h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

It's good to see you so flexible. I shall drop by sometime to see how the group works up.

'Scuse me for butting in here, but let's examine two points:

1) You don't want to start any sort of divisiveness, or at least want to avoid it.
2) You started advocating two different sorts of membership, which to me would seem to add divisiveness.

It would seem to make more sense to make membership unequivocal and not hinging on the eating habits of the members. I mean, I see the point of giving up meat and all, but I really don't want to personally. That doesn't automatically mean that I'd be a firebrand in the group, cursing all involved by not succumbing to pork chops every now and again, it just means I have a different philosophy.

Of course, it doesn't mean I don't needle veggies when I get the chance, and they have every right to do the same to me, just 'cause I like BLTs and they prefer LTs (or whatever).

Just something to think about.

I just want to point out that I don't actually find any offense in a society of vegetarians not admitting people who eat meat. If it seemed that I was concerned, I apologise for the misunderstanding—clearly I wasn't being an annoying weasel to the fullest extent of my capability. I'll do better next time.

But honestly, I don't think there are many omnivores who give a pair of fetid dingo's kidneys about joining a vegetarian society, so it's a waste of time and effort to try to incorporate them. It'll also make sort of a joke out of your little club. What, indeed, would be the point? Unless you just want to start a "People Who Like to Talk About Not Eating Meat" club, which is quite a different thing.

That's what I was thinking, KM. But I'm trying to be more open to suggestions, and the others had a good point too, so I was giving it a chance. And whoever said that having 2 different lists was divisive (sorry I forgot who--beetle, spartus? I've been drinking way too much diet coke lately. ) that's true too. Maybe I should keep it the way it is after all. I mean it's nice that people like beetle can eat meat and still appreciate our cause, but it's really meant to be a society for people who don't eat meat. People who are vegetarians for amoral reasons are welcome as well, so it's not really founded on moral principles. It's not meant for making a stand, but rather as a place of refuge. And like I said, tolerant individuals who choose to eat meat are still welcome to visit and discuss, but I just can't envision a vegetarian society with official members who eat meat. I know I said I'd consider it, but I did, and I decided against it. Sorry beetle, it's nothing personal.

Yah, hm, we definitely need another divisive society on h2g2.

Can I just make a suggestion? Create a guide page, make it a vegetarian discussion place, but don't make it a "society" with "member" and stuff. Cos all that creates is a "I want to be in charge of something" situation. And you're gonna generate political problems when people don't agree. And so on.

By the way, people aren't vegetarians for amoral reasons. People are vegetarians for moral reasons, and they're vegetarians for other reasons. It's not amoral to be a vegetarian, right? Think about what you're saying.

Z, whatever you choose is up to you. If you don't think this could be open to supporters, that is for you to say. I would however like to say i have voloenteered time and effort to other groups where i did not meet the general qualifications.

To me this is like saying you have to be black to march with Martin Luthur King Jr. do you have to be homosexual to ask the government for marriage rights? Do i have to be female to want equil pay?

Z, be wary of being so selective. It is difficult to spread the word if you don't talk to anyone else.

But beetle, like I said, this isn't about making a moral stand, like all the other things you just mentioned. Just a place for vegetarians to hang out. Read the mission statement at the bottom of the page. Think of it as an online vegetarian resturant. I honestly don't think this will make anyone upset. The list is so people can find other vegetarians to talk to. I honestly don't think this will make anyone upset. I've been meaning to make some kind of society, and this is what I decided on. I think they are really cool ideas that help people find h2g2 users who have similar interests or personalities. Look at the success of the Historical Society! They have inspired people to write historical articles and now they are being approved en masse! I know this is a bit different, but I really don't see it as divisive, because they are still part of the whole and it's just another thing to do. H2G2 is huge, with as many members as a medium sized American city. Does everyone who belongs to an organized group in cities automatically become a destructive force on the city? Most groups only make it stronger, adding to the cultural environment. What's the problem?

And Greg, don't mix up "amoral" with "immoral". Amoral means there are no moral issues involved. Immoral means that something is morally unacceptable. I'm not trying to be pedantic, I just want you to understand what I meant.

Anyway, I appreciate your concern but I still think it's a good idea. I've already sent an email to Peta, in hopes of being listed on her "Picks". So thank you for your input, but it's decided now. And I didn't mean that in a snooty way or anything, I really did listen to your ideas. I just disagree. LOL Chances are it'll flop anyways. My track record at sucessful clubs is not very good, considering I've been trying since I was 6. The only one that really even did anything was the MFFC, and that's been pretty dead since before my birthday. Thanks again, and please, I know I probably said some things that didn't make sense, so no picking my words apart and finding flaws, ok? (I'm looking at you Spartus! ) Wish me luck!

Well, if you talk like this to the people in your little club it'll definitely fail, yeah.

That is all.

I dunno, some people like being condescended at.

come on guys, he is trying to work things out. Z has not tried a lot of things out yet. No, his setup isn't grand, but there are probably others with similar feelings. If this is how is wants to work, than that's how it is going. This is his choice.

Let him see if this works for him. If it doesn't, he has the opertinity to change.

*briefly stops cloning self*

Oh yeah, that's right. There's that free will thing. Forgot, sorry.

I'm sorry if I came across as condescending, that wasn't my intention at all. I certainly don't think I'm better than you! I just wanted to make it clear that I had made up my mind, and that further discussion was futile because I already set things in motion. I try to speak very plainly, maybe I just talk strangely and it gives false connotations. But honestly, I wasn't copping an attitude at all. I seriously was thankful for the advice, and I really thought about it before I arrived at my final decision. Anyway thanks for the support guys. I look forward to the growth of the society.