I couldn't let this thread go without making some comments - so here goes. I'm not going to spend a lot of time composing this post and so if it's a little non sequitur please forgive me.
ESMB changes every day. Sometimes it's a great place to hang out, sometimes not. Sometimes it seems to be FZ friendly sometimes FZ unfriendly. Sometimes it gets dominated by certain posters who set a "tone" and make others feel that "the board" is taking on a new flavour, but in fact it is just one or two who happen to write well and often.
ESMB has grown out of all proportion to my original goal. As it grows it gets harder and harder to "control". Not that I want to control what people talk about - I don't, but as the board "swings" one way or another it does so under it's own steam without any input from myself or moderators. It's all governed by that day's threads and the posters that reply.
In the early days I had much more time and could get to know everyone personally and it was a more intimate group. Now I look at the posts of the day and realise I hardly know anybody. Of course the core group are still around (mostly) and it's wonderful to see new people getting out and joining up. ESMB is like a party that grew from an intimate dinner party for 12 to a massive BBQ with thousands milling around, talking in groups, some vegetarians, some meat lovers, some beer drinkers, some wine drinkers, some playing cricket, some wrestling in the corner and others passed out on the sidewalk from too much rum
When you go to a party like that it's hard to get to know everyone and most likely you don't even want to get to know everybody.
Over the years people have complained that ESMB doesn't fit their ideal board. Some feel it's too FZ friendly, others feel it's not welcoming enough for those who still want to practice Scn. Others feel it's not proactive enough in "destroying Scn" and others feel that it's too critical of Scn and Hubbard.
The thing about that is that ESMB was supposed to be agendaless. I didn't set out with an agenda to "do" anything other than provide a safe place for people to talk about their experiences in Scn, make new friends and reconnect with others. I realise this doesn't suit everyone but I'm not apologising for this.
I see ESMB as a revolving door. People come in, get what they need, say their piece, recover a bit of themselves and then leave again (or not). Some folks make a lot of new friends in the process and hang around for the company and camaraderie. Others become permanent fixtures that you can rely on for good advice and a welcoming handshake. Others tire of the conversation and company and forget that the door is still revolving and that you can leave if you are tired of it. Others leave when they are ready and you never hear from them again. Others never actually say anything but get what they need from just listening to the group and then quietly wonder off to continue their lives.
To survive on ESMB you have to have tolerance. This is probably the biggest thing that running this board has taught me. I had very little tolerance when I got out of Scn. I wasn't willing to accept others viewpoints as valid if they were opposed to mine (because I'm RIGHT god dammit!). I believe Scn closes your mind. In fact being open minded is a big crime in the church. I'd taken that on board and was living it. I've now found that I can admire and respect a person who thinks very differently to me because it's not the ideas of a person that I respect, it's about character and integrity.
Regarding trolls: One mans troll is another mans prophet. I wish I could share with you all the various complaints I get about "Poster A" or "Poster B" only to find that these same posters have really helped out other members with their insights and viewpoints. It's virtually impossible to monitor trolling to everyone's satisfaction. Use the ignore button to your advantage.
Overall I think we have a great group here. I'm proud of this board and the assistance it's given so many people. I know it's not perfect - I'm not perfect and neither is any one else but I think if we keep in mind the basic purpose of the board which is fundamentally just a vehicle for communication between exes and interested parties, I think we will be ok.
Cheers!