Current Affairs/Politics/etc.... Comeback or keep it binned ?

[weeksy]

So i've got my own opinions on this stuff but i've always said that it's OUR site not mine...

So i'll go with how the forum decides we go.

Simple choice really. Keep politics/affairs/etc off the board or bring it back ... That's it...

You can use this thread to discuss the what/why etc as well if you like

[MrLongbeard]

Bring it back gets my vote, but dust off the ban hammer for those that can't play nicely with others.

[Yorick]

I suggest a happy/funny news story thread in General.

And revert back to the other one in the Current Affairs section. But no fighting and throwing poo.

[Rockburner]

Depends really on whether or not people can actually play nicely, and if not, does that cause the mods too much hassle?

Discussing the politics of the day would seem like a thing we should be able to do, but letting it descend into unpleasantness is what we don't want.

I guess that it relies on the participants being able to moderate their own behaviour and reactions, so the question is : can we be be trusted to do that? Some can, some can't, but you can't have a "two-tier" forum where only some people are allowed to post their thoughts (realistically speaking).

I'm glad personally that it's not my decision to make to be quite frank, and I don't envy you the dilemma.

[weeksy]

Depends really on whether or not people can actually play nicely, and if not, does that cause the mods too much hassle?

Discussing the politics of the day would seem like a thing we should be able to do, but letting it descend into unpleasantness is what we don't want.

I guess that it relies on the participants being able to moderate their own behaviour and reactions, so the question is : can we be be trusted to do that? Some can, some can't, but you can't have a "two-tier" forum where only some people are allowed to post their thoughts (realistically speaking).

I'm glad personally that it's not my decision to make to be quite frank, and I don't envy you the dilemma.

It's not a question of how much hassle it causes, it's minutes to delete posts etc not hours. It's more the ill feeling and angst on the forum i don't like, the bitterness, the anger and the abuse. I've always tried to make/keep this a friendly place and space and a safe fun space for people to come and visit. Of course it can't always be flowers and rainbows, i do get that... but to try is what i have set out to do.

[Treadeager]

What Mr.LB said in post #2

[gremlin]

I suggest a happy/funny news story thread in General.

And revert back to the other one in the Current Affairs section. But no fighting and throwing poo.

For once I concur with you. Open it back up, but moderate it with an iron fist. There is no place for name-calling on this site.

As I recall, the 'In Today's News' thread was a collection of light-hearted news snippets, until it got overrun with US political rants. Bring it back, I say. I love a story about a cat stuck up a tree being rescued by a passing albatross.


Wankers

[Count Steer]

I'd keep it closed for another month in the vain hope that the few that only seem to come on here to broadcast their fixed opinions and argue rather than discuss/debate (or insult instead of either) forget we're here.

(But, I don't really mind either way as long as failure to play nicely = a swift hoof in the stones).

[Horse]

It's an important part of freedom of speech and expression of personal beliefs.

For that reason, keep it canned

FWIW, I haven't really missed it.

[MrLongbeard]

FWIW, I haven't really missed it.

but but but, monkey pox, super gonorrhea and a yacht sinking have passed us by

[Felix]

The options are dont go into the post if you dont like the discussion. I dont see why folk pop in and complain. You even gave the hide the section option yet they still come to try and wind people up. Im sure they enjoy poking the hornets nest.

[MyLittleStudPony]

I'd like it back. But I can tell you don't enjoy the content and having to look after it Weeksy; so would completely understand if you didn't bring it back regardless of the poll outcome.

[Mr Moofo]

Certain folks can't play nice - and have made it a sport.
I would say "no" , as they will do exactly the same.

The other option is to permenantly banned various people.

[Tricky]

Bring it back- it's in a self-contained area, the locking of threads / that section has to date always been load of fuss about nothing IMO and the site is a far duller place for not having it.
Although I almost never contribute in that area, some of the posts in there have caused me to research subjects I'd previously not really known much, or even nothing about, and as a result I've learned stuff I otherwise wouldn't have known.

I've also found that even if you're not interested in the subject matter that's being discussed/ argued about in there, the discussion/argument can make some of the threads the most entertaining ones on the site, and you can often learn a fair bit about posters too

The options are dont go into the post if you dont like the discussion. I dont see why folk pop in and complain. You even gave the hide the section option yet they still come to try and wind people up. Im sure they enjoy poking the hornets nest.

Spot on

[Mr Moofo]

The options are dont go into the post if you dont like the discussion. I dont see why folk pop in and complain. You even gave the hide the section option yet they still come to try and wind people up. Im sure they enjoy poking the hornets nest.

Because they like being trolls. It's not the subject matter - just a greater need for anonymous attention. It's wierd

[weeksy]

Well at 5-10 votes as of now, i don't see the 'keep it binned' option making that much of a come-back.

So on your heads be it... the forum and topics have been unlocked again and are open for posting.

[Mr Moofo]

Well at 5-10 votes as of now, i don't see the 'keep it binned' option making that much of a come-back.

So on your heads be it... the forum and topics have been unlocked again and are open for posting.

Fair enough - but I think it should be moderated with little leeway

[weeksy]

Well at 5-10 votes as of now, i don't see the 'keep it binned' option making that much of a come-back.

So on your heads be it... the forum and topics have been unlocked again and are open for posting.

Fair enough - but I think it should be moderated with little leeway

I've never once told the Mods how to do their jobs and have always backed their decisions.

[Skub]

As an example,I frequent a particular guitar forum the odd time and the moderation leaves no room for doubt.

ANY POST CONTAINING A POLITICIAN BY NAME OR IN AM IMAGE -- EVEN AS A JOKE -- WILL BE REMOVED AS A POLITICAL POST.
Please do not post on subjects such as Divorce, Spouse Abuse, Family Fighting, Addictions, Sexual Identity, Transgender, Psychological, Mental Heath, STDs, Sexual Dysfunction, Bankruptcy, Credit Worthiness, Eviction or other subjects of a sensitive and intimate nature.
Don't try to get by the word censor by using #@%$!^ instead of swear words. Excessive swearing (censored or not) will not be allowed.

They do however (being septic based) allow pics of guns and discussion of weapons. You'll cop an instant ban for even questioning the need for guns. That comes under trolling.

Having said all that,the dynamic here is different. For a start the forum isn't run by redneck god botherers,so we are pretty much free to talk about whatever we fancy.
No one here can complain about excessive moderation,there's a fairly long leash. We can moderate our conduct and manner from person to person in our daily lives,so why the fuck do we need to be told how to behave when scribbling online?

With this freedom of expression comes the responsibility of behaving like an adult. Adults will listen to other opinions and decide for themselves if there is credibility. This usually works fine when face to face with someone and folk don't usually be quick to get up in anyone's face over a difference of opinion. Online is different. It only takes one comment to begin the escalation which inevitably brings us to where we are. Again. And again.
I don't think I've ever read a fiery 'debate' that concluded with one side agreeing they were wrong and thanking the other side for enlightening them. To get angry because someone disagrees with you,or get frustrated you can't change their opinion by proselyting further is futile online,yet at times we all try to cure perceived stupidity. It will never work.

I rarely participate in the current affairs section,but I like the fact it exists for those who enjoy debating the topics.
The other sections of the forum add depth and colour to RTTL. I'm as much of a dyed in the wool bike freak as anyone,but have you ever been to a bike meet where that's all some people talk about? It's very one dimensional and it wears me out eventually,so I itch to get away asap.
I believe we need topic diversity to flesh out the people behind the avatars and not to be just banging on about one subject until it's arse is hanging in tatters.

All the above is well and good,but ultimately the onus lies with the individual poster. Do you want to visit a site where a debate gone wrong carries bitterness and sniping over into all aspects of the forum? A lot of that was funny when we all were young on Visordown,but it's beyond silly and tedious for the mostly middle aged folk we are now.

[Screwdriver]

These are dangerous times. Just for daring to express an opinion, you can be jailed for years!

OTOH, it's fairly obvious the forum has died a death since removing the ability to discuss important matters.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't.