Cutting back on the Forum for a time. Thompson out.

I love this place, I’ve spent way too much of my hard earned life here, but recently it’s getting me down.

This used to be a place for ideas, inspiration, learning, but I see a worrying trend of intolerance growing and growing from all sides. We used to be able to discuss anything outside of guns, religion and abortion with a reasonable amount of tolerance, humor and acceptance. That seems to be diminishing and almost everything out side of the build projects forum seems to end up with people slinging arrows even when hidden under the guise of humor.

So, not that anyone cares, but I’m making a conscious effort to step away for a bit. I hope this perception is my mistake and not reality, I’d hate to see this little corner of web utopia go the way of so many other once great places to hang out.

Ciao for now chaps and chapets, I'm logging off.

I agree on the vibe. But I try hard to be part of the solution, not the problem.

I also noticed lately that we've gotten away from the hardcore tech stuff, as well as dirt cheap stuff. I need to work on bringing some of that back.

In reply to Adrian_Thompson:

I think you must have had a blow to the head.

Come back soon, and be well!

Yea, that is grusome lol. I'll stick to backing out of the threads I don't care to partake in and taking everything with a grain of salt. Everyone has to tackle the issues on their own.

Right now we've got politics hitting full swing, racial tension in tandum with LEO hate (justified or not) in the news, and a lot of other stupid E36 M3 going on. I try to avoid them for the most part and if not keep a level head. I have a pretty good on/off switch to control my "give a E36 M3" attitude.

Take the good and leave the bad. Stay out of threads you know are going to be trouble. The only issue with that is the maddening way people name threads on this forum. Too often, you have to click the thread to see what it's about. Sorry, but thread titles like "That didn't go well" and "Better luck next time" are not particularly helpful.

Come 'er buddy, let's have a hug. Go ahead, put down the wine glass, it's all going to be OK.

We hate to see anyone leave the conversation, but I admit that some people can be a pill. My advice: Take a five-minute breather and just avoid them.

David S. Wallens wrote: We hate to see anyone leave the conversation, but I admit that some people can be a pill. My advice: Take a five-minute breather and just avoid them.

As well, certain threads. Especially political threads.

Are you saying that about all threads, not just political? Can you give some examples of this? I am genuinely curious and disappointed that you would be chased away.

Also, losing you means that we're sliding farther away from what you want. We're a community, after all.

Meh, perception is reality, to some extent. If it's getting you down, take a breather. Once your enthusiasm level recovers a bit, come on back. Even though we sometimes disagree, your posts are always pretty well reasoned and a good read. I hope to see you back before long.

I might have gone a while back were it not for Wally. The guy makes me laugh!

Alright, guys. Come on. Group hug.

It was the "worst sounding engine" thread, wasn't it?

Adrian, I get what you are saying. I find myself in a love/hate relationship with this place from time to time. My interests are skewing more toward racing (not autocross ) so I've been a little less active. Which is actually a good thing. I tell my kids the real world is far more interesting then the device fed world. Sometimes we need to remember that too.

I was ready to leave myself... like yesterday. Cooler thinking prevailed after some further discussion, consideration and resolution. Anything can and has probably been discussed here FWIW at one time or another, at least in my time here. Newbies getting up to speed are quickly educated to the rules and corrected if necessary if out of bounds. Learn and observe the boundaries. Think about it, there's probably no other site on the internet that you could expect to find that in just one place 24/7.

Besides normal car talk and all that related, members can bare their souls here over tough life situations and expect rational discussion, I know I did. We're damn near like brothers here IMO. Even brothers fight, to be expected, that's life too. As long as there remains tolerance over differences, respect and consideration to others this site will still be the berkeleying best on the net. Maybe things got away from that in this fast paced, need it now world, it happens. Let's keep a lid on it when necessary.

Hope you keep stayin' around.

Hope to see you back soon after a brief sabbatical, Adrian ... perhaps with your old avatar.

Unfortunately, since you already signed off you're probably not seeing all these supportive posts.

Is it me? If so I'll leave.

Find yourself an A.M.Y. (Anything Motor-related Yapper) to talk with and vent your frustrations to. Everyone feels more balanced, relaxed and clear headed after spending an hour or so with A.M.Y.

I've come very, very close to pulling out a number of times. I've been on this board for a long time, I think it's more than 10 years. It's gone down hill in the last few years. There are a few here that are pricks just to be pricks, and are proud of the prickishness they exude. I'm also shocked by some of the posts. But, I haven't left, just scaled back. I know a few others that have left though. I do avoid topics that I know aren't going to end well, I just don't like having to ignore an ever-increasing number of topics and members.

Now......
wait for it..... wait for it..... GET OFF MY LAWN!!

Best of luck Mr Thompson. Who will defend Lewis Hamilton or join me in dogpiling Senna in the F1 thread now?

But, seriously? You guys really set your mood by what happens on internet forums? I certainly get bored and disappear from them for a while but to post up a "Harrumph! I'm leaving because of reasonz!"? It's like writing a letter to the editor of a magazine to tell them you are dropping your subscription because the BMW won the shootout again.

Gary wrote: Hope to see you back soon after a brief sabbatical, Adrian ... perhaps with your old avatar.

OK, his new avatar is my fault, so I'll take the blame for it.

In reply to DrBoost:

Not pulling out can always lead to stress in the not-so-far future.

The BMW always wins the shoutout.

This may be a good time and place for a couple of saved threads that I have and like.

From early 2010 and carrying on for 9 pages:
You knew you were GRM when:

The other, from 2012 gives great insight to who and what the people of GRM are in "real life."
Also 9 pages long but an interesting look into the "demographic."
What do you do, and how did you end up there?

Please visit back Adrian. Your leaving can not make the place better. I understand the need to pull away and I have from time to time but I always come back.

If others have some old threads they like, now may be a good time to post them.