Regrettably I feel compelled to take a break from the forum. I have been around long enough to see others come and go. Some return, others don’t. At the present time I no longer perceive that the forum is an inclusive place where adults can discourse in a reasonable way. No doubt I’ll have misgivings about this but for now this seems right for me.
Some might miss me, others might cheer - well, they’ve won….
Be well mate 
Sad to read, especially the reason. Take care, enjoy the music and maybe return in the future.
So sorry to hear that - it seems I must have missed something of recent dialogue.
All the best and hopefully you will be back in due course.
The forum obviously means different things to different people. I’m not sure that it’s a very healthy place for me personally for several reasons. My wife has pointed out to me more than once that instead of spending my time here I could be enjoying listening to music or doing something else much more productive. She’s right. Taking a break can be a good thing.
So what are you saying? That it’s my fault!!!
This is sad to read, take care, hope to see you back posting soon.
I think this might be a tiny bit overstated.
I do agree that the forum level of discourse has been somewhat degraded over recent years in parts.
But if you feel this way about it, it is sensible to have a break.
Get some extra miles in on the Bike.
See you after that.
Maybe play this song which I just played… In my case it made me very happy… Especially The interplay between these three brilliant musicians.
I’m sure you know this, but Liberal use of the ‘Ignore’ function in relation to forum members whose posts you do not enjoy reading tends to make the whole place seem brighter and more civil.
I sympathise. It does feel more and more like the adults have left the room and been replaced by more dogmatic audiophile perceptions pushed by some with challenging personalities.
There’s also so many times you can see the exact same question posted anew and the same uninformed responses before you give up wanting to even weigh in.
The ignore function is your friend. Not just on members but on threads. Whole red button topics or ones where you feel that after weighing in you have zero further to add can be wiped from view. Quite liberating.
Taking a break is also valid. I took 12 months off several years back when my second child arrived.
If it isn’t fun then it isn’t worth it. Ride away.
I’d say see you around but you’ll be going a lot faster!
Cheers
Bruce
A break can be good. I haven’t read any particular bun fights lately, so I hope it’s not a trend - though I do avoid certain threads that rehash old themes and ruffle feathers - it is the internet after all.
Oh. ‘bye, then.
I think that you are right. Some times the forum can be seen as a little aggressive, but it usually un intended. A break may be a good thing every now and again. Stay well and hopefully you can join in once again in the future.
Oh, I hope that you have not had a bad experience on the forum. I find it a very friendly place.
Hope to see you back soon
Ian
That’s a shame. I’m sure there’s room on here for everyone, you just have to pick and choose!
I see you’re in the Clifton. I was a member for years until my knees gave in! Is Kevin still there?
Looks like I’ve missed some stuff. I’m sad to see you go, take care mate, hope to see you back here.
When leaving forums - being this or other places - most people don’t need to announce they leave, they just do it.
It is arguably unnecessary and performative but we don’t all conduct ourselves the same and long may that be the case. Equally, much as I’ve had several disagreements with @Svetty over the years, I think we’ve also much common ground and I think the better approach is to respect and regret the decision, wish them well and afford them the space to figure out what they need.
I don’t have anything or anyone on ignore; people who sometimes can be perceived as challenging can at other times be really perceptive and helpful.
I agree that there seem to be some new people who push their own agenda whether it’s relevant or not, and some who seem to enjoy getting into extended arguments, which alienates others. We are all here because we love music - well hopefully we are - and it’s not good when people feel the need to beat others into submission.
I’ve taken a break on a few occasions, and left a couple of times too. These days, when I get fed up with the negativity and bickering, I just don’t post for a while.
I don’t see the need to announce taking a break or leaving, I just do it. To make a grand announcement seems like attention seeking to me, hoping for lots of ‘don’t go’ or ‘we love you’ replies. I’m not suggesting that in the OP’s case, and I empathise with the reasoning.
Your use of the word “seem” acknowledges that the perception may not match the reality. “Reality” of personalities here is I suspect rather different to what one would encounter in a face to face conversation. Most of us I guess will never meet. If we did, then we may all form very different views of each other than we do here. That’s one of the perculiarities of virtual worlds like this. It’s easy to equate and confuse them with reality - the real world - and not even necessarily realise that you’re doing this. We’re all guilty of it I’m sure.
