A Rant From A Red-Head

I have tried to run a site which:

provides a meeting place where multiple authors can publish articles on any subject that takes their fancy, and engage in civilised discussion on their posts. *

It seemed obvious, to me at least, that what might be civilised to some might not be civilised to others. However, I assumed that people who had known each other for some time would accept that some would express themselves a little more forcefully than others. Alas! It seems I was wrong.

I am beginning to wonder whether it is worthwhile continuing with the site.

We have lost people who think they can be as rude as they please to others – and then object when they are asked to moderate their behaviour. It is with some amusement that I see one such has taken himself elsewhere and is now being told much the same as I said to him here!

We have lost people who have got the ‘orrible ‘ateful ‘ump because we have altered their contributions to fit in with the ‘house style’, have not read the T&Cs and have threatened legal action over copyright.

As if I know nothing about copyright issues!
I spent over 25 years of my life (with Bearsy’s financial support) sitting in the National Archives researching the data for three books. The first volume, published in 1999, was acclaimed by one reviewer as the single most important book in medieval history published that century. It appears that while I own the ‘intellectual rights’ of the data (I’ve just given permission for a UK university to use the material for a major research project) I do not own the rights of the publications. Two volumes are now on-line in Google Books – the publishers didn’t even bother to notify me that they were going to do that – and they haven’t answered my e-mails asking why they didn’t inform me.

Less importantly, I’ve also tried to take on the Church of the Latter Day Saints over copyright issues. “Get Lost” is a very polite version of what they told me to do.

And someone takes offence because one of their photos (taken in two seconds and freely posted to this site) is used to show how pictures can be presented.   Give me a patience!

We have lost people who want to disseminate inaccurate information – and have got offended because they have been contradicted by those who really do know what they are talking about. I would not dream of querying anyone on their acknowledged expertise and we have plenty of experts on this site.  So, for heavens sake, why do people consider themselves to be experts on everything – just because they have read a Wiki article?

The UK abolished Bear Baiting in 1834

I find it impossible to understand why, when a member of this site says that he has had enough of being lampooned as irascible, someone posts a comment saying exactly same thing and then gets annoyed because the comment is removed.

Even worse, in my opinion, are those who regularly ‘shut down’ discussion because they insist on commenting on posts that they don’t like.  Why don’t they just stay away and let those who want to rant and rave get on with it?   Why do they have to do the ‘politically correct’ thing and try to stop anyone who wants to talk about the problem (knowing full well that nothing they say will change a thing!) from doing so?    Because of this, the Chariot no longer features posts on politics or religion.

But, b**dy hell, when people start complaining because someone criticises a pop star or a piece of music – I really have to ask “what is the point?”

*Extract from About.

32 thoughts on “A Rant From A Red-Head”

  1. Boadicea,

    I trust I’m not one of the members from the chamber of horrors. Yes, I’m the self-proclaimed world’s leading authority on Queen but if you skip back through the archives you’ll find even I have had a dig at them on occasion. I know I do go on about them at length and in future, so that people don’t think I’m a one-trick pony I will try not to talk about them again.

    drums fingers on table
    think, think, think

    Umm, what about Rangers, eh? Twelve points clear. 🙂

  4. TR – you’re most definitely not in the Chamber of Horrors – your comments only produce smiles!

  7. You are very welcome to post about your specialist subject as much as you like – no probs!
    And I, or anyone else, can disagree about the moral merits of Freddie without there being any need for a flounce.😯

  8. Hello Boadicea

    Well I’m still here 🙂

    I rather enjoy the pleasantness of it all, it’s a great place to be and for that you can take a bow (do ladies take bows :?:)

    As for people coming and going it will be always so, since my very early days I’ve puzzled about the schoolyard behaviour of people old enough to be my parents but not enough to keep me awake at night.

    I made it a private policy to never comment on peoples flounces even though some I considered good friends and was often on their side of their private battles.

    As for the picture copyright row, It’s not as though it was an entry for National Geographic’s picture of the year, I was happy with the way you handled it. Perhaps one day you’ll consider publishing my poems 😉

    Politics, Religion and subsequent moderation, always going to stir emotions, I rather like the way that the large blog sites (newspaper and others) handle it, anonymously and without fanfare or explanation.

    The October writing and photo competitions each had (perhaps) record entries, a success if ever there was one and I was delighted with the reception and comments my post on the first S.A. – Aus. test received, it was informative and all good fun.

    And that perhaps answers your question, don’t get downhearted by the actions of the odd individuals, you have provided a wonderful facility for the majority of us to pass an enjoyable hour or two, thank you.

  9. Just reading, I think I must have missed something, too busy making Christmas cakes.
    I wouldn’t let it worry you.

  10. I missed it too, but I’m guessing someone complained about Queen? (I like Queen, so it wasn’t me…)

    Hey, Boadicea, Sadly what you describe seems to be ‘normal for blogging’ – but Christina’s right. Don’t let it worry you. This site has a great deal going for it. Please don’t stop.

    I guess the hardest part is to keep it ‘alive’ – when we loose a blogger here and there we need to acquire new ones to keep the pace of new posts up. How many ‘active posters’ are there? 10-12 out of about 40?

  11. “Because of this, the Chariot no longer features posts on politics or religion.” Is that by decree or observation? Are we banned from writing such posts, or are you suggesting that Charioteers no longer have the inclination to write them? I have a couple brewing away in my head that may see the light of day if permitted.

  12. Many thanks for the comments!

    Soutie post your poems by all means! Pseu, I always enjoy your photos, Sipu there is no ban on political posting…

    … and Christina, thanks for the words of common sense, echoed by Pseu!

    🙂

  13. Boadicea, my comparative lack of activity recently’ has been due to my feeling bloody awful. I have said before that I am committed to the site – no change there!

  18. Yikes.

    What’s happened now? It must have been my video clip wot did it! Sorry, Bearsy ( Angel.).

    Boadicea.

    I appreciate that running this site is hard work, but I’m with Nym, on this one! Weekends tend to be a bit slow, family and friends come first.

  19. ‘Rant from a red-head’! How can I not mention THE MAN WHO LOVED REDHEADS?
    Regarding your post, I don’t quite know what to say. Perhaps rather naively, I never expected any emotional involvement in ‘blogging’ when of course posts and comments have emotion,however shallow, built-in. Initially I eschewed emoticons, but unless you’re a really clever writer, much that is written leads to misunderstanding as there is no body language to be read. I blog here and on ‘the dark side’ for different reasons. When I decided to get involved in blogging I looked at a lot of sites before opting for MyT, which I’m sure you remember started out well. I think that this is the best presented and managed site that I have come across for the ‘non professional’ (if that’s not going to upset anyone). PS – I follow THIRSTING AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS on MyT who recently wrote

    But first let me say that I should never have thought you a Brobdingnagian, nor a Yahoo, nor even a Google.

    My comment was that perhaps ‘a Google’ is ‘wikid’

  21. Well I love it here and having delved into MyT recently and found it rather impersonal and unpleasant reckon this is the only civilised place to come and natter.

    I love the debates and best of all the sharing of new knowledge. I am guilty of occasionally having a little nudge or dig, but I try to do it politely. Some just ask to be baited, but it is all in good fun.

    I have to admit I nearly did a blog entitled “flouncing, just why do people do it” but thought it would only irritate the irritated and make the happy ones happier so I didn’t.

    Boadicea, please keep going! More politics and religion too please!

  24. Like Christina I obviously missed something. I’ve been preoccupied with all these interesting times we live in as regards the eurozone. Then I discovered a Remembrance Cake recipe, made with apple and rosemary which I wanted to try. It seemed fitting this weekend. Now just waiting for granddaughter and servants to arrive for lunch. Back later. Bon courage, Boadicea.

  27. Buggrit I missed a punch up?

    Like I said in my ‘orwellian’ post, I was at the bottom of the garden doing all the stuff that the pen pixies should be doing. Apparently the NUP has them on work to rule. The tooth fairy is suspended until further notice and don’t get me started on the sock monsters.

    Boadicea, just because I have gorn quiet of late, never assume I do not apreciate everything you guys do on our behalf. I like it here lots.

  28. Boadicea, someones flounce or departure should in no way reflect on the integrity of yourself or Bearsy towards running this site and the members of this site. Certainly I don’t see it that way. From my perspective you both have have been perfectly fair and diplomatic as regards the ‘copyright blues’. And even when Bearsy paws at an irritating wasp so I know he will sweeten up with a jar of honey.

  29. But, but, who’s gorn. Why? What did I miss?

    Bearsy, there seems to be a somewhat capricious censorship policy here – can’t get into ‘wattsupwiththat,’ for example and I’ve been blocked from the chariot these few weeks. Jo Nova seems to pass muster, the Telegraph, Judith Curry, but, for some reason, not the Chariot – though it seems the powers that be may have relented 😀

  30. I have also been a bit scarce recently. The term is coming to its close and there have been all the things related to that to deal with. I also have the shame of having failed the graduate school entrance exam and must take it again. My top choice university will waive it as I have very good notes, but I must still get things for that together as they enjoy making my life difficult.

    I will have holidays again next week and can write something worth reading and post some pictures of my holiday in China.

  31. Many thanks for all the friendly comments here! Soutie summed it up – there are times when I just don’t understand why people behave as they do!

    I’ve had a good night’s sleep (does wonders for the temperament!) – rant over 🙂

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