I Don't Understand....
 

I have noticed that there can't be multiple threads on the same topic in the NPHC threads....yet, when the same topic pops up on Chit Chat, there is predominately NPC/NIC representation, but very little NPHC representation.

I guess I don't understand why there can't be mulitple threads in general, and why there seems to be so little NPHC participation in Chit-Chat.

Everyone's welcome in chit chat :)

It seems that a lot of the NPHC groups have very established and strong communities in their respective forums and may prefer to have discussions among their sisters and brothers. None of the NPC or NIC groups really have as strong of a forum.

kddani-what a great explanation! PLUS, they have some of the best topics! I too wish we had more exchange.

I cannot speak for all NPHC forums on GC, but no one is prohibited from posting in DST. We just ask that you respect, abide by the guidelines that we have established for our forum. :)

I post on all the forums...

Sometimes folks on GC Chit Chat can relate, other times, some folks in the NPHC cannot relate on other threads.

But all in all, most folks are pretty open IMHO...

This is the first time I have ever posted on chit-chat and I have been on greekchat for three years!!!!! This is really a trip because I wsa just telling my class today about culture and how "groups" have a tendency (on purpose or not) to "flock" to their own groups or familiar areas. This is a perfect example, all this time on greekchat and I never have come over here! I would love to doa survey on subtle behaviors people practice without even knowing it.

I must say that I can relate more to the NPHC topics than on here. There's only so much talk about rush that I can take. :D

Looking back at early chit chat posts . . . It seems that NPHC members used to post a lot more in chit chat. I wonder what changed?

James, as someone who has read some of the early Greek Life posts too (I've read the large part of the Greek Life and other general forums when I first came on) I'm aware there was a large(r) NPHC representation there too, in the past. Perhaps more so than NPC/NIC even. Threads tended to often get 'heated' from those that I read, particularly between those from different sectors of the Greek community; over time the body of active posters seemed to switch from predominantly slightly higher NPHC to more NPC/NIC too. It is a visible trend but I couldn't say why? Obviously it (heated-ness) had nothing to do with the fact NPHC members (I keep using NPHC as if they were the only HBGLO's but it's a shorter acronym so forgive the usage :) ) posted there in greater number I think either it just "was" or it's the fact that it's difficult to judge tone from type onscreen and so misunderstandings ensued, perhaps a meeting of cultures factor too, but I couldn't say. Perhaps also as ChitChat and Greek Life was once all one forum this made a difference too.

"I guess I don't understand why there can't be mulitple threads in general": I would guess this is due to a feeling of people perceiving it as counter productive to have disparate threads about the same thing concurrently. It's easy too, to talk about a topic in a thread "specially for it" :-), if a thread gets especially long a new one is helpful (the aim-chat threads are a good example). But multiple threads like the livejournal ones in the chitchat thread can be confusing. That said, any attempt to start locking the least active duplicate thread for example only causes lots of hassle for the moderators; as happened on Greek Life a few months back when there were a lot of similar threads swimming around. To ramble further, often people don't know if there's been a thread on something before, any search feature can only search so well. Multiple threads can have their place, if only to shed new light on something - it can help to have a new thread as there might be a tendency to think an old buried-for-some-time thread has been 'done to death'.

Personally, I have browsed some of the NPHC forums occasionally; there is a much much greater level of discussion in just one NPHC forum compared to a whole handful of org. specific NPC/NIC forums (which often aren't used). I find the NPHC forums I looked at seemed to act as Chapter Ops, Greek Life, and ChitChat; in one successful blend :). Another thing one notices is a greater religious emphasis within some of the posts than I encounter elsewhere on GreekChat. I have zero intention of commenting on that and that statement shouldn't be construed as any analysis; I just mention it as something I notice when I read them.
I also find in the more ChitChat-esque threads in the NPHC forums (which are HBGLO groups of course) that the threads (eg. funny things your mother used to say to you as a kid) have a strong cultural/ethnic element which might be frankly lost on some. Also, as societal issues within the black community e.g. the statistics of 'black' men within relationships with 'white' women might crop up in chit-chat-esque forums there, there is perhaps a feeling that the topic might be less 'understood' on other forums - which are NPC/NIC_etc oriented?

"and why there seems to be so little NPHC participation in Chit-Chat."... Senusret I, naturally it'd be extremely gauche of me to comment on "why this is", much further - as a non-NPHC person. So, I'll give a few guesses which'll be either way off base or startlingly accurate :p Either way I make the points in the course of amiable debate. Speaking just for myself I'd like to see more NPHC participation on GC as a whole - primarily because I don't study on a big greek campus, so a lot of greeks I 'meet' are through GC. Unless I go to specific forums, this means there's a whole rich base of perspectives and experiences which I don't get to see so much on ChitChat, Greek Life, Chapter Ops, etc etc. A shame. And without doubt my loss. I find a few exceptions to NPHC participation of course (I mean there are some NPHC brothers and sisters who make regular appearances in the GC General Forums). It may be because a micro-ChitChat is already in existence elsewhere, it may be because some of the things which come up in that forum require a certain understanding of cultural issues to be able to comment on which one is more likely to find among brothers and sisters of NPHC orgs. I think I had something really insightful to say next about your 'NPHC participation in Chit-Chat point' but ... I've forgotten what that was. :-)

did not read

do not care

i read that one...

nice post. :)

I've noticed that the threads on the AKA and DST boards are often a lot "deeper" than what's going on here in Chit-Chat. There are only so many times you can discuss wearing Lilly Pulitzer, The Southern Belle Handbook, and whatever the Grapist is doing. I don't know if this is because the average age of AKA and DST GC members is a bit older than the Chit-Chatters (most, if all, are alumnae, right?), but sometimes the conversation on that is a little more...intelligent.
A lot of it is also geared towards certain concerns of the AA community, which interests me a hell of a lot more than some of the stuff that goes on in CC.

But maybe that's just me.

decadence-Unless I go to specific forums, this means there's a whole rich base of perspectives and experiences which I don't get to see so much on ChitChat, Greek Life, Chapter Ops, etc etc. A shame. And without doubt my loss.

So true for us all.

Munchkin03- I've noticed that the threads on the AKA and DST boards are often a lot "deeper" than what's going on here in Chit-Chat.

I agree. Seems like CC can't take too much diversity, some threads have a way of getting so out of control and then locked. More restraint and respect seems to be applied in, for example, AKA or DST. This allows for better discussion. HOWEVER, I qualify this by stating I don't lurk TOO often so maybe I don't see it.

Too many flame wars erupting and not enough thoughtful consideration of another's point of view in the general forums.
Lot's of grudges here...:(

I second that, justamom....

Why can't we DISCUSS things without things getting so out of hand? Also, at the slightest sign of "uncomfortableness", someone wants the thread locked!

It seems as if things dissolve into name calling and "Go take a class" or personal attacks...

As I stated earlier, I never post here, and to be honest after going through some threads here, I think that I relate much better on the NPHC boards. They are much more organized and controlled and that has to do with the fact that there is a much more respectful and smaller population on those boards. I do think the ethnic factor is a HUGE reason why there is not more participation on these boards. Alot of what we discuss though not ALL of what we discuss tends to be often related to African-American concerns, issues and lifestyles. Threads over here any time a relatively interesting topic comes up, get out of control and very insulting. "Our" moderators do not tolerate such behavior. (Crimsontide4, Ideal08, and AKA2D'91 will regulate you in a minute!) We disagree on the NPHC boards but we repspect each other, something that seems to be lost overe here. :(

Re: I Don't Understand....
 

I meant to ask this yesterday, but I am confused as to why you did not pose this question in one of the NPHC forums. Those NPHC members who come to Chit Chat will see this post and respond but those who NEVER come to Chit Chat will never see this thread to respond to your query.

Re: Re: I Don't Understand....
 

This is just my observation, I am merely speaking for myself

Previous posters' analysis on earlier threads and NPHC participation is on point, along with the tight moderation, ethnic concern and age issues.

For instance, I'm 38, have been out of college for 17 years and am not particularly attuned to popular culture, so many CC topics aren't that germane to my life. Others, such as shopping :cool: are, so I will post.

But I also believe that more than a few NPHC GLO members and interests got sick of some of the insensitivity and instigation that occured in a few topics in the general forums. I'm thinking about the Auburn incident of 2001 in particular.

Not only that, but many of the NPHC boards are "all-in-one." They have such a variety of topics that, perhaps, some posters don't feel the need to post in other forums.

And, not always but many times, the NPHC forum's controvertial threads are discussed a little more respectfully and with less hijacking.

I wish the conversations here could be more respectful and moderated.

However, on these boards, it seems that anytime a mod tries to clean up a thread or tell people to cut it out, all kinds of GCers go on screaming about freedom of speech (which is b.s. I'm pretty sure GC gets no federal money :) )

There's also fewer mods on these boards, and ones that aren't around quite as much. Also seems that it's a more passive moderation- cleaning up posts, etc. instead of a more active moderation.

Also, perhaps there's more respectful conversations in the NPHC forums b/c you're all brothers and/or sisters. Here, it's just a hodgepodge, and there's even a lot of non-greeks here. So that respect for your sisters/brothers isn't really present. The NPHC groups as a whole (in addition to individually) have a very strong community and respect for each other- and appear to me also as smaller groups part of a bigger brotherhood/sisterhood (NPHC).

As for respect between NPHC forum users and the GL/ChitChat, etc. users, there has been lack of respect on both ends at different times. I can think of a couple recent examples, actually, where there was disrespect on both sides.

The Respect Issue...
 

Like someone else said, I think a LOT of it has to do w/ age differences. It is also female dominated...more so than over here. I don't think chit chat regulars are any more disrespectful nor insensitive than any other regulars on college boards I've visited. It's just normal for people of this age catagory to behave this way. ;)

Just a little note, not that everyone who posts in our forums are members of our orgs. We have prospectives of our various orgs posting as well or folks who have a slight interest or familiarity with NPHC life.

Our forums are a mixture of Chit Chat, Greek Life, Chapter Operations, Alumni Involvement, cultural, spiritual, etc.

There are definately fewer misspelllings on the AKA and DST boards, as well.

OMG!!!!!! LMAO LMAO LMAO LMAO LMAO!!!!

Wonder what this all means, then?

Where is the respect in the general forums?

Can you explain what you mean by this? I am really confused and want to be enlightened.

I'm just wondering...

What do we do to achieve the level of decorum and decency I know we all have in us so that we can have conversations that don't end up turning into battle royales!?!?!

This is the internet where people who would NEVER say certain things to people who were actually there, can express all their demented, warped, and surpressed thoughts. I never type anything I wouldn't say in the world outside of greekchat. I am not so sure on the CC thread. I also remember that Wonderful's thiughts are her own but I do represent my sorority as well, I would never disrespect myself or my organization by replying with a nasty and rude response (there are plenty of ways I could say what is REALLY on my mind in such a more "blunt" matter) but I am intelligent enough to remember tact and that I would want respect as well. I am not so sure that this is a concern on the CC forum.

I completely agree with what Wonderful says. I have gone over to the AKA forum a few times, and it seems that my posts there are somewhat more well received inasmuch as there aren't personal attacks going on over there. Respectfully, our NPHC sisters seem to argue better without the amount of insanity that goes on over here when someone disagrees with you, i.e the constant string of insults about being from the South?North/West, etc.... (I can't speak for the men's orgs as the only board I have been to is the APhiA forum.)

I would like to see more participation of all orgs in chit chat, but realistically if it's going to turn into a mudslinging free for all, why bother? It's nice to post on a board where people have some sort of decorum and don't go insulting one another and pulling things completely out of context as is done in here A LOT.

i think it really lies with the fact that chit chat is just that---a place to shoot the shit about things that may or may not be important. anyone and everyone, greek or not, can relate to most of the topics because they don't have to do with being greek.

i don't think ANY of the NPC/IFC boards have problems either. so i don't think we should be comparing chit chat to NPHC alone. the specific boards are places where members or PNMs can go and talk about the org. these people USUALLY are either members or potential members. chit chat is not.

if anyone comes on to a specific GLO board and starts posting crap, whether it's the AXO, DST, AKA, or KKG board, the members and moderators immediately spring into action. these people are warned about their behavior and sometimes even investigated into to find out a real identity. these people who start drama usually want to be a member and just don't understand that they are completely out of line (until they're so tactfully told!!!) but since most want membership at some time, they change their tune.

now, on the chit chat or greek life forums, it is a community forum where greeks and non greeks all talk together. so you're not going to have the cohesiveness of a specific board. there are dozens of different groups that use the forums.

that's my take on the whole situation. i really don't think the chit chat forums should be compared to the NPHC forums. they're completely different. if we were comparing NPC and NPHC, then i could see a connection.

now, as to why certain groups do or do not use the chit chat and greek life forums, that is beyond me.

In reading this, I find that NHPC and NIC/NPC do not understand each other. Am I correct?:confused:

While In the Paedegogus of LXA, it list pictures of Badges and Pledge pins of NIC/NPC but Not NHPC. Old Book!

I did not Know and have seen AP Badge on ebay wondering what the heck it was! It was so plain and to the point that it was and is beautiful!

Well, if any follow the Alum Thread, I found out. Through Jills Posts of which all of us as Greeks gave her a lot of good goes, good luck, way to go and Congrats when she became a PNAIM!:)

My problem in reading this is that all of a sudden, we are back to the Old ______--------Differences of R--e!????

We can all learn from each other and that is the way it should be!

If I am error, you may write me!:eek:

I remember a thread way back when, that in doing GC, We Did Not Know Who was of what, only Greeks!

I will never again be chastised for being ignorant, that is my fault, but some do not need to point out to everyone else!

We have our faults, but if this site is turned into a I/We, just what the hell good are we and just what are We Trying to do??:confused:

Yet another reason I like reading the AKA and DST boards.

Oh munchkin, slap me and call me silly/stupid!:(

If that is your feelings, from my post, I feel so sad/sorry for you!:confused:

I am not familiar with any other posts you may have but could you clarify what you are saying?

I understood Tom's post perfectly.

No Tom, we aren't really discussing that...though it could easily have become a subtopic. Ya know something funny-I don't know half the time either because one-it doesn't mean a thing one way or the other a smart, funny, kind person is a smart, funny, kind person, period. Second-I've got scrambled eggs for brains sometimes and the memory discards things that aren't important. THAT is not important.

Cashmere made such a darn good point. If someone came into the AXO forum and started crap, I know our Mods as well as our regular posters would jump all over it. Chit Chat is more public and we get so many fruitcakes intermittently that sometimes it becomes a free-for-all. Good post Cashmere!

edited-See, I didn't even put the "78" in Cash78mere's name. I just think of her as soft and warm like cashmere.

what an interesting topic! being kind of a "nerd," i love to watch patterns in people's behavior. i have actually wondered this myself. there are some nphc members that i see post in a variety of forums. i occasionally stop by the aka forum...but i have never posted there. i had never heard that there is an older crowd posting in the nphc forums and i think that explains a lot. honestly, many of the topic in chit chat are kind of silly and unintersting to those of us who are out of college. it is not a bad thing, but topics that are interesting to college-aged students and those out of college are very different.

I am sure they both look forward to your insightful commentary...

I thought grapes were green.