Quote: Steve Sunshine @ May 1 2011, 3:07 AM BSTNow that's good Drama!
To be honest, if I really want to get it on HBO I should probably pad it out with 9 Seasons x 13 Episodes of inconsequential shit between the lines "I'm off again!" and "I'm back again!".
On a more serious point about old members being blamed for "scaring off", "not welcoming", or even "bullying" new members (because I sense that's where this thread will be going soon), this is the only place on the internet I ever regularly post. When I was a newbie back in 2007, I bided my time and got to find my feet before wading in with my (still) unreasonable and half-baked opinions. The point is, I felt it was my place as a new member to try and fit in with the BCG, not expect the whole forum to adapt to suit my needs/temperament (though of course it would be a far better place if it did). Sure, new members will hopefully one day become older members and will help to shape the board in a collective image, but if new members aren't willing to initially show any patience with the status quo then it's not really the fault of those of us who've been coming here for a long time and - importantly - abided by the rules of the place.
This is in no way a point aimed specifically at Sophie (whom I sincerely hope might find that she feels like posting on the BCG again), but there's been numerous occasions where older members have been accused by some of bullying new arrivals. To be fair, these accusations have often been made by our regular cast of trolls posting under their various usernames, but a general mood has become apparent about the treatment of new members; a mood that has tended to try to put the majority of blame on long-term posters.
Personally I think that we try to make new members feel welcome and don't subject any of them to personal attacks (certainly not of the YouTube comments variety). Mostly they are welcomed and engaged with, their posts responded to in a cheerful and respectful manner. For some, this place obviously doesn't suit their style, nor their needs. Well, it is what it is and no place will be right for everyone. How can we be expected to constantly adapt to suit the requirements of each and every new member who posts? Truth is, we can't. The debate on the BCG is often robust, often cynical, often sarcastic, pretty much always strongly-opinionated - but I really don't see any evidence of gang activity here. (The most vociferous and personal jibes that occur are pretty much always between long-established members, who are familiar with each other and just about know how far they can push people they've exchanged digital abuse with for a number of years.)
So there's the odd heated debate and the occasional spat, but the forums are also very often witty, wise, good-natured, very human and full of empathy and good honest fun. We have friendly and effective moderators and a reasonable set of board rules. If you like the forums and you put the time in - maybe biting your tongue a few times along the way - you might learn that the vast majority of members on here are not inhuman internet wankers, but people just like yourself - human internet wankers. 
EDIT: Oh, and I see I have just passed 15,000 posts. Do I get to go home now? *crosses fingers & toes*
