SANParks.org Forums

The above is an extract from My Forum Footprints - however today I realised that the majority of topics in the Chill Room are negative
This leaves me with a choice ........do I avoid reading the Chill Room or do I try and turn negatives into Positives

Just read the topics you want to.

You're lucky, you can avoid the negative topics, and even ignore them. Moderators on the other hand need to read them the whole time, and don't have the time to read the nice topics...

Nkulu, thank you for your voice of concern.

I have no problem with criticism, but I want it to be fair. I do believe that we all have a right to express discontent, or concern, but its the way in which it is done that often angers me.

A few things that I notice happening: attacking the player and not the ball. It is so important to define the issues and stick to the issues.

Generalisations: it is not constuctive and defeats the purpose of bringing up certain issues. Be specific and give examples if needed. "All and none" are dangerous concepts.

Hidden insinuations about people or aspects of Sanparks that cannot be openly refuted or debated.

The attitude that "the good old days" was infinitely better and we are going to the dogs is for me very strange. Have a look at the thread on eastern Cape expansion.

Many people complain that management is not hearing them, yet who wants to listen to biased criticism? Be responsible and respectful and believe me, you will be heard. I have been to Groenkloof on a couple of occasions and there has always been openess.

Duco, I am very, very pleased that I am not a mod. I know that my blood pressure would not cope.

Nkulu, I personally stick to the positive threads and avoid the ones that are or become negative.
Tried a few times to be positive on the negatives ones but there's nothing worse than a deaf person/s.
Follow the ones you like and where your personal positive contributions are appreciated.

A bit of trivia. The word "positive" appear on 54 pages and "negative" on 36 pages. The word "problem" on 308 pages, although some is coupled with a no "no problem". "Bad" on 256 pages, but again "not bad" also.

But when I searched "good", but the computer says "too many, be more specific"

I agree that very often of the criticism is negative, too often posts end up in a mud slinging match - this can never be constructive and should be avoided.

Fortunately I can talk about the "good old days", as I experienced them.

I am not saying that the "good old days" were lilly white, there were mistakes made, remember the KRUGER NATIONNAL PARK has gone through stages of development, much of this was plain "trial and error".

1 - the period 1898 to 1946 - the Stevenson Hamilton era, where the area was transformed into a Nature Reserve.

2 - the era 1946 to 1994 - when it was developed into the National Park it is today.

3 - 1994> when it is being developed further, to me the biggest change now is the Commercialization, which I often find difficult to reconcile with pristine AFRICAN bush.

Human nature, we all love a good moan.

There was a debate some years ago in the UK when a respected newscaster remarked that all he ever read out was bad news, not good news. The consensus from the media companies was "bad news sells, good news doesn't". I suppose it has to do with the fact that we just like to know that someone is worse off than us.

However, there is an entire forum of good, positive news here, called Traveller's Tales. It's full to the rafters of people who have had such a good time in a SANPark they can't wait to share it with the entire world. Its where I go to in the evening to get my fix and restore my balance.

But you have to remember the entire world has changed dramatically since 1994, not just South Africa. Every thing, every where is commercialised and globalised. Inter-continental travel, once an exotic once-in-a-lifetime experience has become commonplace. Everything has to make money if it is to survive. Sadly, there is no longer a sense or doing something because it is the right thing to do. If SANParks had not adapted to take advantage of this new globalisation then it would not exist. And it would, quite rightly, be criticised for not having done so.

The positive here is that, instead of just South Africans fighting for SANParks and conservation, you have people in UK, Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia ... all fired up to raise money and awareness to help conservation issues both in SA and in the wider world. Surely that has to be a positive?

MM, thank you, I knew I could rely on you to express my/our thoughts so clearly.

Duco, Thank heavens I am not a Mod, but Thank You to all the Mods for the wonderful work done

Memo to self: No, I will not ignore the negative posts, but will instead attempt to turn them into Positive!

PS I refuse to talk about the "Good Old Days" - that would be betraying my age :whistle:

Saraf sadly I have to agree with the extract from your post -

Sadly, there is no longer a sense or doing something because it is the right thing to do.

however it is still painfull to me -

I have just come across the following quote which I feel is very apt for this topic. As MM posted; it is not about what one says, but how it is being said.

Not every 'positive' response is positive. Some can be damn right condescending and belittling.

It is easy to have a dig and undermine someone by putting a Smiley in the response.

That way people think you're being friendly

So, it is about the way we say things. Definitely!

When a newbie takes the time to post something that has bothered them, this was the response from a 'positive' person thats sees only the good in life. Is it 'positive'?



Have we not just destroyed a newbies desire to partake on the forum? I'm afraid most people, if they were told they were not credible, would say farewell.

Again, if a post is made that mentions the 'good old days' - is it 'positive' to deem that person a 'rascist' or 'negative'?. In all the countries I have lived in, the 'oldies' have referred to 'the good old days'. It is a human trait that we tend to forget the negatives and remember the positives, hence 'the good old days' so why label someone 'rascist' or 'negative'??

Here's an example:
1. To your mechanic: Whenever I brake, I get juddering!
Mechanic: Oh, stop complaining. If braking bothers you, then don't brake. Why would you brake if it bothers you?

No, the brakes need fixing, that's all. It is an observation, it does not make me negative, or anti brakes, and it does not make the mechanic 'positive'.

BH, that would be your ABS kicking in, try applying less positive force on the pedal.

I had no choice man

I was speeding between LS and Skukuza as I had run out of booze, and I was scared the shop would close before I re-stocked. And can you believe it, some stupid impala ran in front of me so I had to slam on the brakes because I was worried it would dent my colour-coded bumber!!

It is also know as .. trying to 'pass the buck' .... yeeaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh (csi miami theme now kicking in)