Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Posting With Dignity

This posting is long overdue.

Since my first online experience learning about Rickenbacker instruments in the fall of 1997, I became acquainted right away with Mr. John Hall, Rickenbacker's CEO. It is with sadness that I realized from the outset that he was the subject of numerous assaults on his company and his character. Comments that have been at least two standard deviations below civil have been unleashed, generally by those who have been able to post anonymously.

As a result, I have noted that he has removed himself from this forum and others on an number of occasions, and who can blame him, given the circumstances. I am impressed with his gracious responses in the face of adversity, the most recent of which was

"Let's just put this issue to rest now and call it a lapse in judgement that's now been corrected. And let's all take special care to honor and support those that serve their country with distinction and integrity, as I am sure Mr. James is about to do."

John Hall has been most supportive of online forums and we have all learned a great deal from his knowledge and expertise. He has forgotten more about Rickenbackers that I am likely to know in my lifetime. He has made numerous efforts to help others with problems relating to Rickenbackers when he did not need to do so.

I have moved away from the first forum that I started in November 1997, alt.guitar.rickenbacker. The reason, the endless personal attacks on participants from those who were able to hide under "handles" designed to hide their identity. This was the reason that I began The Rickenbacker Forum. It is not perfect and I try to strike a balance between the rights of all participants and freedom of speech. Behind the scenes is not pretty. If someone is prepared to say nasty things online, I will leave it to your imagination just what they are prepared to say in private.

So what is it that pushes people over the edge. It would seem that the perpetrators of verbal abuse may lash out for any number of reasons: frustration (not being recognized or unable to get what they want); intentionality (not only did someone say something to upset them by they did it on purpose); and infringement (some how one's emotional territory has been stepped on). Complex interactions between these factors and personality issues certainly lead people to behave badly. But the main reason for unleasing horrible statements directed toward others is simply "because they can" through their anonymity.

It is ironic that the very thing that can bring us together, can at the same time drive us apart - interpersonal relations. When we treat others in a disresectful manner, so too do we mistreat outselves.

I would ask all who post on The Rickenbacker Forum to write with dignity and by that I mean in a manner that is worthy or esteem or respect from others. There are not always enough hours in a day to read everything, so should you see an offending post please let me know and I will do what I can to make a difference.

Mr. Hall, I apologize for the way in which you have been treated on forums that I was instrumental in creating. While I can't stop what people say on alt.guitar.rickenbacker, I will try harder to keep the Rickenbacker Forum a gentler place. I do hope that you will return at some point. Should this not be in the cards, I will be the first to understand. Thanks for all your efforts in making this a great place for Rickenbacker lovers around the world.

Peter,
Very well said. I have found myself reading and re-reading my posts of late, and occasionally scrapping them altogether, because I occasionally have something to say that might be taken the wrong way or hurt someone's feelings. Certainly not my intent. I'm here because it is a place to discuss and have fun with people who love the same thing I do, not to hurt anyone's feelings.

I miss John's input on the board, and have been going thru the archives from 2001-now and reading a lot of the old posts. TONS of great information and insight in those posts, and I hope there will be more to come.

Although I don't post on here much, I do read the post here everyday. I am saddened to hear the news that Mr. Hall will not be posting here any longer. I did not catch what the 'final straw' was about but I have read some threads that might be considered some what tasteless.

For the people who attack not only Mr. Hall but others using annonymity as a cover, you are COWARDS. That being said, the cowards can not be taken seriously and what ever point or arguement they may have can not be taken seriously, therfore, they are nill points.

I also enjoyed reading what Mr. Hall had to say about many Rickenbacker related topics and hope that under reconsideration, he will not let the rantings of a few cowards keep him from posting his most valuable point of view and information to the many more numbered, ligitiment members of this site. If this is not possible, thank you, Mr. Hall for gracing us at this site...

I have a pretty simple rule when it comes to posting...

Don't post unless it's either, informative, funny, or a nice comment.
Sure some post can be off topic, but generally if you follow that rule you won't step on anyone toes and no one should **** you off.

Arguments aren't a bad thing when its constructive and you aren't assaulting the other persons thought, no matter how stupid what he or she said.

Anyways I'm letting you guys with that, I've been on forums for quite awhile, not aslong as Pete but I know how flames work and an easily get out of hand.

Oh, and always read your post after posting, or even better before, and don't be afraid to use that Edit button...

I meet people everyday that are just socially inept, and it's a real shame. I've read every post on this board before I became a member here and got a general vibe from the board that helped shape all the tones of my posts. It's just common courtesy.

There is such a wealth of knowledge here and the fact that JH posted at all was what made me want to join, to share my Ric experiences and passions with fellow fans. I'd never joined a 'forum' until I found this place.

Sorry for everyone that a couple dolts had to ruin a good thing for everybody.

Now - I'm off to the F****r Forum to tell everyone there how much St**ts suck...

Peter,

I would be proud of your accomplishments here and elsewhere; this board has been a wealth of knowledge to me over the years and I have met so many that share the same interests as I do..it has been a win-win situation for me, and others I'm sure.

There are some posts from time to time that do raise the eyebrows, but you can't just stop in yer tracks, you just have to get up and keep going despite the bumps.

All of us should look through the "Johari Window" from time to time...it may make you a better communicator, and help avoid things from getting nasty. (Curious? Look it up...)

Perhaps it is just me but. . . . I didn't think this forum was all that nasty to begin with. (thanks of course to Peter!)

Serious question here: is it appropriate to critique business practices of a certain well-known guitar manufacturer? Are there limits on that sort of discussion?

There is a distinction between an honest disagreement with someone and uncivil behavior.

I have been on this forum only since May '03....This is the only forum I've EVER felt comfortable on and I think it is because of the integrity of the moderator and the majority of the posters seemed friendly , courteous, and sincere, not to mention very neighborly!!
I can only recall a few times since I've joined where I had read what I'd call "questionable" posts(but I'm sure Peter has snuffed more of them than I'd know about!)....
I think I did p/o JH once a good while back, but it wasn't intentional and/or personal and I think (hope) he realizes that(and he DID "Zing" me pretty good!!) lol! I'm pretty sure that most of you who read my posts know my "style" isn't to offend...

I feel like I know a LOT of you pretty well and when I read your posts, I "get" what you are saying....

Thanks again, Peter for hosting this fantastic forum....there is none other like it!!

Posting with dignity ... gee ... I'm the guy who puts pictures of Beavis and Butthead playing Rics on the forum ... But I do try to respect everyone here ... I guess you guys noticed that I have strong opinions that I state here ... but I try to play nice with others ...

Also I believe that this is not a place for trashing people or airing dirty laundry or resolving conflicts.

I can vouch for Jeff - he never once called me an idiot for putting the capacitor back in my bass

But seriously, Peter's done an awesome job.

Peter, I have enormous respect for what you've created here; I for one have certainly gained much more from your Forum than I have contributed, and my visits are often some of the brighter spots in my day. In my year and a half here I must say that I have seen very little of the the contentiousness I've noticed in other places; I believe that most of the, shall we call them debates, I've read here have been motivated by passion for the subject matter rather than any personal animus.

Someone here once observed that the method of communication that we use, typing rather than speaking, may contribute to some misunderstandings simply because we can't see one another. I think that's true, and respect should always be paid. But, although I can control what I write I can't control how you'll react to it, so we should all take a deep breath once in a while. There's no ill will here, at least that I can see.

I think you're doing an excellent job.

This forum is certainly a lot "cleaner" than other forums I visit. The use of real names and having IP addresses posted goes a long way to keep people in line; it's more like a "real life" discussion.

This forum has been absolutely essential for me. When I first found this forum, I learned more about Rickenbacker instruments in 2 weeks than I did in all the long years I've been aware of Rickenbacker period.

Peter, you have done a fantastic job with this forum, and I have found it to be a very informative and friendly place to visit....I always feel that I am among friends here, and our common love of Rickenbackers unites us all, no matter what our backgrounds might be. Thank you for the way you have managed this site and for keeping it friendly, even though there are occasional disagreements, just like in any family! We all need to remember our own humanness (none of us can be right all the time!), and to remember to treat others respectfully even when we disagree.... The mark of true character is the ability to say "I'm sorry" and also to forgive....

I can do dignified ...

Quite simply, this is the best forum on the web. I've gravitated to other places, but they either have crumbled or are just not nearly as civil as the Rick Forum.

This is not a forum of free speech. It is a place where we can share information and stories/photos of our favorite guitars - Ricks. Those who seek to stray from positive input should not be allowed to post. There are plenty of other places to do that.

Mr. Hall, while I do not know him, seems to be one of the coolest CEOs in the world. I can't thank him enough for the input he has provided, and Peter for providing a means to hear it. Thank you both, and also to everyone here.