Off-Topic Forum Suspension Disussion

[Kriton]

I am mildly upset that my well thought out, thinly veiled and barely coherent threat of bodily injury didn't get more play time...

An old professor of mine once said, "You have no rights but those WE give you". Forums are *not* democratic, they can't be and still maintain some semblance of theme. Life is not fair, and if any of you think you are in control or charge of your life, you are kidding the hell out of yourselves. In a natural defense theory sort of way, we give up the basic and primal right to say and do what we want anywhere and to anyone, to the governing body, in return for the structure (and policing) to work toward a common good or goal, or in this instance, a common interest. It is this way on a large scale and on the much smaller and controlled scale of internet forums.

I find the recent events unfortunate, and entirely avoidable. I too would like the OT thread to come back, but I would also welcome more control over the participants.

K

[JLStorm]

I think the large majority of the participants in the forum need little to no guidance and have done nothing wrong. There is a small number of people who have steered topics towards getting out of hand, sometimes its not intentional and simply an emotional topic. Sometimes it is intentional and people simply write something to get a reation out of others. We have quite a few differences between members that can lead to certain subjects to become controversial such as political, religious, geographical, and demographical differences; huge age ranges can also further create differences in opinions. All of this can lead to situations where an agreement cannot be reached on an issue, but that is where MOST of the group realize that its ok to disagree, or perhaps even interesting to read others thoughts without the need to prove them right or wrong.

I do not like the idea of "control" and the only time freedom is lost is when people decide it is easier to give it up and let others take on the burden of deciding what is best for the general population. I believe as group we have worked to steer SRP in the direction we have wanted it to go. In my opinion, the staff is here to help steer the forums in that direction. Most of what we need to do IMO isnt drastic changes, but simply more proactively rather than reactively enforcing. We also must enforce these rules more rigorously than we have been and staying on top of threads before they have a chance to get out of hand. The community has grown much much larger in a rather short period of time and adjustments in moderation style need to be made, as mentioned before proactive moderation is going to be important going forward.

[AFDavis11]

As a group our cultural diversity is greater than our cultural openess. An OT forum is doomed to fail again, and again, and again. Bring it back and you'll be deleting it again later.

As much as we like to chat, the discovery and protection of the art we practice is too important for such an immature group to risk having a forum used primarily for attacking each others personal views.

[Jimbo]

This is perhaps overly-pessimistic, and could be outright wrong. But I think once the cat has been let out of the bag, the feelings that have been generated linger. People remember who said what to whom etc. and it's easier for things to degenerate the next time there's an opportunity for them to do so.

I'm not a long termer and don't know what, if anything, occurred before I joined, but I was around for the "Ultimate Test of Civility" thread. I feel it had a greater impact than just a few long term members leaving - there's been, in my mind, echoes of that break down in subsequent political/social/religious Off Topics.

I guess my point is that I'd love to see the Off Topic forum reinstated, but it can't go back to what it was. There's a history there now and ignoring it will only lead to more of the same. While I agree that the Off Topic area can be a place to build friendships, and I have certainly done so with people, it is also a place, if not carefully controlled, that can breed large amounts of animosity rather quickly.

Bring back the Off Topic with beefed up rules (and penalties), and ban the obvious "hot button" topics - politics, religion, country-bashing etc. We TALK about being responsible and self-controlling....now let's SHOW we are those things by acknowledging the problem and doing something about it.

James.

[jaegerhund]

O.K. --Let's resolve this thing --- --- I mean O.J.'s in jail and my typing fingers are itching.

Justin

Edit: Actually I don't give a hoot about O.J. but someone probably does.

[azjoe]

O.K. --Let's resolve this thing --- --- I mean O.J.'s in jail and my typing fingers are itching.

Justin

Edit: Actually I don't give a hoot about O.J. but someone probably does.

Hang in there... it won't be much longer. With any luck you'll get to post before he gets sprung on bail

[Lynn]

Guys,

I am game for giving the OT another try. I would hope that everyone will do the best they can to abide by the forum rules and the common sense that the majority of you display all the time.

Special thanks to Joe for being the rock of this place!!!!! Also to the moderators always for doing what they think is the right thing and helping to keep us going.

Lynn

[JMS]

Guys,

I am game for giving the OT another try. I would hope that everyone will do the best they can to abide by the forum rules and the common sense that the majority of you display all the time.

Special thanks to Joe for being the rock of this place!!!!! Also to the moderators always for doing what they think is the right thing and helping to keep us going.

Lynn

Thanks Lynn!!

[bpatton]

Wow, can't believe I missed the now infamous thread.

I'm surprised a thread could actually get to the level that an entire forum could be banned. My thoughts:

First, I hope I have not been the cause of another member leaving the forum.

Second, whether or not there is an off topic forum people will get upset. Discussions will degenerate. I'm a member of a forum on College football where we are all fans of the same team, but somehow there are still devisive issues that split the forum. I am also a member of a hunting forum that has several devisive issues that regularly degenerate into name calling. I haven't seen that here, but this is a younger forum, where people are still searching for answers and few people feel like they have them. Right now there isn't a devisive issue, but eventually there will be.


Third, without the off topic forum the discussion here will become stale. How many times can you post stropping methods to explain things to newbys? How many times can you explain how to hone? I came here to learn to straight shave, I have stayed because I like the discussion on shaving methods and on life in general. If the off topic forum stays gone, half my reason to check in here is gone. Do guys at the barbershop discuss hair cutting all day? No, they shoot the breeze about OJ, Britney, Football, Movies, Beer, Whisky, Cigars, their pet peeves, their family, their dreams, their work, tell jokes, politics, reigion, etc. If the barbershop feel is to stay, then you need a place to discuss these things. If people don't like the discussion in the barbershop, they stay out of it or they argue passionately. The shop owner might have to throw someone out for being offensive. The customers might be offended and not return. This isn't anything new, and it is inevitable. That's the same thing that needs to happen here, if a member is a problem throw them out on their duff. If a discussion becomes too heated, toss some cold water on 'em. If they are worth having around they will figure out how to behave, If not they're gone.





Ooops, I guess I'm a little late on the topic...

[izlat]

Crapp, I'm behind...

Many good comments already. Personally - I don't use the OT much but think we need it. I agree - get the OT up. Also like the "No holds barred" - it could be the funniest forum around

Cheers
Ivo