This is part of what kept the Lounge from actually getting cliquish: any fool who spent enough time around the BBS and met the I/O requirements, no matter their philosophy, gender, religion, hairstyle, or body odor issues, was allowed in.
I disagree that it was a poor choice. Most of those discussions were about how to improve the overall BBS user experience, and when those discussions took place in the Lounge, they were between people who used the BBS more than anyone else. The ones who cared most about it operating smoothly and fairly. The ones who had gone to a little bit of effort to demonstrate that they cared enough about the joint to consistently read and post and comment for an extended period of time. Why would it be a mistake to leave the vast multitudes of casual users and drive-bys out of the custodial conversations? How many of 'em would be even interested enough to participate in them, and yet fall short of Regular status?
I’m personally not harmed by the loss of the Lounge other than that I’m gonna miss it and I, too, can’t post as freely outside of it (especially about work and my wee window into Hollywood gossip, for whatever that’s worth). I’m glad older Lounge stuff won’t be made public, though I do hope those threads will be locked rather than deleted, so maybe we who posted there can still go back and view them?
Anyway, this strikes me as a strange mixture of messages. For ages now, we’ve been encouraged to participate in the community by flagging. That implies that somebody wants us to take enough pride and ownership in the community to keep the sidewalks clean of dog turds and offensive flyers. At the same time, we’ve lately been discouraged from harboring any illusions that we have any actual stake in the place, that our presence is appreciated, that our care for the community matters.
Ain’t gonna have it both ways. The 2-tiered structure isn’t the important issue here. Keep it or junk it, whatever floats the landlord’s boat.
But if you want the community’s help in keeping this an awesome place, then how about encouraging people to appreciate the members who consistently bring the awesome. They don’t need stupid badges. They don’t even need super-exclusive treehouses.
A modicum of respect sure would be great, though.
