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

Hi B, you're the last one on my list to get his wrist slapped. As I just said to Pinniped, I don't point fingers, or judge, I leave that to people who know 'better' than me. I've made my round now, and here is where i started: http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/brunel/F52677?thread=3962773&post=46505528#p46505528 I didn't want to repeat it all, hence I decided to post the link. Bel

I think several people have been very short-sighted here, Bel. You included.

I repeat: I didn't post it to PR in order to be inflammatory. FM, frankly, was so condescending and arrogant that I removed it first thing this morning in order that I didn't have to listen to him being puffed up about it.

Yes, it required a style re-write, but the content is no less one-sided (and certainly a great deal more interesting) than just about anything I've seen in PR over the last two months. I've missed my last two Scout picks simply because I cannot find anything worthwhile.

B

Well, if you re-read what I said last night, I admitted that it was very interesting, but that it would need to be changed and maybe a point or two would have been to be added for a balance.
I didn't think you intended to be inflammatory, but as you've been a scout for so long and know exactly the rules, I thought you meant to provoke a debate - which as such is a good thing, imo. The way it went, though, was very unfortunate, to put it mildly.
I'm sorry that you feel there hasn't been anything worth picking in PR, but then maybe you could get involved a bit more and help things getting to your standard? I hardly ever see you comment anywhere, so how do you expect people to know what your criticism is when you don't post it? I for one am grateful for every comment I get in PR.

Thank you for trying for trying to mediate, Bel, but do us a favour please, and don't try and offer an 'easy' solution. PR _is_ in dire straits: what other reason can you give for the 'Editors T-Shirt Challenges' that keep popping up?

What does leave a sick taste in the mouth is how FM has used to the whole thing in order to develop a shallow personal attack. I notice the extent to which he's harped on about my shortcomings in the thread you started on his page. He appears to have as good as admitted that he has bullied me into silence - frankly some people aren't worth trying to speak to.

B

Sorry Ben, it wasn't meant as an easy solution, but as a step to one. I don't think that we should go for an 'either,or' here, but that we have to do the 'in between', the little we can if we want to change things. You've been involved in all this for far longer than me, so you have seen all the cycles and are maybe desillusioned. I wouldn't say I have many illusions, but I'm still fresher at this, so maybe I have more hope.

As for what FM said about you in that thread: I'm sure he'd have no problem to say it to your face, although that's excatly what I'd like to avoid, if possible. I mean, that's how this started, the reason why I made the round to talk to all of you. So I guess you don't mind if I don't comment on that. It's like I said: it's a pity you can't find a common ground to try to get to the same goal. I'm not going to try to convince you and FM to be good friends, I'm not stupid. I like it when people are at peace with one another, but sometimes, it looks as if this shall not be. However, in your case, I think it would be best if you didn't talk at all with FM and vice versa- but I know that's illusory. Oh well.

And I did indeed forget that I posted the link to that conversation which made access even easier - oh well.