On several occasions when we've been discussing the club, Mica has told me that the site statistics show that we get a lot more traffic here in our club than just the members. A lot of non-members stop in for a visit every day. And when you think about it, it makes sense, for most of us frequently find ourselves visiting other music related sites as well; checking out an unusual bass or guitar, looking up the specs on a power amp or speaker cab, comparing stomp boxes and rack effects.
And thinking further about what sections of our board visitors might tend to read through most often, one that immediately comes to mind is the Factory To Customer section. It's easy to imagine that a bass player has from time to time heard about Alembic, but has never seen one, and when considering the purchase of a new bass might decide to type alembic.com into a browser window. This of course would take one to the main company page, where, right there on the front page, is a link to this club.
So if you're considering the purchase of an Alembic bass, why not check out what owners have to say. Thus it's easy to imagine folks clicking on that link and showing up on the club front page where right there in the middle of the index is something called Factory To Customer. Now that sounds intriguing. A quick click on a link and there's a whole list of custom builds, often identified by the owner's name and a brief description of the particular instrument. Very intriguing! Quite often, I would imagine, the first choice to try will be the thread that's at the top of the list, which as we know is the thread to which the most recent post to the section has been made.
It should now be clear to the members of this club that what we post to this forum, the discussions that we have, the language that we use, the opinions we express, the way we treat each other, and the way we treat our host, can make a substantial impression upon the many visitors our club receives each day, many of whom are potential customers of Alembic.
Yesterday, one of the threads that is frequently at the top of the FTC section was the scene of a very unpleasant exchange that in my view reflected poorly upon our club and sullied this forum as a place for prospective bass and guitar purchasers to learn about Alembic the company and its instruments. Late last night I did something that I never wanted to do; I closed, temporarily, an FTC thread. The exchange had escalated out of control.
It is understandable. As is played out every day in arenas big and small throughout the world, humans tend to take exception, to react defensively, and to go on the offensive. There are of course times when reacting quickly and instinctively is appropriate and necessary; times when taking the time to think through a situation and consider the wisest course is just not possible. But in many circumstances we do have the opportunity to think, to consider the broader implications of our actions, the consequences of escalation.
There was absolutely no need for yesterday's vehement exchange. No one's life was in danger. All we are engaged in here is the appreciation and love of fine craftsmanship and high art. This place should be a sanctuary of peace, love, and understanding. It shouldn't be that difficult to treat each other with respect.
But of course, it is difficult. We live in a world with enormous amounts of sensory input that push and pull us in all kinds of directions. We're constantly subject to emotional conflict; and when we sit down and log on to the Alembic club, we bring that flow of energy with us to the table. So yes, it is difficult; but recognizing that point makes it possible to breath, to center ourselves, to enjoy and appreciate the moment, the gift that is the opportunity to share this place together.
I really didn't want to close an FTC thread. In my view, an FTC thread, like a Showcase thread, is special. As we have seen countless times, an FTC thread is a unique experience for the instrument's new owner. An FTC thread should be afforded the highest respect and courtesy of any section of this board. An FTC thread is an opportunity for the new owner to share in the creation of their instrument; an instrument that oftentimes represents much planning, much soul searching, and much financial consideration. An FTC thread can be an emotional experience, and understandably so.
So, the point of this post is to remind ourselves of the need to be respectful of each other and of our host. Your day after leaving this site is enhanced when your experience here has been enjoyable; your day after leaving here is made more difficult when your experience here has been unpleasant. Each of us has the opportunity here in a very real and tangible sense to make the world a better place. How we treat each other has a ripple effect in that the people we interact with subsequently interact with others.
If you think there is a problem here on our board that needs addressing, feel free to email me about it. If you feel the need to react vociferously to someone's errant post, then please stop, breath, and think.
Thank you for reading.
The day here today is magical. The wind is swirling and gusting through and around the cove, the boughs with their brightly colored leaves dance and sway, the air is warm, flowing and tangible; a precious and exquisite gift of experience for which I am most thankful.
Enjoy this precious moment where ever you are and what ever your circumstances.
