I’ve probably missed a discussion on this already (sorry… I’ve been a bit wiped out in the last couple of weeks so haven’t been paying as much attention) but as I was perusing Southern Cross last night I saw our friends, Ian & Craig, in print :) Great idea to include some of the posts on here in the feedback section of the publication.

Just wanted to check
1) Whether posts which will be published are only those in direct response to an article in an earlier Southern Cross?
2) Whether the authors of the posts will be contacted prior to including their posts (and perhaps be given the opportunity to edit?).

But as I said - great idea :)

(Now I’ll find out that this has been going on for months and months and I just haven’t been paying attention).

Re: Forums in Southern Cross

[quote author="Dani Treweek"]
2) Whether the authors of the posts will be contacted prior to including their posts (and perhaps be given the opportunity to edit?).

As soon as I saw the texts in there, I wondered the same thing. But I saw the rather sensitive nature of what was posted and I am sure that Southern Cross would never have reprinted anything like that without the express permission of the posters.

Pax,
minorbob

Re: Forums in Southern Cross

[quote author="minorbob"][quote author="Dani Treweek"]
2) Whether the authors of the posts will be contacted prior to including their posts (and perhaps be given the opportunity to edit?).

As soon as I saw the texts in there, I wondered the same thing. But I saw the rather sensitive nature of what was posted and I am sure that Southern Cross would never have reprinted anything like that without the express permission of the posters.

Well...actually...they did not ask!!!  *shock* As minorbob said, the topic I posted on is fairly sensitive and I wondered what members of past(*) churches I have attended would think???

BUT, I believe Luke has made it clear that this should no longer happen.  I was a bit shocked at first, but then again - anyone could read this I suppose, and I am using my real name, so ...  Anyway: I think asking in the future is a good idea.

God bless,
Ian.

{ (*) Edit: and my current church—well, it is Orthodox so I doubt they dig out SC...but my last Anglican church—only my priest knew.  Actually, I probably would have given permission methinks. }

Oh - and Warren has a letter in this month’s SC as well!  Great letter, Warren!

Yes I concur with Ian. Luke let me know extremely apologetic early last month, I said, “it was OK”

Because I use my real name I don’t post anthing that I would not stand behind saying publically - I do think though perhaps the context could be lost as too why what was posted was posted.

Ians was self explanatory, mine not so much.

I thought it a privilidge for that post, or any post for that matter to be chosen to be publically printed.

I would hope though that no one would hold back from saying what they think because of the possibility of it going into print, as the posts here are possibly read by a much wider range of people than our local churches who would read the Southern Cross.

craig -

This first thing I found out about this was when I was flicking through one of our hot-off-the-press copies… :eek:

I sussed out what was going on and contacted Ian & Craig straight away, who were very gracious about it. I thought it was an interesting idea, but I think it was all a bit last minute (esp with Geoff leaving and Madeleine & Joseph coming on board) and not very well thought through. Madeleine (new editor) and Joseph (new journo) were both very understanding though, and if the section does appear again in the future I’m sure it will be much better handled.

My main concern was that given we’re all pretty open on these forums I think it would be a shame if people felt less comfortable if they thought posts might be picked up in SC. So, if it does appear again I’ll do my best to make sure its carefully qualified as to what may or may not be considered for inclusion, and I’ll make doubly sure people are contacted prior to going to press (!). For the moment I think the ideas on the backburner though.

Regardless, I’d love to get feedback on the idea so please post your thoughts below, positive or negative, and I’ll pass them on to Madeleine.

For those like myself who don’t receive Southern Cross, could someone perhaps fill us in on what exactly happened?  I assume it was in the hard copy version as I didn’t see anything in the online version, but if I’m wrong on that, please feel free to provide a link.

Thanks.

Andrew.

I sent this (80k gif) to Ian & Craig so they could see what I was talking about before they had a copy of SC.

I see.  Thanks Luke.

I guess not a bad idea in principle, though agree with what you’ve all said about checking with the author first.  In particular, I think a lot of worthwhile discussion goes on here with people putting a lot of thought into their posts, and if readers of Southern Cross can benefit from that, then why not share the fruits of this forum with a wider audience.

Cheers,

Andrew.

Thanks guys :)

My main concern was that given we’re all pretty open on these forums I think it would be a shame if people felt less comfortable if they thought posts might be picked up in SC. So, if it does appear again I’ll do my best to make sure its carefully qualified as to what may or may not be considered for inclusion, and I’ll make doubly sure people are contacted prior to going to press (!)

I completely concur that the openess and frankness on here is wonderful and I value it tremendously.

But I think we all need to keep reminding ourselves that this IS a public forum and not a private conversation just between all of us who post. In the last few months I have spoken to three people (two of whom I have never met and just spoke to on the phone when they called work) who have said thiings like

“Hang on… are you Dani Treweek who posts on AMS?”

“Ahh… you’re Dani. Your posts keep me entertained”

“I’ve watched how your posting on here has developed your thought processes...”

I’ve also had friends who I know quite well email me or speak to me about posts they have been reading of mine (and others) on here.

I’m not by any stretch of the imagination saying I was offended by anything these people said to me (Hi guys! Really.. I’m not offended!) it just reminded me that there are probably a large number of people who read these boards without actually contributing and that I shouldn’t be lulled into a sense where we are only really opening ourselves up to gang who come along to the socials (and so on).

I learnt that lesson the hard way a few years ago. I had my own web journal which for years nobody I knew actually read. Unfortunately that meant that it became a bit of an outlet for me and I shared stuff I probably wouldn’t have shared with a friend face to face (which isn’t particularly hard since I find it hard to open up with even my closest friends about internal struggles etc) Thankfully friends started reading it which forced me to think about how I was using it and I still meet people today who are complete strangers but who ‘know me’ through my blog (which is now defunct!)

So anyway, when I saw the posts in SC it made me realise again that even though at times we think these forums are quite private they are actually very public and we never know who’s watching <insert X-files theme song here>

A great point, Dani.

It hit home to me when a friend said he’d come across a prayer post I put here through Google!  My first thought was fear and “Has he read that SSA thread I so openly posted on???” - ‘tis only a few clicks away!

Then I thought “Stuff it!” If he has then I’ll deal with it… ;-) But that is me and I don’t presume to think all people think like that.

But as Dani said, ‘tis always wise to remember there is a wider audience.  But I do hope we can all continue to be honest here.

And I hope the posts put in SC help people, as well as hopefully bringing them here and getting them posting!

God bless,
Ian.