Farrell wrote:I've been thinking about this post for awhile. I take the colors in the same way I believe they were intended, to show the length of time/participation in the forum. I liken it to being at my place of employment. I just moved into a new group and am learning a new job. Obviously, everyone there has been in the group longer than I have. Some as much as 10 years, some as little as 3 months. Everyone has varying degrees of experience, but it doesn't necessarily mean the person who's been there the longest is the most equipped to train me personally. Could be, could not be. If possible, I learn what I can from each person and try to minimize my interactions with ones whose energy doesn't mesh well with mine. In some cases, someone who has been there for a shorter amount of time is actually very knowledgeable about certain things and I can gain from them. Also, because I've only been in the group for a few weeks, it doesn't mean I don't have experience elsewhere that could benefit myself and others in this role.

If I personally apply that to the forum, I may pull my learnings from blue, green, orange and white. But not all or none of any of those. There are some blues, greens and oranges who I read everything they write and can relate to/believe 99% of what they say. There are some blues, greens and oranges who's posts or advice don't resonate well with me, so while I appreciate anyone willing to post a response, I move on to find something that does sit well with me. And some in between. I think people are very smart and can see for themselves who is posting thoughtful, insightful and guiding posts, regardless of color. I myself am going to learn from someone not only giving the answer to my question, but also a reason why they have found that be the case. I am less likely to put stock in a response from someone who asserts somethings as fact without reason/back-up, regardless of what color their username is. I know others learn differently and that's the beauty of a forum as diverse as this.

Someone (and I apologize, I don't remember who it was) posted some informal guidelines for the forum that I came across when I first started using the forum and one of the first items on the list was something about color not necessarily dictating how knowledgeable someone is. I've always kept that in mind and try to judge someone's experience based not only on how they present their knowledge, but also in the way they treat other people rather than color.

Just my two cents

Farrell wrote: I've always kept that in mind and try to judge someone's experience based not only on how they present their knowledge, but also in the way they treat other people rather than color.

Just my two cents

EarthSpirit wrote:Hey, I was reading through Princess's post about Reiki dragons and conjurations and it just brought up a few things in my mind that I've been meaning to get out. This is a completely peaceful post, and there is no blame, only points that I think are valid and that should be heard.

Though it is true that the members in blue or green are more experienced than the members in orange or white (in PARANORMAL fields, remember), I don't think that should mean that a member in white or orange should be blasted for disagreeing with them. Just because someone is blue or green doesn't mean they're a god that knows EVERYTHING. I once disagreed with a blue member about something COMPLETELY UNRELATED TO THE PARANORMAL. It was about a medical issue that I MYSELF deal with, making ME an expert on it. Yet, because I am a member in white, disagreeing with a member in blue, I get blasted. Even though, the subject at hand had NOTHING to do with the paranormal, meaning that the blue and I were on level playing fields, or even that I was on a higher one, being that the topic was something that I deal with in my day to day life. Your color does not define your knowledge or the importance of your opinion on every single topic in the world.

Now, there are two sides to every story. Yes, the blues and greens should be respected. But you know what? EVERY color should be respected. We are all people. Are we forming status pyramids here on CH? I'm at the bottom because I'm white? That doesn't sound right to me. All opinions should be heard and respected, and if someone blows up at someone else, it shouldn't be unacceptable because of their COLOR, it should be unacceptable because NO ONE should talk to ANYONE that way. Does that make sense?

Also, I am sick of a lot of generalizations I'm hearing where people will make broad statements about "newer members." It's like a new form of racism.

crone maatkaere wrote:these days i find myself wanting to help the new members more than i tried before since i feel they might be more apt to want to learn and have help from a member who has been here for 4 years and a spirit keeper for 4 1/2 years with other training in various aspects of the occult sciences since 1971. to me, any member with a white name shows me that as a keeper they are more than likely a new keeper and could potentially benefit from my knowledge in spirit keeping which the older forum members such as myself learned directly from magnolia and ash.

idk but maybe i'm wrong there but gosh the knowledge we could share with everyone who has come here for just that reason - to learn. and just remember one thing - nobody stays a beginner or new member forever and soon you all will be colored names and might see things just a bit better then.

:grouphug: