Shipper Debates & all other On-Topic Discussions

[Susan McGee]

No: HPFGUIDX 8325

--- In HPforGrownups at egroups.com, Penny & Bryce Linsenmayer 
<pennylin at s...> wrote:
> Hi --
> 
> mlleelizabeth at a... wrote:
> 
> > I tried to say this subtly in a previous post and I don't think I 
had
> > much effect.
> 
> There was a post from you earlier Elizabeth that was addressed
> specifically to me (something about filing a "no evidence" 
motion).  No
> such thing in legal parlance I don't think, but I'm not a litigator.
> 
> > It is my personal belief that the H/H shippers (however many of 
them
> > there are) are indeed substantially more vocal than those with 
other
> > ship preferences, including the non-shippers.  In fact, I believe 
the
> > H/H ship has been belabored.
> 
> Just the H/H ship has been belabored?  Really?  Hmm, guess that 
shows
> where your sympathies lie.
> 
> > I do hope this doesn't make you all mad at me, but lately most of 
the
> > list has been taken up with this subject and I'm tired of it and
> > starting to feel downright bullied.  New subjects have been 
introduced
> > and still the ship debate rages ...
> 
> The debate rages because people are interested in it.  If you are 
*not*
> interested in it, then there is simply no need for you to feel
> "bullied."  There's in fact a very very simple solution to your 
problem
> Elizabeth, and it doesn't involve "scolding" the list or trying to
> berate the list into abandoning a topic you find tiresome.
> 
> This applies to everyone: USE YOUR DELETE KEYS if you don't want to 
read
> a particular thread of conversation.  I've asked & most all people 
are
> complying with the request that subject headers be relevant.  I can 
say
> with virtual certainty that all the shipper debate posts of the 
last few
> weeks have been very clearly labelled in the subject heading.
> Accordingly, there is absolutely no need for anyone to proclaim that
> they've been unwittingly subjected to a tiresome thread of messages 
that
> they would have avoided had they been warned.  If the subject 
heading
> indicates it's something you don't want to read about, then delete 
the
> message & move on.
> 
> You are also always welcome (as you did) to introduce new topics of
> discussion in the hopes that everyone will grow tired of the one you
> wish would die a quick death.  Personally, there are plenty of 
threads
> that I skim or delete myself.  I do usually at least open all the
> messages & give them a quick skim on the off-chance that the subject
> header is misleading.
> 
> Not all topics are going to be of interest to everyone.  But, you've
> joined a *discussion* group.  All *on-topic* discussions are 
therefore
> welcome.  Not everyone need participate in all ongoing discussions.
> That is why I've tried to periodically remind people to be mindful 
of
> their subject headings.  Whether you love 'em or hate 'em though, 
the
> shipper discussions are decidedly on-topic.  They are not going to 
be
> banned.  I like to think I'm fair-minded though -- I've never asked 
that
> any on-topic discussion be abandoned (even the ones that I 
personally
> despise).
> 
> As I mentioned in a message earlier this evening, I can also say 
that
> the shipper debates (like some others) follow a reasonably 
predictable
> pattern.  They go strong for a week to 3 weeks & then they die a 
natural
> death.  They resurface 2-3 months later.  So, never fear Elizabeth, 
I'm
> sure your inbox won't be subjected to messages belaboring the H/H 
point
> of view for much longer.  But, it will not be because any one person
> admonishes the rest of us to abandon a discussion we're enjoying.  
It
> will be because the debates run their natural course for this cycle.
> 
> Hopefully, I'm not offending anyone, but I have a very strong 
stance on
> free speech & on the nature of internet discussion groups.  You are 
in
> no way a captive audience in this group.  You're always free to 
avoid
> certain messages, avoid all posts by certain individuals or avoid 
the
> group as a whole, whenever & however you choose.
> 
> Thanks for listening.
> 
> Penny
> 
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]


Penny, I'm having some trouble here distinguishing when you
are speaking as list owner and when you are speaking as an individual 
on the list.

Since you are such a strong advocate for H/H/, I think it's important 
that those roles be distinguished.

I, too, have found many of those who favor H/H very vocal and very 
dogmatic. I am very vocal and dogmatic on certain issues, as well, 
but I would be the first to concede that I could definitely be wrong
about JKR's intentions about romance. What I find mildly hilarious 
are those who say that even if Ron and Hermione become involved, 
their relationship will be eventually doomed.....so even if they are 
proven wrong (the H/Hers) they will be right.

The problem with deleting threads one is not interested in (wholesale)
is that many people sneak interesting comments into the dead horse
threads (# of students and wand order DO jump to mind.

However, I would be the last to discourage anyone from posting 
anything.....even if it is tiresome to some...it may be fascinating 
to others.

Susan