Discussion: TotJO Culture Problems

TotJO has a culture problem?

In eight days I will have been a member for two years.

It's been an interesting two years in my meatspace, and throughout that, I believe I have had ample support from TotJO members, I've had some great conversations that have, for the most part, been quite respectful, and there are a number of (faceless screen names) that frequent this place that I would consider friends, as far as that word goes for faceless screen names on a forum.


Does TotJO have a culture problem? If it does, it is so in-tune with my own culture problems, that I don't see it.

Would just like to say, as per camaraderie, we have the Jedi Cantina on Sunday at 6pm EST. Come hang out!

Orrrrrr... if you can't make it, make another meeting time. We also have the Discord (Think you'll have to hit up Steamboat for the link to that). More people we have there, participating, chatting, better camaraderie.

We talk too much and learn too little.

This site used to be a refuge for those seeking personal change and development of their character. It used to be a site that was about Jediist philosophy (as in NOT the movies but what what lies beneath them). I've had the feeling it's lately began to shift towards a place for lost LARPers and those feeling a strong urge to be recognised, boasting about their ranks and functions, bullying people around because they can - and displaying the exact opposite of what Jediist philosophy as taught here is all about - namely humility, a genuine desire to be at peace with oneself and with others.

It's increasingly been turning into a fan site, with light sabre pictures popping up everywhere, princess Leia and other fictional gals and dudes represented in avatars, quotes by movie characters showing up at a worrisome rate on the wall. Maybe I'm just a hopeless nostalgic - but I'd like this to be a place of study and of peace again and not an extension of the Star Wars franchise. There are plenty of forums where the legendary Qui-Gong Jinn can be discussed. But that's just my personal opinion.

I think there's plenty of room for that here that we've ignored, honestly. While I agree with most of the points in the last post, I don't believe that we--we Jedi, using a fictional word from a film franchise--need exclude the Star Wars canon from our mythos. I feel that there's much to be learned by taking that canon alongside the underpinnings it represents, and that by denying ourselves wisdom from any fountain, we'll slowly die of thirst.

steamboat28 wrote: I think there's plenty of room for that here that we've ignored, honestly. While I agree with most of the points in the last post, I don't believe that we--we Jedi, using a fictional word from a film franchise--need exclude the Star Wars canon from our mythos. I feel that there's much to be learned by taking that canon alongside the underpinnings it represents, and that by denying ourselves wisdom from any fountain, we'll slowly die of thirst.

I don't mean to exclude it completely - it's the reason for most people to be here. It's always been part of TotJO, but it's been getting a bit much lately. We used to put an emphasis on real-life applications, the underlying philosophy etc. Today it seems to be totally ok when people join and promptly post 50 pics of themselves wielding lightsabers and talking about how they move objects with their minds. That's the kind of thing I believe we could do without - so we can focus on our core values again instead.

I'd like to take a minute to address the elephant in the room, that no one seems to either want to acknowledge or is unfortunately oblivious to...

We are getting more and more people coming through our doors that don't quite have it together upstairs, many of which are using this forum for their needs, most of these individuals are psychologically damaged, and are coming here looking for this forum to take the place of professional therapy and medication, and we are NOT equipped to meet their needs...

I do apologize if my actions previously have offended. If words however are going to set you off, if mere words are going to make you have an episode, then forums, even Jedi forums, are not where you need to be. The internet is not a safe place, this forum is not a safe place, please understand that. No amount of preparation is going to make it so, as many here are sincerely wanting training (real training) and are also not experienced with dealing with these types...

Do we turn away the hopeful student for the individual who is using this forum for a form of therapy and a safe place? Do we turn away the psychologically damaged to cater to the students who can handle themselves in a forum like atmosphere? You can't cater to both, because there will always be individuals from both sides who rub each other the wrong way thinking this site should be something else...

You can't have your cake and eat it too, unfortunately...

We can however, make this an environment where the majority of people passing through our doors are being benefited to some degree. How do we accomplish this?

By NOT over reacting to words.....

The VAST majority of people pulling the "I'm offended" shtick are using it to control others, and it really needs to stop. Again, this isn't a safe place, we get thousands of people coming through our site every month, understand the magnitude of this, please. Does it mean I and everyone else here working in office needs to step up their game, of course. I am as guilty if not more so than the next guy, and I'll admit it. Again, if my words have offended previously, I humbly apologize, I will put my best foot forward to improve. But cease thinking you can throw a fit, and start drama in attempts to control another, you will be met with resistance...

In regards to the "lack of camaraderie," we have weekly hangouts, we ask all attending participate, as it ensures a better flow and overall feel for everyone attending. I've had to sit the last two out, I will be hosting tomorrow's live Cantina chat, everyone's invited...

The saturation of Star Wars, the only way to fix it is to change the name of the site, every movie coming out is going to most assuredly bring more people who do not understand what this Temple is about, if the pictures are bothering you, don't look. If the Star Wars threads are rubbing you the wrong way, don't read. If you don't feel there is enough content focusing on what you feel is important, then PLEASE start writing your own...