Post by LittleNightSide (Darklilone) on Jan 27, 2011 12:58:49 GMT -5
What is Eclectic Haven?
*keep in mind this piece contains bias as it is created from my observations and opinions*
Eclectic haven is a message board thought of and created by Darklilone/LittleNightSide with the intent of bringing together members of two different online communities.
Each Real Vampire related board, group and individual holds different conversations, different beliefs and information about vampirism, the world and life in general as they see it. While some include other sections and Otherkin/therian related discussion their focus is on vampirism and whatever that may involve in their corner of the net.
While there are many communities within the Vampire Community they don't often contact, or interact and rarely do they share information and allow for a chance to compare and contrast.
It's agreed that more information and conclusions are needed, and while everyone has information, beliefs, ideas and theories, much of it, different and diverse (which isn't so bad, but ), there is no solid answer.
Anyone new to the subject or community will develop their own belief based on the single (or hopefully couple/many) site(s) and resource they first stumble upon. If they seek to find more information and interaction elsewhere they could find confusion.
I left one forum in hopes of expanding my knowledge, joined and began posting in another. Some information is not written, simply agreed with in an established group, other times it is. However, like many may others may do, i assumed that knowledge of vampirism (definitions, terms, information, etc) was knowledge of vampirism, that it was all similar or the same. I was mistaken.
I replied to a thread with the knowledge i had learned and thought correct, only to be corrected with entirely new information. Some forum/group "elders" are not so nice in their approach and correction, some are not so able to accept or adjust so well to new information.
I've come to understand that the definition and information of a Real Vampire in one place, forum or group is often not going to be the same in another. I find this at risk of causing confusion and difficulty for newcomers in and outside the community and think that a place to share, learn and promote understanding and compromise is needed.
While i had learned my lesson and did not assume as much in Otherkin/Therian boards, i observed similar experiences.
Each Otherkin and Therian related board, group and individual also shares varied beliefs, ideas and information. I believe the saying goes something like "if you ask 7 Therians/kin what Therianthropy (or Otherkin) is, you will get 10 different answers".
I've personally found the Otherkin and Therian community to be even more diverse and less connected (structured?) than the Vampire Community.
While they also designate sections for vampires, their main focus is on Otherkin and Therians.
There are often individuals who identify as both Kin/Therian and Vampire. But where are they to go?
I feel that some standard or base for information is needed in the communities and hope that Eclectic Haven can serve that purpose.
I also feel that individuals need a place where they can completely be themselves and learn about whatever it is they identify with or are unsure about. Instead of bouncing around between communities and boards and focusing on one side over the other.
Even if it fails, i hope that it at least accomplishes and promotes, directly or indirectly, this belief and gives the opportunity or inspiration to seek such answers.
In short,
I hope for Eclectic Haven to be a welcoming and useful place for new and recognized members of the communities.
I hope for it to serve as a place (directory perhaps?) for all sorts of information and points of view, in order to help promote a better understanding, and hopefully a compromise of the little information we have, and the beliefs we hold regarding Vampirism, Therianthropy and Otherkin.
*keep in mind this piece contains bias as it is created from my observations and opinions*
Eclectic haven is a message board thought of and created by Darklilone/LittleNightSide with the intent of bringing together members of two different online communities.
Each Real Vampire related board, group and individual holds different conversations, different beliefs and information about vampirism, the world and life in general as they see it. While some include other sections and Otherkin/therian related discussion their focus is on vampirism and whatever that may involve in their corner of the net.
While there are many communities within the Vampire Community they don't often contact, or interact and rarely do they share information and allow for a chance to compare and contrast.
It's agreed that more information and conclusions are needed, and while everyone has information, beliefs, ideas and theories, much of it, different and diverse (which isn't so bad, but ), there is no solid answer.
Anyone new to the subject or community will develop their own belief based on the single (or hopefully couple/many) site(s) and resource they first stumble upon. If they seek to find more information and interaction elsewhere they could find confusion.
I left one forum in hopes of expanding my knowledge, joined and began posting in another. Some information is not written, simply agreed with in an established group, other times it is. However, like many may others may do, i assumed that knowledge of vampirism (definitions, terms, information, etc) was knowledge of vampirism, that it was all similar or the same. I was mistaken.
I replied to a thread with the knowledge i had learned and thought correct, only to be corrected with entirely new information. Some forum/group "elders" are not so nice in their approach and correction, some are not so able to accept or adjust so well to new information.
I've come to understand that the definition and information of a Real Vampire in one place, forum or group is often not going to be the same in another. I find this at risk of causing confusion and difficulty for newcomers in and outside the community and think that a place to share, learn and promote understanding and compromise is needed.
While i had learned my lesson and did not assume as much in Otherkin/Therian boards, i observed similar experiences.
Each Otherkin and Therian related board, group and individual also shares varied beliefs, ideas and information. I believe the saying goes something like "if you ask 7 Therians/kin what Therianthropy (or Otherkin) is, you will get 10 different answers".
I've personally found the Otherkin and Therian community to be even more diverse and less connected (structured?) than the Vampire Community.
While they also designate sections for vampires, their main focus is on Otherkin and Therians.
There are often individuals who identify as both Kin/Therian and Vampire. But where are they to go?
I feel that some standard or base for information is needed in the communities and hope that Eclectic Haven can serve that purpose.
I also feel that individuals need a place where they can completely be themselves and learn about whatever it is they identify with or are unsure about. Instead of bouncing around between communities and boards and focusing on one side over the other.
Even if it fails, i hope that it at least accomplishes and promotes, directly or indirectly, this belief and gives the opportunity or inspiration to seek such answers.
In short,
I hope for Eclectic Haven to be a welcoming and useful place for new and recognized members of the communities.
I hope for it to serve as a place (directory perhaps?) for all sorts of information and points of view, in order to help promote a better understanding, and hopefully a compromise of the little information we have, and the beliefs we hold regarding Vampirism, Therianthropy and Otherkin.