Quote:
Originally Posted by OldDave
Last spring we had a bit of discussion about this as a part of a different thread. I cannot remember what that thread was, but I do remember a couple of things.
I read through the Wikipedia definition you listed. I think it's pretty much on the nose. In the case of the Villages, it doesn't mean you like living here. It means you are totally devoted to the place to the point that you refuse to hear or recognize anything negative, even if it is clearly true.
I think this comes up with things like the post a couple of days ago by a woman worried about the recent accidents and whether this was common here. While she eventually got several good responses, most of them really dispelling her worry, the first few were very defensive of TV, and a couple even rude.
I've mentioned this sort of attitude a couple of times and continue to be puzzled by it. This place has some really wonderful, unique things. Like any place else it has some issues. Pretending there are no negatives just doesn't make sense to me. I think when people have such knee jerk reactions to reasonable questions, it makes new people feel like there is something to hide here. I think it actually adds to some people's paranoia. Those people that take the time to make serious, well thought out answers do a much better job of selling the place in the long run, at least they did to me.
I will say one other thing about the kool-aid term. During the earlier thread I mentioned in the spring, I got a message from a guy who was really hurt by the use of the term. He in fact had a friend who died there. (That may be what you are remembering.) I apologized on the thread and have tried to avoid using that term any longer. Unfortunately, it really does describe the kind of blind faith that Jonestown represented. While I will try hard never to use it again, I'm afraid it's become part of our language.
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Old Dave - Just yesterday, after reading about the thread on the accidents, my very first thought was I'm glad I'm not a newbie, anymore, on this forum. I would probably never ask any questions for fear of people jumping all over me. I would have never came here to look around. Or bought. I can't help to think some of the responses here turn alot of people off. A couple of years ago, you'd get maybe one or two people who gave attitude, but it's happening almost every day now, on here. Attitude, defensiveness, being sarcastic. I don't think the newbies know there are thousands more Villagers that are out having fun, joining clubs, at the pools, squares, etc. There's still good info on here, but this forum sure has changed in a few years. I don't log on as much just because of this kind of thing. Everyone on this forum was once a newbie, and alot of people forget that. It's very sad.