I, too, am one that used to spend a lot of time here but rarely stop in anymore, and post even less frequently. Why? Because Mudcat has lost its magic.

But I can define what the magic was, to me. It was the synergy of people posting on topics in a cooperative effort, building on one anothers' experiences. I'm not really a musician, and not a singer at all, so I never could contribute to a thread in a meaningful way. But as a instrumental learner, I could get questions answered. The magic was lost somewhat when there were few, if any, responses to a question thread, and many of those were just links to a past thread or other websites.

It was disheartening to see someone start an accordian (or whistle or banjo or ...) thread, and immediately be hit with all bad jokes, possibly humourously intended but insulting comments, etc. Not the nurturing environment that a student needs.

More magic went away with the incessant harping of either the same people or the same topics. Shambles, Shatner, Temple of the Golden Globes, john from Hull. Yeah, I could skip past the threads/posts I don't like, but it became so much easier ust to skip past this website entirely. Why spend the energy to pre-edit what you read when it takes even less energy to skip everything? At one point, I would loved to have had a killfile. If I had, I might still be checking in regularly.


Clinton - as much as it pains me to say it, you would probably be one of those added to the killfile. At least (relatively) recently. I think you and I are a lot alike, and I share much of your ideals and opinions. But I think you'd be better off choosing your fights, both location and execution. You've become one of those that the repetitiveness becomes a bore. We all know your points by now - stricter moderation, better software, banning guests - but to re-read the same shit, over and over, is tiring. Add to that that your arguements are falling on deaf ears. How long until you realize it's a lost cause? It's not going to change until Max is ready, and he's shown over the years that people complaining isn't going to change his mind.
For me, it isn't so much what you say, but how you say it. Max mentioned you arguing, and you took exception to it, but I have to agree with him. Expressing a differing viewpoint is fine. But write a well thought out paragraph, with a topic and supporting points, rather than just quoting a line from someone else and disagreeing with it. The former is discussion, the latter is arguing. Choose one person, and engage them in a debate. The frequent, apparently off the cuff, one shot snipes at a variety of people only look like defensiveness. The frequencly with which your respond only exacerbates the situation.
You have made some very worthy posts in the past, but what I've seen lately isn't up to your standard. Yes, everything changes, but that doesn't mean it has to change for the worse. Maybe you should step back, examine your recent posts and attitudes about the 'Cat, and reevaluate if it's worth the effort. All that being said, if ever I'm up north of the border, I'd love to get together for an afternoon and buy ya a drink or two.

Would I ever become a regular member again? Maybe, if the general environment became one of helpfulness and cooperation rather than the combative one that I perceive now.