Hi,

I discovered the Forum only a few weeks ago. I've checked it regularly since then, especially the requests for lyrics. The amount of time I have for browsing is limited, so I generally have avoided threads labeled BS.

There is something about this thread that I don't understand: some people have implied that creating BS threads or posting to them inconveniences other Mudcatters in some manner. I get the impression that some people feel obliged to read every thread. Is that the case?

Since I regularly pick and choose which threads to read, I'm not concerned about the ratio of music-related threads to chatty threads. And, while I don't have time to chat myself, I certainly don't have any objection to other people doing it!

The message from The Shambles at the top of the thread seems to be comparing chatting in the Mudcat to talking out loud during a performance. That is not a valid comparison. Mudcat is much more like a party after a performance, in a big house with lots of rooms, and a different conversation going on in each corner. We're all welcome to listen in at any of the conversations that interest us, and to speak up with our own thoughts whenever we feel like it. What's more, we can speak up without worrying about disturbing the other conversations, because the only people who can hear (read) us are people who have gone out of their way to hear that particular conversation.

I'm not trying to say that anything should or shouldn't be done. I'm just trying to explain why I don't understand what the problem is.

Jacob