i have just read a post from one of our members who has raised a topic about the recent going on's in bedlam.

i would like to raise this issue so all bedlam members may post there own opinions on this subject and can judge whether its a fair assessment or not.

the complaint seems to be that bedlam has been devalued by groups of posters forming clique's, quasi chat rooms and engaging in childish backslapping humour.

he seems to think that the balance of humour, bawdiness and serious discussion has been destroyed and the bedlam of old has disappeared rendering it unenjoyable for him. ?

i would like to add my opinion to kick it off.

as far as serious discussion goes, i thought that was left for the general forum and bedlam was lightly moderated, so seasoned posters could have a bit of fun without the fear of being banned. ( within reason of course )

as far as childish backslapping humour goes, it seems to me, as in real life, that certain posters share similar humour, so how can one group be devalued. ?

its only natural that similar thinking people gravitate towards each other enjoying common thoughts.

bedlam is an open book and all posters should be able to express there unique sense of humour without fear of serious attack and posts being raised in objection.

some of the subjects raised in bedlam i find unhumourous, but i dont condem the poster as other people enjoy them.

humour is in the mind of the reader, we are all individual and think differently enjoying some peoples humour whilst rejecting others. ( only natural )

let every poster be his own person i say, especially in bedlam.

thank you very much.

terry

without prejudise to the original author.

i have just read a post from one of our members who has raised a topic about the recent going on's in bedlam.

i would like to raise this issue so all bedlam members may post there own opinions on this subject and can judge whether its a fair assessment or not.

the complaint seems to be that bedlam has been devalued by groups of posters forming clique's, quasi chat rooms and engaging in childish backslapping humour.

he seems to think that the balance of humour, bawdiness and serious discussion has been destroyed and the bedlam of old has disappeared rendering it unenjoyable for him. ?

i would like to add my opinion to kick it off.

as far as serious discussion goes, i thought that was left for the general forum and bedlam was lightly moderated, so seasoned posters could have a bit of fun without the fear of being banned. ( within reason of course )

as far as childish backslapping humour goes, it seems to me, as in real life, that certain posters share similar humour, so how can one group be devalued. ?

its only natural that similar thinking people gravitate towards each other enjoying common thoughts.

bedlam is an open book and all posters should be able to express there unique sense of humour without fear of serious attack and posts being raised in objection.

some of the subjects raised in bedlam i find unhumourous, but i dont condem the poster as other people enjoy them.

humour is in the mind of the reader, we are all individual and think differently enjoying some peoples humour whilst rejecting others. ( only natural )

let every poster be his own person i say, especially in bedlam.

thank you very much.

terry

without prejudise to the original author.

Saw the same post.

All seemed a bit serious to me. Complaining about 'bedlam

The name says it all. I just think that some people take themselves and the forum a little too serious at times .

I use it for 1) Entertainment, 2)Information 3) Having the craic.

As an only occasional visitor to bedlam I do not see what the problem is with it. Its not for everyones tastes. I just think that some people take themselves too serious and have no sort of life.

You on the other hand terry , now you are a man of the cloth I hear

Terry.

I know the post to which you are referring.

I've only been a member of bedlam for a relatively short space of time...... but I read everything in here.

I don't get involved in the political threads as, to be quite honest, it pointless.... you will never sway anyone if they have strong political opinions/convictions .... banging my head on the wall has never been a favourite hobby.

The child-like (not childish, there's a big difference) story tellings, I may take the occasional shot at. (but I'm still on the casting couch most of the time and I refuse to join in until I have a part that suits my stature.... so, ner )

Any topic that I do feel that I am qualified to make a statement, I will do.

I like Bedlam, it's a troll free zone (in the true definition of the one trick pony)..... you can just be you, without the burden of multi-personality thuggies spoiling the event.

As I said before, I read everything, up to me if I want to get involved or not, if I don't I just change the channel.

I would think if you want to discuss a post I made elsewhere, that would be the place to have that discussion.

Failing that, a link to the post so it could be read in entirety would be a reasonable option.

To selectively quote it, and then ask for opinions is a little beyond the pale.

Without prejudise (sic) to the original author

as far as serious discussion goes, i thought that was left for the general forum and bedlam was lightly moderated, so seasoned posters could have a bit of fun without the fear of being banned. ( within reason of course )

Seems like there might be a serious topic that can not be discussed in the general forum that could be discussed here so I don't think that bedlam is here just for the purpose of humor....although since most of the posters here don't seem to be able to keep their humor out of any thread here any attempt at a serious discussion is quickly destroyed. It would be nice if people could modulate their impulses to express humor but it doesn't seem to be happening that way. This doesn't bother me......bedlam is mostly just shit anyway and as they say you can't polish a turd. As to the quality of humor....whatever....I don't read most of what gets posted here because I find most of it to be boring...I just jump in occasionally if I get an idea and I check things occasionally to see if I can find some inspiration to add some of my own awful attempts at humor. I think most people here (myself included) post a little bit of good stuff and a lot of shit....oh well.

as far as serious discussion goes, i thought that was left for the general forum and bedlam was lightly moderated, so seasoned posters could have a bit of fun without the fear of being banned. ( within reason of course )

.....bedlam is mostly just shit anyway and as they say you can't polish a turd.

Thats funny pal

I would think if you want to discuss a post I made elsewhere, that would be the place to have that discussion.

Failing that, a link to the post so it could be read in entirety would be a reasonable option.

To selectively quote it, and then ask for opinions is a little beyond the pale.

Without prejudise (sic) to the original author

im extremely sorry ive made a spelling mistake so i'll have another go. " PREDUDICE "

i did not want to raise this subject in general forum as your comments are aimed directly at bedlam viewers, so i feel that this is the place to air your opinions.

the post i have made contains all of your feelings on the subject, but if you feel i am being unfair in my post feel free to provide a link, and the subject can be discussed with your approval.

you have a mod that is possibly agreeing with you so let the discussion begin.

Nice post from terry - you see he can up the quality of his contributions!

Regarding Bedlam, I think it's fab, brill, I really enjoy it. I read everything, although I sometimes lose interest in the political threads as they just get too long. As to the child-like humour, it's a humourous place to be, so obviously some of the humour will be child-like. That's real life. Terry's point about people gravitating towards each other is just life as well. I have some really good on-line friends in Bedlam. Long may it continue.

I would think if you want to discuss a post I made elsewhere, that would be the place to have that discussion.

Failing that, a link to the post so it could be read in entirety would be a reasonable option.

To selectively quote it, and then ask for opinions is a little beyond the pale.

Without prejudise (sic) to the original author

im extremely sorry ive made a spelling mistake so i'll have another go. " PREDUDICE "

Have another go terry

ps try a 'j'

Any chance of a link to the original post so I can read it in full.

Good post Tel, it will always be horses for courses and if you don't like the look of a thread, just don't continue with it.

Things being devalued can only be judged by each individual and there own points of view, norms, standards and on occasion culture and prejudices.

Some take offence and bite, some take offence and move on, there are some posters that I see and just pass on to the next.

Without having viewed your post in full OC, at face value you may have taken it too seriously but then you may not have done, it all depends on how you view it, no one else can judge that.

For my part if nothing else Bedlam has given us the Youtube thread, full of rubbish, brilliance, moving reports and in my view overall fantastic viewing.

Congrats to Tuky for starting it and an especial thanks to Patsycat for the Luke Kelly version of 'Simplicity'.

Good Luck

Moss

I would think if you want to discuss a post I made elsewhere, that would be the place to have that discussion.

Failing that, a link to the post so it could be read in entirety would be a reasonable option.

To selectively quote it, and then ask for opinions is a little beyond the pale.

Without prejudise (sic) to the original author

im extremely sorry ive made a spelling mistake so i'll have another go. " PREDUDICE "

Have another go terry

ps try a 'j'

cricky's jack,

i got to get a new dictionary

lucky ive got you here to pull me up

here we go and third time lucky they say.

1,= prejudise, wrong

2, = predudice, wrong

3, = " PREJUDICE " CORRECT

thank you very much.

Back slapping, childish humor is what Bedlam is all about. I think so anyway. Nobody here should or does get mean. It's for fun. there are alot of other forums here that you can get serious on. Is most of bedlam crap? Sure it is, It's BEDLAM !

Firstly to set the record straight, I didn't raise the topic elsewhere as Terry has stated, I just posted on it. The topic title was about the mood of Thaivisa changing.

If you people in Bedlam want to discuss my post I have copied it below in entirety so you can read it in context.

It is of course, my opinions of how things have changed here in recent times and you are free to disagree. More than 400 people have qualified for Bedlam over the years and only a small percentage still post. I have noticed some former regulars have disappeared of late.

QUOTE(bronco @ 2007-03-03 10:23:31)

If certain posters annoy you, then choose the ignore function, quite a few members do that.

That's easier said than done Bronco.

It's difficult to ignore annoying posters when they decimate every thread you may be interested in.

There are now groups of posters who seem to take over every thread they are attracted to and turn them into quasi chat rooms. Then, often with little regard for the topic or the OP, they, and their followers, flood it with self aggrandisement and back slapping childish humour.

Their style of chat, instead of on topic posts, means they qualify for Bedlam in record time, and they have now taken over that forum and destroyed the balance of humour, bawdiness and serious discussion that was the hallmark of the place.

Dare I use the word clique (we know what happenned to the last thread!), but there

are groups, and individuals, who have divided their fellow posters into the "cool" kids and the others. I feel like I'm back in high school (Only then I was in the cool group)

Anyway, that's my whinge. No doubt they'll have fun with it.

Grumpy Old Croc

Just to qualify my thoughts on humour: I do realise there are many different levels ranging from vaque, highbrow, dry through to child-like and slapstick. To each their own. I am not asking people to like what I like or what Terry57 likes.

As you can see from my post above, my whinge is mainly about the taking over of threads and carrying on chat-like conversations off topic.

The self aggrandisement and sycophantic backslapping I personally find to be way, way overdone and vomit inducing. However, thats just me. If it was contained within the topics created for the purpose, I don't have to read them.

My main point is the 5 or 6 proponents of this type of "entertainment" spill over into all corners of Bedlam and have destroyed what I feel was a balance of all things.

Repeating, I do find the constant reasserting and naming of bestest friends, gang members, loving pals, etc, and the complete obscession with your own on-line personna, very childish (child-like). I guess the people who like to do this will use this thread to perpetuate the practice.

I would think if you want to discuss a post I made elsewhere, that would be the place to have that discussion.

Failing that, a link to the post so it could be read in entirety would be a reasonable option.

To selectively quote it, and then ask for opinions is a little beyond the pale.

Without prejudise (sic) to the original author

OC

You once made a small comment about me not understanding irony, did I take umbrage, no.... if you wanted to continue that course, this is the place to do it .... in here, in relatively privacy.... and you would have been quite within your rights to do so.

The mention of 'Bedlam' in the public forum, I have a real problem with, especially when the required post count for membership is stated.

If you have a problem with any forum member, report it to a Mod and/or PM them, if you find a topic a dirge to read, stop reading it.

If you mention the existence of Bedlam in the public forum, don't be surprised if a thread gets started out of public view. (especially if it is critical) ..... you have been here long enough, you should know that (ironic, ain't it) :D

The self aggrandisement and sycophantic backslapping I personally find to be way, way overdone and vomit inducing. However, thats just me. If it was contained within the topics created for the purpose, I don't have to read them.

My main point is the 5 or 6 proponents of this type of "entertainment" spill over into all corners of Bedlam and have destroyed what I feel was a balance of all things.

Repeating, I do find the constant reasserting and naming of bestest friends, gang members, loving pals, etc, and the complete obscession with your own on-line personna, very childish (child-like). I guess the people who like to do this will use this thread to perpetuate the practice.

Right on, Croc...

I would think if you want to discuss a post I made elsewhere, that would be the place to have that discussion.

Failing that, a link to the post so it could be read in entirety would be a reasonable option.

To selectively quote it, and then ask for opinions is a little beyond the pale.

Without prejudise (sic) to the original author

OC

You once made a small comment about me not understanding irony, did I take umbrage, no.... if you wanted to continue that course, this is the place to do it .... in here, in relatively privacy.... and you would have been quite within your rights to do so.

The mention of 'Bedlam' in the public forum, I have a real problem with, especially when the required post count for membership is stated.

If you have a problem with any forum member, report it to a Mod and/or PM them, if you find a topic a dirge to read, stop reading it.

If you mention the existence of Bedlam in the public forum, don't be surprised if a thread gets started out of public view. (especially if it is critical) ..... you have been here long enough, you should know that (ironic, ain't it) :D

I noticed you got your knickers in a knot with me once upon a time. I never quite understood why, and you didn't explain it to give me a chance to address it.

I moved on. PM me if you want to continue discussion or go the the worstest posters thread.

A bit off topic here?

Bedlam used to be a secret word elsewhere, but like many of the traditions the mystic has long passed. Everyone knows of it's existance now and of the qualification, because many before this post of mine have openly discussed it outside.

I noticed you got your knickers in a knot with me once upon a time. I never quite understood why

Mainly because I didn't, feel free to look back on old posts.

This is pointless OC, you stated an opinion in public and mentioned a place that is private (don't give me that 'everybody knows' line, some people do, I certainly did, well I guessed, but I have been consistent with my identity since day one, some people are not all they appear)

Things change OC, in the short space of time I have been a member of this sub-forum I have seen more than a couple of members qualify and I have noticed that there are many members of TV that have the requisite number of posts that have chosen not to post here at all.... but I don't see them whinging about it..... or openly talking about their satisfaction levels on areas of restricted access.

I would think if you want to discuss a post I made elsewhere, that would be the place to have that discussion.

Failing that, a link to the post so it could be read in entirety would be a reasonable option.

To selectively quote it, and then ask for opinions is a little beyond the pale.

Without prejudise (sic) to the original author

OC

You once made a small comment about me not understanding irony, did I take umbrage, no.... if you wanted to continue that course, this is the place to do it .... in here, in relatively privacy.... and you would have been quite within your rights to do so.

The mention of 'Bedlam' in the public forum, I have a real problem with, especially when the required post count for membership is stated.

If you have a problem with any forum member, report it to a Mod and/or PM them, if you find a topic a dirge to read, stop reading it.

If you mention the existence of Bedlam in the public forum, don't be surprised if a thread gets started out of public view. (especially if it is critical) ..... you have been here long enough, you should know that (ironic, ain't it) :D

I noticed you got your knickers in a knot with me once upon a time. I never quite understood why, and you didn't explain it to give me a chance to address it.

I moved on. PM me if you want to continue discussion or go the the worstest posters thread.

A bit off topic here?

Bedlam used to be a secret word elsewhere, but like many of the traditions the mystic has long passed. Everyone knows of it's existance now and of the qualification, because many before this post of mine have openly discussed it outside.

you make it sound like some secret little fantasy world that only the treasured few that can contribute to, only if they are the valued ones.

something along the lines of the masons with secret hand shakes and other outer world features.

its only a very small part of this forum where senior members can get together and have a giggle.

in the grand scheme of "thai visa" its only a small thread at the very bottom of a large forum.

some senior members never come here because they find the content futile and unhumourous and that is there choise. no problem at all as far as im aware of.

its a free world out there, every one to there own.

there's a big world outside bedlam and all the serious debates are on the general forum and business forum.

bedlam is only for light relief and should be treated as such.

dont waste your time getting all hung up about the content of bedlam as no one else does.

its only a joke.

Having now read your post OC, although obviously not the thread in question, I think you have some valid points, just as Tel has, but it is my view that it is still easy to move on from a hijacked thread and ignore the poster that has taken it off topic.

I do it with a particular poster, even when it is inextricably linked within the thread, ignore it and then just carry on.

Devalued maybe, but as I have stated before if you get just a couple of nuggets within the whole it is worth it.

Good Luck

Moss

Some people get 500 posts rather quickly

Maybe we should up the number or better yet the year. hehehehe

In all fairness, imho goes that terry's o.p is alright.

i have just read a post from one of our members who has raised a topic about the recent going on's in bedlam.

These kinds of posts always come up from time to time. Bedlam is Bedlam. It's also like radio and television. If you don't like it, then change the channel or turn it off. If the thread is unpopular it will sink to the bottom like a boulder in the ocean. If things get out of line, then a Mod will hand out a wrist slap like myself and several others got this week. If we don't stay within the Mods' guidelines, then we get banned. I don't want this because I get other value from this and other TV Forums. So I'll heed the warning and watch my P's and Q's more closely. Such is life in a moderated forum named Bedlam.

Bedlam used to be a secret word elsewhere, but like many of the traditions the mystic has long passed. Everyone knows of it's existance now and of the qualification, because many before this post of mine have openly discussed it outside.

The highlighted statement in red is blatantly untrue but posts like ^^^ certainly don't help things as far as that is concerned.

as for the rest of it, i'd have to agree once again with terry57s fair & balanced comments.

OC. Well said.

IMO, Bedlam is like an old folks home, where the residents like or might not like each other, but they know and respect each other, and expect to get a rise out of each other now and again. You must admit, there is a camraderie here that is not found in the general forum. But other many other forums have that sense of kinship too -- Ladies, gay, pets, food, community groups, computer help, Thai language, Buddhism.

I am with Thaddy on the political content -- I may read it but no longer post; it's like talking politics or religion at a party -- nobody wins and it gets heated, because most come to the table with preconceived ideas. But, I do not mind if people want to talk about either issue. I just move on.

I also did not like the broadcasting of Bedlam in general; I had no idea about it until I was nearing 500 and a fellow member told me to look for "Bedlam". So, is that being part of a clique? I think not. I respect, admire and trade thoughts with members of all the disparate groups here; I learn much from their erudite thoughts and I appreciate their good will.

IMO, general topics is beconing mundane and grumpy. Topics on "nasal inhalers" and "mood deteriorating"?

With 40,000 plus members (kudos to admin and PR), TV is like a small city with many sectors now. Live and let live.

I mainly post to, hopefully, give folks a laugh, trade food recipes and add any ideas that I know could help. Sure, I lambasted a few posters' premises in the past, but not the poster.

I also found it is easier to post an interesting, timely topic in Bedlam. Members are always quick to add their knowledge, jibs, jabs or asides. So what if it goes off topic? It's like a stream of consciousness site. Threads may meander, but eventually they meet back up at the crossroads. And the off-track thoughts are often insightful.

Best,

Jet

Maybe Old Croc you should start up your own subforum and then you can set your own 'strict guidelines',

You could call it 'the institute' or 'The VSO club ... very serious only club' ... It would be a select members only forum and you could invite like minded people to be part of this elite.

You could set a MENSA entrance exam for applicants and scan against undesirables with that 'childlike backslapping humour' that is so detestable.

Then you need never ever worry again about all the 'senseless humour' in bedlam.

Maybe Old Croc you should start up your own subforum and then you can set your own 'strict guidelines',

You could call it 'the institute' or 'The VSO club ... very serious only club' ... It would be a select members only forum and you could invite like minded people to be part of this elite.

You could set a MENSA entrance exam for applicants and scan against undesirables with that 'childlike backslapping humour' that is so detestable.

Then you need never ever worry again about all the 'senseless humour' in bedlam.

Excellent remedy, DJT. But, um, I passed those childish MENSA tests, so maybe OC would need to create a new exam.

yay! last word.

Maybe Old Croc you should start up your own subforum and then you can set your own 'strict guidelines',

You could call it 'the institute' or 'The VSO club ... very serious only club' ... It would be a select members only forum and you could invite like minded people to be part of this elite.

You could set a MENSA entrance exam for applicants and scan against undesirables with that 'childlike backslapping humour' that is so detestable.

Then you need never ever worry again about all the 'senseless humour' in bedlam.

Excellent remedy, DJT. But, um, I passed those childish MENSA tests, so maybe OC would need to create a new exam.

I don't feel that it's appropriate to reply directly Miss J as this constitutes 'chat-like conversations off topic'.

You will have to PM me if you want to continue this discussion person to person.....

Maybe Old Croc you should start up your own subforum and then you can set your own 'strict guidelines',

You could call it 'the institute' or 'The VSO club ... very serious only club' ... It would be a select members only forum and you could invite like minded people to be part of this elite.

You could set a MENSA entrance exam for applicants and scan against undesirables with that 'childlike backslapping humour' that is so detestable.

Then you need never ever worry again about all the 'senseless humour' in bedlam.

Excellent remedy, DJT. But, um, I passed those childish MENSA tests, so maybe OC would need to create a new exam.

I don't feel that it's appropriate to reply directly Miss J as this constitutes 'chat-like conversations off topic'.

You will have to PM me if you want to continue this discussion person to person.....

wot dat meens?

so dis is auf taupick laik? im gunna havta aisk dem rool peepol wot dat meens. i tink yu sayd sumpin and i ansered yer kwesshton sear and tru. i sayd heello two peeple hear befo an i aint nebber bean baggd as laik auf taupick