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What the Gulch is... and what it isn't.

Posted by sdesapio 10 years, 3 months ago to The Gulch: General
181 comments | Share | Best of... | Flag

We have a few members leaving the Gulch today. Their reasons are theirs, but suffice it to say the Gulch is no longer meeting their needs. They arrived of their own freewill. They stayed of their own freewill. And now, they will leave of their own freewill. With 20,000+ members, the Gulch continues to grow daily and, as with any growing community, we will suffer growing pains from time to time.

We thank them for their significant contributions to the Gulch.

For those of you remaining in the Gulch, we want you to know that we are listening to you, you are a priority, and we will continue to take strides daily to make your Gulch experience the very best it can be.

Who we are... and who we're not:
1. We are advocates of Ayn Rand's ideas.
2. Our mission is to propagate those ideas.
3. Although Politics is a hot topic in the Gulch, we are not a political organization. The Gulch supports no particular political party.

What the Gulch is... and what it isn't:
1. The Gulch is a "net" which looks to catch the curious, the familiar, the like-minded, and even... the occasional enemy (of reason).
2. Once snared in the net, the goal is to start a conversation, to prod, to push, and to educate - all in the hopes of illuminating.
3. The Gulch is not an "Objectivists Only" forum.

As you'll see in the attached Venn diagram, there are different sections of the Gulch:
1. The Public Gulch forum ( http://www.GaltsGulchOnline.com ) - This is where all the intense debate happens. Everything from religion, to politics, to ethics and morality, are discussed and debated vigorously.
2. The Producer's Lounge ( http://www.GaltsGulchOnline.com/g/produc... ) - This is where we (advocates of Ayn Rand's ideas) go to seek refuge. This is a private section of the Gulch intended to be a place with little debate - a place for the like-minded to relax and enjoy each other's company.

Again, it is our sincere hope that your experience in the Gulch is an enjoyable one and we will continue to work every day to make the Gulch great. It's going to be intense. People are going to disagree... vehemently. People are going to argue... passionately. People are going to contradict themselves... with certainty. And, we're going to propagate Ayn Rand's ideas.

Oh... and Zombies. Look out for the Zombies.


Thank you for being part of Galt's Gulch Online,
Scott DeSapio
Associate Producer, Atlas Shrugged Part 3
CIO, Atlas Distribution Company
Chief Admin, Galt's Gulch Online

- - - - -

"Speak on any scale open to you, large or small— to your friends, your associates, your professional organizations, or any legitimate public forum. You can never tell when your words will reach the right mind at the right time. You will see no immediate results—but it is of such activities that public opinion is made."

- Ayn Rand
Philosophy: Who needs it? "What can one do?"

- - - - -

P.S. Those members that will be leaving the Gulch may join in the resulting conversation on this post. Please be patient and give them the latitude they deserve. Their concerns are valid and should be heard - regardless of how they choose to deliver their message. If they choose to return, they will always be welcome in the Gulch.



All Comments


Previous comments...   You are currently on page 5.
  • Posted by woodlema 10 years, 3 months ago in reply to this comment.
    To me it is fascinating that the people who "BELIEVE" in Obama, do so with every bit of religious dogma the most staunch ISIS rebel has for Mohammad. Everyone I have debated with blindly follows Obama, and ignores any and all reason. They have unadulterated FAITH in a man who has demonstrated complete 100% lies. His entire administration is littered with this same ilk and yet the faithful continue to believe. When you show FACTS and present REAL empirical information directly FROM his administration they all try to blame Bush.

    If I vote for Hillary this year it will be because the other candidates are simply Hillary light, and I will help push this car right off the cliff so it can be reset. And the sooner the better.
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  • Posted by dbhalling 10 years, 3 months ago in reply to this comment.
    The difference is whether someone is honestly trying to learn and honestly trying to present their positions and honestly trying to reason. When someone overtime proves that they are not in any way engaged in these activities and when they have proven that they are trying to undermine this site and objectivism, it is time for them to go.

    Wetnurse what not doing that.
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  • Posted by dbhalling 10 years, 3 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Hear hear - it is my and K's policy to hide anything his comments on any of our posts - might be a good idea to go back in history with this.
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  • Posted by freedomforall 10 years, 3 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I have great respect for the producers who have chosen to leave. I wish I could do something to change your minds because we are much stronger with you than without you.

    To anyone else considering leaving the Gulch.
    In my opinon, leaving plays into the hand of the enemy. If we show weakness, the enemy wins.
    Stay here and stick to your guns. I may disagree with you on some things, but I value your rational arguments and your willingness to share your wisdom.
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  • Posted by freedomforall 10 years, 3 months ago in reply to this comment.
    "it is important in life not to believe your own lies."
    But act like you believe them and you'll be a successful politician or attorney.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by khalling 10 years, 3 months ago in reply to this comment.
    There has been much frustration over the contributions of a member of the Gulch. The result of which, several top producers on the site participated in a type of troll watch for the board. Despite many attempts to rectify the situation with available tools and MUCH patience, I noticed that producers that would otherwise be over on the public board posting and commenting were hanging out in PMs, as a way to let off steam about the issue. Several producers made specific posts about this, culminating in an admin post called "Confidence." http://www.galtsgulchonline.com/posts/24...

    There was another recent PM in which the admin were invited to attend. Several producers were upset over comments made in that PM-the upshot being you could play nicer. that's my take. After months of frustration and alerting of the admin, it came to stalemate. Comments such as this one from Scott do not show the support these fine producers deserve:

    "P.S. Those members that will be leaving the Gulch may join in the resulting conversation on this post. Please be patient and give them the latitude they deserve. Their concerns are valid and should be heard - regardless of how they choose to deliver their message."

    I agree with Scott that we'll go through "growing pains" and the site will carry on and create great content and many friendships will be made. But right now I'm just bruised and hurting over this.
    We have the world to win, h
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  • Posted by JCLanier 10 years, 3 months ago in reply to this comment.
    O.A.: I have appreciated your contributions.
    I would hope that you would not abandon the ship. I believe with Khalling: I will not leave. I will stand my ground. I will have to be required to leave.
    Yes, there is a time that comes when you have tried everything and you know that's it. Hank stayed and persisted, he fought and then, he too
    left accompanied by one of the "original" Gulchers- d'Anconia. Cannot someone here in our Gulch speak the reasons that would convince all of you to stay?

    Sdesapio, has presented some valuable points. I cannot help but think of the young man that had been put in charge of Rearden Steel by the moochers. Hank had a name for him, other than "kid", something like "Mr. No Decision" (memory lapse). If you remember his evolution, while spying on Hank, you saw his slow and torturous self-realization. He did learn and he honored Hank with finally making his own decision which he gave his life for to try to save the person he loved- Hank. A most poignant and enlightening Rand character. Maybe we should let "cg" find his own way. It might take time. He might never find it. Yes, it is frustrating, it causes confusion and screams out- "What are you doing here?"

    It is true, however, that this Gulch should represent/contain individuals that 'know' where they are, that have taken the 'oath' and that exchange 'value for value'. It is extremely frustrating to have someone land in the Gulch that has to be "babysitted" in hopes they will come full circle and find themselves. How to resolve this issue... a site for new members where they are vetted and verified first before being invited to the Gulch?
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by LetsShrug 10 years, 3 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Yeah...he's not your typical rude, condescending, troll cuz he chooses polite sounding words, but his actions (self admitted voting practices, campaigning, fund raising, and vocal support for the evil doers and freedom destroyers) prove that he is anti reason anti freedom and anti objectivist. Why he is allowed to darken the gulch after 18 months is illogical to me and others. How much of our Valuable time has been wasted on him and on trying to convince the powers that be the he is a troll of another kind, more dangerous than the typical troll. Because admin refuses to see this HE IS WINNING... and the gulch is losing. At this point it's more the admins fault than cg's. His motto must be "it's not who is going to let me...it's who is going to stop me." No one! We've practically begged for him to be stopped, no. We've asked for tools to alert others to his contradictions, no, instead we got a confidence meter. And more of our valuable time, our precious minutes and hours, our LIFE is being wasted in a war over this troll with admin who insist on resisting its biggest supporters and O promoters by letting him stay... which begs the question, why doesn't admin support US? The gulch's base? And is it worth sticking around where you're obviously not wanted?? I say no... my life has meaning and this has turned into a nasty war of accusations and verbal slaps about behavior and manners and boundaries. This place is getting ruined from the top down. If you use nice words then you're welcome to stay (regardless of your goal or mission or purpose) but if you use blunt, to the point, honest words to promote O philosophy then you're a pain in the ass. Admin! Figure out who the trolls are. WE HAVE A LIFE!!
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  • Posted by JCLanier 10 years, 3 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Pirate: You will be missed.
    I thank you for your conversations,
    insightful and unique. I want you to
    know that I learned from you.
    Sincerely my thanks,
    JC
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by Maritimus 10 years, 3 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Hello, Scott,
    As you know, I am a near newbie here. So, my opinion may not be fully justifiable.
    Based on some of the debates I have had with "CG", it is my considered and deeply held opinion that "CG" does not belong here.
    I think that he is deliberately towing the line of your integrity and benevolence so that he can be as disruptive as you might allow him. It is an evil approach, taking advantage of natural imperfections of life.
    Just my opinion.
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  • Posted by JCLanier 10 years, 3 months ago in reply to this comment.
    NMA: All the best to you. I would hope to find you again somewhere in the future.
    Thank you for all the stimulating conversations.
    JC
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by H6163741 10 years, 3 months ago
    I am not a Jerry Springer viewer or a 'rubbernecker' but I have to admit that I am really curious about what happened...
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by $ allosaur 10 years, 3 months ago in reply to this comment.
    CG voted for Obama TWICE.
    It is beyond my comprehension how someone who hangs in the Gulch can actually do that.
    But I'm just an old dino.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by Turfprint 10 years, 3 months ago
    My first exposure to Aynn Rand was at a social gathering at a small condo in Tiburon Ca. around 1970. I had been asked to tag along with a friend of mine who thought I would be interested. And I was interested, but it seems they weren’t that interested in me. They were having a party later and I was not invited, according to my friend the host felt I was not the “right type” Referring to my self-educated status and not inclusive of business acumen. To me those attending this Aynn Rand social event appeared more interested in how their conversation sounded than what it communicated. For my part I wasn’t interested in talking about the philosophy of living large, I was busy doing it. Nonetheless through the BS filtered enough about Aynn Rand to pique my interest. So I went to the source, read her books, checked up on her ideas, and fell dead in love with her.

    Just recently I was reminded of that 1970’s historical party. I went to my attorney / business partner with a well thought out legal position. Part way through my theoretical justifications I observed him in pantomime masturbation or elsewise stated… He was doing the crazy hand jive motion with his hand. He then told me, “George, it is important in life not to believe your own lies.” And ‘that’ reminded me of my first and last Aynn Rand social gathering.
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    Posted by BeenThere 10 years, 3 months ago in reply to this comment.
    "....my way of dealing with CG is to completely ignore him."

    Roark to Toohey in Fountainhead: "But, I don't think of you."

    + 100
    Reply | Permalink  

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