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Author Topic:   A Few People Asked...
crashfrog
Member (Idle past 1466 days)
Posts: 19762
From: Silver Spring, MD
Joined: 03-20-2003


Message 1 of 36 (546655)
02-12-2010 2:13 PM


...so I thought I'd explain why I left EvC and what I've been up to, since.
It was just taking up too much of my time and attention, frankly. There was nothing more to it than that. I'd get into these furballs with Rrhain and Holmes and it just wasn't worth the attention and mindspace they were taking up. I don't think anybody cared (or even read the threads) but the three of us, frankly. So, one day I just put "evcfourm.net" in my router's blacklist and started pursuing other interests.
I think most everybody who knew me knew I was a dropout English major, so I decided to refocus my efforts, and I've been working on finishing my undergraduate degree in biochemistry, because the biochemistry of life was always something I found fascinating but too intimidating to absorb on my own. It's really been a lot of fun. I've lost none of my passion for the life sciences, nor for arguing - these days I'm mostly arguing politics under the handle "Chet" on various blogs - but I'm trying to have arguing on the internet be a diminishing timewaster in my life. My wife is nearing completion of her PhD in entomology, I hope to be done with my undergraduate degree around the same time, and we're going to live as adventuring sailor-scientists on our own 40-ft yacht. Well, maybe not right away.
Thanks to everybody who emailed me over the past two years or so, it was nice. I still see some of the old crowd around on the internet - I'm facebook friends with Schraf, and I ran into Arach on io9.com last year.
I have no particular thought on what has come to be known as "the Purge" (which happened long after I had decided to leave) except to note that any policy that resulted in the departure of so many luminous minds must surely have been flawed. What is the purpose of EvC if it's not to have people like that around to talk to?
Anyway, consider this the farewell I didn't make last time. I was tired of grandstanding exits and decided simply to stop posting. I'm heartened that I was noticed and missed, and perhaps I'll stop by again in the future to keep any interested parties appraised.
P.s. Who's got the no.1 post count, these days?

Replies to this message:
 Message 2 by Hyroglyphx, posted 02-12-2010 2:44 PM crashfrog has not replied
 Message 3 by Percy, posted 02-12-2010 2:59 PM crashfrog has not replied
 Message 4 by purpledawn, posted 02-12-2010 3:40 PM crashfrog has not replied
 Message 18 by cavediver, posted 02-13-2010 6:00 AM crashfrog has replied
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 Message 31 by Minnemooseus, posted 02-13-2010 9:56 PM crashfrog has replied

  
Hyroglyphx
Inactive Member


Message 2 of 36 (546658)
02-12-2010 2:44 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by crashfrog
02-12-2010 2:13 PM


Fare thee well
Anyway, consider this the farewell I didn't make last time. I was tired of grandstanding exits and decided simply to stop posting. I'm heartened that I was noticed and missed, and perhaps I'll stop by again in the future to keep any interested parties appraised.
You certainly aren't unique in leaving. It seems that the inevitable trend is that everyone eventually parts ways with this place, but all seem to take something invaluable from the experience.
It is my understanding that EvC has evolved (pun intended) over the years and occasionally veteran members reminisce on the way it was versus the way it is currently.
People talk of these "good ole days" and how the site never really recovered from a meltdown that ensued a few years ago.
I can see how it would be easy to allow this site to suck you in and consume all of one's time. I keep this place at an arm's distance and post every few days (mostly because I work full time, am working on a degree, have a family, other extra-curricular activities to consume the majority of my time.
It sounds as if you have a good thing going and shouldn't change much if anything at all. If you can find a way to time manage your professional/personal life with the occasional posts at EvC, drop by every once and awhile.

"Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence." --John Adams

This message is a reply to:
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Percy
Member
Posts: 22391
From: New Hampshire
Joined: 12-23-2000
Member Rating: 5.2


Message 3 of 36 (546661)
02-12-2010 2:59 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by crashfrog
02-12-2010 2:13 PM


crashfrog writes:
P.s. Who's got the no.1 post count, these days?
Even more than two years after his departure it's still Jar. Guess who's a close second? Take a peek: EvC Forum: Information
--Percy
Edited by Percy, : Fix link.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by crashfrog, posted 02-12-2010 2:13 PM crashfrog has not replied

Replies to this message:
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purpledawn
Member (Idle past 3457 days)
Posts: 4453
From: Indiana
Joined: 04-25-2004


Message 4 of 36 (546666)
02-12-2010 3:40 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by crashfrog
02-12-2010 2:13 PM


Farewell
I understand the problem with EvC taking up too much time. I was at that point also. The Purge was a good time for a break. It was good.
Now I'm trying to keep it moderate and not too time consuming. Of course it is a good distraction when you're snowed in and don't have a car. (Hubby just totaled his truck after hitting some black ice)
Good luck with your degree and the yacht.
PurpleDawn

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 Message 1 by crashfrog, posted 02-12-2010 2:13 PM crashfrog has not replied

  
onifre
Member (Idle past 2950 days)
Posts: 4854
From: Dark Side of the Moon
Joined: 02-20-2008


Message 5 of 36 (546677)
02-12-2010 6:51 PM


Question
What was "The Purge"...?
I guess I came to the forum after it.
- Oni

Replies to this message:
 Message 6 by Hyroglyphx, posted 02-12-2010 9:50 PM onifre has replied
 Message 8 by Taz, posted 02-12-2010 10:16 PM onifre has replied
 Message 26 by Modulous, posted 02-13-2010 6:21 PM onifre has replied

  
Hyroglyphx
Inactive Member


Message 6 of 36 (546689)
02-12-2010 9:50 PM
Reply to: Message 5 by onifre
02-12-2010 6:51 PM


Re: Question
What was "The Purge"...?
We don't talk of those things.

"Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence." --John Adams

This message is a reply to:
 Message 5 by onifre, posted 02-12-2010 6:51 PM onifre has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 7 by onifre, posted 02-12-2010 10:13 PM Hyroglyphx has replied

  
onifre
Member (Idle past 2950 days)
Posts: 4854
From: Dark Side of the Moon
Joined: 02-20-2008


Message 7 of 36 (546692)
02-12-2010 10:13 PM
Reply to: Message 6 by Hyroglyphx
02-12-2010 9:50 PM


Re: Question
We don't talk of those things.
You got to the forum after me, how do you know about it? I'm outta the loop!
- Oni
Edited by onifre, : No reason given.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 6 by Hyroglyphx, posted 02-12-2010 9:50 PM Hyroglyphx has replied

Replies to this message:
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Taz
Member (Idle past 3291 days)
Posts: 5069
From: Zerus
Joined: 07-18-2006


Message 8 of 36 (546693)
02-12-2010 10:16 PM
Reply to: Message 5 by onifre
02-12-2010 6:51 PM


Re: Question
onifre writes:
What was "The Purge"...?
Long story short, Percy woke up one morning on the wrong side of the bed and decided to go on a rampage, after which the day shalt ever be known as the EvC Massacre. Those of us who were smart hid behind the bed like little girls and survived. Those who were brave were quickly sniped out of existence.
I tells ya, the stench of death stuck with the forum for months.
Edit.
You registered in early 08. I think it happened when you were here. You probably don't remember because the event was too horrible so you're subconsciously blocking it out.
Edit again.
You registered in February of 08. The Purge happened in January of 08. In other words, you missed it by less than a month.
Edited by Taz, : No reason given.
Edited by Taz, : No reason given.

This message is a reply to:
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Replies to this message:
 Message 9 by onifre, posted 02-12-2010 10:22 PM Taz has replied
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onifre
Member (Idle past 2950 days)
Posts: 4854
From: Dark Side of the Moon
Joined: 02-20-2008


Message 9 of 36 (546695)
02-12-2010 10:22 PM
Reply to: Message 8 by Taz
02-12-2010 10:16 PM


Re: Question
Long story short, Percy woke up one morning on the wrong side of the bed and decided to go on a rampage, after which the day shalt ever be known as the EvC Massacre.
Bullshit, short story long, I want details. Are you serious? He, Percy, just got rid of people for no reason? Well I've only been here 2 years but Percy doesn't seem to be like that. He seems rational. That's something I would do.
There had to be a reason other than "woke up with PMS," right?
- Oni

This message is a reply to:
 Message 8 by Taz, posted 02-12-2010 10:16 PM Taz has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 10 by Taz, posted 02-12-2010 10:36 PM onifre has replied
 Message 13 by Granny Magda, posted 02-12-2010 10:52 PM onifre has not replied

  
Taz
Member (Idle past 3291 days)
Posts: 5069
From: Zerus
Joined: 07-18-2006


Message 10 of 36 (546698)
02-12-2010 10:36 PM
Reply to: Message 9 by onifre
02-12-2010 10:22 PM


Re: Question
Haha, ok a little more detail. But I swear, if I got banned for bringing this up, there won't be a place in cyberspace safe enough for you.
People were protesting over a wide range of moderating issues. Back then, we had like over a dozen moderators. And those moderators were constantly being questioned, pushed, shoved, and abused. The forum was slowly becoming a damn democracy.
The Imperious Leader (aka Percy), with his almighty powers, killed (banned) half the moderators and mortalized the rest. So, for a while in heaven and earth Percy was the only one with moderating powers. Everyone who even spoke up with a hint of protest was quickly disappeared... probably sent to some cyber re-education camp somewhere.
When things calmed down a little, 3 previous moderators were gradually reinstated (after they spent some time in the re-education camp of course).
Probably what caused Ned to lose the rest of his hair...

This message is a reply to:
 Message 9 by onifre, posted 02-12-2010 10:22 PM onifre has replied

Replies to this message:
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onifre
Member (Idle past 2950 days)
Posts: 4854
From: Dark Side of the Moon
Joined: 02-20-2008


Message 11 of 36 (546699)
02-12-2010 10:43 PM
Reply to: Message 10 by Taz
02-12-2010 10:36 PM


Re: Question
Haha, ok a little more detail. But I swear, if I got banned for bringing this up, there won't be a place in cyberspace safe enough for you.
I didn't know this was top-secret stuff. lol
It's interesting though, I didn't know there was a history in the forum. Finally some dirt.
People were protesting over a wide range of moderating issues. Back then, we had like over a dozen moderators. And those moderators were constantly being questioned, pushed, shoved, and abused. The forum was slowly becoming a damn democracy
Yeah I noticed a lot of Admin names I didn't recognize.
When things calmed down a little, 3 previous moderators were gradually reinstated (after they spent some time in the re-education camp of course).
Moose, Ned and Mod...?
- Oni

This message is a reply to:
 Message 10 by Taz, posted 02-12-2010 10:36 PM Taz has replied

Replies to this message:
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Taz
Member (Idle past 3291 days)
Posts: 5069
From: Zerus
Joined: 07-18-2006


Message 12 of 36 (546700)
02-12-2010 10:52 PM
Reply to: Message 11 by onifre
02-12-2010 10:43 PM


Re: Question
onifre writes:
Moose, Ned and Mod...?
Oh, I guess that makes 4.
Is Buz still an admin? I know adminfaith got canned.
Now, I'd pay real money to see ray martinez get turned into an admin

This message is a reply to:
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Replies to this message:
 Message 14 by Granny Magda, posted 02-12-2010 11:03 PM Taz has replied
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Granny Magda
Member
Posts: 2462
From: UK
Joined: 11-12-2007
Member Rating: 4.0


Message 13 of 36 (546701)
02-12-2010 10:52 PM
Reply to: Message 9 by onifre
02-12-2010 10:22 PM


Re: Question
Hi Oni,
There had to be a reason other than "woke up with PMS," right?
Bumsecks.
No, seriously. You know how it goes; someone mentions the gays and suddenly everyone loses their frickin' minds. IT'S JUST BUMSECKS PEOPLE! GET SOME PERSPECTIVE!
A gay rights thread descended into hostility (again) and half the forum started bitching at each other on the "Moderation issues" thread. Percy, and indeed the moderation team as a whole, was sorely tried.
There was more to it than that though; some explanation here.
The good news is that despite the loss of some valued members (a couple recently returned), the changes have been for the better. The moderation is more streamlined and the ban on extended discussion of moderation procedures has been an improvement too.
Mutate and Survive

This message is a reply to:
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Granny Magda
Member
Posts: 2462
From: UK
Joined: 11-12-2007
Member Rating: 4.0


Message 14 of 36 (546702)
02-12-2010 11:03 PM
Reply to: Message 12 by Taz
02-12-2010 10:52 PM


Re: Question
Hi Taz,
Now, I'd pay real money to see ray martinez get turned into an admin
Oh that would be fantastic! Cold Foreign Admin!
He'd have to ban himself though, to spend more time on his thesis...
Mutate and Survive

This message is a reply to:
 Message 12 by Taz, posted 02-12-2010 10:52 PM Taz has replied

Replies to this message:
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Taz
Member (Idle past 3291 days)
Posts: 5069
From: Zerus
Joined: 07-18-2006


Message 15 of 36 (546703)
02-12-2010 11:41 PM
Reply to: Message 14 by Granny Magda
02-12-2010 11:03 PM


Re: Question
Granny Magda writes:
He'd have to ban himself though, to spend more time on his thesis...
Haha, I'd like very much to know what page he put the pyramids as proof of god in his thesis or what chapter he put in his rant about people having god filled spirit or some other nonsense.
I now remember more about what happened. It started with nemjug comparing gay people to kids and dogs. Berberry, I think, went off on it. I joined in after. The discussion turned into a shouting match between the homophobes and the morally corrupt satan worshippers.

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