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Drama: Run with the pack or what is shmeng??? |
Posted by
feralucce on Tuesday, July 20, 2004 - 12:04 AM PST
I believe that an understanding can be reached by outlining what we want from our home. Not only can the newbis come to understand what Shmeng is all about, and learn WHY things are as they are... but also I believe it will remind us all why we are here.
First of all I would like to address my feelings on Shmeng. To some, it is just a website, a place to drop digital interaction and chill. But I have always seen it as something more. The Elders (for lack of a better word) are an incredibly close-knit bunch. The Shmengfest showed that... people coming together and expressing admiration for one another and a sincere respect for one another's intellect.
Have you ever had a conversation that was so intense, so deep, that your entire life force was invested in it? Now... let us imagine that conversation went on forever. People joined in with an intense discourse that was more captivating than anything you had ever experienced. That is what we seek to create in Shmeng... and in many cases – we succeed.
Now, imagine that someone busts in on your conversation, not adding anything to it, but instead saying something along the lines of (insert valley girl imitation), “like, I totally understand.” -or- “me too” -or- “asl” -or- any of the other inane things that can be said to stop a conversation. It destroys the momentum of thought, screws up the vibe, and what's more, wounds the conversation... sometimes irreparably.
Again, imagine: this conversation is happening in your living room, close friends and friends of friends feeding the fires of intellectual and intense discourse... The conversation is almost perfectly executed. THEN – someone you don't know throws your door open... stumbling around, breaking things, moving them and insulting the intelligence of everyone in the room. How would you react? I am willing to bet you would react in an emotionally charged and negative manner.
Why do you assume that we would react any different? Why would you be offended by this reaction? Why are you surprised that we get defensive of our territory?
Now, some might say (in fact, some have said it) that “Is this a website or is it your life? That way of thinking seems to be far too intense to me when it comes to a website. I understand that it's important to you but isn't that just over reacting just a little bit?”
Yes, it is... but Shmeng is not just a website. Shmeng is a community. The members, once they prove themselves able to consistently perform above the standards mandated by that community. Some of you will ask, “how can a website be a community?” Shmeng is just the front door to a group of people that would do almost anything for each other. Like a pack, they may not always get along, or even like each other, but even those Elders that cannot stand one another would walk through the fire for one another.
Now – I have stated that we have standards. And that someone wishing to belong to a pack or community must make the effort to live up to the standards set forth by said community. For some, that means that we ask you to conform. I am not sure I can follow that logic, but I have been assured that is the impression taken away from these encounters.
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Run with the pack or what is shmeng??? | Login/Create an account | 15 Comments |
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Re: Run with the pack or what is shmeng???
by Schizo (Aranea@spidersdance.com)
on Jul 20, 2004 - 02:37 AM
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Feral, I agree 100%. Shmeng IS like an elite school. You don't get admitted just by knocking on the door. You have to show that you are capable of participating, otherwise it is just a waste of the instructors' and other students' time.
On the other hand, we ARE equal opportunity. It does not matter what your race, age, or creed is, as long you can show that your presence makes Shmeng MORE rather than LESS than what it is.
I would be very wary of anyone who tried to conform to Shmeng. I shudder at the thought of anyone coming to this website trying to be Schizo. It would completely creep me out. None of us tried to "be" anything but what we were, and we were tested and accepted on the strength of that. It is not what we conform to, just what we are, that fits together and works to create the atmosphere of intelligence and exploration that exists here at Shmeng.
We ask no one to conform. We simply ask that you either show the Shmeng-worthy aspects of your true nature, or please go away.
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Re: Run with the pack or what is shmeng???
by Devin (devin-at-vibechild-dot-com)
on Jul 20, 2004 - 08:28 AM
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http://devin.vibechild.com/
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I've been trying to find time to write this for a few weeks now. It's all needed to be said. I'm glad someone wrote it for me. I'm a bit surprised that it came from Feral, but I have to say I'm impressed. Feral, I think this is one of the better things I've seen you write. Thanks.
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Re: Run with the pack or what is shmeng???
by littlegothgirlthatcould (thelittlegothgirlthatcould@yahoo.com)
on Feb 15, 2007 - 09:22 AM
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Okay, Ferraluce, I give... I came in and acted like a complete ass and like a noisy idiot and I learned from my experience as you were so kind to email me and inform me of my... mistake for lack of a better word.
Thank you and I respect your brilliance.
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Re: Run with the pack or what is shmeng???
by pale-face (-)
on Feb 18, 2007 - 09:20 PM
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this was an enlightening piece that helped me shed some light onto some of me weaknesses. i have always tried to impress the members of this sight, pay my dues and earn my respect. Now, my success in doing so is questionable but i feel as though i must confess. when i signed up to this sight i was an ignorant 14 year old trying to, as you say, run with the pack. unfortunately for me the pack consisted of intellectual marathon runners and i was out of breath before I started running. i hope i can get in better shape so to say. and if i say something totally fucking stupid call me on it, hell if you feel i'm one of the useless and mindless posters that you spoke of tell me and i'll fuck off till i think i can contribute something worth saying. thank you, goodnight.
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