Conundrum

It's a bit of a conundrum I find myself in. Having hosted the old forum at our site, with the pros and cons that existed there, and certainly had my voice heard too many times in that media, getting involved in discussion on another forum comes with some perils. Through the time hosting the old forum I certainly asked the dummy questions, added perspective at times, other times simply raised points to explore differing avenues, all of which may or may not have been my true perspective. As a user of forums today, the # of posts I make is way down, thankfully, my involvement pared to a minimum. It also allows me to simply express points of view on track, for a few issues.

In the midst of all things forum related, and fisheries issues related while we're at it, I've personally always felt a need to remain an internet hermit, not getting out fishing with too many folks, for the sole reason that I don't know who is friendly or not. An invitation to fish with someone isn't necessarily an invitation to enjoy a day so much as a possible gang up or attack. The issue with internet activity is that, having had such involvement, I'm not sure who could see and understand what I was trying to do with the forums (providing an avenue for discussion and exploring perspectives) and appreciate it for what it was, and who couldn't. And how could you possibly know that unless you get involved with people face to face? But how can you possibly know who to trust to go fishing together, given the love and hate expressed on an internet fishing forum for so long?

So, there it goes. Some folks love you, some don't. Some issues and conflicts could easily be wiped with face to face talks and getting to know each other, but it's that one in a lifetime chance that someone may not be seeking a friendly day that unnerves you, keeps you from enjoying time with people that I think I'd really enjoy spending time with.

Ergo, the internet hermit. It's not something I want, but at the same time it served its purpose for a while. So, if you've invited me to fish through the years, that's kind of why. It certainly isn't personal, nor was it ever intended to be a slight to any one person. It's just that uncertainty given the role I played and not knowing if everyone ever truly understands how or why I've played it. Yes, I'd love to fish with more folks and get to know more folks so the negative perception that is out there with a few folks could be laid to rest, but at the same time, though the old forum is long gone, some still linger with that perspective.

Onwards goes the conundrum.

:)