The Changing Dynamic Of Phatmass

[Cherie]

[quote name='Raphael' date='07 May 2010 - 10:40 PM' timestamp='1273286411' post='2106601']

I just think PM has lost it's direction and charism, that's all. I miss the vibrancy. StColette doesn't even come around anymore because she feels PM was doing more harm than good.
[/quote]

I'm pretty much brand new here. I used to be in religious life, and that's when I first heard of Phatmass, maybe around 2005. I stopped in every now and then when our community was mentioned.

Here's the view of at least one person who is new here.

I'm newly married, and joined shortly after my marriage. I have no Catholic friends in the area where my husband and I live. I wanted some way to connect with young, faithful Catholics in a daily way. I thought of Phatmass, joined, and have been very happy here. It's great to have discussions with great Catholics on a variety of issues. It truly has helped me focus my spiritual life. As CatherineM mentioned, it's not easy being a young, Catholic married person in today's world. Phatmass is like a means of support for people like me. I have found it to be greatly beneficial to me, and I'm sorry to hear that some people think it's doing more harm than good. That certainly isn't the case for me at all. In fact, it has been a grace.

I don't know what PM's original "charism" is supposed to be. But what I know is that I have found a great community of Catholics of many different ages and backgrounds. We have things in common, some things not. It's also great to debate with people -- being able to disagree respectfully on matters that are not definitive doctrine (like... why black is the best color for a nun's habit ... or why you definitely don't think so!) is actually a good practice for real life. Of course if we're striving to be Saints, we should always be respectful and charitable, and since we're sinful people with a fallen human nature we often get carried away ... but in the end, we're all gathered in the name of Christ and His Church, and no matter what our views or opinions, we're in this together, and we love God and His Church.

It seems, from hearing what others have said, there has been a change, as there is in any kind of place like PM. Older people leave, newer people come ... because of that, it changes and grows. It might be different than it was in the beginning, and perhaps many original Phatmassers are nostalgic for the way it used to be. But maybe not all change like this is bad. For me, as a newcomer, I think Phatmass is definitely vibrant! Maybe a few years ago it was SUPER-vibrant, and so it's harder to see the ol' regular vibrancy now. But I can tell you that I am grateful for Phatmass, and I have a lovely time here on the forums. God has definitely used it to bring me closer to Him, and helps me strive to become a better person. Sure, there may be things that happen here that annoy, upset, or anger us ... but that's actually not far from real-life situations! So that's not a bad thing, really, as long as it doesn't get out of hand (and that's why we have moderators, right?!)

Just my two cents.

[HisChildForever]

I would like to point out that "tinychat" has done wonders for this forum. The friendships that have formed there have influenced many of the interactions here. Quick chatting, microphones, and webcams have allowed us to truly meet and "see" one another. Speaking for myself, I have noticed a change in the way certain Phatmass members view me. I often get into heated arguments but that aggressiveness is just one component of my personality. Without the chat room, that component would still be seen as my actual personality by many. What we have learned about each other is remembered while posting on the forum. I encourage more people to check out the room when we post the link in the status box. If I have noticed such positive change between about a dozen of us, then could you imagine the change if it were two dozen? three?

[Laudate_Dominum]

[quote name='HisChildForever' date='07 May 2010 - 11:40 PM' timestamp='1273290008' post='2106644']
I would like to point out that "tinychat" has done wonders for this forum. The friendships that have formed there have influenced many of the interactions here. Quick chatting, microphones, and webcams have allowed us to truly meet and "see" one another. Speaking for myself, I have noticed a change in the way certain Phatmass members view me. I often get into heated arguments but that aggressiveness is just one component of my personality. Without the chat room, that component would still be seen as my actual personality by many. What we have learned about each other is remembered while posting on the forum. I encourage more people to check out the room when we post the link in the status box. If I have noticed such positive change between about a dozen of us, then could you imagine the change if it were two dozen? three?
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[img]http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h119/NoonienSoong_2006/variosity/129161956729992540.gif[/img]

[Krush2k2]

Don't worry I will always pop up every few months to start threads such as Pizza is the Worlds greatest food and that 2pac is the best musician of all time. Just like the good ol Phatmass days son!

[CatherineM]

I guess I totally missed the point. That happens a lot when you get to my age.

We do seem to get stuck on topics at times. Since I rarely start topics, I guess I can't complain about that.

[MissyP89]

The charism hasn't necessarily changed, but I think in recent years there has been a new breed of Phatmassers on the phorum with different ideas and needs. I think I can speak confidently for many others here when I say that we are not necessarily here for debate, but support. This world is brutal, and frankly much of the phamily is going through hard times. Tinychat has become our outlet for just talking, laughing and watching videos together--being in the company of people who love and support us as brothers and sisters in Christ. I have made very close friends that way, and while the dynamic of the photum is changing, God's hand is definitely still on this ministry.

[Laudate_Dominum]

[quote name='MissyP89' date='08 May 2010 - 12:11 AM' timestamp='1273291863' post='2106674']
The charism hasn't necessarily changed, but I think in recent years there has been a new breed of Phatmassers on the phorum with different ideas and needs. I think I can speak confidently for many others here when I say that we are not necessarily here for debate, but support. This world is brutal, and frankly much of the phamily is going through hard times. Tinychat has become our outlet for just talking, laughing and watching videos together--being in the company of people who love and support us as brothers and sisters in Christ. I have made very close friends that way, and while the dynamic of the photum is changing, God's hand is definitely still on this ministry.
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[img]http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h119/NoonienSoong_2006/variosity/129161956729992540.gif[/img]

[StMichael]

Can't believe I signed up here some 6 years ago, wow!

No matter where I go, I send people to this site. Why? Because many Catholics feel alone. They go to Churches that disobey Rome. They sit in pews with people who go for the social aspect. I send them here. It is a place that holds to the truth. A place where those who either forgot or never knew, what to do.

I know I am no pleasure, I see state it all as black and white, which is what I believe, but I get the need to create a soft area and can see phatmass as a central point for all interests. The young learning from the old. The single learning from the married.

I know when I come here, I am speaking with those who are true defenders of the faith. I swing by everyday, can't always interact, but comforted that somewhere, Christ is being spoken of.

[KnightofChrist]

Things haven't been the same since the rating system, and the blue basic layout...

[Nihil Obstat]

If anyone wants to restart the Fuzzy Bunny Crusade, I'll be the first in line to help out.

[CatherineM]

I agree the blue should go.

[AccountDeleted]

Maybe phatmass is different things to different people? It may have evolved, but then so have I over the past three years. I joined when I was first discerning religious life and spent most of my time in the Vocation Station. I found a lot of loving support when things didn't work out for me in one religious community after another, and very little negative judgment (there are always one or two in any group), so I was able to heal and move on again.

As an older member, I was never into a lot of the things that younger members enjoy, so perhaps I am not aware of any change in vibrancy or charism. I enjoy reading posts but don't really enjoy a lot of debate because it often leads to personal attacks or conflict (also usual in any group) and it takes too much time and energy. I am not sure that posting one's opinion ever really changes anyone else's opinion, but it can stimulate thought and provoke interest, so that's fine with me. I read more than I post these days.


I think phatmass is great, but perhaps the demographics have changed a little as some people leave and others arrive. I think this in itself can be a type of "open window" because with new people come new perspectives. As for missing some people who don't post here anymore - well, that's natural to miss old friends that one doesn't see or hear from any more. But people do change and grow apart in some ways, and those who choose not to come here anymore might have other things to do these days.


Sure, there are times when some threads seem to go on forever and around in circles, but the mods are pretty great about keeping an eye on things and making sure they don't get out of control. I think phatmass is one of the best moderated forums I have ever been on. And as I have cut back on online reading and posting prior to entering a convent again, I have to say that phatmass is so good that it is one of the few sites that I will continue to visit until I go offline. And if I am ever allowed online access in the convent, then I will certainly come back here again. I am grateful that this site exists.

[Ephrem Augustine]

The past two weeks, I admit, I just don't like it. I do not think anybody is willing to engage me in conversation, unless it means to "correct" me, or "knock down" my opinion. I have thought of leaving permanently for the last month.
Sorry to be straightforward, but thats just the way it is. Maybe I have never spent so much time on phatmass in my entire life as I have in the past year, and I realize it just isn't working for me anymore.
I did sign up for the Catholic rap, but there just isn't much going on there anymore.
Except for the threads on Lost, I suppose when that finishes I might not even be inclined to come here anymore.

[Jesus_lol]

to OP, i never thought i would hear a catholic arguing against a young growing population.

we could keep the forum the way it was in 2005.


by population control

[Nihil Obstat]

[quote name='Jesus_lol' date='07 May 2010 - 11:55 PM' timestamp='1273294537' post='2106733']
to OP, i never thought i would hear a catholic arguing against a young growing population.

we could keep the forum the way it was in 2005.


by population control





[/quote]
I think we should start with forced sterilization.

I have randomly selected a sample of young men from our members list whom I shall sterilize with my golf club. Nick, you randomly and completely by coincidence happen to be at the top of my list, so please step forward.