So Long, And Thanks For All The Fish

[graphicdesign_r]

I'm quitting this site, as I should have weeks ago.

I would like to say goodbye to the people who I enjoyed communicating with, extend a final apology to anyone permanently scarred by my brand of irreverence, and extend my regrets to those of you who enjoyed a little spice and style with your daily fix of fish information. There are also those of you who need to learn a lesson, and that will be dealt with herein.

The reason is that I am not welcome. I do not kiss butt, brown nose, or fawn all over people who have too high of an opinion of themselves. I still believe (and always will) that such behavior is for wannabes and followers. People who want to leave their mark do so by being different, not by being sheep.

The trolls don't help, but those I could live with. I have more of a problem with the extreme ignorance shown and tasteless comments made by long-time members who should know better.

I thought I had found another decent site, the forum being set up by Roan Art now referred to as AquaFacts. She has been recruiting people from AC, and the downfall/failures of this site is a major topic on those forums currently.

Here is the PM I just received from her:


This is a copy of the same message I sent you on AquaFacts. I wanted to make sure you got it.

GD,

While I do appreciate the help you have given us with the creation of a site name and slogan ideas, I feel that your presence on AquaFacts does not convey the type of professional and "friendly" atmosphere that I wish to cultivate. In fact, it conveys quite the opposite.

The posts you make on AC are not the type of thing I will condone on here. I really don't wish anyone on AquaFacts -- especially an "older" member -- to be associated with that type of behavior. When someone posts as you do on one site, it reflects back on the other.

Even though you post under a different name on here, people know who you are. A mask is only a mask, it doesn't really hide the person underneath.

I feel very strongly about showing proper respect to other sites such as AC or AquariumBoard. Quite frankly your open verbal warfare with so many people on AC -- whether they are truely trolls or not -- puts people off and I do not want that type of behavior associated with this board.

Because of the above and how strongly I feel about it, I need to inform you that you are no longer welcome on AquaFacts.

I hope you will understand and see where this is coming from: I need to think of the future of this board that I have invested so much time and money in.

Roan

So apparently the "fisherati" that have relocated to that site (I'll hazard a guess RTR had some say on this) feel that my attitude will be inappropriate there too.

I do hope that Roan eventually realizes that one cannot "select" a community (a man named Adolph Hitler tried to do that once). By so limiting membership she has created the perfect atmosphere for her friends. She assumes other people will enjoy that environment.

I'll say "Thanks" because I wouldn't tolerate that kind of cr@p anyways. I refuse to be censored, especially by someone who does their fair share of putting other people down. In other words the only caustic wit allowed on Roan's site is Roan's.

I would like to point out that Roan asked me to join personally (in a PM on this site), and otherwise I would not have bothered. I feel somewhat cheated that Roan requested my input and suggestions and then would do something like this, but then I've met plenty of people who are two-faced. Roan knew who I was before she asked for my help, so who was really wearing the mask here? It's not like I've ever been anything but myself for better or worse...

I do enjoy exposing the true character of people like Roan though, and post this as a warning to people here about her, her site and her character.

Then again, members on her site inferring that the site admin here (Michael) was defrauding people who donate to AC in those posts on AquaFacts should have given me enough of a clue about their modus operandi. I should have known better.

Fare thee well, AquariaCentral. It was fun while it lasted.

:thud:

[FreddytheFish]

See ya.

[twig]

http://countrystore.blogspot.com/images/care-o-meter.jpg

[Roan Art]

I thought I had found another decent site, the forum being set up by Roan Art now referred to as AquaFacts. She has been recruiting people from AC, and the downfall/failures of this site is a major topic on those forums currently.

Actually, you are the only person I "recruited". When you first came to AC, GD, you did not post in the manner that you do now. I had thought that if you found someplace else to be, you would cease the troll-baiting and perhaps go back to the person who contributed much value to the board. Something you used to do not too long ago.

I was obviously wrong.


So apparently the "fisherati" that have relocated to that site (I'll hazard a guess RTR had some say on this) feel that my attitude will be inappropriate there too.The "fisherati" have nothing to do with this. This was my decsion. I haven't even told them yet.

As for the rest of your post, I'm not going to bother to respond. Especially to your Hitler comment -- it's too far out in left field.

All I can say is that, based on this very post, I was correct in asking you to leave.

I'm sorry if I've hurt your feelings, GD, but I don't want all this annimosity on AC to carry over to the other site.

Roan

[TorturedSOUL]

Get a life.

[RTR]

Well, for my part, if I had any influence of Roan's decision and action, I am proud of it. Your behavior here at AC, and at Aquafacts, has been that of a troll here - personal attacks and snide deprecating comments, and there bragging about what you were doing intentionally and with malice aforethought here. That is classic troll, and both sites are better off without another troll.

FYI, I reported your trollish behavior here on AC as well. I have been on this site for quite a long time in net terms, and respect what Roan is trying to establish on her site. Neither site needs a trouble maker. We are here and/or there for tank problems and discussions, not personality issues or to provide trolls with warped pleasures.

[bunlet]

Can I get a bigmac and fries plz? Oh and chilli cheese nachos and a jamocha shake?

[mindtonic]

I'm not familiar with the drama alluded to in the orignal post, but I'd say that graphicdesign_r deserves any censorship thrown his way. Anyone who publicly posts the comments of a private message in an effort to slander that user is severely lacking in class. It's poor ettiquette.........on any message board.

[Gumby131]

hahahahahahahhaha you are the most pathetic barsted ive ever seen, you should be named, 'stingXfactor' or 'PRAN' hahahahahha wawwawawawawwawawawwawawawa ono GD is leaving hold me some one AAAAAAAGGGGGGGGRRRRRRHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!
Pufferpoisen, i think one of you Smartass comments is needed here!!!!
P.S. dont get mee wrong, your a bloody legend mate
*goes and comtemplates suicide due to this thread*

[msouth468]

Wait...

Nope nevermind.

[mr_fosi]

This thread has been a fun read.

It is always laughable when people try their hand at a burning kiss-off.

Oh, and posting the contents of a PM in an effort to "expose the true character" of someone is a particularly nice touch.

[wesleydnunder]

GDR, just in case you look back through here to see how devastated everyone is, just a thought to take with you: No matter where you go, you take your sweet disposition with you. FWIW I think you just saved one of the mods the trouble of banning you permanently.

By banning you now, Roan has reaffirmed my belief in the integrity of her site. She was a lot kinder to you in that PM than I would have been.

Whatever you do, don't change. Introspection is over-rated. Besides, the world needs its misguided egocentrists for flavor. Think how boring it would be if everyone were polite.

Toodles.

Mark

[mogurnda]

I would have preffered a poll, but a whiny tirade about why people don't like you is fine, I suppose.

[fIsHy13]

bye bye, graphic design. I have heard of you before, neither in a good way or a bad way. I think me and you got into an argument once, but whether you did or not i still wish you luck in, if you want to, finding another fish forum. I might do that...i don't really like this forum...

hey roan can i be on your new board? :devil:

nah just joking...i'd laugh in shock if you actually did let me

[YoFishboy]

I think the saddest part of all this is how seriously people take an internet forum - sure, its a good site to get info. and to bs with your friends, but to have the ego/paranoia to think people really care about some alleged "politics" going on. Ever heard of perspective? And to use a comparison to Hitler in relation to all this unimportant fodder going on....hehe, geez..step back and get a grip....

[petfairy]

Dont you all seee what you are doing. He posted her about the very people that are being rude and making these comments back. I think that this is the reason he is leaving. Because some of you are so mean. Have some compassion. I have read his posts and they are not that bad. I dont think that someone should automatically be banned before they join. Its wrong. i believe that someone should be here watching this site to prevent things from happening. But to cast someone out before they were let in is not the way that a good person acts.

Furthermore. If this is the way that you all are going to treat others that have opinions the i dont know how much longer this site will last.

Janell
I for one, will miss Graphic Design. And I dont care what you think about that!

[Dangerdoll]

petfairy, he wasn't banned before registering for the site... he was a member...
and I'm a little confused at the sorry feelings you have when it was clear that this thread started out to banter folks and the others are merely noting their distaste of things GD has said OR the way he said it.... and things such as posting PM's.... if you don't see that as rude or distasteful, perhaps you don't know the whole story.

BUT I think I'm siding on with Yo here... I think the post was ridiculous and egotistical to say the least.... and the Hitler reference...*shudder*

[msouth468]

I had to go back to se the Hilter reference.

But...meh nonetheless.

[Ms.Bubbles]

I wish I knew who/what you are referring to regarding "ignorance & tasteless comments" of some of the people here, but the fact that you have not been banned from Aquaria Central shows the open-mindedness of at least some of the people here, don't you think?

[dorkfish]

stop posting now, I think he's gonna come back and use this thread for amusement. And he made two threads about this somebody make an atack on him about how pathetic that is.

[Blinky]

:hi: Bye, see you later. It's sad to see how upset someone can get over things that happen on a hobby discussion board. AC isn't everything, it's just a place to come talk about fish. If for whatever reason it doesn't make you feel good, by all means go... but I don't think it was necessary to rant, post a private message, or bring Hitler into it.

[DaisyTattoo]

See ya Graphic. :hi: I personally enjoyed most of your posts. I find you very amusing and you tell it how you see it. I hope you will find a site that fits all your fishie needs. I was gone over the weekend so, I dont know what happened between you and Roan, and it isnt any of my business. But I will miss your sarcastic comments and your lack of caring what others think. Sometimes it takes someone like you to get the point across to some people. Good Luck in all you do! :)

[Dragoneye]

You know, I have to say that this is one of the most unfriendly forums I have ever seen. I've read through a great number of older threads and find much of what is said to be disparaging, condescending and outright hostile.

I do not know the details of what lead up to this thread. I don't care. The results are what matters and people have definitely risen to the occasion. You have proved the OP's point quite nicely. I do agree, though, that the Hitler comment was out of line.

I do not know Roan, though I do have a slight opinion on the subject of her new forum. It does seem to appear that she is trying to "select a community", to quote the OP, in some instances. Not knowing her I will not venture to say that that is true, though it is possible that she is doing it, to an extent, on a subconscious level. That is simple human nature. We get an idea of what we would like and try to fit reality into it.

Forums need to have rules and those rules need to be enforced if it is to thrive. The anonymity of the internet allows people to do and say things they might not, were they speaking to each other in person. I would think that if the community at large here were to gather in person that the level of maturity exhibited would be far greater is shown on these boards. At least I would hope so.

Roan, I certainly meant nothing personal in my statements about you. As I said, I do not know you. I was simply making and educated guess dealing with human nature. I do wish you all the best with your new forum and hope to see it grow to become a thriving, open and friendly forum for the fish keeping world.

[momar]

This thread is ridiculous. But I'll join in anyway.

Graphicdesign_r, from what I've read you have made some good points on this forum. On the other hand, you called me a troll for voicing an opinion in a friendly way. Too much tact for your liking, perhaps. The Hitler reference is ridiculous, inaccurate and offensive. It was also wrong of you to post the contents of a PM. Other than that, bye.

Personally, I like this forum very much. In general people post good stuff in a friendly way. But it is a shame when this sort of friendly sharing of opinion gets spoiled by those who won't listen to different opinions, and won't accept that there can be different ways of doing things. Luckily such posters are in the minority. Anyway, that's what I think.

[nursie]

People tend to loose site of the fact that internet forums, while out there in the public, are privately owned. It's the owner's call who gets to be a member and who doesn't. Owners can also read pms....Can't they???

Self banning and posting the big long feel sorry for me thread has been tried before here and likewise met with similar results.

Take the edge off..you can be a great guy.

[Galaxie]

Since I don't get General Hospital or The Young and the Restless at my desk, I'll give this thread a 9 for dramatic effect, but really, who cares?

http://bestsmileys.com/waving/1.gif

[Lobo.]

(www.aquariumboard.com)

bye graphic, i liked your spunk, but you need to learn when enough is enough... 'tact' may be weak, but silence is often the best remark to someone who is being rediculous... posting PM's, and comparing someone to hitler is only going to make people mad, if that is your goal, then your a troll... but after enjoying many of your posted openions, i hope that this is not true.

stick to your guns where ever you go... just dont get too carried away... see ya GD!

[Dangerdoll]

I do not know the details of what lead up to this thread. I don't care. The results are what matters and people have definitely risen to the occasion. You have proved the OP's point quite nicely. I do agree, though, that the Hitler comment was out of line.

I do not know Roan, though I do have a slight opinion on the subject of her new forum. It does seem to appear that she is trying to "select a community", to quote the OP, in some instances.

anybody know who OP is?

[KingOfTheDeep]

welp, this just goes VERY well with the, "PEOPLE SUCK" perspective some intelligent person came up with long ago....

not going to single anyone out here though...

[Roan Art]

anybody know who OP is?
Original Poster.

Roan

[Roan Art]

I do not know Roan, though I do have a slight opinion on the subject of her new forum. It does seem to appear that she is trying to "select a community", to quote the OP, in some instances. Not knowing her I will not venture to say that that is true, though it is possible that she is doing it, to an extent, on a subconscious level. That is simple human nature. We get an idea of what we would like and try to fit reality into it. . . .
Roan, I certainly meant nothing personal in my statements about you. As I said, I do not know you. I was simply making and educated guess dealing with human nature. I do wish you all the best with your new forum and hope to see it grow to become a thriving, open and friendly forum for the fish keeping world.No offense taken.

I was pretty much ignoring this thread, but I can't help wondering how it is that anyone can conclude that asking ONE person to join a board results in a "select community".

The math just doesn't work, people. One person does not make a community. Again, except on this one occasion, I've never asked people to join my board. A lot of people came, some left and some stayed.

In fact, a lot of the people on my board belong to the other board and visit it every day. One of them is a mod on my board AND the other board. So long as there's no conflict of interest, that isn't a problem.

To summarize: there is no "select community" on my board.

Can we let this thread die now? It really serves no purpose and has nothing to do with General Freshwater.

Roan

[Jlui83]

what a tool

[bunlet]

Petfairy slowly kills her fish, "I put the fish into a plastic bag and cut a hole in the side and walked away. It took about 20 minutes for the fish to die and it flopped around in the sink." What a horrible way to die. Where's my friggin order? :mad:

[fish_breeder_05]

MFK doesn't mess around. they are people who have fishkeeping as a carrer, own lfs, work at zoos, online dealers that can get anything legal, one of the members even built a 50,000 gallon tank(and a 15,00, wich is just a growout tank). Put mudskipper as your refferal if you go there.