Anyone who recognizes me will know that I never post here. And I'll say that I have only visited here a handful of times in the past.
The only reason I intrude on your discussions tonight is that I was directed here after participating in a chat room and the topic of Val's post here arose. That "other venue" was fun but hardly civil. Seemed like the main purpose for some was to see how badly they could piss people off. Oh well. Not my style, not my thing.
So, my two cents (what is that in Euros now anyway?) and to the point.
My life would surely be less complicated if I had a single venue to visit for ALL Lightfoot info. I mean, just from an information management standpoint alone, it would be wonderful!
However, some things come immediately to mind. One, it isn't going to happen because of the anarchistic nature of the Internet. It simply can't happen. Not to mention human nature.
Two, if it did, I probably would find myself in a position where the "official" venue was NOT the one I normally prefer. And, left with no choice, I'd be irritated (read that "pissed off") to be forced into a mold not of my own choosing. Freedom of choice is a good thing.
Next, a single choice is the least desirable model for communication and human interaction. I've noticed that each Lightfoot venue has its distinct personality - and personalities! I primarily avail myself of the alt.music.lightfoot newsgroup. Why? Well, doesn't really matter to anyone else but, since I've read ahead to the various responses to Val's message, I'll explain. Because my reasons are like others expressed - but my choice is different.
For me, and it is, I guess, just the way my mind works, I like the structure of the newsgroup. I find it the easiest to track, to navigate, to follow. My email client software is the same one I use for newsgroups. And I find it much more attractive than a browser.
the vagueries of HTML-based systems and the lack of ahered-to standards drive me up a wall. So, anyway, I do the newsgroup. And I'm NOT advocating anyone abandon this site! Just a perspective, ok?
However, availability of variety of opinion, interesting and lively thought aside, I must say that the overall factor influencing my choice of who I have dinner with or what online venues I peruse, is civility. The newsgroup seems to be a very accommodating place to be. Nice people, interesting topics, humor, all in all a good community. the few times I've scanned this group it seems to be largely the same.
Other venues I will rarely drop in on can sometimes be great fun. Real free-for-all anything goes kind of chaos. My mind can barely keep up. And I am easily turned off by ad-hominen arguments. I find no joy nor satisfaction in attacking people on a personal level. So, some venues I just won't go back to. some people seem to only be able to exist by tearing others down. I just don't get that.
Val, I hear your plea. I even agree that it would simlify my life if we all could find a single place to co-exist. But it isn't practical, it isn't going to happen, and it would guarantee that a whole bunch of people would be unhappy if it did happen. So, it shouldn't happen. Just smile, sit back and enjoy. Your site is wonderful. The newsgroup is great. This is a nice place with nice people. Let's nurture the good places and people and let the others go where they may.
Just my two cents in the interests of world harmony. Besides, in the face of discord on the topic of music and Gordon Lightfoot, I'll do what I have done before ... I'll go away and be invisible for a year or so until the nonsense abates and people start being civil again.
Ed