I joined with a hope that I might find a group that accepts me as I am. I am tired of standards that others set for me but which I don't hold for myself. And this is especially tiresome in groups that claim to value individual diversity. Professional organizations I could join are repugnant in this regard and the billy club is barely tolerable for me.

I'm sorry you seem to feel discouraged, WillIAm. I think you try hard to establish connection and I admire your tenacity. I wish you could be more patient with us slow responders. I was uncertain what to talk about or expose here, and my attempts at an intro or profile seemed like stupid bull-shit, so I wrote nothing and waited until I had something to say.

I think perhaps if we were to identify our common aspiration, it might stimulate some profound communication. I sense that WillIAm has named it "Tribal Brotherhood," and I want to know what that means to others. I have too many negative associations with the words tribe and brotherhood. (With my Jewish family I see wars as tribal ways to resolve conflict. Brotherhood to me is how religious leaders justify surrendering our power to them.) I don't think this is what WillIAm has in mind and I clearly need a more positive framing of the concept here. And I think that WillIAm's asking us why we joined might be a good start for me to understand this.

I'm hoping in this tribal brotherhood that individuals will be welcomed for their individual talents and passions, and that they will have opportunities to share their gifts with others. Thank you WillIAm for providing a space for us.

Arjuna