New Poll - Please Read

[shaxper]

Hey folks,

I'm just trying to gauge an understanding of where the board is right now.  I've noticed that only a handful of members contribute to discussion on a regular basis (it's okay if you don't) and I just want to make sure that this site is actually interesting people.  Please take the poll and let me know how you feel about The Tavern.  I want to make sure this is a place that everyone enjoys.

Thanks in advance!

Shaxper

[inhiding]

i don't really post at all (yet) in the other boards, because, well I really don't have enough good things to say. I am just getting into Shakespeare, but I really like it. (Ok, I am 13, the truth hurts )

[shaxper]

Heheh.  And now that the truth is out, we shall flog you!!


...kidding   ;D

But seriously, part of the reason I began this topic was to let folks know that you don't need to know anything about anything to post here.  Just share your thoughts and opinions.  You can't get those wrong.  If Ganymede, Nolabue5, and I all talk a good game, it's because we spent four years and unspeakable amounts of money at college learning how to sound impressive.  But this site isn't about sounding impressive, it's about sharing a love of Renaissance Drama.  SO dive right in and tell us what you like and what you don't, what you understand and what confuses you.  We'd love to hear it!


(Thanks for your honesty  )

[Abhorson]

I try to post when I've got something to say, but it would be more accurate to say I post when I've got up the nerve , not that you are all horrible or anything, I just am very concious of my limited knowledge

[shaxper]

Man, we're not horrible??  Well there goes the board!   ;D


I know you're new to Shakespeare, Abhorson, but that doesn't discredit your ability to have feelings about what you've read.  I'm very glad you contributed to the "What's your favorite play" topic in the Shakespeare section, and I hope you'll contribute more as you read more.  But in the meantime, please keep sharing your maritime knowledge with us in General Renaissance discussion, and share more of yourself in General!  Thanks for your honesty, as well  

[inhiding]

Ok, ok. I am real busy right now as everything is pertaning to life. I am in the middle of Othello (going to see it in play May 16th [WOOT!]) so, when things calm down for me a bit, I will be sure to sit down, go through some posts, and contribute, and mabye post a few of the school essays I have written on Hamlet.

[shaxper]

Sounds great, Iago.  where are you seeing Othello, by the way?  Maybe you'd be up to giving us a review after you see it  

[inhiding]

shaxper said:

Sounds great, Iago.  where are you seeing Othello, by the way?  Maybe you'd be up to giving us a review after you see it  

I am goning to see it at the Shakespeare Tavern. It is the only one in America from what I hear.

[Harry]

I thought I'd make some comments about inexperience and the fear factor. I've been posting to sites like this for several years now, so I think I can speak from experience.

The very best advice I can offer is: Don't Worry. Most of those who seem so knowledgeable to you actually welcome fresh insights. They may agree with you, or they may disagree, but they won't put you down for expressing yourself. And, if you are flamed, you'll discover friends you didn't know you had.

Posting to a site like this is entering the marketplace of ideas. You will learn more by contributing than by reading the contributions of others. It's wonderful to try out your ideas on others. You will enjoy the responses you get. There's nothing quite like it. You don't need to know a lot. Maybe you know only one or two plays and understand only one or two things about those plays. So what, on those subjects you'll sound like an expert. And, asking for help with ideas you don't understand is the best way to get explanations.

I'm the best evidence that you don't need a PhD in English Lit to post to a site like this. I took one college course in Shakespeare many years ago. I'm a working scientist, not a professor of anything. But, I've read widely and several years ago stumbled onto a Shakespeare discussion site. I found I could make contributions to a few of the topics. Then I started learning from the comments of others and picked up a few books. I got into debates that forced me to do some research. The rest? well...  

[Bardolph]

I've helped moderate two WS discussion boards.  In one of those I've had a long association with Harry.  I find that the pure gold in such sites is not in the answers of the old and learned, but in the questions of the young and fresh.  Such people help break down the barriers that limit thinking about the works of WS.  I prefer the company of those who are insufficiently educated to reason incorrectly.  

[nolablue]

I prefer the company of those who are insufficiently educated to reason incorrectly.

Hear, hear! In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, in the expert's mind there are few, as the Zen master said....

Not that being a Great Old One automatically means you stop seeing the options, mind you.

[MelanieS]

I usually post under another name on the newsgroup HLAS, (humanities.it.authors.shakespeare)and log on there every two or three days.

They mostly discuss the "authorship" issue, and
"newbies" are not always welcomed with open arms.
People with merely a layman's knowledge of WS or
who are just starting to discover him are not very
welcome there either, which is unfortunate.

I discovered the Boar's Head Tavern through a post
on HLAS and look in every week or fortnight, but
haven't posted much so far.

MelanieS

[shaxper]

It's unfortunate that HLAS works in that way  


Well, we're very glad to have you here, Melanie.  It's always a pleasure to hear your thoughts and opinions  

[N.N.W]

[glow=red,2,300] I've noticed that on a lot of boards - get lots of people signing on but only sporadically posting... I don't think its anything you have to worry about! The sites well constructed, and you have had tons of posters in a relatively short time - all posting sensibly without any jokers(that I've seen...)    [/glow]