Posted by B Day on November 20, 2000, at 12:39:31
In reply to Re: Boundaries of Lumptonia, posted by Dr. Bob on November 20, 2000, at 9:10:37
> > I think alot of it is this lumptonian business. Anyone not "in" on the joke (??) can barely understand the majority of posts in here. And it does make one feel like an outsider. :o(
>
> That's what I was afraid of:
>
> http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20001117/msgs/2940.html
>
> I wonder if a reasonable compromise would be to limit posts about Lumptonia (and Lumptonianisms) to a single thread?
>
> Another alternative would be to start another eGroup...
>
> BobNikki, Dr. Bob and All,
I can see where someone could be left feeling somewhat alienated from board discussions such as the Lumptonia ones. I remember wondering myself at times not long ago if there might be room for me in PB and PSB's talks. Particularly when threads become long they seem to develop a core discussion group that ends up making the majority of posts therein. I guess at times this projects a sense that those folks have little interested in or don't care to pay much attention to others.
I think in the case of the Lumptonian threads, indifference to others and their discussions is both true and not true. It is true in that it has been somewhat addicting for many of those who have participated in it, even to the point where other people and discussions have been ignored in part or in whole at times. It is untrue, I think, in that Lumptonians tend to warmly welcome all who come to their "land" in general whoever they might be. Alienation of others has not been desired or intended.
A thing which concerned me to a degree was not only how the Lumptonian discussion thread dominated the October 31st PSB archive, but also how it spawned Lumpism into other threads on the board to the point where it affected the entire feel, personality and perception of the board and its goings on to many.
I remember wondering to myself what first timers must think of the place. Some of them must have felt they had entered the "Mother Of All Looney Bins" for sure. :-) I don't believe such effects were intentional, simply that there was so much Lumptonian yakking going on that it created a huge, slow-loading web page that to some extent diminished other important things going on here.
Today is the third week anniversary of Lumptonia. Personally, I am amazed by this fact. I couldn't even guess how many hundreds of Lumptonia related posts have been made to date.
Dr. Bob's suggestions for us to consider are good ones. In fact, all constructive comments and suggestions should be welcome. A single thread might be the place to start. Does Lumptonia merit a separate board; I don't know. Would an e-Group alienate Lumptonia; I don't know. I can't envision either of the latter options just yet.
I do think the Lumptonian people very much like being on this board among the others here. I also believe they enjoy and appreciate the other, very important threads going on here and don't wish to distract from them.
Nevertheless, we have distracted from the board's broader nature and I suspect that will continue to some extent if Lumptonia continues to flourish, if the ongoing "Yak-rate" continues to be high and us Lumptonians continue to carry our Lumptonian culture to other discussions.
I suspect we will soon see, perhaps in as little as a week or less, if a Lumptonian relocation of some sort needs to occur. To me, this is an interesting phenomena and dilemma. Yet I think it is a good problem for us to have since it has come as the result of a remarkable degree of light-hearted participation and involvement.
On behalf of the Lumptonian people, let me say that we apologize for any disaffection or distraction we may have caused on the board here. Also, let me say that we appreciate the great patience, tolerance and longsuffering shown us here by Dr. Bob and the other fine citizens of the Psycho Social Babble BBS. Lumptonia has been a much needed blessing for a number of us.
For those unfamiliar with it, Lumptonia is a virtual nation and to a degree, a role playing game that just sort of spontaneously invented itself a few weeks ago. It is made up of folks suffering from all sorts of disorders but who all have one thing in common. At one time or another, to one extent or another they all retreat in depression from their lives, worlds, loved ones and selves. Most of them struggle deeply with their depressions. Many suffer great sadness as well. Immobilized by their conditions, they just turn into "lumps" or "lump persons". Lumptonia is a sanctuary for anyone who relates to being a "lump" at times and it is open to all.
More than anything Lumptonia is collaborative, ongoing sharing and assemblage of humorous perspectives on our conditions whether silly, ludicrous, ridiculous, audacious, outrageous, warped, insane, clever or profound. It is a laugh pill. Laughter has been something both sorely missing from and deeply needed in the lives of the good people of Lumptonia. It has been in itself, its own distraction, but in a way, much more. For me, it has been a healing medicine and a way to begin interacting with people again after much withdrawal.
We Lumptonians have been discussing assembling our history and culture both for ourselves and the curiosity of others as well. The going is slow though since with Lumptonians, discussing doing things is far more highly valued than actually doing stuff. Actually doing stuff is generally eschewed if possible. I suppose just how good at "discussing" Lumptonians are has become increasingly and problematically obvious!
Peace,
Ambassador B of Lumptonia
poster:B Day
thread:2970
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20001117/msgs/2999.html