The Trouble With CrimeSpace

[Linda L. Richards]

I have a problem with CrimeSpace. It’s too much fun: offers up too many thought-provoking forums, too many opportunities to connect with people I already know and like or might have a great deal in common with.

Unlike FaceBook, where I check in every day at least once, CrimeSpace demands I be sharp and on my game. It’s not in my nature to just slouch around and hang out: if something interesting is going on, I want to take part. And there are so many great discussions going on here all the time. So many interesting people it would be fun and even enriching to exchange thoughts with. (Unlike on FaceBook where you can get away with just hucking a virtual snowball and maybe taking a quiz involving pop princesses or 80s hair bands.)

So, OK: I really don’t spend much time here on CrimeSpace. Not as much as I’d like. And even though you might catch me on FaceBook -- gone in 30 secods -- poking someone or swilling virtual drinks, I’d much rather be here, debating minutiae or bandying semantics.

[Linda L. Richards]

Naw: I just don't sleep.

I haven't played Oblivion, but I've played Ghost Recon... it was *hard*. I got very dead, very quickly. I like Halo: gimme big guns! (I've enjoyed first person shoot-em-dead type games since prehistoric times. Doom! And wasn't there something called Blood in the mid-90s? But I've gone cold turkey: I don't even have Solitaire on my system. I ripped it out -- along with all the other games my machine shipped with -- because I can trick myself into playing stuff when I perhaps should not be. Hence... you know... where this discussion began.

[Daniel Hatadi]

Halo? Me, I'm more of a geek, into the more tactical, role-playing fare like Ghost Recon or Oblivion (which sucked up a LOT of my writing time).

Seems like Canadian time crosses over well with Aussie time, at least in terms of my internet usage.

[Linda L. Richards]

Halo! (I can't have an Xbox in the house. I'd *never* get any books written. I've lost whole days...)

And, check it: are we in realtime?

[Daniel Hatadi]

Hey, I ain't pullin' that line on you, those fears are all about the unknown, the countless millions that watch but don't say anything.

And, just so you know, I think that 'butt in chair' should always be a priority. (my weakness is the Xbox)

[Linda L. Richards]

I'm a Canuck. We like our cheese pale.

Seriously, also, I guess that's exactly what I'm saying. (Not about the sex poll, but...) I really *do* love Crimespace, but -- like any real social interaction -- it requires something of you. And don't try the "they don't wanna contribute" line on me, buddy. When I'm here, I'm blabbing. Try and stop me! All I was saying was, sometimes when I'm *not* here it's because if I log in, I'll *want* to take part in everything instead of keeping my head down and my butt in my chair.

[Daniel Hatadi]

No, that was the first cheese I found. Seems a little too orange to be Jarlsberg, but I think the Yanks like to colour all their cheese that way.

Seriously, one of my fears is that everyone thinks Crimespace is a brilliant place for discussion, but they don't want to contribute. I guess my little polls are like a version of cheese throwing: quick and fun. The infamous 'sex' poll drew a lot of people to the site, more than usual.

[Linda L. Richards]

OK. Lovely. Jarlsberg -- or is it Emmenthal? -- but the point is taken. You're saying that I... um... actually *can* just throw cheese on CrimeSpace? That I needn't sweat my brain overly much, but can just come and party and have fun?

Or -- oh wait -- maybe you've been hanging onto that cheese graphic for a really, really, really long time and I've finally afforded you the opportunity to use it. (In which case you should, I guess, thank me.)

(Nice cheese, btw.)

[Daniel Hatadi]

[Linda L. Richards]

Bwahahahaha!

But, seriously: I know you know what I mean. (You know?)

You have to think and stuff to participate on CrimeSpace. You have to actually, you know, get off the couch, so to speak. You can't just "throw cheese at Daniel." And so on.

So there!

[Daniel Hatadi]

You people, you'll just do anything to get me to comment on your posts.