|| Replies ||

User	WolfStar | 2005-06-18 |
Subject	untitled
Message	Fizzle’s leaving? Why?

User	Vancrown | 2005-05-29 |
Subject	untitled
Message	With Learah MIA and now Mr Fizzle leaving . . . and some other pickers ummm inactive or otherwise disengaged . . . what will it take to resume the program?

User	Kristina9178 | 2005-05-05 |
Subject	untitled
Message	And this comment: "Everyone likes to be recognized for their writing, but it’s not really the writing that is being recognized here; it’s the internet personality." is ludicrous! How can you possibly back that up?

User	Kristina9178 | 2005-05-05 |
Subject	untitled
Message	Sierra, Since when does the committee dictate what you read? You just said yourself that you read what you want. In my opinion, the feathers aren’t telling anyone what to read. They never have. It’s just a little symbol that sits next to a poem just like all of the other little symbols that decorate people’s pages for this reason or that. Many people choose not to keep their ratio up high enough for those other little symbols, and others don’t think much about the little feather symbols or the golden ribbon symbol. It’s completely harmless until people get offended and make a big deal out of it. I mean, does it bother you that much that it makes the site less enjoyable? I just find it hard to believe that something as innocent as a little feather symbol is making people have bad dreams.

User	Vancrown | 2005-05-02 |
Subject	untitled
Message	It seems this idea would also go a long way towards healing some of the feelings of ill will . . . promote peace, because if you’re an ass, who will vote for you? I believe each poem or story should be judged on its own merit and not the personality of the poet who wrote it, but we live in the real world . . . Still, we’d need the feather pickers to select poems for consideration, unless this too was automated with nominations . . . those with the most get in, etc.

User	Vancrown | 2005-05-02 |
Subject	untitled
Message	It seems to me, Jimmy should use PHP to create a poll each week for awards, and submissions could be taken . . . put up to a vote so anyone with an account could vote. After a certain amount of time, the votes are tallied, and the awards given. This way everyone has a say, a vote, and there can be no cries of dissent. But even this would not be foolproof . . . still, it’s far more desireable than a group in the shadows, casting secret ballots . . . just my humble opinion.

User	sierramuse8 | 2005-05-02 |
Subject	untitled
Message	although the intent of feather pickers is to recognize good poetry, it seems to be the cause of much controversy. I think it should be eliminated. I was given a feather, but it was removed for some reason. I deleted the poem for my own reasons. the problem everyone seems to be overlooking with this scheme to recognize writers is that it’s done in secret by persons unknown who may or may not be qualified to judge. the site has evolved into a popularity/numbers contest with a self-appointed chosen few deciding who should be awarded, who should be shunned, who should be included in the clique. it’s really no more than that. I appeciate everyone’s comments on my poems although I do not always agree with those comments and I do not feel that there are too many people here who really know poetry inside and out who are qualified to judge the poetry of others. and why should there be a group judging ’contribution, reciprocation, interaction and demeanour’, all very abstract concepts conveniently based on numbers and personal likes/dislikes. Everyone likes to be recognized for their writing, but it’s not really the writing that is being recognized here; it’s the internet personality. I really think the ’scheme’ should be done away with because it is inherently unfair and disruptive. perhaps I sound ungrateful or some other such choice word, but this is my opinion and I enjoyed the site prior to October 2004 to a much greater extent. To find good poems to read, I check the posting page and the people page, which is how I found deadndreaming, who is a fantastic poet if you ask me. other ways to find good poems to read is to read the poems of those who comment on yours and return the favor. do we really need a committee to decide for us who should be read? It’s really not necessary. and all I need is constructive criticism and insight to help me to revise my poems; not awards. the true merit of my poetry will be vindicated when I am published.

User	Learah | 2005-03-22 |
Subject	untitled
Message	Thank you, Mae... That was very gracious, entirely unnecessary. The whole timeframe in which this thread was started was just very, very stressful and I think that I was far too defensive and ready to attack. Yes, I did feel at times that you were lecturing me but I knew your intentions were honest and justified and that you were not in any way malicious. The feather pickers area will be overhauled in the future, at the moment we are just waiting for a proper section in which to discuss, that is the most imprtant as the area right now is VERY basic and needs more. Once that’s done, we can really focus on implementing changes and all suggestions will be more carefully considered. We just can’t do much right now. Anyway, thanks again. You didn’t need to do this... it was very good of you. I gotta go to bed before I crash on the keyboard... no writing tomorrow if I drool all over my vowels!

User	mae | 2005-03-22 |
Subject	untitled
Message	Learah, you very kindly sent me a PM apologizing for being cranky. I offended you in public, however, so I shall offer my apology in public. Obviously, I did not choose the appropriate words since you felt I was lecturing you. Sometimes, when I’m writing in here, the meaning behind what I’m saying seems so clear to me, but with the limitations of the written word - lack of inflection, etc. - it is not as clear to those who read it. I truly did not intend to offend or accuse anyone of anything. My intention was to bring to your (plural) attention something I saw that you may not have been aware of. It was not complimentary so I should have chosen very gentle words and I did not. I’m sure the attitudes that I saw were not what was intended by you and the other FP’s, Learah. That’s why I wanted to tell you about it - so that you, also, could account for the limitations of writing. I’m truly sorry I offended you, Learah. My apology goes out to the other Feather Pickers as well, if they were also offended. My words missed the mark completely and I’m sorry. mae

User	Learah | 2005-03-16 |
Subject	untitled
Message	Mae and BRT: Right now I can only think of bad things to say to you both. I am not in the humour for more backlash, so I am not saying anything.

User	Learah | 2005-03-16 |
Subject	untitled
Message	Hmmm.... *thinks about this* What’s wrong with the judges we already have? Do you think they’re not doing a good job? What about finding people to do it? Not everyone is interested in the pickers. *I’m going to be called a snob for this, but...* not everyone is qualified, either. It’s not just about reading a poem and saying it’s good. Analysis plays a major role and comparision to other poems which have been nominated also. Much as I hate to say it, this site is flooded with vague writers who think everything is good because very few are actually interested in the mechanics of writing and bettering their knowledge of the craft. *sighs* I’m all defensive now. I’m not dismissing this option, but am curious as to what prompted you to suggest different judges?

User	WolfStar | 2005-03-16 |
Subject	untitled
Message	I know that I have not been at this site for as long as many others have, but if I may offer some kind of idea.... Maybe have a different panel of judges every time? Like people who are well-seasoned and reliable have judging duty in turns? It might be a little complicated, but it’s just a thought....

User	Black Rock Tractor | 2005-03-16 |
Subject	untitled
Message	*continues his endless dribble after having a conversation with his boss man* What I’m saying is, I’d rather get along with you and have you smile than keep pressing an issue about some ancillary aspect of the site. But at the same time, I don’t want you saying things that muddy up the waters I’m drowning in.

User	mae | 2005-03-16 |
Subject	untitled
Message	. "calm down"? Do you really think I wasn’t?" No, Learah, I didn’t think you were, or I wouldn’t have put that. One of the limitations of the written word, I guess. As far as not "telling you what to do" or "lecturing" you , well, if that’s the way you see it, then I’m probably not going to be able to change your mind. But what I’ve stated is my opinion, just as you and all the others have done. At least my statements don’t contain insults and foul language as many of them around here do. " I hadn’t. You know that I run the pickers, as you stated" Actually, I stated that you started the feather pickers, not that you run it. But that pretty much answers my question that I put to you: are you here to run the place or here to serve? I’m sorry if you were offended by my observations. I try to be fair in my assessments and my intention was not to offend, but to bring to your (all the FP’s) a feeling that you may not have been aware of. Your defensiveness pretty much gets in the way of any meaningful discussion and since I refuse to stoop to the level of insults and name-calling, I’ll just bow out. You do whatever you want with your feathers and ribbons. As I’ve said before, it doesn’t affect me, anyway. BRT has left you to yourself and now I am, too. You should be happy. mae

User	Black Rock Tractor | 2005-03-16 |
Subject	untitled
Message	Learah, man, jeez. I take criticism really well when it’s not just an insult wrapped in shiny paper. And some people (not necessarily talking about you here) can’t handle counter-criticism. For instance: the things I write mean a lot to me. somtimes I receive comments on my writing that I honestly believe are more the fault of the lack of effort put forth by the commenter than any real problem with what I have written. when I attempt relate to these people what I think they have missed, or if I speak on behalf of my poem, I then get berated as not being capable of taking criticism. That’s bullshit, though. Taking criticism doesn’t mean taking it blindly. If I get a comment like "this is utter crap" (a comment you once gave me) or if the comment in some way shows that the reader has missed something that I considered obvious, then it is completely reasonable for me to counter-criticize. As for the latter (as in when I think that the reader has missed something that isn’t attributable to me as the writer), they are completely free to further explain themselves if necessary. But instead they usually get pissy. These kinds of comments (the insultory and the shortsighted) take my reciprocation rate out of balance because I do not stoop to doing the same to others. I cold, it’s very easy. In fact, just calling something "crap" because you don’t like it, or pointing out a weakness without fully attempting to grasp the piece, is so easy to do (I used to do it) that I could easily throw up thirty comments a day doing it. But alas, I do not do this. I would like to comment more, but I rarely have something constructive to offer. And I refrain from the temptation to post any ole half-ass comment. (In fairness, Learah posted that "crap" comment on a poem I posted in the debate forum.) As for taking without giving back, that is precisely why I have gone to posting my daily scribbles in the creative writing forum, which seems an appropriate location to me. I now take precisely the same thing that I give: views. I read probably forty poems a day on this site. I’m sorry if I was wrong about you asking that this be dropped. Maybe that was Kristina. But you seemed really iritated, which was a fair reaction to my challenge of the feather pickers. I decided that the issue wasn’t important enough to give you or anyone a bad day. Your regular lives are sure to give you plenty of stress anyway. Especially if you have small children running around. It takes my niece and nephew about five minutes to drive me into a three hour insanity. Yeah, I don’t like the feather pickers. But so what. I still like this place. And it ain’t worth pssin’ everybody off over. Some people really like it. It even has

User	Learah | 2005-03-16 |
Subject	untitled
Message	LOL I never said anything about wanting anything to drop. I was debating this, so I debated. It is for this reason exactly that I do not think you would be a candidate for the feathers. You cannot tolerate criticism of any form, or alternate opinions to your own. I’m sorry that I "don’t know you" but this is the internet Rees, how could anyone know you? I know what YOU SHOW ME. Don’t like the negative opinion I hold? Look a little closer to home and ask yourself why, but don’t berate me for actually believing in myself and refusing to be intimidated by your domineering nature. You work hard to contribute on this site? I don’t know if I agree with that. Your ratios are dire and you post and post in the fora with your poetry because it’s a chance to showcase your talents without having to give back to anyone what you take. I tried my best. I thought that perhaps if my own opinions were set aside and I left it in the lap of others to decide, that might please you. But why the HELL should I try to please you any more, when nothing is good enough? That is the last I have to say on this matter now though. I’m done. The absence of your bollocks leaves a very nasty taste in my mouth and I refuse to allow this thread to turn into yet another pointless assesment of you and your ego.

User	Black Rock Tractor | 2005-03-16 |
Subject	untitled
Message	I opened discussion on the feather pickers. I didn’t attack you or anyone else personally (until later, perhaps, in retaliation to attacks that were directed at me personally rather than my position. attacking my motive instead of my position is Straw Man tactic. Go look that one up.) I work hard to be fair and contributory on this site. I am an honest person. You said you want this whole thing to drop, so let it. Back off my balls a bit, they’re getting sweaty.

User	Black Rock Tractor | 2005-03-16 |
Subject	untitled
Message	Spare me your agrandizing tirade. You don’t have to do anything else to convince me how little you understand about me or anyone who’s not like you.

User	Black Rock Tractor | 2005-03-16 |
Subject	untitled
Message	It would be fair for you to stop being a bitch and postulating about my intentions or future actions. Shit, when people do the same about you, you flip out too. So fucking quit it. Fucking goddamnit. Shit. Just stop. I’m not going to debate my own character. You don’t know shit about me, what I value, what I would and wouldn’t do. Maybe you could learn a little, but you won’t, ’cause you’re too fucking cock-sure in your first inclination to ever look at something from another light. You ain’t got half the scruples I got.

User	Learah | 2005-03-16 |
Subject	untitled
Message	Okay, I’ll tell you what Rees. It shouldn’t be up to me who chooses who comes and goes, so I’ll post a suggestion on you as an addition to the feathers and see what the others say. They can choose. Is that fair?