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Breakdown of "The Drama"
- Thread starter webmaster
- Start date
As a professional "lurker" I too find the drama too much to resist. Yes, as someone said previously, it is similar to a gaggle of teeny boppers in heated arguments over identical dresses worn by two of its members. Like most drama, the truth is to be found somewhere in the middle, the drama, Rashomon comes to mind. Seems to me that if you have two groups with their own very different ideas it would seem entirely logical to have two websites. Why not encourage that? Why is this such a problem? Is there money involved? As far as "raiding" members from AW by the opposition, do the members represent an "asset" to AW?
No one is stopping anyone from making another site. However, the "raiding" in a position of authority on AW is a conflict of interest. That it was done with the mod status without the webmaster's knowledge is somewhat unethical. It didn't need to be done that way at all and was rather deceptive. This is me wearing my "IT guy" hat, not my combo cover, but neither hat agrees with how it was done.
As far as "assets", in a way, yes. But given the "other site's" objectives, it really doesn't apply here the way I'm assuming you mean.
Here's my understanding.. Absolutely you would consider any winged aviator an 'asset' to the the board. If people know that this is a place to come and find information that is credible vice going to military.com or something then you could consider them an asset. However, nothing here is owned by AW save the domain name and I'm sure there is some money invested into the program software and bandwidth usage. This money can easily be covered by the ads that the regular person will see on this website. As far as the conflict of interest, maybe if people were paid I could agree with you.
I don't know how many hits this website gets a day, but I'd be willing to bet that it's enough to cover the costs and then some. I've never heard any numbers but the reason that this place gets what it gets is due to the credibility brought through the large number of actual credible sources.
BLOB: More hits = more money, more hits will come based on the validity, and therefore each winged aviator is an asset. However, given there isn't a retainer for anything I don't see how you have a 'conflict of interest.'
My opinion, not trying to sea lawyer shit here.
Just for the sake of history…nope. 3 years after my time in an F-14 "fleet seat". Think I was off to joint duty at that time...
I am harkening back to my digital-ethics/greyhat course way back when, so I may have gone senile after half a decade commissioned and removed from formal IT training.
However, using a user status with privileged permissions to do things that the webmaster is unaware of causes troubles. Honestly, I think in the spirit of their purpose it was fine to recruit like-minded AWs, but why not tell the webmaster up front? Why the coup? Again, this is my IT hat speaking here.
I'm not accusing anyone specifically, but when you do things like that, it leave the reason open to creative interpretation, for better or worse.
The anonymous nature of the internet will turn us all into 14 year olds. The civility of face to face discourse is a declining skill. This, combined with the slow rot of PC bullshit in our most cherished institutions, in my opinion, was the cause of this episode. Those of us, who are a little older and have more responsibilities in life, tend to tow the line with the PC bullshit because we want to stay employed and employable. I work for the Federal Government and I’m always mindful of what say or write, both at work and online. Some of the younger folks here (well maybe not anymore) want to fight a battle that is already lost. Hopefully they won’t suffer the devastating career results of not conforming to the relatively new societal taboos. I know this post somewhat contradicts itself, but I think it had to be said.
Wait...what? Sweet....the next time an AW member invites me over for a beer I should expect to see Chris Hansen and star on "To Catch a Predator."
I already have some rope, duct tape, condoms and half a handle of vodka in the trunk...I'm ready.
I respect your post. Thanks for the PM earlier, I'll (we'll) see you soon for a meal.
I will be honest...it has been completely boring here since the departure of the majority of the dissenting opinion folks. When I want head nodding and the company line, I have two department head meetings a week to take care of that. I come here for camaraderie, good discussions, and humor. Those things seem to all be gone. I admire what this site does and what it continues to do for the kids, but unless we somehow get those members back or someone fills in to take that position, I think this is the beginning of the end for the "virtual ready room" aspect of AW.
Unfortunately, I concur... I think a serious problem develops when people start believing the words on their FITREPs, selection and screen board outcomes, etc. When a gonna be SES chastised me for not taking my rank and accomplishments seriously, I had to inform him that I am the Navy's "better" version of what is left over... that there are better leaders, pilots, officers and people in general at FEDEX, Southwest, Delta and other industries. Some folks fly continuously with "stupid" boxed.
Sadly, just due to prying eyes, the private side of the house has always been where real discussions happen. For some reason, the political, and lately, the career discussions have gotten a bit out of hand.
Part of what makes this place great is every guy/gal with wings under their name earned them, but with that some anonymity is lost. Hell, I probably wouldn't have wings if it weren't for this site and some of the people who've now chosen to leave. For a guy on the street, finding out info on OCS/ASTB/API/Primary/Pipeline/etc is nearly impossible. I found out my OCS board results were out on here before my recruiter knew. I also sent guys like A4s and HeyJoe PMs thanking them for spending time on here bullshitting so an FNG off the street could have an idea of what they're getting into. People come and go, and I'm sure a new group of JOs and personalities will wash over this place, just like a real Ready Room.
Part of what makes this place great is every guy/gal with wings under their name earned them, but with that some anonymity is lost. Hell, I probably wouldn't have wings if it weren't for this site and some of the people who've now chosen to leave. For a guy on the street, finding out info on OCS/ASTB/API/Primary/Pipeline/etc is nearly impossible. I found out my OCS board results were out on here before my recruiter knew. I also sent guys like A4s and HeyJoe PMs thanking them for spending time on here bullshitting so an FNG off the street could have an idea of what they're getting into. People come and go, and I'm sure a new group of JOs and personalities will wash over this place, just like a real Ready Room.
