On Sun, 26 Jun 2005 21:03:20 -0400, Robert Morein wrote:


"lcw999" wrote in message
news



As one looks down a bit further in this newsgroup, one will find a
inordinate amount of bitterness toward a magazine, its purpose and
it editor....but, not much about "Audio"...wonder why? After all, this
is a hobby...where did all the bitter people come from?

Well spoken, Leonard. Unfortunately, the usenet newsgroups are largely like
that, except for a few with very technical interests. For tightly organized
newsgroups, look at rec.arts.movies.production.sound, or
alt.energy.homepower. These newsgroups cater only to technical interest.

The peculiar thing about rec.audio.opinion is that it is populated by
aesthetes and engineers. It would appear that the extreme aesthete is not a
technical person, while the engineer is not an extreme aesthete. This sets
the stage. The combustible material is the desire of many individuals to be
either arbiters or authorities. The authorities desire to be looked to as
sources of universal knowledge. For knowledge to be universal, it must be
objectifiable, which leaves out subjective experience.Arbiters seem to be
concerned with the newgroup as an organic whole, and try to influence
behavior using methods that range from fine to brutal.

The third group are the vandals. They have no message. Their trade is
meaningless hatred and mayhem.

While I share your sentiment, this newsgroup, like many others, is a sample
of society without government. Thankfully, the only weapons are words. Think
"Lord of the Flies", as a kind of de-evolution from mankind's current rule
of law.

AOL has dropped newsgroup coverage because of declining interest.
Apparently, many individuals, perhaps yourself, are disturbed that r.a.o.
has become a place of what psychologists call "acting out." Individuals who
can post anonymously are freed from the stigma of disapprobation, one of the
last social controls on usenet. Even among individuals who post under their
own names, some are simply oblivious to how they come off.

I now participate in several listservers on various topics. Members of these
lists participate for informational interchange. Occasional personal
affronts are nipped in the bud. However, this may not be the model for
r.a.o., which at its best is a forum for free interplay between artistic and
technical interests.

Unfortunately, some of the people you read here have deep connections to the
negativity of their posts. The magazine is just a scapegoat. It is not a
trivial thing for them to become self-aware on the level of adherence to
civilized behavior. I'm afraid that usenet is in many ways a failed form of
the global village.

Regards,
Bob Morein


Well stated Bob... an excellent view of the malady that many
newsgroups are victims of. Good insight into some issues
we are all suffering from...a rare post on this newsgroup.

Leonard...