Re: Question for those who are still reading/writing to Cave
Posted: Mar 23, 2016 7:14 am
Ernie, when you ask a question on a public forum you had better be prepared for replies you might not like. This topic is also in the Open Talk section of Cave
Chat. The policies of former NSS president (Gordon Birkhimer), directly influenced cave access and closure issues and was a direct cause of membership loss as well as a reductions of reading/writing on Cavechat. Fewer members equals fewer writers. However, I do believe that Facebook had much to do with the loss of interest on this forum which is a shame as Cave Chat is still a great forum and is also available to the general public to read even if they do not join or post. Today the NSS is a useful organization that actually promotes all of it's goals to include actual caving and exploration. Peter Youngbaer did a wonderful job as WNS liason. He tried to remain neutral while presenting as much information on the WNS situation as possible. WNS also caused cave closures which I am
sure influenced many people to quit caving. I also congratulate Bill Putnam for bringing the NSS back from the "brink" that Gordon Birkhimer led the NSS toward. Out of line or not, history is a part of the story. Today's NSS is a much better organization than it was during the early WNS years. I hope all of those folks who have left the organization will consider rejoining if they can afford it and begin reading and writing on Cave Chat again regardless.
Chat. The policies of former NSS president (Gordon Birkhimer), directly influenced cave access and closure issues and was a direct cause of membership loss as well as a reductions of reading/writing on Cavechat. Fewer members equals fewer writers. However, I do believe that Facebook had much to do with the loss of interest on this forum which is a shame as Cave Chat is still a great forum and is also available to the general public to read even if they do not join or post. Today the NSS is a useful organization that actually promotes all of it's goals to include actual caving and exploration. Peter Youngbaer did a wonderful job as WNS liason. He tried to remain neutral while presenting as much information on the WNS situation as possible. WNS also caused cave closures which I am
sure influenced many people to quit caving. I also congratulate Bill Putnam for bringing the NSS back from the "brink" that Gordon Birkhimer led the NSS toward. Out of line or not, history is a part of the story. Today's NSS is a much better organization than it was during the early WNS years. I hope all of those folks who have left the organization will consider rejoining if they can afford it and begin reading and writing on Cave Chat again regardless.