Big thing though is that the "dynamics" of an internet forum are very very different from the dymanics of a social group that meets in person. Possibly because of a wider diversity of people from all areas and likely because of the anonimity that the internet provides, coupled with how easy it is to misunderstand things due to a lack of facial expressions or other "body language" clues, you can't tell if someone is saying something because they are upset or agitated or sometimes that they are saying something as a joke.

Most of the message forums on the internet quickly degrade into flaming, name calling, nasty talk and accusations that are far from topic. I excuse myself quickly from those places but sometimes it seems as if that is what the people there actually enjoy. Maybe the nastiness and namecalling gives them an outlet that they can't experience in real life.

At a place like this where it is imperative that things don't degrade into long heated arguments that can only result in hurt feelings all around, I agree that it is wise to set some "limits" that migth be considered overly protective in a different environment (like a real life group).

--The world is what we make of it--
-- Dave
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