Yes, that was a shot at every. single. Buffista.

Wait, I need clarification. Did that include me? I mean, before I asked for clarification. To clarify.

But, for myself, I think bothering to bring people into the culture is a community responsibility. It doesn't have to be sink or swim here. It can be whatever we make it.

This is where I'm at.

FWIW, I consider myself pretty a pretty solid cybercitizen, and I had lurked for quite a while before posting. Still, a couple of times after delurking, I found myself thinking people would just as soon I left by the nearest exit. Not guacamole, exactly, but a definite chill when I tried to join in the conversation. Polite, but who the fuck are you?

I get that this community is not for the faint of snark, and I don't see any sign that's going to change soon. It's part of the board culture, and we like it that way. It does have consequences, not all of which are positive.

My suggestion is this: This is a subject that will NEVER EVER EVER have a solution. There are too many of us for any type of behavior modification. Stepford Buffistas does not sound appealing.

Can this be dropped now?

I second this a lot.

Yes, that was a shot at every. single. Buffista.

Wait, I need clarification. Did that include me? I mean, before I asked for clarification. To clarify.

Well, actually, not you. But everyone else.

Well, actually, not you. But everyone else.

Ah! Alles klar, Herr Teppisar.

I don't think cutting the discussion short is useful. Not least because not everyone here has been here forever and been through the discussion even once before.

If you don't wish to discuss the topic, slide on by. No big.

LJ - I'm going to go with the suggestion that we are never going to find the "one" solution to this issue, and not post my observations of the "welcome wagon".

If someone takes their time to lurk, even for a bit, they will see this is a unique group of people who can have amazing discussions on a wide variety of subjects, tame and controversial. And yet in the end, even the most bitter participants will send each other tiaras.

I lurk because I have a hard time keeping up, and I don't want to be a constant stream of - "what scrappy said", or find myself with a guac facial. When I do post, sometimes I feel like I am talking to thin air, but oh well. I keep trying.

There are too many of us for any type of behavior modification.

I really don't think previous posts counseling a bit more patience with newbies are advocating behavior modification.

Well at least it's no more Stepfording then asking Buffistas to please try and stop the dead horse beating.

Now who took my riding crop?

or find myself with a guac facial.

Suit yourself, but it's amazingly moisturising.

Can this be dropped now?

Honestly, the last time I got a smackdown was for trying to cut off a discussion. The discussion will be over when people stop talking about it.