The past few months have seen an inordinate amount of "flaming" and personal attacks by some members on others. Disturbingly this trend appears to be growing and driven by a handful of newer members and some senior members who should know better.
What we have here on Kiwibiker is pretty special. Folks from a wide and diverse range of backgrounds, ages, ethnicity, and so on; united by a common love and passion for motorcycling. The contribution many make to other members outside what gets posted here in terms of advice, experience and encouragement is spectacular. We have some "pearls beyond price" in our midst.
Sadly the recent change in mood on this side is driving some of these pearls away. They are tiring of the amount of shite that gets posted. But even worse, they don't appreciate the personal abuse that gets hurled their way by a wunch of bankers who don't know any better.
There is only so much that the Moderators can do to maintain "order". It's not our role to curb free and frank expression of opinion. And it's hard to draw a line when the bounds of good taste and common courtesy are exceeded, other than to PM the offenders and telling them to pull their heads in. Sin binning is only ever rarely used as a matter of last resort. Sadly this sometimes results in Moderators being personally abused.
This is our gargre. It's OK at times to "disrespect" and disagree with each other. But within the bounds of what should be common sense and in good humour. I dish shit out at times, and expect to get it back in boatloads, and do. What I get back is nearly always in good fun and taken as such.
Also there is a lot of shit-throwing that goes on here that is "off the radar" of public forums -- PMs and comments made when rep is awarded. Some of the stuff I've become aware of in this private space is disgustingly offensive to the point of being legally actionable.
Some members on this site need to get over themselves and demonstrate a bit more of the R E S P E C T proclaimed by Aretha Franklin.
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