If you are thinking of leaving the forum ...

Today I'm considering whether to leave the forum.

When I was 1st diagnosed late in life (60) a year and a few months ago, this forum was a Godsend.

A really important place where I could learn and be supported and equally, give support to others.

At its best it's superb.

However, I do personally have difficulty when threads are made that offend me and I know others do too.

It isn't so simple as just not responding when these things act as a trigger for past traumas and fights you've had.

I've had quite a few fights in my life that have been long and hard and inequality bothers me - a lot.

There have been various threads and postings that simply do offend - including one with views pertaining to women set in aspic.

I do think that more could be done here with moderation, including an LGBTQ+ section as those types of threads have ended up locked due to conflict and also another section, as I suggested before, where other controversial ones could sit and people could try to avoid them.

Hopefully then those boundaries could be respected by others.

If I go, I just want to say a huge thanks to those friends I've made and for the huge fun that's been had here.

Also, if I do, I will post here to say and if people would like my private email address, I'll supply by PM.

I miss those that have already left - a lot 

I hope everyone has a good, trauma free Sunday 

Debbie, I appreciate that nobody can force you to stay here, and I do take on board what you have stated. However, I would feel sad if you were to leave. I know many others would too.

I am in agreement that the creation of additional forums is needed. As things stand, what one member may consider to be a healthy debate, can be an almighty trigger for another member and cause them to feel distressed.

If I think back to last year, public disagreements between members seemed to be considerably less frequent than they have been this year. I live in hope that this community can get back to how it used to be because it was (in my opinion) mostly fantastic. 

I think some posts are almost ‘bear bating’. I would also like to see an additional forum.

So when forum member ISperg says he enjoys chaos we shouldn't believe him? I'm sure you have nothing to do with him. (sarcasm)

You also try to crawl round people like he does.  Maybe it's a coincidence and the both of you just share exactly the same personality??

I'm glad you are enjoying making everyone else feel bad.  What a lovely man.

Fair enough then, I struggle with ambiguity and "SOME" leaves a lot of opportunity to make assumptions.

I am relatively new to this community - I'm sure that a lot of you have been here much longer than I have and have seen a lot of posts that have upset you.

I am fully aware that there has been a lot of upset this weekend, mainly because of THAT thread.
For comments such as...

Roy said:

I think some posts are almost ‘bear bating’.

to start appearing does make me think that they are directed at me.
As I've pointed out before, one of the typical difficulties that autistic struggle with is being able to understand intent - something that can be exasperated on online forums.

I believe Roy was speaking in general terms, or at least that is how I interpreted his "bear-baiting" comment.

During my time as a member of the NAS Community, I've realised just how common misunderstandings can be among members, and how easy it can be for things to get misinterpreted, and/or taken out of context.

Sometimes, it can be all too easy to fall into the trap of assuming we know what someone else means. Rather than asking for clarification, or taking the time to properly read and digest what other members have said, I think we can all be guilty at times of rushing in with a response...

I feel this is especially true when members post about topics that are deemed contentious. What one member considers to be a healthy debate can escalate and become heated. The Community Rules state that people may express views that we disagree with (or words to that effect).

I'm all for freedom of speech providing the Community Rules are followed, but if you have members with wildly opposing views, I feel this can be a problem when neither side is willing to back down and agree to disagree, and each side is determined to have the last word. 

Roy said SOME posts are almost 'bear bating', he said nothing about your posts GPK26

It’s a shame that you feel that my thread and posts have been “bear baiting”. That is something that was not the intention and I have stated that on many posts, but some people simple don’t get it.

As long as people continue to refer to that thread, I will continue to defend what I am being accused of.

I have already been proactive in contacting the site manager to request additional sub forums. That request was made before this all kicked off and unfortunately the request was declined.

It’s a shame that you feel that my thread and posts have been “bear baiting”. That is something that was not the intention and I have stated that on many posts, but some people simple don’t get it.

As long as people continue to refer to that thread, I will continue to defend what I am being accused of.

I have already been proactive in contacting the site manager to request additional sub forums. That request was made before this all kicked off and unfortunately the request was declined.

So when forum member ISperg says he enjoys chaos we shouldn't believe him? I'm sure you have nothing to do with him. (sarcasm)

You also try to crawl round people like he does.  Maybe it's a coincidence and the both of you just share exactly the same personality??

I'm glad you are enjoying making everyone else feel bad.  What a lovely man.

Fair enough then, I struggle with ambiguity and "SOME" leaves a lot of opportunity to make assumptions.

I am relatively new to this community - I'm sure that a lot of you have been here much longer than I have and have seen a lot of posts that have upset you.

I am fully aware that there has been a lot of upset this weekend, mainly because of THAT thread.
For comments such as...

Roy said:

I think some posts are almost ‘bear bating’.

to start appearing does make me think that they are directed at me.
As I've pointed out before, one of the typical difficulties that autistic struggle with is being able to understand intent - something that can be exasperated on online forums.

I believe Roy was speaking in general terms, or at least that is how I interpreted his "bear-baiting" comment.

During my time as a member of the NAS Community, I've realised just how common misunderstandings can be among members, and how easy it can be for things to get misinterpreted, and/or taken out of context.

Sometimes, it can be all too easy to fall into the trap of assuming we know what someone else means. Rather than asking for clarification, or taking the time to properly read and digest what other members have said, I think we can all be guilty at times of rushing in with a response...

I feel this is especially true when members post about topics that are deemed contentious. What one member considers to be a healthy debate can escalate and become heated. The Community Rules state that people may express views that we disagree with (or words to that effect).

I'm all for freedom of speech providing the Community Rules are followed, but if you have members with wildly opposing views, I feel this can be a problem when neither side is willing to back down and agree to disagree, and each side is determined to have the last word. 

Roy said SOME posts are almost 'bear bating', he said nothing about your posts GPK26