SURVEY TIME: Why are you at The Cauldron?

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[Aster Breo]

1.  I'm here at TC because I'm addicted.  No, seriously, it's true.  The withdrawal pains when I have to be away are awful. 

When I first found TC 4 (?) years or so ago, I was so afraid to post -- so afraid I'd look like an idiot in front of all those knowledgeable people.  I lurked forever.  But once I dove in and discovered that I could ask questions and people would actually answer them!  Wow!  How cool is that!  Nobody ridiculed me for having stupid ideas or for being weird or anything.  What a relief!  And then, to top it off, I discovered that sometimes I had something to add to a discussion and that what I said could be helpful to someone else.  What a great feeling!

TC has been the only place I have been comfortable talking totally openly about my evolving beliefs and, more importantly, my spiritual experiences.  The folks here have helped me so much -- helped me understand what was happening when I first heard Brighid's voice, and helped me learn how to become the person I am today.  I hope I have been able to return that favor at least a little bit. 

Mostly, I'm here because I have true friends here, and I can be who I am here.

2.  TC was actually the first forum I landed on.  Just the luck of the google.  Since then, I've looked at a few other forums, but have not been impressed with any others.  None are as active as TC, and none are as diverse and as founded on discussion and debate (as opposed to just happy smiles all around).  I am on a few CR lists, which I think are in a slightly different category, but they're also not nearly as active.  There are so many people here who are willing to wade in and try to offer whatever they can, whether it's information, a virtual shoulder to cry on, or someone to "talk" to.

3.  I hope to be able to discuss my own and others' questions and experiences regarding religion, spirituality, philosophy, etc.  I'm particularly interested in specifc areas (Celtic Polytheism, the TC Cill), and I tend to post about those things, but I do enjoy reading the wide variety of threads here, even when I don't have anything to add to them.  I've learned so much about so many topics, both esoteric and everyday.

4.  I'm very impressed by how carefully Randall and Lyric have structured the rules and how well they are enforced.  I'm also very impressed by the obvious intelligence of the long-term regular posters.  (That doesn't mean the newer folks aren't smart too, just that I don't know them yet!  )

I was also very impressed with how TC members got together to create the Cill.  That was and continues to be so cool.  (I remain hopeful that we will eventually finish the Teens and Paganisim FAQ, as well.)  How many online forums actually do projects together like that?

5.  I agree with WH about the water pressure issue in the guest bedroom.  That's a real bummer when you're all hot and sweaty and need a shower.  And there was that unfortunate incident with the penguins last year.  Other than that, I can't think of anything that disappoints me.  Sometimes it feels like we're in the midst of a fluff attack, but that's just the nature of an online forum.  Those times eventually work themselves out.  Nope, as long as Shad continues to be careful with the flamethrowers, I think we're good to go.

[WarHorse]

2.  TC was actually the first forum I landed on.  Just the luck of the google. 

Me too.  I haven't felt a need to look anywhere else, either.

[SunflowerP]

1) Why are you at The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum?

Community.

2) What brings you here instead of elsewhere?

TC's definition of "fluffy bunny".  Oh, there's a lot more to it than that, but that one's both pivotal and articulable - I feel very strongly that education, not mockery, is the way to address misinformation, so I have a low opinion of a lot of those who identify as "anti-fluff", and was thrilled to find a forum that shared my approach.

3) What do you get (or hope to get) out of The Cauldron?

As others have noted, an online home.  A wide variety of different takes on any given question - I'm not sure which I get more out of, the angles close to mine that deepen my understanding, or the angles that are really different and expand it.  A culture whose standards of scholarship and knowledgeability keep me on my toes, constantly improving.

4) What (if anything) really impresses you about The Cauldron?

Diversity - I love having people around who are knowledgeable, from the inside, about many different religions Pagan and non-Pagan.  Old-school board management - this place is run by the well-tried principles on which "netiquette" was built.

5) What (if anything) really disappoints you about The Cauldron?

When we went to the SMF software, we started - partly because of how the software imposes certain structure on the board - being a lot gentler on people with misinformation.

Sunflower

[adriennemac]

1) Why are you at The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum? 

It was suggested by a member as a place where I might find serious discussion, and good community.

2) What brings you here instead of elsewhere?

With few exceptions, elsewhere didn't have much to offer me.

3) What do you get (or hope to get) out of The Cauldron?

Serious discussion, and good community.  My time has been very limited lately, but that will change and I look forward to getting to know people and feeling comfortable.

4) What (if anything) really impresses you about The Cauldron?

How dedicated the staff is to keeping this area ... regulated?  I can't quite think of how I want to phrase this.  It's late and I'm dealing with a bit of insomnia.  I don't mean regulated in a strict way, if that makes any more sense. 

5) What (if anything) really disappoints you about The Cauldron?

Nothing, yet.

[Altair]

I hope everyone with a Cauldron membership (even lurkers!) will take a few minutes and answer the following questions. Thank you very much in advance!

1) Why are you at The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum? 

2) What brings you here instead of elsewhere?

3) What do you get (or hope to get) out of The Cauldron?

4) What (if anything) really impresses you about The Cauldron?

5) What (if anything) really disappoints you about The Cauldron?

1-4) The high level of discourse

5) When things get slow on the board...but, since it's up to us to keep it busy, I bear as much responsibility for that as anyone

[EverFool]

1) Why are you at The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum? 

Sort of a tough one for me.  I considered myself pagan/interested when I first came to the Cauldron, and I feel I have made some friends here.  I think I'd mistt quite a few people if I stopped posting at the Cauldron.

2) What brings you here instead of elsewhere?

Well, I did try a few forums back in the day, but a lot involved people threatening to curse each other, boast about how great they were, etc.  I've seen that happen in trolls/ new posters here, but they generally get laughed at, leading to a flounce or occasionally a little maturity.  If I hadn't found this place as a Pagan, I wouldn't be here now as I don't have a huge investment in debating religion or magic much of the time.

3) What do you get (or hope to get) out of The Cauldron?

Mostly I get some fellowship with some of the other long-time posters, and every now and then I say 'huh.  I didn't know *that*'

4) What (if anything) really impresses you about The Cauldron?

The range of experts.  On some forums you'd get nothing but people who focus on Llwellyn etc.  Here, there are actually quite a lot of academics.  I might not be that interested in religion and magic as people believe in them, as such,but  I'm generally interested when one of the academic members shares their knowledge.

5) What (if anything) really disappoints you about The Cauldron?

Those who know me, know what things disappoint me here.  It's not the fault of the Cauldron, however.

[Waldfrau]

1) Why are you at The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum?

I was researching on witchvox and found an article discussing the Pagan community in a very differenciated way. Below was a link to TC.

2) What brings you here instead of elsewhere?

It's the best place to get reliable information and have intelligent discussions I've found so far. But I'm also in some German forums just to get some rl contacts and talk about things which are specific to my country.

3) What do you get (or hope to get) out of The Cauldron?

Honest, serious and scholarly discussions. I'm also glad to have found some fellow-ship with like minded minds.

4) What (if anything) really impresses you about The Cauldron?

I've really learned a lot here and I'm impressed about how some very experienced member take the time to explain stuff to newbies in a respectful and understanding manner. I wish we had some symbolical award for them to honor their work. Maybe we could have one once a year and elect such members for it?

5) What (if anything) really disappoints you about The Cauldron?

Some things which are bound to appear on every forum and are hard to erease:
- People misunderstanding each other because they don't speak and listen clearly enough to each other and think they knew already where a person is coming from.

- I think it can be frustrating for newbies not to have things explained in a way they can understand and feel treated with respect. Some newbie questions really annoy me personally although I'm still new to Pagan religions myself. I personally ignore them mostly when I don't have the time and patience to explain. I wish there was some formal staff for newbie tutorship - for helping them and showing them the boundaries. But it's not a job I expect anyone to volunteer for. Just a suggestion if anyone should like the idea.

[Midnightrider]

I hope everyone with a Cauldron membership (even lurkers!) will take a few minutes and answer the following questions. Thank you very much in advance!

1) Why are you at The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum?
I am here because I was a member of the older Cauldron (don't remember my original name) and wanted to return, and also because I was looking for a solid forum with a solid background, solid monitoring and active sections. I live a bit of a solitary life and enjoy the community aspect of The Cauldron.

2) What brings you here instead of elsewhere?
Many of the other forums I belonged to were either left hanging to get on by themselves with no monitoring, or moderators with little qualifications. New members were allowed to enter sections that were beyond their comprehension or level of understanding.   

3) What do you get (or hope to get) out of The Cauldron?
I hope to learn more about paganism in general and about the many different aspects that make up the pagan kaleidoscope.

4) What (if anything) really impresses you about The Cauldron?
I am impressed about the amount of control that is exercised in the forums. They are controlled by levels of understanding and by participation. The information that comes out of the forums is remarkably good and the more experienced/advanced members know their backgrounds and how to explain them.
 
5) What (if anything) really disappoints you about The Cauldron?
I noticed that new members seem to be afraid to ask questions or jump right into the cauldron and participate actively. It's a very slow process and some could feel discouraged to continue because after a while they aren't getting any where. It's a daring process...

[FierFlye]

I've really learned a lot here and I'm impressed about how some very experienced member take the time to explain stuff to newbies in a respectful and understanding manner. I wish we had some symbolical award for them to honor their work. Maybe we could have one once a year and elect such members for it?

I think that's a good idea.  Are you volunteering to tally nominations?  Because I already have mine.   

[Elisabette]

1-4.  I landed on TC by chance when I was looking for some ideas about spells or techniques to improve concentration.  I like the sense of community, and I find that the discussion here helps keep me sharp, makes me ask new questions, and sometimes gives me a kick in the butt in terms of spiritual development.

I'm impressed by the diversity of the membership, and by the intelligence of the discussion.  I like that Randall and Lyric run a tight ship, and keep the BS to a minimum around here. 

5.  I liked the format better on beehive, but I understand that it was an admin nightmare.  I've noticed that since I've been back things seems a bit slower than I remember, but I've been chalking that up to the time of year.

Betty

[thain]

I hope everyone with a Cauldron membership (even lurkers!) will take a few minutes and answer the following questions. Thank you very much in advance!

1) Why are you at The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum? 

2) What brings you here instead of elsewhere?

3) What do you get (or hope to get) out of The Cauldron?

4) What (if anything) really impresses you about The Cauldron?

5) What (if anything) really disappoints you about The Cauldron?

Maybe it's about time to quit lurking again

1.  I am at The Cauldron because I've never found a better forum.  Full stop.  I'm the kind of weirdo that actually doesn't like most internet culture, and trying to read the average forum will give me a migraine faster than just about anything else, but I always enjoy reading TC, even when I go for months without posting myself (sorry about that, anyone who cares, I stay so busy that I can sometimes get too burnt out to actually contribute to conversations).

2.  See #1.  As part of work, I was required to post to a computer forum on a regular basis.  I made an equal or greater number of posts here for the entire duration of that insanity, because it was really the only way to keep myself sane.

3.  I get knowledge and awesomely intelligent discussion.  There are many people on TC who put my knowledge to shame, and I LOVE that, because I love to learn.  I also enjoy the fact that, despite radical differences in belief, the discussion is almost always civilized (even if it's a civilized way of saying, "What a load of bunk" ), and when it steps out of the realm of civility, the moderators and staff are swift to remind everyone to tone it down.

4.  I think just about everything I've said so far impresses me about TC.  Every forum has its "regulars," but I've never seen another forum that actually has a family, and that's what TC really feels like to me.  The regulars are family, and they tend to make not-so-regulars like myself feel as welcome as family.

5.  Nothing disappoints me about TC except for the fact that I tend to have a hard time staying active on the forum, and there's nothing to be done for that short of me managing to find a good new job.

[Melamphoros]

(sorry about that, anyone who cares, I stay so busy that I can sometimes get too burnt out to actually contribute to conversations).

So THAT'S what happened to you.  For a second I thought you were taken aboard an alien spacecraft

[rose]

I hope everyone with a Cauldron membership (even lurkers!) will take a few minutes and answer the following questions. Thank you very much in advance!

1) Why are you at The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum? 

2) What brings you here instead of elsewhere?

3) What do you get (or hope to get) out of The Cauldron?

4) What (if anything) really impresses you about The Cauldron?

5) What (if anything) really disappoints you about The Cauldron?

I like the TC format just about best, although that may be more of a comment on the age of my eyes and ability to cope with sparkly pink or black backgrounds. I have been on or visited other forums quite alot over the past five or so years.  In the year and a half or so that I have been regularly posting here, I have had big fights, broken rules and raised a ruckus, or had a ruckus raised on me, and still I really enjoy it here, and always learn from whatever is happening, in some way. While I don't have a lot of friends here, overall I find the atmosphere very friendly, warm, and welcoming in a general way, and especially nurturing and kind to newbs, if they are genuinely interested in learning. As some others have noted, that is sadly lacking in the online pagan world, and really ime, in the pagan world in general. TC is without question the best managed and least flakey of the forums I've visited or been on regularly. While it can be a bit rule-bound, I don't guess there's a way to get around that on a public board of this size and with as diverse a poplulation.

As others also said, the diversity of the population is a huge reason why I come back here. I can't really think of anything that disappoints me, per se.

[thain]

So THAT'S what happened to you.  For a second I thought you were taken aboard an alien spacecraft

No, no, that's just where I work.  I've got to figure out why my arse is so sore sometimes after a long day's work

[RandallS]

While I don't have a lot of friends here, overall I find the atmosphere very friendly, warm, and welcoming in a general way, and especially nurturing and kind to newbs, if they are genuinely interested in learning.

Do you mean that you don't have a lot of friends from real life/elsewhere here or that you have trouble making friends here? If it is the latter, is there anything TC could do to make it easier for people to become friends here?

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