How did this thread go from being about leadership to debating the relevance of subjects/threads/discussions on the forum that aren't directly involved with dreaming? We stayed related to the leadership thing for a little while, but it's prevalence dwindled after a few posts from MB and AspiR debating about meaning(I hate to name names, but let's face facts).
I'm certainly not going to try to end this argument/debate, but I will express my opinion.
Moonbeam:
The forum is many things to many people, and some find that they enjoy doing things on the forum not related to dreaming. Such as the games we play. I, for one, find them to be enjoyable, a distraction from frustration I feel about my inability to have LD's regularly.
As far as meaninglessness goes: Does anything we do truly have meaning? We're a dreaming forum. Meaninglessness is implied simply by saying "dream". Think about it for a second. What benefit do you actually gain from LD'ing? I don't see any.
I think I've gone off-topic. My point is that something doesn't have to benefit anyone, or have meaning to be worth doing. Board games, Card games, reading, watching T.V., making Music, anything recreational. None of it is meaningful, but doesn't mean it isn't worth doing.
AspiR:
If MB sees non-dream related things on the forum as meaningless, you can't really argue with it. It is a dreaming forum, as I stated before. It's her opinion, mostly, so you can't say she's right or wrong. So she sees meaninglessness in certain things. Sorry to be blunt, but big deal. Ignore it, move on. It's what I did when I saw her rants on religion. It serves no one to argue opinions, which is all I'm seeing you two do. It ends badly, with both sides begrudged toward the other and nothing solved. In the end, no one wins an argument like that.
I know, compared to how I started this post, what I said toward MB and AspiR sounds contrary at best, at worst it's hypocritical. I'd like it if we could stop the nonsense and get back to the topic at hand.
And MB, if it sounds like I only have negative things to say to you, I apologize.
I know no one asked for my opinion but there it is.
As far as Leadership goes: While I love MM and appreciate how it's helped me over several months, I have noticed a lack of direction(if that's the right way to put it). Do we need a leader? If it helps us get where we need to go, then yes. If we decided to try it out, do it on a trial basis. If it doesn't work out, that's cool, just scrap the idea, and try something different.
New member retention is indeed an issue, as the only people who post seem to be the regulars. Will leadership help us with that? I don't see how. I would've figured a collective group could come up with something to help with that. Perhaps have a group that deals with issues of New Members? Seems logical to me.
Unfinished projects might be helped by leadership. Leaders could give project leaders the push they needed to make sure they need to make sure the projects follow through. Perhaps friendly reminders? I don't know, I'm no expert.
I say try the Leader thing, give it a shot. If it doesn't work, then it doesn't work. If it does, keep it. One thing that must be present is a way to get rid of a poor/ineffective leader though.