Quote:
Originally posted by navane
Sadly, I am now beginning to think poorly of those posters as people. They're people I don't really want to talk to on GC.  I just feel like they're not very nice and, if I tried to join in on a conversation, I'd probably get ignored or pushed around because I'm not in their "cool group".
Is it just me who notices this? Clearly not.
I guess these people don't realize how bad they look to others. Maybe they don't care. Normally I would just try and ignore them, but it's kind of hard to when these people are barging in on threads and starting stuff seemingly at random.
|
I hesitate to even post this because it will move the thread back to the top of the queue, however I think that what Navane says above is really important.
Here is my minority report.
When I began posting on GreekChat, I thought it was a good, informative and helpful voice for the Fraternity/Sorority system. It was a nice place to make some (internet) friends and enter into some reasonable and respectful, although sometimes heated, debates.
In short, I thought it was a good "voice" for the Greek System.
I'm not so sure of that anymore.
Good people have become offended and frustrated and left GC entirely. Many don't access the Chit Chat forums at all. This is all sad to me.
The Greek System isn't supposed to be about egocentric people, but rather about friendship, brother/sisterhood and putting one's personal feelings second to the good of the whole -- at least whenever possible. I know it's not a perfect world. But does this public bickering underpin the self centered stereotype that we fight? Does it re-enforce the feeling that we are members of various cliques?
There are comments to the effect that "this isn't real, it's only the internet." I'm very much afraid that the internet is very real. People get stalked here, people get scammed here -- people fall in love here. Relationships and marriages are ruined here.
People get highly offended here. Sometimes hurt.
That seems pretty "real" to me.
I think that this kind of acrimony hurts and diminishes the potential good that Greek Chat can do and has done. Especially when we act, as someone has portrayed us above, like Middle Schoolers.
Further, I think that this kind of degeneration can damage the entire Greek System. How much, I can't say -- or even guess. Perhaps not much, but every little bit hurts a system that is constantly struggling with its image to the rest of the world. The damage may be more than a little.
As I have said before, pretty much anyone can access these pages. That includes the famous PNM's and their parents. Put yourself in their place and wonder what their reaction to all of this bickering might be. Will some good potential member be put off. Will some parent forbid his/her child to rush? Will some newsperson or author or other detractor use this as proof of how "disfunctional" Greek Life "is."
I am not stupid enough to think that we will all always get along. However, I don't believe that this is the place to air our dirty laundry. We have PM and we have e-mail. We have chat groups. Why not take the ugliness there?
It is not impossible to disagree with some degree of respect. Everyone deserves that -- even our enemies and detractors. We deserve respect from them as well.
Imagine a Greek Chat where information can be shared, problems discussed and solutions found. Imagine good debates and discussions without name calling and what I call bullying. Those who use those tactics know who they are.
My glasses are not rose colored and my life certainly isn't all sweetness and light, but I have learned over a few more years than most of our posters that in order to survive in society, with credit to Rodney King, to some extent we all have to get along. Or at least pretend that we do.
I had the opportunity a few years ago to take a course in negotiation taught by distinguished faculty from Harvard and MIT. Some of them were former diplomats and high industry officials. Suscessful negotiation is not when one side wins all. Both sides need to walk away from the table with something that makes them feel good. I think respectful argument and debate is the same. Seldom is either side totally right.
If I were still managing a large department, and this kind of bickering broke out, some heads would roll. With this kind of unpleasentness, little gets accomplished.
Back to the rose colored spectacles. I doubt that this tirade will change anything, but to be honest, I'm disgusted with the direction things are going.
Thank you for taking the time to read this -- I know it is long.
Linear Mode
