Shroomery has a few nuggets of gold buried in an ocean of garbage. It's hard to fathom how sacred mushroom enthusiasts speak so callously and disrespectfully.
To the people who say that they never noticed a problem with the chat, there are a few.
1) Foul language: I love swearing. I'm pretty sure most Nexians swear like sailors. However, there is a difference between swearing in real life and swearing on an online medium. If i call my mate a "fuckin' dickhead" with a jovial grin on my face, that is completely different from saying the exact same thing through text form. Context is key. The perceived message and the intended message can differ vastly in the latter scenario. The internet dynamic is a totally different beast from face-to-face dialogue. Online, we have no face and no name. Only a pseudonym. Because of this impersonal nature, tempers can flare up. Especially since it takes time to type, so someone could be fuming at what was said, and then there's an explosion of text after a lengthy silence. This will be met with equal resistance and voracity, and can descend into a full blown internet argument. Communicate respectfully, and you will be respected.
The Hyperspace Chat is meant to be a trip friendly space. If people are speaking negatively, someone who is tripping could spiral out of control into a very dark place. There was that incident on another chatroom where someone killed themselves by OD'ing because other chatroom members egged him on. Be considerate of others.
Also bear in mind, English is not everyone's native tongue. In this case, intended message and perceived message can differ even more than the aforementioned example.
Swear words are remarkable. They carry a lot of weight. If one uses the word "fuck" as every second word, they are swinging a heavy weight around, and is bound to hit someone in the face. Excessive use also dilutes its meaning. If one uses a swear word when they usually don't, it means they chose it deliberately and carefully.
Another VERY important point. While i was at EGA, most people saw the Nexus as a hub of intellectuals and academics. The fact that legally sanctioned researchers often read the Nexus should speak for itself. So, when people speak in an immature and childish manner, it brings down the reputation of the Nexus. This place is called an "Entheogenic University" for a reason. That's why it say's "Respectful communication" in the Attitudes page. Which brings me to the next point...
2) The Attitudes page: This is not a software agreement, where everyone skips it and says "I agree". There is a reason why the Attitudes page exists.
Let me posit a scenario. A time traveller comes to the modern world from the distant past. They are in a car driven by a modern human. "Why do are you staying within the lines? You have all that space in front of you." The modern human could respond one of two ways. "It's the law" or "Because otherwise there would be a greater chance of collision at high speeds." Which one shows UNDERSTANDING and which one shows blind obedience?
With blind obedience, over time, people will start to question the rules, and eventually will voice their dissent. With understanding, the rules never have to be reiterated, since everyone implicitly knows its importance and significance.
I'm a staunch anti-authoritarian, so i hope my words have some gravitas. I'm kinda shocked that this post had to be written, since it seems people know the rules, but don't know the SPIRIT of the rules.
I'm probably missing a few points. This is the second time i've written this post, the first never even posted and disappeared. Damn phones. I rarely bother to re-write a post due to technical difficulties.
"The salons of Early Modern Revolutionary France played an integral role in the cultural and intellectual development of France. The salons were seen by contemporary writers as a cultural hub, responsible for the dissemination of good manners and sociability. It was not merely manners that the salons supposedly spread but also ideas, as the salons became a centre of intellectual as well as social exchange, playing host to many members of the Republic of Letters."
He's appreciated for what he does.
