While some of these ideas are clever, it never actually gets to the root of the problem. And nothing will ever work to get rid of the problem until people address it for what it actually is. So take it for what it's worth. Oh, and if I appear preachy, I've fallen into this trap just as much as anyone else on this forum.
To put it quite boldly, AA has recently degraded into this pit of sarcasm, rudeness, quick judgement, petty mudslinging and has become a magnet for collusion. I use the word collusion because it's a combination of "conflict" and "illusion." The vast majority of threads start out with a simple intent, only to turn into accusatory fights between "victims" and "offenders." Well, accusing others means making ourselves out to be their victim. For example, we're not responsible for what's going on because we're helpless in the face of what they are doing... or we feel unjustly used by them--wronged, threatened, or disadvantaged. Victims are victimizers. When we make ourselves out to be victims of others, we are accusing them of victimizing us. We are making them appear the guilty ones. In reality, we are victimizing them. When others' behavior offends us, we are finding in it justification or excuse for our own wrongdoing. To us it's proof that we are right because they are wrong. Even when it disadvantages us, we find it useful. There are people who make fools of themselves in public, chronically lose their jobs, even take their lives, just to have proof that someone, possibly everyone they know and perhaps even God, has treated them unfairly. What's even more astounding is that by this blaming attitude we encourage and even provoke the behavior that we find offensive.
On the flip side, there are those who have no sense of respect and are not men in the real sense of the word. Let's face it, 99% of us on here are males, yet few are actual men. What is a man? Not some barbaric guy who beats his chest (the alpha) nor is he some pacifistic emo hoping for world peace. Where are the men that stand up for what is right? Where are the men that are loyal and unwavering? Where are the men that strive to do what is right and be more considerate of others?
The older guys need to be stepping up and encouraging the teens in a positive manner, guiding them in the right direction.
The younger guys need to be more respectful and spend a little more time grooming their character, understanding that they will be doing the same in a short amount of years for the next generation.
I want to see AA as the board people go to and feel a part of something. I want there to be a brotherhood and camraderie that others want to be a part of. But this brotherhood can't exist if we aren't willing to see others for who and what they are: Equals. Wholeness consists in self-forgetfulness. Until people begin to forget themselves and become men, nothing on this board will ever change.
