I don't expect it to become headline news (and it isn't); but some of the more observant in the on-line nuclear community may have noticed that I resigned from however many FB pages there are right now (too many IMHO); and, within twenty-four hours, rejoined them all again. Accordingly, perhaps an explanation might be appropriate; and here it is..........
Putting aside my belief that there are far too many FB pages than are necessary; (two or three are quite enough - providing an option of two for veterans and one for descendants), the issue which finally persuaded me to leave was a growing belief that many of the posts in recent times would be more at home in the glossy pages of women's weekly magazines or in the Letter Pages of certain Sunday newspapers. Put in simple terms, there are far too many of what I understand are known as motivational posts; which, by the way, are certainly not written or composed by the FB members; but mass-produced by the aforementioned publishers and, more importantly, entirely unnecessary and inappropriate for FB pages intended (primarily) for miltary veterans.
A further factor which has caused me concern is my impression that many of these posts are sometimes becoming personal; thus contributing (often deliberately IMHO) towards the worrying divisions which are developing amongst some of those associated with the British nuclear test communities. Those responsible should ask themselves what they are hoping to achieve and whether those objectives are in the best interests of veterans and their descendants.
Finally, I fully understand that some of those who contribute these sort of comments are actually also FB Friends of myself. Indeed, it was the realisattion of this paradox which persuaded me to rejoin the pages (if you can't beat them, join them - as they used to say). So, if my remarks have offended anyone, I suggest they refer to the producers of the motivational stuff to which I have referred; and seek comfort and inspiration from their messages. Good Luck.
Putting aside my belief that there are far too many FB pages than are necessary; (two or three are quite enough - providing an option of two for veterans and one for descendants), the issue which finally persuaded me to leave was a growing belief that many of the posts in recent times would be more at home in the glossy pages of women's weekly magazines or in the Letter Pages of certain Sunday newspapers. Put in simple terms, there are far too many of what I understand are known as motivational posts; which, by the way, are certainly not written or composed by the FB members; but mass-produced by the aforementioned publishers and, more importantly, entirely unnecessary and inappropriate for FB pages intended (primarily) for miltary veterans.
A further factor which has caused me concern is my impression that many of these posts are sometimes becoming personal; thus contributing (often deliberately IMHO) towards the worrying divisions which are developing amongst some of those associated with the British nuclear test communities. Those responsible should ask themselves what they are hoping to achieve and whether those objectives are in the best interests of veterans and their descendants.
Finally, I fully understand that some of those who contribute these sort of comments are actually also FB Friends of myself. Indeed, it was the realisattion of this paradox which persuaded me to rejoin the pages (if you can't beat them, join them - as they used to say). So, if my remarks have offended anyone, I suggest they refer to the producers of the motivational stuff to which I have referred; and seek comfort and inspiration from their messages. Good Luck.
