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davywavyPosted as an answer to one of Steve Claptons posts, but repeated here.
I think UKG has become of decreasing use and worth to the society as we have grown. It is handy as an annoucement board for games and society business, but I'd say that the quality of general debate has declined as the cam has grown, to the extent where it is now of very little worth to read long threads. Too many cooks spoiling the broth and all that. I'd say it's incorrect to use it as a gauge as to the feelings of the membership, as not only are most of the membership not on it, but most of the membership (even the ones who are on it) *don't care*.
Very often, it is the same people - perhaps a dozen or so - venting at one another and trying to score points. Perhaps the greatest use of UKG is to judging the mood of the society is that it gives a fairly accurate impression of what the 10% at the extreme end of any argument are thinking, and that most people are somewhere in between, clustering round the 'couldn't give a toss' pole somewhere in the middle.
To find out what people are thinking, I've always gone with Napoleon: "If you want an argument, get a group. If you want to know what people think, ask them as individuals." He was right.
I think UKG has become of decreasing use and worth to the society as we have grown. It is handy as an annoucement board for games and society business, but I'd say that the quality of general debate has declined as the cam has grown, to the extent where it is now of very little worth to read long threads. Too many cooks spoiling the broth and all that. I'd say it's incorrect to use it as a gauge as to the feelings of the membership, as not only are most of the membership not on it, but most of the membership (even the ones who are on it) *don't care*.
Very often, it is the same people - perhaps a dozen or so - venting at one another and trying to score points. Perhaps the greatest use of UKG is to judging the mood of the society is that it gives a fairly accurate impression of what the 10% at the extreme end of any argument are thinking, and that most people are somewhere in between, clustering round the 'couldn't give a toss' pole somewhere in the middle.
To find out what people are thinking, I've always gone with Napoleon: "If you want an argument, get a group. If you want to know what people think, ask them as individuals." He was right.
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Re:
Date: 2002-08-01 01:23 am (UTC)I'd reckon I've spent my fair share of time in that power cabal, and I posted my home & mobile phone numbers to UKG several times. Anyone who had serious problems or issues to raise or discuss was welcome to ring me, 24 hours. (I did say that, nigh word for word).
None of the usual suspects (i.e. the stanard venters) did. Ever.
If the issues aren't so serious that they aren't worth a phone call, then they aren't serious.
I tried that, too...
Date: 2002-08-01 02:14 am (UTC)Said "Hey, if you speak for even 10%, I'll be surprised. Let's find out. Anyone who feels that (deleted) speaks for you, feel free to email me at buserc@mindspring.com and I'll tell you the results."
Guess how many people emailed me? None. Go figure. :)
How many of "the usual suspects" who like to cause shit ever contacted my CC when I invited them to? None. Go figure. :)
I don't think I'll ever give out my phone number, but I'll have more business cards at ICC. :)
Re: I tried that, too...
Date: 2002-08-01 04:42 am (UTC)The vast numbers of people who hide behind email depress me, and when they whine that "I don't like the telephone", I tend to feel that if their problem is so piddling they can't put aside a personal reservation for twenty minutes, then they aren't really that serious.
The other side of that is telling people you'll call them at a particular time to discuss their problem. I guarantee that 75% of them will be out when you call, or will refuse to give their phone number.