My amazement is more true since many of you state an age I'd consider still relatively young. Despite that youth, IMHO many contributions seem well thought. Probably even more mature than I was capable of at such an age. (Thinking to myself: Does their chastity play a role in this? ;-))
Surely, I'm not the most senior member nor the "father of the house", yet I can provide some references. I've been hanging around discussion forums for more than two decades - longer than some of you are even alive. Comparing my memories from "back then" with your level of discussions today, I believe we "old bones" were often lacking quite a lot of discussion culture.
Insertion: Without proof of the opposite, I presume that most of the messages here are real, and I appreciate the non-fiction policy. I'm aware my ways to actually validate this are limited, but I hope joint action will allow to keep the level of non-truth, trolling etc low.
(Although I've to admit that I'd find it somehow funny, if all this was just written by a bunch of apes that broke into a computer centre... :-))
Well, biologically we are apes, actually, but you know what I mean...
On the same hand, I find any sort of charade regrettable and sad since it partially invalidates effort of all legit users seeking and providing support.
Anyway, a big thankyou to everyone creating and maintaining the forum, and for investing their time and effort to keep this a valuable place for serious interchange and learning. Keep that attitude and hone your skills. I truly believe the ability to build bridges and maintain contact despite any differences will be absolutely vital in a world as challenged as ours.
I don't like finishing dark, although I've to admit that the last one or two decades went in a much darker way than I could imagine when I finished school in the last millenium ... (God, it's actually true.)
Last but not least: Special thanks to Laura and the admins for maintaining the forum and allowing to post anonymously, too. I know the latter is usually a double-edged sword for admins because it makes some administrative measures more difficult. Yet - particularly keeping above-mentioned backgrounds in mind - for some users it can mean a difference between being able to express themselves relatively freely and facing serious reprisals in their places of residence.
What's left to say? Probably a lot ... Yet I hope we'll find enough time for it, in the very next future.
Keep up the good spirit!
