Decorum on the forum
  • Jeffrey TuckerJeffrey Tucker
    Posts: 3,624
    When this forum, started it was small and served a community that was seriously engaged in the sacred music project and need an opportunity to communicate. Over the years, matters have changed. It is now the world's major portal in English for all information concerning Catholic music. The membership is gigantic and the traffic global in scope. Google loves it. All spiders do. It is a tool of education, evangelization, and community building.

    I know you are aware of this most of the time. We need to maintain decorum and decency in every way, not making it too much of an insiders club, and being aware that most people come here without a clear sense of the Roman rite and its demands. The Newbies need to learn and they need to encounter an open space with a positive outlook toward what is possible.

    If, on the other hand, they encounter factionalism, wrangling, political argument, negativity on everything, cries of heresy, and the like, we will not be doing the cause any favors. Folks, this forum can make the difference in what the future looks like. You can make the difference in parish after parish just by the things you post here.

    So many of you are contributing so generously of your time and talent. This is great work, a real service. So many grateful for this. Diversity of course is welcome and good, and forthrightness about your opinions is a good thing, provided that they are stated with a good will.

    Let's just be aware that the spirit alive here can make the difference.

    The CMAA has never tried to police this space. This stems from the conviction that letting people sort things out for themselves will lead to the best possible results in the end. I would just like to encourage collegiality and generosity going forward, that is, using this freedom responsibly.

    It is an odd thing how this forum has ending up as a global portal to changing the face of Catholic music. No one set out to make it that. But you built it into that and now we must all face the responsibilities that have fallen to us.
    Thanked by 25marajoy Spriggo M. Jackson Osborn Paul_Onnonhoaraton Ben Aristotle Esguerra francis noel jones, aago donr chonak Adam Wood ContraBombarde CHGiffen Earl_Grey formeruser Kathy rogue63 lautzef ParleyDee kevinf SamuelDorlaque E_A_Fulhorst IanW Felicity SpeakNSpirit
  • Carl DCarl D
    Posts: 992
    Thank you!
  • hartleymartin
    Posts: 1,447
    Amen, Alleluia!
  • marajoymarajoy
    Posts: 783
    Would it be appropriate for there to be a little reminder note added near the "post comment" button, something like: "Please consider whether your comment is charitable and helpful before submitting."
  • francis
    Posts: 10,821
    marajoy

    i think the original forum had something like that
  • Jeffrey TuckerJeffrey Tucker
    Posts: 3,624
    Also I hope this post doesn't discourage anyone. People tend to take these sorts of posts personally, as if I'm rebuking someone in particular. I assure you that I had no one in mind in particular. It's just a good reminder for us all.
    Thanked by 7CHGiffen Adam Wood noel jones, aago Kathy francis tomboysuze E_A_Fulhorst
  • chonakchonak
    Posts: 9,216
    I've added a reminder, as above: it will be displayed occasionally.
    Thanked by 1E_A_Fulhorst
  • Adam WoodAdam Wood
    Posts: 6,482
    The reminder pokes in between posts- it makes it look like an editorial comment on the post that comes before it.
  • BenBen
    Posts: 3,114
    I thought the same thing. It looks like the placement is intentional, like some sort of moderator warning or something.
  • francis
    Posts: 10,821
    yea, chonak... are you trying to psych me out?! doesn't work with me!
  • chonakchonak
    Posts: 9,216
    Obviously the message is triggered by certain comments, based on their content!

    I think "francis" is one of the trip-words. :-)
    Thanked by 2Ben E_A_Fulhorst
  • BenBen
    Posts: 3,114
    I think that would probably be best: have it display after each of francis' posts.

    All in good fun, francis :D
  • TCJ
    Posts: 986
    I always close my eyes when posting, so the reminder will have no effect on me.
    Thanked by 4Gavin DougS Adam Wood E_A_Fulhorst
  • francis
    Posts: 10,821
    yes! chonak... write a script so it posts a warning every time i post a comment.
    Thanked by 2Ben E_A_Fulhorst
  • CharlesW
    Posts: 11,978
    Now, now. Francis is always the soul of charity and civility. Even when I disagree with him, he is always polite and civil. I, on the other hand, have reached an age where I don't care so much what others think of me.
    Thanked by 1E_A_Fulhorst
  • noel jones, aagonoel jones, aago
    Posts: 6,611
    May have gotten more notice as:

    Decorum on Deforum.
    Thanked by 3canadash MarkThompson Chris Allen
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