A couple of things are behind my thinking in this post.  Please bear with me and as you might have noted I am not good at short posts.

Earlier this month, we had a ta titled someting like violations of terms of use which made me feel like I had an encounter with a very badly behaved party crasher (my feelings which I take responsibility for) and the other day a really interesting post by Mary called I hate sexism.  Both have started me thinking about the Wall and how we connect.

In terms of being still relatively new on the Wall I guess I wonder how much new people coming and getting involved might disrupt or change the flavour of the Wall.  I took some time to read old posts before I braved the reply but nothing goes back before 2007 so I don't know if the Wall was born before that or not.  I  am figuring that the quote"Change causes friction" is probably somewhat true of the Wall and although I have only ever felt welcomed, I wonder what happens when new people come in and become active.  I am reflecting on my own capacity here to feel like I am right at home.  Has the team ever considered this impact on the dynamic of the wall and if so or if not how does it feel for others who have been around together to cope with the extra personalities joinging?  Maybe this is a bit bold to ask straight out but this is where it is connected to the party crasher.  I respect that the Wall is an open resource but does anyone else feel a bit exposed and wondering if there is another way of having a bit more security or even a way of having sub groups.  I know this sounds exclusive but there are some things that I am not about to put on the Wall because it is so open.

Maybe I am a bit too paranoid and I don't know how this might work - and I am certainly not a techie.  These are genuine questions and I would enjoy hearing others thoughts on this even if I am off on the wrong track.

To the team, yes I did think of sending a request kind of email off to you direct but I am not sure of my thinking so therefor the ta - this is not intended to undermine the  importance of the work you do for us.  UM 

As a relatively  newcomer I appreciate  the concerns expressed here.I am still learning about the differing grades of anonymity and disclosure available.Like Um I'm not into IT or pretend to understand the technicalities of  PC communication. Also we  Oz are a relatively small population, The BigWW received some publicity and created interest in me . I guess it comes down to how vulnerable we feel. What interests me is in fact how small the BWW population  seems to be.What is your guess?  I now know there are sub groups Roze within the bricks ( thanks)Perhaps I'm I could start a 'thick brick' sub group? Cheers 

Can't whistle either. can't "pop my thumbs", can't ride a bicycle, cna't stand on one foot for ten seconds without falling sideways and I vaguely remember "Thick as a Brick" which I think hints at my age...do I qualify as a thickbrick, too?

& thanks for the topic. I've tried to play it by ear. If someone has an issue with my behaviour or my bricks, they are more than welcome to let me know. If it is wwaayy out of bounds, I understand that I will be excluded. Otherwise, like relationship forming that goes one face to face, we will negotioate, discuss, apologize and (wherever possible) remove and fix whatever offence we've committed against anyone. That's how I understand it.

The nature of The Wall is such that it feels a 'safer' environment to expose yourself. It's amazing to me how the anonymity of the space frees people up so quickly....it sometimes seems to me some of the deepest most emotionally expressed posts and bricks were just waiting for the space and the permission anonymity allows to come out. It  seems to confirm for me that humans need to get it out, But in safety, in a secure environment where we are not likely anyone will tell you to shut up and go away. You gotta do real bad, very hurtful and destructive things with your words before that would happen.

I've also noted, if I see something which troubles me, because I want very much to respond in helpful, supportive ways - but I don't know what to say.... that's difficult. I hate to think of someone not recieving a single response...that's worse. It is my problem that I feel I want to help, want to fix every problem, every worry, every concern, everyone's troubles...but I can't. That's a simple fact. Not only do I not have emotional fortitude to involve myself in everyon's innermost lives (so I don't expect anyone to have the same for me) I don't feel I know enough to not make mistakes (making mistakes with someone in great need scares me terribly), I have learned over the years, I really can't fix other people. Haven't fixed myself. People do have to think things through and feel their way through their lives...I have no power over that. If I did, I would be easily overwhelmed by the desire out there for someone who could just make it all go away.

The Wall brings u[ issues for me...maybe, being as optimistic as I can, I will grow, and appreciate everyone I've connected with on The Wall for their part in that.