The author has no intention to indict any person in this theoretical discussion.
What is Canuck’s Comments in my eyes? I don’t know; I even don’t know whether I can say that I have thought about this question thoroughly. In fact, I can post a colorful and emotional tribune, and I can also try to be rationally critical…. Maybe in the end, the answer will depend on my mood at the very moment. Thus, I can not judge which answer is the true Truth. THIS QUESTION IS A TOUGH CALL!
In my eyes, a forum can be viewed as a society. To a less extent, Canuck’s Comments is a society with most architecture similar to those in the real world. Therefore, like the way that people make a comment on a society, all comments will be limited by one’s personal perceptions and opinions, which means that this one is not an exception. Thus, you may consider this comment as an incomplete, or biased depending on your own views.
Like any social organizations, there are “governors”, “celebrities”, “activists” and a majority of silent “ordinaries”, as well as few “dissidents” in this cyber forum. All of these figures fit very well with human nature in the world. Likewise, the characters of a forum are more likely to be shaped by its “governors”, “celebrities”, and “activists”, instead of by its silent ordinary “majority” or few “dissidents”. Moreover, “citizens” are obliged to follow “principles” in this cyber “society”. Though, only few of these “principles” are concrete guidelines whereas most of them are just feelings in our hearts.
Canuck’s Comments has put strong will in pursuing positive and graceful human characters besides the obvious goal---to improve English writing. These two factors dominate the characters and atmospheres, and shape the “principles” in this cyber “society”. Though, I do not know, between these two dominant factors, which one comes first in your eyes. I doubt that to improve English writing comes first since few persons here are professional educators. Of course, after all, we can hardly separate these two aspects as they are naturally bound together most of time. (Hopefully, people will have more comments on this section)
Then, what is your original purpose to come here? Of course, many of you may spell out your answer instantly “I want to learn English.” But, how do you want to learn, and how has it been progressed since you came here? Have you thought about these questions, seriously?
Obviously, people come here with different reasons, just like the way that people join in a social club. It can be a simple interest in its activities, a lonely feeling, a desire of making friends, or a need of help. These reasons can be different upon changing of time and environment. Nevertheless, the purposes of our visiting to this forum can vary in a wide range. If it is the case for you to have a different reason from others’, have you thought about how to bridge the distance between your own wishes and the “principles” in this cyber “society”?
Yet, as human beings, we can not be except from having our own desires. This intention may cause direct conflicts with the characters and atmospheres already shaped in the forum. These conflicts, in their appearance, come down to one focal point---our grading system---the only tangible symbol of the whole architecture in this invisible cyber “society”. This is why we see again and again that questions on the grading system have been raised spontaneously from new members. However, I doubt that people’s intention is to change the grading system; it is just because that people hardly find other channel to express their views easily here. Nevertheless, I believe that the discussion is always beneficial for everyone.
In fact, many visitors here have a strong passion for the built characters and atmospheres in this forum, which sometimes leads to a strong response to different voices. Such a practice, if happens in the real world, while good for keeping the valuable traditions, will surely have some disadvantages in its social development. As a result, the forum draws people with similar passions, which in turn, lead to a coherent group and real-world friends someday. But for many others, they can only come and go, or become one of the silent “ordinaries”. Since everyone wishes to express him without pressure, to stand alone on a different view from the majority will surely make the person very uncomfortable, hence lose his enthusiasm in this cyber “society”
Hereafter, do you have different views? Are you satisfied with what you have learned, obtained, and enjoyed in Canuck’s Comments? I believe that people will have a wide range of answers, just like results from any public polls in the real world.
