Emotional luggage

[Explorer]

Over the course of what spare time I could muster over the last few days, I have just re-read my first year's worth of posts on this forum in this section. An arduous and at times senseless task, but one I put myself through in order to make a point to myself.

 

The point was really more of a reminder, actually, of how environments can become increasingly toxic over time because of the negative history associated with them. After playing out my brief history here in fast-forward, it became clear that the LS Spirituality section has become increasingly defined by feuds, trolling and abuse of power. Very little, if any, positives.

 

I replayed some cracking discussions about free will, the nature of truth and (dare I say it) the meaning of life, and also watched how the tone became more predictable, less interesting, less fulfilling. My own attitude darkened noticeably as I was gradually taken over with a sense of "here we go again" every time heads were butted with the same personalities.

 

It echoes a familiar pattern I have witnessed at nearly half a dozen other online "communities" I have been a part of. Friction occurs, fractures result only ever deepen as wedges are driven in further and further. In fact I have yet to be part of a single stable, self-sustainable online ecosystem: they all break down eventually. Long-running forums/channels/whatever do exist, but survival seems to depend on people moving on and making way for the next generation. It's the only way that grudges and vendettas are released.

 

The question I am wondering (without much optimism) is whether there is any way to break out of this periodic cycle of death and rebirth. Given that what has been said cannot be taken back, the inevitable exhaustion of topics to discuss without repetition, and the emotionally charged nature of the topic here, I don't think it can. Without a large influx of new personalities (for whom all of this will be new and novel) and the old guard to clear out, I think we're staring stagnation in the face.

 

Cheers,

D.

 

In sum, I'm hearing - Is there any way for online discussion boards to intellectually evolve?

 

If I'm right with summarizing your thread, then I think the answer should be simply, no. There's no way to bypass the cycle of learning and LS exists to act as an intermediary of this process.

[Explorer]

In sum, I'm hearing - Is there any way for online discussion boards to intellectually evolve?

 

If I'm right with summarizing your thread, then I think the answer should be simply, no. There's no way to bypass the cycle of learning and LS exists to act as an intermediary of this process.

 

I would like to add that I think these boards are more for individuals to evolve (Assuming you actually learn), not the collective group since new members pop-up daily. Interesting post btw.

[disgracian]

I bid thee all farewell. By the time people read this, I will have sealed my own fate here.

 

Cheers (for the last tme),

D.

[Kasan]

Very sorry to hear this.

 

You contribute much to this board, as do all the others who have "left" recently.