The Watering Hole
by FEMALESTROM, HSM team writer
In nature, all animals end up at the watering hole. The watering hole is a place of life and death. It is a place that animals go to replenish themselves and drink deep of what they need: life giving-water. The water of course is what will allow these animals to travel great distances before needing to drink again.
All animals want to drink, but there are so many obstacles that hinder them from doing so. There are too many animals at the edge of the watering hole already, and it takes a bold shove to move forward enough to dip in and drink. Then once an animal gets to the water, there are always crocodiles lurking about. They sit in wait as predators, waiting for a chance to grab an unsuspecting animal and drag it to it’s death. Not all animals at the watering hole get snapped at though, but for the ones that do, its enough to drive them away, and have to try again to get to the waters edge once again. The ones that get there through luck or determination drink deep. They stick their mouths in and fill themselves to capacity, knowing that this is a place they need to drink deep at and fill up on.
We all crave the fresh waters of the watering hole.
Meanwhile though, in the back, so many are still so thirsty. Panting and wanting just a simple, attack free sip at the pool that so many drink deep at. It is inevitable that when we watch these videos on The Discovery Channel or Animal Planet, deep down, we wish we could help that old zebra or that young wildebeest move forward to get a drink of water, because we the viewing audience knowing they are thirsty. This is the law of animals that works on instinct and need only. For the most part, they are not aware of the needs of others around them, just the satisfaction of their own needs first. Imagine the relief when said zebra or wildebeest gets to the water and is able to drink. We all want that opportunity.
Our lives are filled with the rigors that bring us back to the watering hole night after night, day after day. Illness in ourselves or loved ones, depression, isolation, lonlyness, work pressures and a need to be in the midst of others, these are the burdens we carry. The weight of things unseen by others is a constant, in all our lives, and there are those that brave the waters edge to take a drink and even in the best of circles, get bit. I have preached so emphatically that Home is a place where we need a thick skin to survive, but the cruelties and evil we heap on each other sometimes are so disheartening to watch, even to a person like me that has a very thick skin, I sit with a dropped jaw in disbelief.
Here’s an open message to all people on Home:
There is always a need for harmony and kindness, even in masses, no matter who you are or what your story.
We are all here together and as one. We all come here from all walks of life for one thing: escape. Escape to a fantasy virtual world, to be with and make friends. Here is where the old saying comes into play: “If you can’t say anything nice, then don’t say anything at all!”
The good folk of Home don’t want to hear your hate and venom. If we can’t all come to the table with our best manners and deep respect for the hurt and broken in this world and their struggles, then maybe you don’t belong here. Trolls, divas, fams, elitists, snobs: log off and stay off. I still firmly believe that everyone has a right to be here, but if you can’t play nice, just leave the playground.
I do know that I don’t have any answers to the problem of mean people, as this is not a Home-only problem. This problem exists in the real world, but there is an element here that is different. In real life, it is rare for a stranger to call you ugly, or fat, or an (expletive) loser as seen so much in the Hub. I have seen this, and the fact it has happened for no good or apparent reason. And I believe that if there was a ‘reason,’ there are far better ways to deal with such events.
A watering hole should be a place of rest and comfort, save the occasional crocodile, but the crocodiles and trolls and divas here on Home, make this place unbearable to stay in sometimes. This is largely the reason I don’t go into common areas as much. If I have money, I simply shop from within the confines of a private home. This is the place where there are no trolls and no divas to belittle or comment on me or any aspect of me, or tear down my friends.
I’m not here to tell Sony how to better the experience. To a large degree this is not their problem. I am not talking about harsh language or illegal activity. I am talking about how people log on and come with mean spirits just to be evil with sniping comments and demeaning cruelty. I have been here a little over a year and have seen great things, where kind people do wonderfully nice things that make me proud to be a Home occupant. There are also times that I have seen the most rank and vile of people treat others in ways that we as civilized people would/should never endure or tolerate. The cruelty of cyber anonymity gives some people this freedom.
We all seek this moment of a little peace.
Home is a watering hole that gives life to those that need it. It provides shelter from some of the harsh rigors of the real world where people can park next to the edge of the water and drink to refresh themselves, and except the few crocodiles that always lurk, this should be a happy place where no one is just outright cruel or evil. I know this sounds far too idyllic to ever hope that it happens either in real life or the virtual , but to those that see this, maybe it will change one mind to remember that all the cruelty and all the evils that people do, have victims, and those victims hurt like everyone else.
September 8th, 2012 by FEMAELSTROM | 11 comments
FEMAELSTROM came to Home in June 2011 and never wanted to leave, even at weekly maintenance when he usually gets booted. The sand box environment appeals to the explorer in him and often is out and about as he ‘geeks’ out dressed like some sort of sci-fi character, while he people watches in popular public spaces. An artist and writer, FEMAELSTROM loves making friends and meeting people. He loves sci-fi and decorating Home estates and loves to respond “here” when people ask “where are you from?” in public places.
Great read Strom, I love the style of your writing, it is so simple yet it gets to the heart of matters. I agree that we are all responsible for our actions in this world, both virtual and real, and those actions always have consequences either good or bad. As has been said here many times, Home is what you make it.
We all need to be kind to one another.
Home is a game of social standings for some. Which causes an equilibrium of sorts, for every troll out there theres a user wearing an over priced gold suit standing in the entrance way of X7 telling people how much better he is. Fams are all about social standing. The best way to feel better about yourself, is place some one lower than you. To me I go on home to meet up with people and have a laugh, same with the games I play. I don’t care whether I’m seen as a lover, hater or where my standing in home is, if you hang out with me then the only benefit you will get is my friendship ‘
Well Done!!! I really enjoyed reading your article. I had to reread it again and again because it really did provoke introspect.
gnothi seauton
I have been an amatuer herpetologist since a very young age. I would caution that crocidiles are an essential part of the ecosystems where they are found. I sympathise and agree with the intent of your message, but i agree from the croc’s perspective. Yes- even us “predators” become prey….no matter how well their intentions are. I would offer that labels and categorization too may cause undue stress for the crocodiles that must partake of the water for their own survival as well. I loved the analogies!~ My thanks!
Crocs work out of instinct only. We as people have a greater capacity to understand right and wrong. In reality what a croc does is not wrong, it’s instinct. What the ‘crocs’ of Home do is willful and premeditated and infused with evil and mean. Thank you for the kind comments, and I’m glad the analogy was not lost.
One thing that I’ve observed, both in Home and on its forum, and have yet found the answer to: where does the “freedom of speech” people hold aloft on a pedestal end and become the “freedom to hate”?
I think the answer is simple really. We all have freedom of speech, but when you demean the opposition for their view, it becomes hate. If you like chocolate, and I call you a name for it, then I slipped into hate. But if I say I love vanilla, even if it’s not the common/popular thought or vein, I have a right to say that. I will respect opposing views, but when I get attacked for mine, or if I attack, then that’s when hate slips in.
Good question Terra, I’d like to see that answered here. The “crocs” in Home are an unfortunate necessary to Home now though, and dare I say they’re part of its ecosystem that I’ve come to a point of loving to hate. I’m not saying I like trolls but I know that when one comes along they can inject some needed excitement sometimes into a boreing day, heh. But then we come to the idea that without night there can be no day; without turmoil we cant fully appreciate peace.
Nice article, well done.
The equilibrium of home, on one side the haters and on the other side the people that think home can do nothing wrong, and as Clint Eastwood said in a fistful of dollars, you have me smack bang in the middle, I’m sure theres more than just me in the middle but I couldn’t quote Clint then lol
Really good comparison Strom! Home is just like that. Except you forgot the lions lurking in the bushes lol. But I am one of the zebra’s but I will not dress in crocodile skin just to fit in. If the croc’s can’t except me for the stripes I wear. Then that’s their problem. Your a very good writer Strom and I look forward to reading more articles done by you.
Bob-oh, good to see you post here friend and thanks for the comment.
Very nice indeed,
The ecosystem of home,is comparable to nature in vast ways. As you know, I was a loner for a year just popping in and out, minding my own nevermind until one person was kind enough to see me there and introduce me to like minded people.
I still wander around some, and when I see someone being put down, or mistreated, I tend to step in to stop the chastising. I guess it’s in my nature to help those in need. If I see they can’t make it to the water hole, I try to bring the water to them. If it means getting bit by the crocs, than I would rather it be me than someone else. I try to show a random act of kindness whenever I can, and I know a lot of people including you, that do the same thing.
Very good article Strom!