used to ask
one another for clarification when they weren't sure of the meaning
of something. Then, little by little, instead of asking for
clarification, people started assuming the worst and attacking one
another. Instead of respecting one another's opinions and beliefs,
we began pouncing on one another and calling one another idiots for
not thinking exactly the way we did…or for not being as
knowledgeable…or for being less able to express ourselves…or
whatever. People have grown defensive and on edge. Is it a major
problem right now? Not in the big picture…which is probably why
people thought I was full of it when I first tried to address it.
But, it certainly will be if allowed to flourish. And, it is a
major problem now to those who've been affected by it in various
ways.

yep and i have consistently been one of the most misunderstood people on here when i say something. i am ALWAYS being taken the wrong way on here by some of the more overly sensitive people. i too am not asked for clarification, just summarily attacked sometimes by people just looking for any excuse to be insulted.

 

[chrisheaven]

could be that its about to change now, dtrell

 

[tickleshotel]

ANN , I agree and I would like to do what I can as a member to contribute🙂

Just a few personal observations mentioned in Ann;s post:

Personally I can relate to what ANN had mentioned regarding that when there is a group of people from the TMF that are meeting at a upcoming gathering that it is only natural that those people that will be meeting in person will be looking forward & getting anxious to actually meet and talk to some old friends and/or making new friends. The others on the forum that don;t have the time/money,ect to attend a gathering whether they personally are interested in it may be feeling they are left out but we all have been there especially at one time when each person is brand new on the forum . I know for myself that when I was new on the forum that I was envious of the members on this forum that seemed to really know each other not only on the forum but it seemed to me that they also met with each other and being the new member that I was that I pondered just how big the TMF was as a community how I would bring my own personality to the group sharing my time,experiences through my posts.
Now after attending my first official gathering at Hyenas New years and having the ticklish wonderful time of my life meeting,chatting and sharing the love of tickling in person with others from TMF that share my love/passion that now I believe that I have broken the barriers of feeling that I was just another unknown in the crowd.

 

[JoBelle]

Ann,
I agree with your intentions. It's good to see see you posting this here.

Many of us remember when the TMF was a fledgling in the tk world. It's now the big meeting hall where the residents of the houses come together easier than before. Sadly, I think too many people think the TMF ISthe tk community. Not to bash the TMF in any way, but that's just not so. I'd like to think the community is made of people who get together, meet, shake hands and maybe share tickles. Or one step down from that, I'd like to think it is the personal things that go on behind the boards. Friendships, marriages, phone calls, emails. Things more personal. Granted, even those have their problems, but if we could give the TMF a similar level of respect....I think more people might find their way to other levels of the community.

It's human nature to take things for granted, especially that your fellow man desires to understand you. That's most often not the case. But, if someone can show me where the abundance of tickling forums are...like weather, soccer, and photography...I would be more than happy to lay down next to the TMF on the day it dies. Since no one can provide such links, I'd like to see things improve. '

I'm as guilty as the next person of flying off the handle when something that had an emotional tie was ripped into. Proud? Nope. Got over it? Yep.

Jo, sorry AGAIN for rambling.🙄

 

[TklDuo-Ann]

I understand what you guys are saying. And let me clarify that, though my post did deal with some specific things here at the TMF, it is meant for the community as a whole. We aren't the only ones facing issues that need attention. Everyone is. Overall, the online community is a wonderful place. But, I've heard from too many folks for whom it has become a place to get attacked or feel unwelcome. Many of those people have no desire to return.

The purpose of the Think Tank will be to help strengthen those in the community. We hope this will result in growth. Then, when little things like someone being rude or whatever occur, folks will be more able to just laugh it off as another clown who doesn't know how to behave rather than walking away in disgust. For those who have been misunderstood, we hope to explore ways to make our thoughts and intentions more clear. We hope that folks will join this effort WITHOUT leaving any other groups they're currently involved in. This way, they can continue in those groups and help improve things from within simply by their own actions setting an example.

Ann

 

[1golfer]

this is a very entertaining thread....

...thank you all. Especially the newly titled "Senior Moderator," which indeed is very impressive.