TAY Atmosphere

LOVE also means Let Others Visions Exist!

Yes, like the vision of a site where people share and argue, but they maintain respect and civility throughout (and don't mind being nudged back when they stray a bit from that vision). We already have plenty of other visions elsewhere on the web - let this one exist too!

yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawn.

I'd like to apply for Jester if the position hasn't already been filled.

I just checked with TAY Human Resources and this position is open.

Yes, like the vision of a site where people share and argue, but they maintain respect and civility throughout (and don't mind being nudged back when they stray a bit from that vision). We already have plenty of other visions elsewhere on the web - let this one exist too!

Respect and civility are subjective and yes I know, you think despite being subjective there is a definable line that denotes what is acceptable.
You can and should establish rules but people will draw their own line as far as respect and civility  and what that means and that line will differ amongst people.
The argument that in that case the majority should be allowed to establish where that line is has validity but you are never going to control what people say and more importantly think on a public website and therefore even though you have established standards, you are always going to have to enforce them and this situation will never change no matter how much you  wish people had the same views and standards as you or the majority.

This is the age of the interweb and global access and you can retreat into your closed world where only people who have the same views on where the lines of civility and respect lie . Many Tayers attack people with different views not just on matters of civility but also when the person is being civil by TAY standards but has a view outside the TAY norm. TAY has become more polarized  in recent years much like the political dialogue between the left and right in this country and across the world.

My new suggestions for TAY... ( At least I'm always offering suggestions and thinking about it))
If you want to remain a public site then toughen up... these issues are never going  to go away( no matter how many Blitz Love posts and group hugs)..only increase... get used to it .
Or.
Make TAY a private website. I am a member of a private skiing website  where new members are referred by existing and it's invitation only. Not saying that's good or bad but at Least you can control who's a member.
OR
Adopt a policy similar to one of those websites for  physically beautiful people where the other members vote off people who they consider not beautiful enough. At TAY you could base it upon how beautiful and positive  and uplifting the persons internet persona is after they have done say 10 posts and then vote 'em off  if they don't meet TAY's standards.

Marcus  - you have your work cut out for you and I applaud the effort.  Thanks for being the voice of moderation!

My suggestions:

1.  Have a Gear Review section with a template form to keep it organized and easily searchable.

2.  Have a Rants and Raves section (just like CraigsList) so people will have an idea of what   
     the comments and tone will be.  It could even be **un-moderated**.  This could solve many issues.

All the powder hound doggies on the site are more than a tribe or a community, we are like a pack of wild furry golden eyed wolves with our hair bristled up at the scent of winter and its storms; we all know without having to think or ponder that we are connected because of snow and that connection is a scent and a feeling that goes a long long way and like a pack or a herd or a flock the universal spirit of nature runs through us and with us and carries us to summits and back.   Our love is shared and like all doggies some of us are tougher, smarter, kinder, more beautiful, more full of wolf's blood than others, but here we all are because of TAY.
There is a world of specific information here that has helped this dog more times than I can say.

I am also a lurker of several years, but decided to weigh in on this subject after following the saga of Monika and this wonderful community in the past month and after reading filbo's insightful and inspiring words.

I am an Oregon backcountry skier and snow camper, although my wife and I have skied Yosemite and the Tetons.  I lead groups of 4-8 to the wilderness 12 months a year.  Many of these people have never done anything like this before in their lives.  Almost without exception, once they go, they always go again.  Before we go, during our trip and once we have returned, I share as many insightful, inspiring and encouraging words as I can.  I just sent filbo's beautiful sentiment to two dozen of my best people.  John Muir is is also another great inspiration.

I see my mission, our mission, is to share this wonderful side of life with as many people as we can.  The more advocates  for the wilderness, the better chance we can protect these cherished places.  John Muir again.  I am a little discouraged by some of the talk I see here from many of the people that have been most helpful and inspiring to me, even if they did not know it.

Who would find such beautiful places and then deliberately hide them from their brothers and sisters?  Not Amar or many others on this site.  How could anyone caught in the transforming grasp of wilderness find the words to speak ill of another that understands this magic?  My friends believe in the magic of the wilderness partly because they see the kinder, more generous, more sharing and more jubiliant person it inspires me to be.

I meet people on the trail today and I write down their email address so I can share photos and stories and invite them on the next trip.  Every once in a while, they throw caution to the wind and come along and new, life-long friendships are cemented. Isn't that what it should really be all about?

This passion (addiction) that we share is too good (and frankly too consuming) to spend time being anything other than happy.

I salute Marcus and everyone else that takes the time to care.  Don't change a thing, Marcus.  Positivity isn't moderated.  It comes from within.

Thank you all for your community and for giving me a listen.