I fully realize that this thread has gone OT onto the subject of ********* and perhaps my response will be unwelcome, but I feel that unwarranted accusations are flying.
Everything has been copied? Really?
Alrighty then. Here's a few things on the forum that aren't copied:
Scott Allie Q&A's (a monthly event for over a year now)
George Jeanty Q&A's (why yes, we've been doing this for quite a while now also - our first session was in February)
Brian Lynch Q&A's (over a year now also)
Comics Previews Galleries
Cover Art and Original Art Galleries
********* Scribes Writing challenges (I have no idea if you guys have something like this. Do you? Probably. A writing challenge is hardly an original thought, is it?)
Coverama Art challenges (art challenges to create movie posters, comic covers, etc.)
Original Emoticons -
Not organized? Our forum has the most activity in Season 8. If you visit that board or the Angel comics board, you'll find buttons at the top of the page to visit discussion for every issue. And you'll even find sub-boards for every separate arc for Season 8 and divisions for After the Fall and the other IDW Angel properties. All threads pertinent to that arc are archived within each arcs' individual board.
Now if you have constructive criticism on how ********* might improve, that's great. I'd personally be interested to hear it. But the comments I've seen don't seem to be going towards this thoughtful reflection.
I vaguely understand there were issues between ********* and BB back when ********* first opened. I joined after this as did other moderators who are the chief bringers of content to the site. We don't copy you. To put it more bluntly, I don't copy you. Why bother? Our forum runs under a different format. We reach a more specific demographic of the fandom. Frankly, that negative history doesn't overly concern me (until now, rather). I prefer to live in the now. What has gone before will be righted by the passing of time and the entrance of new ideas carried forth by new individuals. Bashing the stereotype built in one's mind of what ********* was to me speaks more to prejudice against a diverse, sensitive and intelligent group of individuals. "*********rs are a bunch of disorganized thieves without an original thought among them" = does this really sound like a fair representation?
I like to be involved in the fandom in all arenas. I'm active on Whedonesque, I participate in discussions on Live Journal (you might know me as "angearia" there), I'm an active member over at Buffy Forums also. When I first visited BB it was with the intention to become equally involved here. I posted in the fanfiction and Season 8 threads primarily. Sadly, the antagonism towards my home site, SA, made me feel unwelcome. I do visit here from time to time, but I've never felt like I would fit in. C'est la vie.
The recent BB drama raised my sympathy for the board. It's a vicious cycle when negative attitudes grab hold of a forum. It can taint every dealing in what should be a community coming together in joy, sharing something they love intellectually and artistically. That's the ideal for fandom. I find it a bit ironic that this negative attitude is now being directed at another Buffy forum. And yet, perhaps it too is expected. What better way to stop the in-fighting then to choose a common enemy to attack? Yet all this accomplishes is continuing the destructive pattern of attacking more Buffy fans. Why? Why is there this need to tear other fans down? Does it make BB a better place?
Perhaps this appeal would be more politic if I'd sent it privately to Buffy Summers. Then again, I'd like to think my voice would be heard. That my measured appeal would reach your ears and be understood. I'd like to believe that there would be a time in the future when stereotypes and bashing would give way to consideration and compassion. I still bear hope for this positive change.
*** I'm still unclear on what exactly ********* has allegedly "stolen", but if anyone would care to enlighten me I'd be happy to work towards addressing the issue. ********* is ever-changing, ever-growing. Whatever necessary efforts are called for to wash away past components that mirror BB institutions - I'd find it a worthwhile endeavor.
