Egos

[peteanddelmar]

Me too. I think that it searches individual posts within threads instead of thread titles so the results are very very spotty.

To the OP:

a. You will find out that there are some very dogmatic people here for whom everything has to be black and white, and if what you say conflicts with what they (think they) know, they will respond fairly strongly
b. There are a lot of folks here who take things personally, because they have family who fought in the war and occasionally feel that something might have insulted their family.
c. There are certain subjects that have strong opinions (and polarized) associated with them. Those include: "black confederates", "slavery vs. states' rights", "constitutionality of ABC or XYZ", etc.

Developing a thick skin and learning how to ignore (and even laugh with some of those remarks,) is a must in Internet interactions. And not only on ACW-related topics

I am not very open minded about some things. But history's perception can change as new facts are discovered and that is good to learn.
There are posters here who I can easily tell hold a whole different point of view than me. We would not agree on modern politics, etc. But some of the ones that have corrected me have become my favorites because they are reliable without being pushy.

Have you ever been on an unmoderated forum? Like for sports? It is just foul language and total stupidity!
In fact if you know one that is different please let me know.

And think of this as a great resource. Many here helped me INSTANTLY when I had genealogy questions. They found things in minutes I would have taken days. Look up your family history....you may have had a civil war soldier in there.

PS- I STILL think "southern" is a thing! BUT ACW history I'm still learning!

 

[rhettbutler1865]

I'm the same age as you and have been studying the Civil War since the Topps "bubble gum" cards came out in the 60's. I also thought I knew a lot, but have learned much more since I joined this board.

A couple of things I've learned:

Most questions have been asked before so it doesn't hurt to do a quick search of old threads before you post....not mandatory, but helpful.

If what you are posting is your opinion, say so.

If you are stating a fact (unless it's something that's very well known) provide a reference.

Understand that some people are very direct when they post.....they don't mean to be offensive, but sometimes come across that way.

Above all, stay with us, anyone with 60 years knowledge has a lot to contribute.

Thanks--I just think I needed to "retreat" for a bit. There is much to be learned!

 

[DR_Hanna]

I find the search thingy VERY frustrating.

Google searches the site much better.
in Google key this: (important! no space between site: and the site name).

site:civilwartalk.com mill creek gap

try it, you'll be amazed.

 

[cash]

Searching the archives is a skill that is best learned by doing. Keep trying different key words and keep trying different types of searches, and you'll eventually figure out how to search with ease.

 

[Patrick H]

I haven't read every post in the thread, but I think you can count the number of "likes" under your first post and you will see very quickly that others have felt the same way. Please don't go away. Please don't do that! Just keep coming back and contributing as you wish. Don't be shy about stating your opinions because you're entitled to those opinions. If others wish to point out facts which they believe might change your opinions, then keep an open mind. There's much to learn here. Sometimes you will be persuaded. Other times, you won't. That's all okay.

On the other hand, if you feel that any particular thread is becoming too contentious for your comfort level (as I sometimes do) just ignore the thread (as I always do, under those circumstances).

 

[E_just_E]

Look up your family history....you may have had a civil war soldier in there.

Not in this hemisphere...

 

[bankerpapaw]

Hey, we are all here to learn.

 

[huskerblitz]

Some on here need to skip the raisins and head straight to the bran. They simply have nothing better to do with their time apparently than to be cantankerous.

Learn to ignore the ones that give you grief. The search thing...well...it's never going to be perfect. That is just the nature of a forum search function, especially when you're not quite sure how to phrase your search. To me, it's just easier to provide a link or suggest a more helpful search term than raising a stink about it.

 

[unionblue]

I do not wish to alienate anyone here (but, of course, that is probably inevitable). I joined this site because I am obsessed with the Civil War, and have been for most of my 60 years. I read a lot of books, collect authentic Civil War articles, my house looks like a CW museum, and I love to talk about the Civil War. Before joining here, I thought I knew a lot--but I now realize, humbly, that I have MUCH to learn. And I'm willing to learn. It is all so fascinating to me. And so many of you are very well versed on the entirety of the CW and it's multitude of components. But I have a bit of a roadblock here: when I ask a question, many times I am talked down to; when I make a statement (even just to be provoking so I may learn), I am'shot down." Perhaps my skin isn't tough enough, because I have logged out sometimes angry, sometimes feeling like I was being put down, sometimes just feeling uncomfortable. No wonder there aren't many "privates" in this forum--I imagine some have felt they were out of their league in here. I have advanced degrees in Theatre...Does everyone here have a doctorate in the Civil War? Do any of us know EVERYTHING? -----Ok, I just exposed my "flank", and am ready for the attack that I feel is impending...

rhettbutler1865,

I have been a member of this forum since the early 1990's and have over 200 books in my den on the American Civil War have posted thousands of times here and I am always amazed about how much I DON'T know about that four year period of our history.

It would be a shame to lose another poster who wants to learn.

Grow a thick hide, always have a sense of humor, and jump in with the rest of us.

Sincerely,
Unionblue

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

This is sage advice, and advice well heeded.

As a great example of Pat's point, The Thing That Would Not Go Away that frustrates so many of us is the "Jackson at Gettysburg" nonsense that just seems to keep coming back around. It's been discussed ad nauseum--there are multiple threads of it--and it's guaranteed that if you bring it up, you will receive snide comments. I, for instance, will respond that if Jackson was at Gettysburg, he would have been in an advanced state of decomposition, and will make some mocking remark.

Take the time to look back at stuff like that, and you can avoid a lot of grief that way.

Sorry, do not mean to get off thread- missed that one but probably because I avoid Jackson at Gettysburg threads- ' Advanced state of decomposition ' OH my gosh, guessing that shuts down a few threads. Crying!

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

The internet is a weird, weird place Rhett? People have discovered they can say things ' out loud ' to each other they either would not have the nerve to say face to face or practice some all-powerful, all-mighty alter-ego here. It's very bizarre. Then that comment is hanging out there so everyone can see ' Oh look, well there's the Great And Powerful Oz, don't want to mess with HIM. '

It's a big forum, if someone disliked what you had to say, they were free to say it pleasantly. If not, they were free to not say it at all- the fact that they couldn't bring themselves to refrain from snark means there was something to prove which had not, one thing to do with you and everything to do with some teeny, tiny world they inhabit. Good idea not to engage, however- pull up one of Pat's threads where he's generally to be found deflecting the crossfire, driving in the pickets and causing the snipers to fire over his head- all through remaining civil.

 

[Buckeye Bill]

The trees are "all" kept equal......

by hatchet, axe and saw.

~ Neil Peart

RB1865.....

Have fun, learn and grow!

Bill

 

[MRB1863]

Me too. I think that it searches individual posts within threads instead of thread titles so the results are very very spotty.

To the OP:

a. You will find out that there are some very dogmatic people here for whom everything has to be black and white, and if what you say conflicts with what they (think they) know, they will respond fairly strongly
b. There are a lot of folks here who take things personally, because they have family who fought in the war and occasionally feel that something might have insulted their family.
c. There are certain subjects that have strong opinions (and polarized) associated with them. Those include: "black confederates", "slavery vs. states' rights", "constitutionality of ABC or XYZ", etc.

Developing a thick skin and learning how to ignore (and even laugh with some of those remarks,) is a must in Internet interactions. And not only on ACW-related topics

Rhett,
Agree with you and E_just_E! Have seen some of the dogmatics here. Although many here are quite learned in subjects of the Civil War, some are lacking in tact. To sigh and move on when a post is belittled is far more gainful than obsessing over the criticism. Accept that some person who thinks they know more than you is feeling "helpful" in admonishing your view. I can't help recalling a quote that goes something like this - "Rudeness is the weak man's attempt at strength". I am not inferring that every-time a post is corrected that it is by the weak, as sometimes the correction is posted with reliable foundation. Sometimes, however a terse less than diplomatic reply seems to have intent of "shutting down" the subject without explanation. These responders may find benefit in strength training.

All-in-all I think this group is a well-read, well-researched group of folks (all enamored with the Civil War) with much to offer. Sometimes a "harumph" and a click to another post is all it takes to get by. Hope to see more posts from you as you build upon your foundation of learning all things Civil War.

 

[Mark F. Jenkins]

I think nearly everyone also has their "hot-button issues," but it's often different for each person... so, that if someone brings up topic A, posters one through eleven will just nod in agreement, twelve through fifteen will say, "That's not right, but I'm not going to respond," and number sixteen jumps all over it.... and then the next few jump on number sixteen... "And that's when the fight started." And so on.


(Same for topic B, but with the positions and responses shuffled.)

(Just play nice when Nathan brings out the hammer.)

 

[Rio Bravo]

MRB 1863 - Amazing - I was just about to post that myself - Eric Hoffer originally said that rudeness was " a weak man's imitation of strength" Rio

 

[Rio Bravo]

An Egotist is a Man who thinks if he hadn't been born people would have wondered why !

 

[MRB1863]

I think nearly everyone also has their "hot-button issues," but it's often different for each person... so, that if someone brings up topic A, posters one through eleven will just nod in agreement, twelve through fifteen will say, "That's not right, but I'm not going to respond," and number sixteen jumps all over it.... and then the next few jump on number sixteen... "And that's when the fight started." And so on.

Well put! I am glad this topic has been "aired". I know I'll think twice and reread the language of a post that "corrects" another. The information must be sound and the response must seem non-hostile. Otherwise we do little more than alienate another member and help crush their enthusiasm to learn more of the Civil War study we all value so dearly.

 

[Lnwlf]

It takes all kinds to make the world go 'round... and they are all here!

Threads like this, and there are several, can be highly instructive to the newbies and old hands alike. The key is to lurk and learn for a while to see how posters interact. One quickly learns which ones to avoid, which ones are approachable, which ones to approach with caution, etc., etc.. Just be aware that we are all human, and as I'm sure you have found in your lifetime, we all have our "ways" about us. For the veterans here, Ole has said it numerous times; we should keep in mind that newbies don't know us yet, and we should handle them a little differently. That does not mean to ignore falsehoods, but administer correction in a slightly gentler tone. We do for the most part have a great bunch here, but yes, there are a couple here
that well,... you will learn!

 

[Specster]

I never lie, and I'm always right. That's why its so infuriating when people insist disagreeing with me/being wrong!

"Forget it, Jake. Its the internet."

I am always right, I once thought I was wrong, but, upon further research, I realized I was right.

 

[MRB1863]

That does not mean to ignore falsehoods, but administer correction in a slightly gentler tone

EXACTLY!!!! Very well said. Thank you Lnwlf! Now let's talk about Jackson at Gettysburg.