When I say “dog”….

[Paul Workman]

Unintended controversy: The difficulty with communication on this or any forum from one person to another lies in the diversity of individual’s experiences, regardless of how clear a word or phrases seem to both parties as individuals!

When I say the word “dog”, what kind of dog comes to your mind?

Case in point: If anything but a Golden Retriever came to your mind, then your interpretation of the simple word DOG differs from mine. Try this with any group of people and see for yourself.

And, if a single word can invoke vastly different interpretations, imagine the trouble one can have trying to convey a complicated concept in a single phrase!

For example: I might say to an individual; “A good dog makes a great upland game bird flusher, but not much of a watch dog.”, all the while thinking of my Golden Retriever, Buddy (RIP). But, at the same time the one envisioning a Pit Bull, might immediately take up a debate over my statement because it conflicts significantly with characteristics of Pit Bulls.

Often is the case when discussing a topic on our forums a simple statement made may be interpreted entirely differently by someone reading the same words.

Example: A different DOG? What are the chances everyone now reading this are thinking of the same breed of “different DOG?”

Believe it or not, (being facetious here) frustration can ensue between even the best of friends when such misunderstandings exist. And, unfortunately, frustration sometimes morphs from a valuable academic exchange into (needless) anger which has been known to degenerate into personal slighting, and it sometimes even gets acrimonious!

Patience when writing (especially) is so important. Understand that even a simple word like DOG can mean different things to one or many that read that one ‘simple’ word. But, simply prefacing the word DOG with Golden Retriever (for example) narrows the scope of the word dog considerably. So, if there is initial miscommunication, (and often there will be!) we all need to practice patience and be ready to modify our written words and descriptions perhaps in multiple ways to promote a clear communication.

The health of our club or any club depends on it. Controversy is not a bad thing, especially when discussing the various sides of an argument. I think everyone would agree that we all benefit by the expression of various viewpoints and ideas. Controversy has never been the issue. But, when it veers into being derogatory, people tend to chose sides, stuff gets said, and it stops being fun to be a part of the club – at least for the moment.

We’re all human with human shortcomings. And I’m sure most of us joined the Registry to share our passion for our cars, but not to be exposed to a steady stream of ‘soap opera’ kinds of drama.

The fact is there has been some recent harmful conflicts – not restricted to the general membership either, unfortunately. In fact initial membership renewals for 2014 were significantly down and the most often reason given (when people would give one) was not due to controversy of ideas, but the personal bickering.

So, how do we all as members prevent the poison of acrimonious conflict? When wronged or felt we were wronged, do we selfishly demand our pound of flesh in public as some sometimes have, even if it means destroying the club?

In order to have the most fun out of our ZR-1s and this club, I personally will pledge to remember the mission statement: “Keeping the Legend Alive”. That statement I’m sure is at the heart of all the members and administrators here. And, if I say “dog” and you don’t know what I mean, I’ll do my best not to be contradictory in my choice of words, and to endeavor to find a way to clarify without becoming frustrated to the point of negativity or worse. But, if I do veer into a personal state of acrimony against an individual(s), either directly or by indirect implication, I trust our Moderators will step in to temper things down, or failing that remove that what in their judgment is harmful to the better good of the club and especially to the reasons members joined in the first place. Anyone with me?


LONG LIVE THE KOTH & THE ZR-1 NET REGISTRY!