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Author
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Topic: Periods (".") in memorial discussion threads
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Tomy1
Member Posts: 179
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 03-06-2015 01:56 PM
   
I've been a member on this site since the beginning and recently there have been an increasing amount of ex- Mercury, Gemini and Apollo-era workers leaving the planet – which is sad. When one of these "pioneers" leave us I take great interest in reading about his or her accomplishments with the various space programs they worked on. But recently I can't understand is the following tributes that come in from fellow members, usually after the first or second posting, that amount to a period (".").I feel if someone can’t come up with anything constructive to put into words or photos, other than a "." then please don't post – it only takes up space and sometimes you have to go through several pages to possibly come across some "real" tributes. So I usually just read the initial post and don't bother reading anymore because "." have no real interest to me. Not sure how others feel but I would be interested to hear their opinions. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-06-2015 02:06 PM
The use of a period (".") to express a moment of silence is something I introduced to the site several years ago after seeing it in use on other well-read websites (e.g. MetaFilter). Longer tributes that share stories about the individual are, of course, welcome and encouraged. But not everyone has something to contribute, and yet they should still be able to show their remorse on the person's passing. I don't know how the "." got its start elsewhere, but to me it seems similar to the Jewish tradition of leaving a stone at a grave as a sign to others that someone has visited the grave. Yes, you may have to scroll through a few pages of periods, but taken a whole, they show a community that cares, rather than just a few replies. |
mach3valkyrie
Member Posts: 719
From: Albany, Oregon
Registered: Jul 2006
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posted 03-06-2015 04:35 PM
I like the use of the period as a show of respect for the deceased. Simple but effective.Believe me, I'd like to be able to share more tributes and stories, but I only ever met a very few of these people. |
Kite
Member Posts: 831
From: Northampton UK
Registered: Nov 2009
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posted 03-06-2015 04:49 PM
I absolutely agree with you Robert. It shows that we are a caring site and even if you have never heard of some of deceased before it shows respect for people who have helped shape the subject we love so much, space.I always find it interesting to read what those who knew them have to say about their accomplishments and their lives and I feel it is the least we can do is to mark their passing as a show of sympathy for their families, friends and colleagues. In particular I like to show my respect for a fellow collectSPACE member who has died. Long may this continue. |
GACspaceguy
Member Posts: 2476
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 03-06-2015 05:36 PM
I find it very respectful and encourage the use. |
Blackarrow
Member Posts: 3120
From: Belfast, United Kingdom
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 03-06-2015 07:37 PM
Robert, I couldn't agree more. |
Ronpur
Member Posts: 1211
From: Brandon, Fl
Registered: May 2012
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posted 03-06-2015 09:42 PM
I agree with the use of the period, I am just saddened I have had to use it so much recently... |
Jeff
Member Posts: 474
From: Fayetteville, NC, USA
Registered: May 2009
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posted 03-07-2015 04:29 AM
I totally agree with many of the comments already posted. I didn’t have the honor to meet some the heroes of my childhood, so I don’t have any interesting stories like many of the cS members have, But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to be able to show my respect for the deceased. The period symbolizes that in a haunting way to me…much like the echo of Taps at a military funeral. |
garymilgrom
Member Posts: 1966
From: Atlanta, GA
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 03-07-2015 08:15 AM
Like Fred I find it very respectful and encourage the use. As well as the Jewish stone tradition, it seems similar to the military tradition of leaving a coin on a grave marker after a visit. |
jasonelam
Member Posts: 691
From: Monticello, KY USA
Registered: Mar 2007
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posted 03-07-2015 10:02 PM
I agree with the use of the "." as a message in memorial discussion threads. While I have been a space enthusiast for many years, I have not had the opportunity to meet many of the persons we have talked about on here. I feel it is necessary to remember those who have passed, and this way is a small way of sharing our condolences in memory of the deceased. |
mikepf
Member Posts: 441
From: San Jose, California, USA
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 03-09-2015 10:08 AM
Just so Tomy1 doesn't feel alone, I pretty much feel the same regarding the dots. Primarily for navigation reasons. But I do understand the reasoning of them, and respect the tradition. |
kr4mula
Member Posts: 642
From: Cinci, OH
Registered: Mar 2006
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posted 03-09-2015 10:18 AM
It seems we're in the minority here, Tomy and Mike. While I've done the periods a few times myself, I generally refrain. It seems to me that it's almost something of a popularity contest. If an astronaut passes away, he gets hundreds of dots. If it was an engineer (for example), he may get a few. It's kind of like applauding the passed members at the Academy Awards (big-name actors get lots of applause, while the contributors get little, if any). It seems distasteful and a little sad for those less known. I understand we all want to express remorse in some fashion, but shouldn't we be equally remorseful for all who contributed to this great enterprise? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-09-2015 10:33 AM
For what it's worth, the situation was the same before the moments of silence. Astronaut threads would get multiple replies while other, less known individuals would get few if any replies at all. I think that's only natural; we react strongest to those who we know the best. The periods are not a rule; anyone can reply with whatever they would like to contribute (so long as it is tasteful). It would be great to see a multi-page thread of remembrances being shared back and forth. |
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