Is Reefs.org going down the tubes?

[ophiuroid]

Wasabi,
Thanks for the post. With your name, we expect a little heat every once in awhile- not to worry

Quillen,
Yes, the field of molecular evolution is *extremely* heated...but so are some fields of research genetics. Any time you get the extraordinary amount of money infused into a situation (like you have in research medicine = genetics), there will be trouble. I had friends working at NIH who left science altogether, because they didn't like some of the labs they were in (where careful science was not always a priority- getting results of any quality...as long as they were positive...was the priority, and there were many stories of sabotage). Scared the heck out of me. Hopefully your situation is, and will continue to be, very different.

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Brittlestars!! http://home.att.net/~ophiuroid
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[Quillen]

ophiuroid - me, too.. I want to make a difference, not waste my time. If I have that problem, I can finish my ele ed degree and make a difference by influencing youth.
I don't do anything I am not going to do well, so I guess I'll have to see. If nothing else, the classes I am taking are extremely interesting.

 

[acecool]

With so many lengthy replies I am just scrolling by...not even sure what the heck the point is anymore. Let's get back to REEF biz guys.

 

[ophiuroid]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Liu01GT:
<STRONG> as for those who got all pissy, well, i'm sure that none of you have ever made mistakes with your tanks. good for you. and, yes, the maroon is actually doing fine with the other fishes. ;P~</STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

And herein lies the problem...this sort of "screw you" answer. I have replied to posts on this and other boards with some exasperation, to give my insight on some common 'mistake' that is posted daily or weekly, etc. I don't try to be mean, but I am not real lighthearted about many of these situations either. I'm a pretty serious person.

Then this sort of answer comes up...the snotty "well, I guess none of you made mistakes" answer, which implies that the poster has no real desire to learn or take responsibility for the error, as if it was just some inevitable mistake they are allowed to make...a right of passage of sorts. Most of us are trying to prevent the same mistakes from happening again...and again. I think there are those that want to learn what went wrong, and those that don't want to hear that they may have done something wrong and prevented the problem. Of course we all make (past, present and future!) mistakes, but as these are animals we are talking about here, we should do what we can to keep them healthy and happy. The best thing is to try to stop these same mistakes from happening repeatedly and encourage people to learn from them when they do occur.

I also thought that you found the clownfish incident amusing based on your message...that is the trouble with the internet. There is a lot of miscommunication. I think the original respondent was as frustrated as I have become...seeing someone who appeared to be so flippant about the lives of these fish. But it was one of your supporters who started the name calling and juvenile behavior in that thread. I think we are all thankful that your clownfish survived the ordeal and is alive and well. It almost wasn't the case, as many have learned before you, and tried to tell you (albeit after the fact).

We all make mistakes. I think most here will willingly share their mistakes and experiences. I think there are rude people who think they know everything and don't give a darn how they come across or who they flame. But I think for the most part, people here are willing to help anyone, so long as the poster does their part (some research) first. I think we are getting frustrated with the "just bought a fish, what do I feed it?" type posts. And I don't blame anyone for it. The juvenile name calling however needs to stop. Sometimes I just hope kids aren't reading these posts!

This is a great resource and I hope that the few people who can't answer with some civility don't drive the veterans and newbies away! There are negative and rude people *everywhere,* don't hide from them, outnumber them! Don't let threads degenerate!

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Brittlestars!! http://home.att.net/~ophiuroid
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[ophiuroid]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Quillen:
<STRONG>In college, I find I sit around with the TAs and profs, discussing things in total ease. Of course, they are all nice and don't just randomly attack people

like sometimes occurs on the board. As I am going to do AIDS/Cancer, etc research most likely, then I expect to have pleanty of mature conversations that may save someone's life </STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I hate to ask this Quillen, but are you in college or graduate school? Perhaps you will find a different atmosphere in the latter. I found the same situation when I was an undergraduate- everyone seemed really nice, open and tolerant. Research science is cut throat...and most others won't hesitate to stab you in the back when you become competition. But a flame on a board like this is nothing compared to what I saw (and heard about) in graduate school in Biology. Sorry to tell you that!!

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Brittlestars!! http://home.att.net/~ophiuroid
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[Mgm204]

No matter what, this is still a great place to get info!