by Marty S.
Member since:
June 28, 2006

There are no problems here in Gatherland.

July 04, 2006 10:56 AM EDT
views: 149 | rating: 9.9/10 (9 votes) | comments: 24

Gatherland is a place of ideas--for sharing.  I was bothered by some posts which had some members chasing off other members, and I thought of asking if I too was part of a perceived problem, but asking in a comment of a post with 45 comments isn't going to get read.

Gatherland appears to be an evolving thing.  People engage in sillyness, piling on, but perhaps also hurting feelings at the same time. 

Maybe gather started as a place solely as a writers' group, who knows.  It has become a place for the exchange of ideas.  I don't think that there are many active duty people over in Iraq/Afghanistan who have the time to follow what is going on at Gather, but they are over there so that we may enjoy what we have.

This does have an international aspect, so it is also good that there are many perspectives.

On this independance day, enjoy the freedoms we have.

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Comments: 24

Nancy S. Jul 4, 2006, 10:59am EDT
Bravo! Happy 4th to you!
Sara :-) Jul 4, 2006, 11:11am EDT
As a new person, I am not sure what has happened or why Gather was started. However, i joined because I thought this was a place to exchange ideas.

Maybe what has happened in the past, is as simple as everyone has a little different idea, of what Gather is.

Just my opinion.
0000-fixedgaze-0000 Jul 4, 2006, 11:25am EDT
Marty, I think you've got the right idea. I urge everyone who has any confusion or doubts regarding what gather is all about to read the About Gather statement. I think it's supposed to be pretty much a wide open forum for the sharing of ideas and thoughts. I like the fact that it covers the full spectrum. That's what makes it real, for me.
Marty;

Freedom isn't free... if someone wants the freedom to post thier ideas they have to be tough enough to defend themselves.. it's unfortunate that some felt they had to leave, but it is the nature of things.
Good article, thanks!
L.
Kathryn E. Jul 4, 2006, 12:01pm EDT
Enjoy the 4th and our freedoms here. May Gatherland stay (or become) a happy place.
Paul D Lefebvre Jul 4, 2006, 12:32pm EDT
Good observations Marty. I like your notions about the place, Gather. On this Independence Day I'll exercise my right to disagree about why it is that we're in Iraq.

Enjoy your day.
Jude Cowell Jul 4, 2006, 1:34pm EDT
Great post...sharing creativity is a good thing.
0000-fixedgaze-0000 Jul 4, 2006, 2:43pm EDT
Hey, Paul... the bottom half of your face looks like Kid Rock.
xxxxxxx x. Jul 4, 2006, 3:11pm EDT
Thank you, Marty...and

HAPPY 330TH BIRTHDAY, AMERICA!!!! WHOOO-HOOO!!!!
HGM Moya Goatley Jul 4, 2006, 6:42pm EDT
I find Gather thought-provoking, annoying, delightful, exhilarating, laughter-inducing, inspiring, puzzling, friendly, aggravating, comforting, challenging - a family, a place to exchange ideas, to write, to read, to learn. One more thing, it's time-consuming. Moya
Marty S. Jul 4, 2006, 7:22pm EDT
Thank you:
Nancy
Sara
Chris
Lloyd
Kathryn
Paul
Jude
Romy
Liz
and Moya

Moya, I am thrilled that you derive such excitement from this place, it is wonderful to be a part of so much positivity.

Liz, it seems we are both where we need not win arguments. I am thrilled that I can present alternative viewpoints.

Paul, there are no problems with differing opinions here, it is a thing of beauty, which sadly cannot always be said of all countries on our little blue planet.
Marty, overall I've found Gather to be a positive experience and feel that I have truly made friends far across the world from me (I live in Western Australia). There have been occasions where I have disagreed with the viewpoints of others, but that's okay. I don't lose sight of the fact that they have intrinsic worth which is undiminished by whatever they say. And we can differ without tearing each other's throats out - we have far more in common than occasional differing opinions.

Magi
Martha Jette, Author/Editor Jul 4, 2006, 7:59pm EDT
Marty, Gather has become a place where people not only write, but also network with each other and make new friends. Yes, there are tiffs, but I'd prefer just to stay out of them (unless it involves me, of course!) As in life, people present differing viewpoints and ofteh they fight over who is right and who is wrong. Unfortunately, it happens occasionally here as well. Best advice: Just stay out of it and keep on writing.
Marty S. Jul 4, 2006, 8:46pm EDT
Nicola, Near Perth?

Martha, thanks.
hey Romy.. must be math challenged.. tonight anyway!

:)

L.
lisa marchal Jul 5, 2006, 1:41am EDT
Remember the brave men who died so that we can have the right to argue with whomever we see fit... Gather is an everchanging place in which the balance of good and evil is in constant motion...
May we never forget that writing a statement that was not agreed upon by the majority would have been seen as treason in the past. Now we can write what we like and celebrate our diversity. Have a Happy Independence Day America!!!
Maura Alia Badji Jul 5, 2006, 7:11am EDT
well stated!
Dolphi D. Jul 5, 2006, 10:16am EDT
Good article, Marty! It is quite apparent that Gatherland is a evolving thing. Initially I got the idea that it is primarily a site for writers to post their writings and also to get them evaluated by readers. It appears there is no such strict limitation. It is also a site to share ideas and thoughts. Writers are a sensitive lot. Sometimes, there are deliberate attempts at leg-pulling; sometimes the comments get misconstrued. As the site weathers this initial phase, I hope, it will find a confident direction and members will learn to show maturity and exercise self-discipline. Nice thoughts, anyway.
John S. (arizona) Jul 5, 2006, 2:07pm EDT
Thanks Marty, good article for all.
Pam F. Jul 5, 2006, 2:24pm EDT
True article Marty. Great job!
Rich Sadowsky Jul 5, 2006, 8:20pm EDT
All are welcome here. Thanks for reminding us.
Yes, Marty, in the suburbs of Perth - it's the most isolated capital city on earth.

Magi
Clare Stella Jul 6, 2006, 8:54am EDT
I love Gather with all its craziness. And I agree that we are so very lucky to be here with other humans, other people from all around the globe, other writers and photographers. We are free to post whatever we wish and to read or not read others' efforts. It's grand.

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