The spirit of the forum -- please read this

[Chris Alpiar]

Hi folks!

As with all internet forums, we go through waves of peaceful times and into bubbles where things get heated, egos clash, words that shouldn't have been are spoken, etc.

It feels that this is one of the turbulent moments. Relax. Lets all step back a second and remember what we are doing here, why are we composers, and why are we congregating online.

Every internet forum of every type runs into this problem. The phenomenon that one can say something behind a cloak of anonymity or at least through a wall between public discussion and physical presence (online vs real life), and never be punched in the nose for being outlandishly rude is the root of the problem. Folks feel it is their right to say whatever it is they please without any repercussion or regard to whose feelings they may have hurt or angered.

Add this whole thing to a group of composers: highly intelligent, rawly emotional, extremely overworked and even more extremely underpaid, living under a cloud created by society that makes us not have the value or place that we deserve in society, and hey! Ego's clash, sparks fly!

This is human nature, and it happens. However, this is NOT why we created the Composers' Forum. Rather it was designed as a place to bring the goodness of a great group of people together to share and learn from each other in hopes of making our lives more rich and meaningful. A way to learn from others' mistakes and successes. A way to belong someplace where folks share and offer thoughtful critique. A place with much goodness and love among a brotherhood as sacred as any secret society or fraternity. 

So I ask you, if you find yourself needing to exacerbate in your posts, find yourself slinging mud because hey you can and its the internet. Please take a moment and consider why you joined this forum. Being 'better than' anyone will do you nothing, even if it would be in anything other than your own mind. And there are a lot of folks who are trying very hard to participate as a composer at varying degrees in their lives/ careers, and its about as hard of a route as anything on the planet. Lets have enough respect for each other as brothers and sisters of MUSIC and COMPOSITION to drop the pretense of butting egos. God knows I have done it in the past, however well intended. And in the end, it did me nothing other than estrange me from someone who is a peer in an amazingly small group of like-minded people on this planet.

Seriously, if you want to have success, whether professionally or as an act of love only, ostracizing the folks that understand your goals the best (even if not 100%) is crazy! So lets let our hairs down, learn a little, love a little. Enjoy music and being a composer!

It doesn't mean to not be pointed in discussion. Our keen minds are only sharpened through argument and rebuttal. But this needs to be done out of respect and not out of my side is right your side is a bunch of frackin idiots. I know words can be difficult to see sarcasm and emotion, and its also easy to interpret things as being abrasive that aren't. So on the other end, before we get offended at someones words and then spiral down the rant abyss, take a minute and check out if that text that got you so worked up, is it certainly intended in that way? Or is there another perspective?

Thanks, and Ill get off my soap box now. Hugs and kisses for all (and nipple tweaking if ya let me!!!)

Chris Alpiar

CF Admin

[pete whitfield]

There is a job waiting for you and the United Nations Chris! Beautifully written. And I'm not being nice just 'cos I know you aren't near enough to tweak my nipples!

[SEDstar]

I cant abide any nipple tweaking.... lol

[marv cripps]

Most excellent, Chris!

[Simon Godden]

Nice one Chris, I've always respected your views, and still do. I'll back off.

[Tombo Rombo]

I agree 100% Chris. Way to step to the plate.

[Chris Alpiar]

Yea sorry I have not been more active this summer as an admin or a member. Its just been a whirlwind moving my studio to Atlanta and getting started over (once again, as I have a habit of living in one city for 3 to 6 years and moving on - Memphis, Brooklyn, Pleasantville NY, Syracuse NY, Miami, Boston, Manhattan, Hollywood (FL), Seattle, Los Angeles, Dayton, now Atlanta!) but I am trying to get more time in to keep things balanced

[tony hartmann]

Hear!Hear!, Mr. Alpiar, I drink a pint of good common sense to your good common sense. Cheers,
tony h

[Jimmy Hinson]

I haven't been hanging around as much as I should, so I guess I've (thankfully) missed any of the dramarama, but man, very well said post mang!

[Bruno Ruiz Belmont]

I'm a new member and just ran into this. Couldn't agree more!

Best of lucks to you all!

 

[Alpa]

Very well said, Chris, and i go further, i would say: i believe this should be the "spirit of the world".

 

Best wishes,

Alpa.

 

[Martha Maria / Dogwood Daughter]

I have missed the fireworks as I have not checked in too frequently of late.  So, referenced specifics are over my head, but I like your sentiments.  

 

[Geoff Gallegos/Double G]

Appreciate that.  There's plenty of beat-down on this path already.

Unrelated...How do you draw a nipple tweak with keyboard characters?

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