The Echo Chamber

[Craig Paxton]

I’m getting the feeling that I’ve overstayed my welcome here at MD&D. Something that saddens me greatly…since I sincerely enjoy being a participant here. I’m also getting signals from some posters that my perception here is quite contrary to the image that I wish to project.

Several posters have expressed the opinion that I am an obsessive anti-Mormon, that my posts are pathetic and that I project an image of resentment towards Mormonism. Others have suggested that I make snide comments and dabble in innuendo. Still others suggest that my motivation in posting here is to entertain myself, (true) that it makes me happy to poke and prod the herd from which I supposedly liberated myself from or that I’m wasting my time here by starting a large number of critical threads on this LDS message board all whilst declaring that I am a happy apostate finally free from mental anguish of Mormonism.

While I can understand how some of these perceptions were arrived at…I want to set the record straight. I am a seeker of truth….and I enjoy testing my truth perceptions against the truth perceptions of the members of this board. I’ve often found that observations I thought I had come to a firm conclusion on and believed to be true…were more complicated and actually (I can’t believe I’m admitting this) needed a more nuanced approach. While on other issues I’ve had my conclusions reinforced and reconfirmed.

Some observations of my experience here at MD&D:

1. MD&D is my favorite message board hands down.
   
2. You challenge me
   
3. You test me
   
4. You make me think…and isn’t that a good thing?
   
5. Hopefully I provide some value giving a contrarian point of view (wishful thinking)
   
6. For the most part, the moderators have been surprisingly and EXTREMELY patient with me.
   

However if the general consensus is that I am an irritant, an annoyance or have overstayed my welcome…perhaps it is time to turn off the lights and allow MD&D to become the echo chamber some wish it to be…where everyone agrees with everyone else.

[Ares]

Feeling introspective today?