Allow me to begin by stating that I love this site. Audioholics is great. You get up to the minute information on cutting edge technology. Useful feedback and expertise from knowledgeable members. Minutely interaction that proves time and time again to be helpful. And there is a good group of members here. A real strata of humankind: from diverse age, economic, cultural and educational backgrounds. That's a large part of what makes it work: huge diversity.
Anyhow, I've got a sense of humor like the next guy. Truly. I'm a funny guy. And I understand that our levels of intellect vary...such is life. I am equipped to handle that. Recently, a couple of new members questioned the purpose of monikers and the chicklet system. We see them for what they are: it's part keeping this place light. They have no real meaning, after all, do they? I mean, members have been known to submit 1,000 posts every 6 months. Does that make him a genius? Or a wizard? Of course not. And we all know that some gain much favor (green chicklets) by thanking each other repeatedly, and adding to their rep count. Is the six or seven chickleteer a mmeber of greatness simply because of those seven green chicklets he proudly displays? Of course not. Only a nitwit hails himself as such. It's mostly in fun with some meaningful purpose. If he is a contributing member, if has experience and knowledge (and perhaps some occasional humor) to offer, that is apparent. It is recognized for what it is: a member helping a fellow member out, and we are grateful for that.
Which brings me to my point. Much ado has been made about the moniker system. Much greater ado has been made of the chicklet system: one can not only add to a rep, but they can give thanks. I am fine with both of these things. They both offer some humor, while still serving some purpose: the moniker as an easy identification for post count, and the chicklets as an easy identification for recognition.
I have come to find a need for a maturity rating. That's right. And it need not be correllated with one's age. Perhaps an "M" for a mature designee, and a big, bold, red "I" for an Immature designee. The system need not be complicated: we all start out with an M, and when some misbehavin' goes on, upon a mod's direction, or the crowd's pleas (en masse...their could be a vote), that member receives an "I" so that we all might know his posts are prone to drivel.
Allow me to repeat that I love this site. I thought I would throw this out there in the vent just to get some feedback. I think it could serve a useful purpose here. To wit: I have found myself enraptured in a couple of threads of late (and, no, they were not in the Steam Vent
), only to have them repeatedly, viciously interrupted with infantile postings. Truly infantile. Do we want this forum to go that route? I don't like wasting my time or others. But this sort of labelling, as banishment may by too severe, might do us all well. Otherwise, some threads here run the risk of juvenile banter interspersed with meaningful insight...does one really have to sift and winnow to get to the meat of the matter? I think such a designation; "I" for immature member...perhaps we could even post a picture of a court jester, complete with makeup and hat, next to their moniker. I think such a designation merits some consideration. That's my Monday morning rant fellow 'holics. Now let the jesters be heard!
