Is X Marks the Scot a Clan?

**ardchoille** · 16th August 07, 10:13 AM

I couldn't have said it better myself, Jamie. I feel like I belong to two clans.. Clan Gregor and Clan Xmarks

**pipesndrumsnun** · 16th August 07, 10:17 AM

Beautifully expressed!

I'm sure many will lift a glass to that!!

**MACKAY** · 16th August 07, 11:23 AM

Great post! I wonder if we could consider XMarks the worlds first "Virtual Clan".

**GMan** · 16th August 07, 11:36 AM

I'll go along with that!

**sirdaniel1975** · 16th August 07, 01:58 PM

Very nice post.. when I saw the title I was curious about its intent.

I think that here at X marks.. there are some really intelligent people. There are folks who know a lot about tartan, kilts, clans, history, etc.

I'm a member of my Clan's society and in the past year only saw our tent at one of the highland games and events I attended (I obviously attended more than a few). I remember how excited I was to see it, and quickly made my way to the tent to sign in, say hello, and have a nice conversation.

Many of us do that here on nearly a daily or weekly basis. I'd like to think we are the folks who want to be on the leading edge of what's the latest greatest new item (Kilt or accessory), or tartan....

Many of us tend to be the type that likes to help others with friendly suggestions, historical info and the like.

I think this forum fills a void for so many of us. Being that we are either so fascinated with kilts, tartan, or history. This forum is very broad and covers so many topics.

But, unfortunately we are not a clan.. because there is no chief or appointed commander in a chief's absence. Although I do suppose we are a club of sorts, a free one that is. There have been folks that have had "X marks" tents at highland games and such.

Anyway, I'm rambling.

**Une** · 16th August 07, 02:02 PM

The definition of a weed is a plant in the wrong place.

**gilmore** · 16th August 07, 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by sirdaniel1975

...
But, unfortunately we are not a clan.. because there is no chief or appointed commander in a chief's absence. Although I do suppose we are a club of sorts, a free one that is. There have been folks that have had "X marks" tents at highland games and such.
....

The Scottish clans no longer exist, of course, and haven't for over 250 years. New ones are not "invented" and given Lord Lyon's seal of approval.

I agree with you. Sometimes in the cyberworld it becomes difficult to distinguish fantasy from reality.

Those of us who have grown up in cultures, like the American South, where extended, biological families are still important, have no trouble distinguishing between something one is born into and lives in throughout one's life, and something whose members are self-selected based passing affinities. The dynamics are totally different.

In a clan the bonds were formed by birth and blood, and lasted until death. One knows the others in it since childhood, and people take up for each other through thick and thin, whether they are respected, affluent members of their community or whether they are imprisoned criminals. They are always family, nothing ever changes that, nor is it possible for anything to change that.

On an internet bulletin board on the other hand, posters come and go. No one has been here more than a few years at most. Many will not be here a few years from now. The majority of us have never met in real life, and those who have, do not see each other often. Posters can be excluded by moderators on the basis of an extensive list of rules, or like Dreadbelly, be made to feel as if they are not welcome, and leave.

It's more like a society or club, like the St Andrew's or Caledonian societies, and based on a common, chosen interest.

**Mike1** · 17th August 07, 06:20 AM

Originally Posted by gilmore

Posters can be excluded by moderators on the basis of an extensive list of rules, or like Dreadbelly, be made to feel as if they are not welcome, and leave.

Nice try gilmore, but that dog ain't gonna hunt.

I want to make it crystal-clear you are speaking from a position of absolute ignorance on this matter. If it were not so, you would not have made such a ridiculous and erroneous observation.

You might want to take a moment and read this thread.

Speaking strictly for myself here, I'm more than a little sick and tired of the back-handed swipes taken at the forum staff members. If anyone has an issue with a forum member (staff or otherwise), contact that member via Private Message. If you don't care for the moderation on this forum, go join an anarchy forum. Please remember you are not being held hostage here. You're free to leave whenever you choose.

The truth of the matter is that we do have a small group of problem children that require nearly constant attention from the staff members. It is also true you have no idea of those members' identities, no idea of the problems they have caused and no idea of the opportunities that have been extended those individuals. So do me a favor and try to limit your comments to topics upon which you have a modicum of knowledge.

**irishrob** · 17th August 07, 06:51 AM

I suggest that the clan song might be: All our X's aren't in Texaswith apologies to "All my exes live in Texas!"

You know, there is no doubt that the forum is a family. Most families are made up of various individuals who have some sort of relationship, be it from blood, marriage, adoption or whatever. Again, most families have a myriad of individual personalities... from the loving mother, the wayward son, the loony aunt, the curmudgeon grandfather, the dandy and the dowdy and on and on and on.

All I can say is as a family "we is one!"

Rob

**sporranlegionaire** · 16th August 07, 11:29 PM

Should I have the good fortune to end up with an Xmarks tartan kilt, I would be proud to explain to any passerby the nature of 'my' clan...and that they too can be sworn in if they have access to a computer, and have all the attributes required of friendly brotherhood. I think it's all refreshingly 21st century, and mixes well the flavour of clan-like support with the anxious times we now live in.
I also think the suggestion of a dandelion emblem should be applauded. To me this plant has several apt qualities:

Its roots can grow very deep, and are not easily removed.
The seed head is almost perfectly round like our world, and help in its future survival and distribution requires just a mouthful of breath to 'spread the word'.
It establishes itself almost everywhere, and if, in times when we're down, we happen across one it reminds us that there is ready support waiting to make things easier - even if only through helpful words or advice.
The bright yellow of the flower is the most cheering colour of the spectrum, but, as a lovable rogue, can have its mischievous ways as well.

If that doesn't sum up the Xmarks 'rabble', then nothing will.