Hi Davy, I agree with you, but its not that simple.
THe problem is, there are all levels of experience and interest. From basic beginers to advanced, to advanced in many areas, not just this area of herp keeping. People with biology backgrounds, field work backgrounds, etc etc and way more etc. .
I believe we are products of our own system of education. Only here we do not follow that system.
In those other areas, there is normally a system of learning. Like school. You start in pre-school, then work up step by step to higher education.
You do not have pre-schoolers in class with Post grad students.
You also do not have post grad advisors working with 1st graders. Or even 2nd graders taking high school courses. ITs can occur, but is so extremely rare. The reason is does not occur is a newbie, preschooler cannot understand the gap in education or experience. There is too much space or difference their their learning, ability to learn and experience.
In industry, you can take apprenticeship, then move up from there.
You did bring up something special. You said you come here to be part of a comunity of keepers like you. AGain, this is the problem, these forums are not set up that way, but most likely they should be.
All of us have our own unique interest in why we put animals in cages, and that is reflected in how we rationalize doing so. Its not about right or wrong, its simply what we are individuals.
In this case, KINGSNAKE has divided up forums on different kinds of kingsnakes, which was always odd to me. In my opinion there is not enough activity on each seperate forum to warrant doing that. I would think its far more benefitual to divide up the kingsnake forum in, experience levels and type of interest in the subject. So folks like you can find your niche (a small semi-enclosed space).
AS it is, the guidelines are clear, "the keeping and breeding of kingsnakes in captivity" I think it mentions something about conservation as well. To be accurate, I have not read it in a while, so it may have changed.
Without going on an on, which I do, this forum is not built to fit the particular expeirence levels and type of interest that would lead to forming the type of comunity your talking about. Its more about throwing all manner of folks in a pot and watching them boil. I am not sure what folks expect when they throw folks from what I mentioned above together. You always going to get newbies not understanding those with more expeirence. That is normal human behavior.
I would recomend, picking the subjects your interested in, following those folks that interest you, and not worrying about the rest.
I am thinking thats what Cindy(our wonderful moderator)(I am kissing hind end now) just told us.
She said, act like grownups and not like children. I think kids are much better at picking their friends and ignoring the rest. So I say, we need to act like kids, Pick what and who interests you. They are here. Good luck
