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

Where have you gone?

Oh, other people seem to think that my notorious temper got the better of me again (although I thought I was quite mild this time around). I've been accused of 'setting a bad example' so I thought I'd lie low and cool off for a while.

Since you are the closest thing I have to a friend in the Towers, I just thought I might share a few thoughts with you. I try very hard in life to be agreeable to others, although sometimes it is a bind. Most people who know me say I'm a big softy with a bit of a truculent manner, but my heart is good.

I tend to put a lot of store by the idea of 'integrity': that is, I mean and do what I say, and I try not to have any 'side'. The idea of integrity in h2g2 is important to me too. I've worked hard to try add something of value to this site: I'm a bloody good writer (even though I say so myself) and a pretty good Scout too. When I see what I perceive to be acts of vandalism in the 'community' (such as posting spurious entries to waste the time of other volunteers) makes me very angry. I don't just call the cops, I also get involved and try to nip it in the bud. I'm afraid it's in my nature to do this. It's probably as much of a failing as a virtue.

However, the most hurtful aspect of what has happened recently is that I have been criticised by a fellow Scout for being 'impolite', whereas it seemed to me that few other volunteers were prepared to step forward and defend the stand I was taking. I suffered a hell of a lot more abuse than I gave out and, believe me, I can really dole it out when I want to. When it comes to the crunch, what is more important: one's proprieties, or one's values?

I understand that as a volunteer I have both rights and responsibilities, but felt that the criticism I received recently from my own side was disproportionate, blinkered, and concentrated on responsibilities to the exclusion of rights.

I personally think that no-one should be expected to have unending forbearance. This hardening of my attitude towards oiks and trolls has come about because of several personal developments. My parents are undergoing an acrimonious divorce (God knows, they had a miserable marriage) and I recently got the news that my dad has collapsed at home. We shall know what is going on when the tests come back, but at the very least he's very ill. The time I spend here, trying to make h2g2 what it aspires to eventually be, is time spent out of my personal life. I intend to ensure that the time is well spent, since I've once again got the message in Big Red Letters that it is only a finite commodity. And I can't help getting angry about others who think it's amusing and clever to waste it.

Sorry to be such a bear.

FM

I'm sorry to hear of your family troubles. I hope that things get easier for you and your family soon.

I've got out to leave the office for a while, but I'll come back and answer more fully later.