I've avoided posting to this thread because it looked like it would quickly evolve into an "Oh yeah, you're stupid" call and response. Somehow, Treehouse's opening statements didn't sound much like a sincere effort to communicate.

I also find the argument that if you insult someone, it's their fault for being insulted kinda stange. There is a big difference between disagreements, even heated disagreemnts, and outright mean-spirited insults. I've seen what has happened to Don Firth and if people wish to brush that off as just a "disagreement" or suggest that Don was being overly sensitive, then I question how they carry on a respectful conversation with anyone.

What bothers me is that I've seen another music community destroyed by a few people who thought that they could say anything they wanted, no matter how cruel-hearted and that if people didn't like it, they should leave. That's exactly what finally happened. What had been a lively, mostly mutually supportive community of people is now a ghost town. I still have several wonderful friends that I made in that community, and I have many here. It bothers me that fewer and fewer of them seem to be participating these days.

One of the arguments I hear is that this is like the Wild West and only those who are "strong" survive in here. That's confusing strength with volume. There is something unrealistic about a internet community because in 3D people would never get away with the guly insults they toss around so casually in here.

I like the people in mudcat. I enjoy having a conversation, and I appreciate the generosity and kind-heartedness I've come to know in here. I just hate to see it diminished.

Jerry