Don't bring me down Ajarn
Lately, there has been alot of negative posting on Ajarn and IMO it has lost alot of its appeal. Sure people have a right to say what they like and I am guilty of it in the past but these flame wars need to be a thing of the past.
Lets accept that the Ajarn forum is not a place where we can easily settle differences and that forums or email or IM, or PM are generally speaking, fairly ineffective methods of communication when it comes to discussing emotional issues. Let's face it, some of us have writing skills which also leave a bit to be desired when it comes to trying to express what we really mean...
Unclear messages lead to misunderstandings which lead to flame wars and then things get emotional and out of hand. If any of you have kids, you would understand as you see it everyday, where kids tend to see things from their point of view and lack the ability to see issues from other's sides. Some of the arguments between my kids have displayed more maturity than some of the posts I have read on the Ajarn forum.
The Thai culture is wonderful in the way it works with people to display their respect as part of their daily lives. We are so lucky to be surrounded by this in our daily lives and it is only our immaturity which denies us from learning and adopting some of these better qualities, not of just Thais but of the human race.
I'm no angel and I am sorry for anything I have said against others on this forum. Some things I have said were meant in jest but unfortunately, they were interpreted offensively. I realise that if I was sitting with them in a pub saying the same thing, I would have a much better chance of being understood in the way that I wanted to be. I would see their reaction, I would know immediately how they have taken my message, I can counter, I can explain or I can withdraw it.
These are the wonderful things about communications but realise that they really only work when done face to face.
So I ask all of you, please keep it light on the forum, keep it mature, cool down, and most of all, keep it respectful.
Lets accept that the Ajarn forum is not a place where we can easily settle differences and that forums or email or IM, or PM are generally speaking, fairly ineffective methods of communication when it comes to discussing emotional issues. Let's face it, some of us have writing skills which also leave a bit to be desired when it comes to trying to express what we really mean...
Unclear messages lead to misunderstandings which lead to flame wars and then things get emotional and out of hand. If any of you have kids, you would understand as you see it everyday, where kids tend to see things from their point of view and lack the ability to see issues from other's sides. Some of the arguments between my kids have displayed more maturity than some of the posts I have read on the Ajarn forum.
The Thai culture is wonderful in the way it works with people to display their respect as part of their daily lives. We are so lucky to be surrounded by this in our daily lives and it is only our immaturity which denies us from learning and adopting some of these better qualities, not of just Thais but of the human race.
I'm no angel and I am sorry for anything I have said against others on this forum. Some things I have said were meant in jest but unfortunately, they were interpreted offensively. I realise that if I was sitting with them in a pub saying the same thing, I would have a much better chance of being understood in the way that I wanted to be. I would see their reaction, I would know immediately how they have taken my message, I can counter, I can explain or I can withdraw it.
These are the wonderful things about communications but realise that they really only work when done face to face.
So I ask all of you, please keep it light on the forum, keep it mature, cool down, and most of all, keep it respectful.
Total Comments 12
Comments
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I don't know about "just lately" mate, but I don't remember a time where there HASN'T been some kind of long-term feuding going off on Ajarn...you should have seen it circa 2003-2004...today it's tame compared to then.
I agree however that the feuding that's been building in the Icebox of late is totally unacceptable and all parties have now been warned. In the meantime I'd advise ignoring Icebox threads with "vs" in the title..... |
Posted 8th June 2008 at 04:44 by LDMA
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You having a dig huh GL
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Posted 9th June 2008 at 12:45 by kenkannif
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Good points Greenleaf. As someone who has shared that you have lost your brother to cancer, I can say that I too lost someone in my family. It was my grandfather. Both of them, actually. I lost my most beloved one to Polymyocitis, which is similar to Lou Gehrig's Disease. He was like a father to me as he took care of me during the divorce of my parents during the summer.
I know a lot of ajarns don't get into their parents too much on the forum, nor is it a topic for discussion that much. But I know one local ajarn whose father left him when he was very young, and he has become quite an embittered man in the community. This has been recognized by others. It's unfortunate that some people must feel that must flame others to try to make it to the top, or reveal personal information, like what happened to Smeg. Unfortunately, I believe too much of his life depended on this forum. In reality, there's a whole world of teaching out there in Thailand that is progressive and has nothing to do with supporting, condoning, nor having anything to do with this forum. It's also nice that Jimbo shared the fact that his father died on here. And Matthew his mother to cancer. |
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Posted 9th June 2008 at 23:19 by Piece Train
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Quote:
like what happened to Smeg
Smeg deserves everything he's got, and will get. |
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Posted 10th June 2008 at 16:32 by LDMA
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I don't know the history nor the depth of the conflict, so I'm mute on this subject further.
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Posted 10th June 2008 at 17:48 by Piece Train
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Well put Greenleaf. Sometimes we do forget about how others might take what we say. They do not know if we are drunk, or joking, or serious. No way to turn 0010010101101 into body language and expression, tone, and pitch. I read ThaiVisa and the level of communication here is much higher than over there (though it has its purposes too). And hopefully we give each other enough support and give more here than we take. Cheers.
By the way, I bring my Mom over here every winter since my dad passed away 3 years ago, she loves it especially Roied, Issan, and yes even Pattaya. She tolerates Bangkok--Barely. Take a look at her pics in my Singapore album. Or in the journey by Pics to Tiger Zoo. She is 76. Cheers. |
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Posted 10th June 2008 at 19:02 by Killing Me Softly 101
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Nice pics KMS.
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Posted 11th June 2008 at 16:42 by greenleaf
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Well done, KMS. I'm trying to get mine over here this year as well. She's 70ish too.
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Posted 11th June 2008 at 18:11 by Piece Train
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She loves all the attention Thais give her. She really likes it when they think she is my sister. My father was USAF and we traveled a lot and lived abroad several years so she enjoys travel. She is pretty agile, takes those Senior "Aerobics" classes at a women's gym 3 times a week. Do bring your mom over. Cheers.
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Posted 12th June 2008 at 17:52 by Killing Me Softly 101
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good point greenleaf, my main man.
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Posted 19th June 2008 at 04:25 by i1der
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It would indeed be sublime if we all got along, but wouldn't it be boring?
Conflict sells, hence the success of soap operas and action films. Reading through the negativity can be tiresome. All I can suggest is to ignore those threads that annoy you. |
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Posted 6th July 2008 at 20:42 by Umbuku
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Well said mate, I have tried to post these holidays on many topics but always received negative replies by the usual few. These people a supposed to be teachers, and should display a little more respect. I too have three kids and a lovely wife, built a house here in Thailand as I do love the culture, even though some of it (culture) does get in the way of teaching English but that's the way it is.
The more I live here to more I understand Thailand, I say this because my teaching gets better every year by knowing a little bit more. Some people on Ajarn.com just never seem to change and are always on the offencive. You have always been an interesting poster and I think the good guys know this. Don't let the grumpy ones bother you too much, they can't help themselves to be civil. Cheers |
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Posted 16th October 2008 at 19:07 by timjack
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Recent Blog Entries by greenleaf
- Don't bring me down Ajarn (8th June 2008)
