This is getting out of hand...
As one of the oldest non-mods, I guess I should know better than to contribute to this kind of thread, but hey, I'm old and dumb, so here goes...
Mmiz/FFEMT/Chimpie, thank you for your additional work and contribution of resources that provide us a place to exchange ideas, and debate our view points, no matter how odd ball they may seem.
Almost everyone else except Rid/Vent, behave yourselves! This recent enforcement is only because some people are demonstrating a lack of self-control. There is no reason to post multiple times to another stethoscope, lights, volunteer threads, about the original poster's lack of ability to search. If no one responds then they will have to learn to search. There is no point in belittling people. Stop demeaning people, no professional instructor would allow belittling or name calling in their class between students. This forum, as I understand it is a combination of social arena, and learning forum, hence the need to maintain civility. The amount of condescending bs and mockery of another person's viewpoint, serve no point in either education another professional on your view point, or bolstering your public perception as a professional.
Unfortunately, the problem is that when you humiliate or attempt to humiliate someone else, they attach their dislike for humiliation to you, and your message. This causes them to not only dislike you, but also to distrust the information that you're relaying. I highly doubt that most of the people that are the rudest on this site, are actually as rude in person. Having met a few, I would characterize this as simply internet bravado, a false feeling of invincibility of hiding behind a keyboard. When I did meet a few of the rude people from this site, they were nothing like their online personna, which was rather nice, as it would of led to a very short conversation.
I guess long story short, it's the golden rule, treat other people the way you wish to be treated. No, the opinion of "this profession requires a thick skin" doesn't hold water for me, I see no reason to treat another professional in an disrespectful way. It is counterproductive for both ourselves as individual practioners, and as EMS as a profession. If your partner on the AMB/ENG whatever you work treated you the way you treat others on this site, no matter how boneheaded of a decision or remark you've made, you would be taken back and likely offended. Life is life, virtual, forum, or otherwise. All that being said, the forum has been around for years, if you can't be civil and treat others the way you wish to be treated, it's been here before you, and will be here after you leave.*
That being said, if you search my postings, you'll see that the mods don't dislike arguements, as I've been in a few, rather they will "correct" people who lack the ability to converse on the forum with common courtesy and respect.
Rid/Vent, I've learned a lot from your postings, and agree with you in principle regarding the need for elevated standards of education. Unfortunately, I'm not sure that there is the motivation from the industry to bear the burden of increase in education. I do agree that it is a fight that needs to start with us, and I appreciate you reminding us of that. That also being said, you can't save everyone. Some people will always do the bare minimum to get by, and nothing will change that. I look forward to continuing to learn from your postings.
*If you conduct yourselves with common courtesy, respect, and self-discipline, the preceeding does not apply to you, thank you for reading...
Just a post from a guy who reads alot, and doesn't usually say much... -luno
