jonriv wrote:Skarp wrote:GIMNEPIWO wrote:jonriv wrote:Battle wrote:The decline started when Skarp left for a while. I'm sorry but it's true. I BLAME SKARP...DAMN IT!
YES-that's what we need- a SCAPEGOAT!!!!!!!!!!!
SKARP did this!!!!!!!
He also raised interest rates today!!!!!!!
Everything wrong is SKARP'S fault!!!!!!!!!
That would be a SKARPGOAT ...
WTF??!! You couldn't find anyone else to carry the load so you guys went and SKARPGOATED me?? Hardly seems right...
I haven't exactly been following, but if HB has in any way mirrored society at large I would posit another possible explanation for any deterioration in discussion quality here:
millennial parents. Of course I could be wrong about that, and I certainly wouldn't want to impugn anyone's character or abilities in any way whatsoever! Now could someone please hand me a binky and direct me to the safe space on this site?
Sharp good to see you back!! Just a clarification, are you talking about parents of millenials or millenials that are parents?
Oh hell, I don't know. I guess I'm thinking about the quality of discourse in society at large. Nobody is allowed to say anything offensive anymore--and perhaps it's just me, but offensive comments are inherently more interesting. HB was interesting back in the day because we had a critical mass of smart but obnoxious types who weren't afraid to speak their minds and defend their positions on all sorts of touchy subjects--including subjects related to their own children.
I suspect that I was probably known best for the arguments I had on here, and honestly the best of them, at least in my opinion, were with people I respected the most. How many times did Sam and I go at it, for instance? We didn't pull any punches. We didn't worry about each others' feelings. But we were able to have substantive conversations that fleshed out issues in a serious and unvarnished way. I don't think we as a society are capable of having those types of discussions anymore. And yes, I lay that at the feet of millennials
and their parents (and their teachers, etc.). And now that millennials are having kids of their own--God help us!
I have zero respect for people who go through life butt-hurt over things that others say. It's so f'ing weak and pathetic. Worse, it has a chilling effect on the willingness of others to engage in interesting/important discussions. And it wouldn't surprise me if that dynamic is at least partially in play where this topic (dwindling participation) is concerned on HB. But I haven't been here, so you tell me.