How Do We Know?

[salesguy]

Since you are a Moderator, since you are aware of this rule (amendment) that is not even codified in writing at this point, and since you are obviously aware of the discussions that led to this decision, could you care to explain the philosophy behind a ban on public discussion on products that do not exist? I have asked this question in a couple of ways in a couple of threads and I have received no answer whatsoever, and it really baffles me (both the decision and the avoidance of explaining it).

 

Thank you.

+1

[haruka337]

Since you are a Moderator, since you are aware of this rule (amendment) that is not even codified in writing at this point, and since you are obviously aware of the discussions that led to this decision, could you care to explain the philosophy behind a ban on public discussion on products that do not exist? I have asked this question in a couple of ways in a couple of threads and I have received no answer whatsoever, and it really baffles me (both the decision and the avoidance of explaining it).

 

Thank you.

I'm quite baffled as well.

 

You've received answers, but your objective doesn't appear to be concerned with procuring information, but to provoke. I'm under the impression that you've an underlying agenda and that the MontBlanc issue in question is but a conduit to something else.

[JonSzanto]

You've received answers, but your objective doesn't appear to be concerned with procuring information, but to provoke. I'm under the impression that you've an underlying agenda and that the MontBlanc issue in question is but a conduit to something else.

 

Thank you for assigning such specious motives to my question. I assure you, once I am given at least a little glimpse into the motivations for preemptively denying reasonable discussion, I won't bring it up again. If it bothers you, you may always report me to the moderators.

[Quantum]

As much fun as an approved list of topics for discussion is it certainly feels more like a business session than a for fun fountain pen forum. Which is cool if you want to feel like you're a part of a corporation.

 

I'm reminded of my good friend who went into the bank the other day and asked about negative interest rates. The teller said that they hadn't been briefed on how to respond to customers yet and so they couldn't talk about it.

The only problem with that association is that I know my bank doesn't care about anything but my money and how they can get more of it.

 

That said I'm certainly not saying that FPN wants my money any more than is posted on the site. I agree with Jar in the sense that its your site and you can play however you want. I also understand Jon's desire for an explanation. I suppose I just tend to always keep in mind who I'm dealing with and where things stand.

[salesguy]

What I find interesting, from a cultural perspective, is that the most compliant responses tend to come from Americans. Who, in my experience themed to be most respectful of authority figures.

 

In the UK we tend to question decisions that we don't understand / feel are wrong rather than accept.

 

That's why I'm with Jon.

 

Not an insult, just a cultural observation.

[haruka337]

Thank you for assigning such specious motives to my question. I assure you, once I am given at least a little glimpse into the motivations for preemptively denying reasonable discussion, I won't bring it up again. If it bothers you, you may always report me to the moderators.

You've been given answers, but you seem anxious to side step it. You do understand why I'd find that curious. And my suspicion predates the MontBlanc issue. From posts I have read by you here and on other pen forums I am apart of--my skepticism of your intentions has only grown.

[sunnerd]

Not an insult, just a cultural observation.

 

Then how about Aussies? Starting a revolution? :-)

We should start a penrumours.com site.

[haruka337]

What I find interesting, from a cultural perspective, is that the most compliant responses tend to come from Americans. Who, in my experience themed to be most respectful of authority figures.

In the UK we tend to question decisions that we don't understand / feel are wrong rather than accept.

That's why I'm with Jon.

Not an insult, just a cultural observation.

Intresting observation. My own, of course, is different.

 

Being Mexican American, I have my own peculiar distrust of authority, but I'm also cautious of those who seem to have ulterior motives while claiming to have my best interest in mind.

 

A healthy level of skepticism, pointed in all directions, has always served me well.

[Quantum]

What I find interesting, from a cultural perspective, is that the most compliant responses tend to come from Americans. Who, in my experience themed to be most respectful of authority figures.

 

In the UK we tend to question decisions that we don't understand / feel are wrong rather than accept.

 

That's why I'm with Jon.

 

Not an insult, just a cultural observation.

 

I'm not particularly deferential, I'm just aware of where I am. Nothing I have read about the situation or responses to it have struck me as out of the ordinary for FPN. That can be taken as good or bad depending on your perspective. I also don't consider FPN to be my 'home' forum so to speak, and the fact that it doesn't strike me as out of the ordinary is one reason why I don't.

 

If you read my posts on another forum you may find that I'm quite a bit more open about what I think and it's closer to what I actually think. Not a heavily edited version that I try to keep nice enough not to get deleted.

 

As for the U.S. as a whole that's a completely different topic, and one which I will stay out of because I will offend others who share this country.

Edited March 5, 2016 by Quantum

[Fermata]

There is an old Russian proverb, If you stand stirring soup all day there comes a point when you either swallow it down or walk away from it and let it boil.

 

People don't respect you when all you do, every day, is to stir soup, you will have respect when you sit at the table and have your soup with everyone else.

[salesguy]

A healthy level of skepticism, pointed in all directions, has always served me well.

Now *that* is something I can agree with!

[FriendAmos]

I still see this whole issue as silly and pretty pointless.

 

If and when censorship of anything of significance happens then perhaps it might be worthy of discussion. But this is an internet forum, we are talking about fountain pens the the rest of the world thinks even discussing fountain pens at all is a silly and frivolous past-time pastime.

 

This sums it up quite well.

[JonSzanto]

A healthy level of skepticism, pointed in all directions, has always served me well.

 

But, of course, that excludes the topic at hand. While I am skeptical of the handling of it, you choose to cast aspersions on me, instead.

 

As you continue to insult my motives, and me as well, it would behoove you to go all the way back to my beginnings here on FPN, just shy of five years, and peruse the multitude of topics I have posted on. To imply I am a one-trick pony is factually insupportable, and my activities and interests in the pen world cover a wide range of topics.

 

So, you know, put me on ignore or something. I don't answer to you.

[JonSzanto]

There is an old Russian proverb, If you stand stirring soup all day there comes a point when you either swallow it down or walk away from it and let it boil.

 

People don't respect you when all you do, every day, is to stir soup, you will have respect when you sit at the table and have your soup with everyone else.

 

[meiers]

 

But, of course, that excludes the topic at hand. While I am skeptical of the handling of it, you choose to cast aspersions on me, instead.

 

As you continue to insult my motives, and me as well, it would behoove you to go all the way back to my beginnings here on FPN, just shy of five years, and peruse the multitude of topics I have posted on. To imply I am a one-trick pony is factually insupportable, and my activities and interests in the pen world cover a wide range of topics.

 

So, you know, put me on ignore or something. I don't answer to you.

We are all behooved now.

[FriendAmos]

What I find interesting, from a cultural perspective, is that the most compliant responses tend to come from Americans. Who, in my experience themed to be most respectful of authority figures.

 

In the UK we tend to question decisions that we don't understand / feel are wrong rather than accept.

 

That's why I'm with Jon.

 

Not an insult, just a cultural observation.

 

To America, from Britain: Thank you for saving our collective butt during the World War. Much as we like Montblanc pens, being a German province would not have been fun. God bless America.

[meiers]

 

To America, from Britain: Thank you for saving our collective butt during the World War. Much as we like Montblanc pens, being a German province would not have been fun. God bless America.

The final episode of Downtown Abbey is playing here (on PBS) tomorrow evening. I so hope that Lady Edith will end up with the love of her life.

 

Sorry about going off topic...

Edited March 5, 2016 by meiers

[jmccarty3]

 

To America, from Britain: Thank you for saving our collective butt during the World War. Much as we like Montblanc pens, being a German province would not have been fun. God bless America.

 

 

It's nice to be thanked! About all I hear from my European "friends" nowadays is how stupid we Americans are.

[meiers]

 

 

It's nice to be thanked! About all I hear from my European "friends" nowadays is how stupid we Americans are.

 

During WWII the US and Canada returned democracy to the European mainland and many Americans and Canadians paid for that with their lives.

[JonSzanto]

We are all behooved now.

 

Excellent - snark duly noted.

 

It's nice to be thanked! About all I hear from my European "friends" nowadays is how stupid we Americans are.

 

Well, speaking as a fellow American, I must say they have a point. Nonetheless, there are cultural differences, and it's on all of us to try to be aware of it.