This is the Message Centre for a girl called Ben
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Gridlock?
a girl called Ben Started conversation Jul 28, 2003
Some of you may have read this in the thread in which the original version was posted.
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GRIDLOCK?
Let's look at this in a historical perspective, rather than an hysterical one.
December 2000 - the site is bought by the BBC, a yahoo group is set up by the Italics who say nothing, and tell us to wait. April 2001 the site is back, the Italics have been bound to silence by their professionalism and their contracts of employment with the BBC. (It should be noted that they were not paid for a significant period of time around Christmas 2000 - their dedication to the good of the site was considerable).
April 2001 - the site has to operate under Moderation. The Italics have to implement and, in public at least, support this policy. They spend over a year telling the Powers Behind the Towers "these are responsible people - trust them", and all the time they were bound to silence by their professionalism and their contracts with the BBC. And all the time personal and general abuse was poured on their heads. Their coolness under fire was considerable.
April 2001 - it was no longer possible to post links in forums. The Italics spent over a year saying "h2g2 users are responsible people - trust them". After a while, the BBC trusted us, and it was good.
Summer 2001 - there was a major hoo-hah about lifetime bans, which was escalated to people within the BBC but outside h2g2. The Italics said very little, and were heaped with abuse on and off site. (Goated almost beyond endurance, some of them). But they got the situation back under control. The community settled back down again. Their patience throughout was considerable.
Summer 2003 - the BBC again impose restrictions on the site. The community again starts abusing the Italics. The Italics again say very little....
... fill in the blank here yourself.
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So-o-o-o if we are being scrutinised by Higher Powers it behooves us to behave.
If we hadn't proved trustworthy with expletives we would either still be moderated, or - given the known pressure on resources - we would have been closed down.
If we hadn't proved to be responsible in the links that we posted we would not be able to post any.
If we don't treat the Higher Powers with courtesy and respect, we cannot conceivably expect courtesy and respect in return.
Elsewhere I have jibed at the suggestion that it was a good idea to try to make someone 'become a better person'.
Well, now I am urging all of us to become better people. Trust the Italics - they have been silent before while all the time they were negotiating with Higher Ups.
And for goodness' sake do as you would be done by so far as BBC employees are concerned. Follow the rules of the site. No trolling, no flaming, no spamming - and this goes for inboxes of the senior members of the BBC *far more* than it goes for the threads in the forums here.
I have an awful feeling we have a tiger by the tail.
a doomsayer called Ben
[email protected]
Gridlock?
J Posted Jul 28, 2003
What, are you trying out puns on me beforehand? 
Read it... got it. Good point 
Gridlock?
a girl called Ben Posted Jul 28, 2003
Well the point about a good joke, is that you have *always* heard it before...
B
Gridlock?
Tube - the being being back for the time being Posted Jul 28, 2003
"(Goated almost beyond endurance, some of them)"
Oooohhhh, I remember *that* one. 
Gridlock?
Blues Shark - For people who like this sort of thing, then this is just the sort of thing they'll like Posted Jul 28, 2003
I whole heartedly agree with the sentiments, if deploring the pun...
Gridlock?
Blues Shark - For people who like this sort of thing, then this is just the sort of thing they'll like Posted Jul 28, 2003
Hmm, I prefer to see myself as a Mome rath, myself...
Bad puns, naughty Ben...
Gridlock?
a girl called Ben Posted Jul 28, 2003
Well, at one point I was conducting my sex life on the principle of the slogan of the amateur Ice-Hockey association: Will puck for funs...
B
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Blues Shark - For people who like this sort of thing, then this is just the sort of thing they'll like Posted Jul 28, 2003
Oh, stop it...off topic or what?
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Feisor - -0- Generix I made it back - sortof ... Posted Jul 28, 2003
May I add my applause??
While I often have misgivings about "developments" I have always trusted the Italics (Bless 'em) to do the right thing for hootoo - and so far have not been (too) disappointed.
I dips me lid .....
Ben, you manage to be a voice of calm in an atmosphere of confusion and chaos 
Gridlock?
Doctor Ron.. takin care a bizness.. Posted Jul 28, 2003
Excuse please, missy doomsayer, but I crave you explain what are italics and why are they called that?
Also, if it pleases you, would you explain why this site no longer adheres to the sentiments expressed by its founder?
Thank you for your time,
Dr. Ron, at your service.. perhaps.. no foolin..
PS.. In silence lurks the worst fears of the imagination because in the absence of authoritative answers, there can be only speculation, mostly of the worst sort as well.
Not a good strategy to enhance comprehension. If 'italics', whomever they might be, have been misunderstood in the past, this could be the reason perhaps?
Key: Complain about this post
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Gridlock?
- 1: a girl called Ben (Jul 28, 2003)
- 2: J (Jul 28, 2003)
- 3: a girl called Ben (Jul 28, 2003)
- 4: Tube - the being being back for the time being (Jul 28, 2003)
- 5: a girl called Ben (Jul 28, 2003)
- 6: Tube - the being being back for the time being (Jul 28, 2003)
- 7: Peta (Jul 28, 2003)
- 8: a girl called Ben (Jul 28, 2003)
- 9: Tube - the being being back for the time being (Jul 28, 2003)
- 10: Blues Shark - For people who like this sort of thing, then this is just the sort of thing they'll like (Jul 28, 2003)
- 11: a girl called Ben (Jul 28, 2003)
- 12: Blues Shark - For people who like this sort of thing, then this is just the sort of thing they'll like (Jul 28, 2003)
- 13: a girl called Ben (Jul 28, 2003)
- 14: Blues Shark - For people who like this sort of thing, then this is just the sort of thing they'll like (Jul 28, 2003)
- 15: Tefkat (Jul 28, 2003)
- 16: Z (Jul 28, 2003)
- 17: Feisor - -0- Generix I made it back - sortof ... (Jul 28, 2003)
- 18: Tefkat (Jul 28, 2003)
- 19: coelacanth (Jul 28, 2003)
- 20: Doctor Ron.. takin care a bizness.. (Jul 28, 2003)
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