Imagine an unmoderated political discussion?

T

TomFetter

Joined
Dec 6, 2004
Messages
1,103
Picking up on Nasty's comment in the post he stickied over on the other side.

I don't have to imagine one. Two other forums I visit are only nominally moderated, and political stuff comes up all the time. Some spectacular train wrecks, and some spectacular thinking. Any community makes itself, through the choices folks make as they participate.

Communities hang together to the degree that people subscribe to a common set of core values. Once again, HI both as a company and as a forum was started with a very clear set of core values, based on Buddhist ideas of dharma (duty, compassion) and tolerance. It's what's made this place unique, and has been the ongoing culture of this place, no matter who's here posting. It's also rather far removed from the dominant culture in society, which is why Bill didn't end up a megalo-billionaire.

I'd love to give some added prominence to some of Bill's posts on the origins of this place, and why. Perhaps these too could be stickies, as an introduction for newcomers, and a reminder for old farts like myself.

t.
 
I don't know what to say, Tom. As rough as some of our self policed threads have been, they were by all accounts far more civil than the standard on many other forums, including the political arena here in BF. Generally when someone goes too far, he either catches himself, or his peers jump in with cautions. There has always been a law and order faction here on this forum, and I guess we're trying it out today. ON the positive side of that, my Dad used to say the worst thing about Congress was that we never got to try anything; the compromise by the Democrats and Republicans left us with nothing tangible. So we never knew if supply side economics truly worked; there were always limits or the time ran out before you really started to see.
A budhist philosophy acknowledges intrinsic responsibility; there are consequences to actions. Bill was there. How we treated one another adjusted our behaviors. He never used the Ban word. In fact, he got in trouble with his friends because he would not ban. He lost some of them for good.



munk
 
TomFetter said:
I don't have to imagine one. Two other forums I visit are only nominally moderated, and political stuff comes up all the time.
Click to expand...

I miss the train wrecks we had here. Unfortunately, it seems I may have caused these wrecks.:foot: I apologize if anyone was offended, it was not my intent.
 
Andy, you're a firecracker Cajun. You're just one of the many spices that gives the Cantina Stew a little more "pop":D I would say that the "trainwrecks" we have had have been more like derailments. I have said it before, and i'll say it again, everyone that has been a Mod for this forum has done a wonderful job. This place is wonderful.

Jake
 
Steely has it exactly right; The first and best statement, the foundation, has and should continue to be positive outlook. Instead of looking at impending doom, we will usher impending happiness.



munk
 
I think that the key is that everybody needs to know each other. I've been in a few endless threads arguing before with lots of people here:thumbup: Munk and I have gone on at length to where everybody but he and I were somewhat freaking out:D But we're friends:thumbup: But maybe they didn't know we were as good friends as we were.

Going to the khonvention twice before, lots of people who have LOTS of difft points of view than each other. You know what we talked about?? Khukuris and how great it was to meet/see each other again! Lots of hugs!:thumbup: No forum gossip, no political arguments just good hanging with pals! I still hold Nasty super high up on a pedestal for inviting people he had never met to his house and doing a REALLY GOOD THING.

On the other hand you can get into some sort of a discussion, especially on a big forum like this, and people who don't know you are drawn by the subject and it is a lot easier to get out of control. Not saying that the threads should be locked or deleted mind you, but there is more potential for people hating each other when they don't know each other well.

When threads get out of control then people start attacking each other personally. That is where the problem starts. I always say that when your response has a lot of YOU's in it then maybe you should re read it before you hit the send button.;)

If allowed to run it's course usually one party will stomp off. But I know of at least 1 argument that extended to real life. That's a shame.

I think that the rules here are more stringent now. But I don't think that's any of our homies fault. I like Bladeforums but if you come to your house you gotta abide by their rules.
 
You can't throw out friends just because they're liberal or conservative. You have to throw them out after they've eaten the last peice of cake.





munk
 
munk said:
You can't throw out friends just because they're liberal or conservative. You have to throw them out after they've eaten the last peice of cake.





munk
Click to expand...

Nahhhhh..........just bake another cake:D
 
Good one. Cake is good. The voters of America need more cake.
Maybe I should try; never baked a cake before.
But tonight I did make Chicken Mole'




munk
 
The wife's birthday was Monday ... we're likely gonna finish the last bit of cake tonight. Hope that doesn't mean she's going to throw me out ...
 
TomFetter said:
The wife's birthday was Monday ... we're likely gonna finish the last bit of cake tonight. Hope that doesn't mean she's going to throw me out ...
Click to expand...

We may need an update on this Tom. :eek: :eek: :eek: ;) :D
 
Belated happy b-day to your wife, Tom.

Back on the original topic. I've lurked in several forums on different sites and I can echo the comments about how (even at its worst) civil this place is; that includes the political forum here as well. Some of the places I peruse are, at best, bitter and contentious and, at worst, cesspools of vitriol. This is a great community here. Have a great day, all!

Mark
 
Well, I don't see any problem with open and frank discussions here at all. As long as everyone acknowledges that I am always 100% correct about everything, then no worries! :D

I mean, there's no question of that, right? ;)

Seriously, this place is as good as it gets for political discussions, "heated" or otherwise. Other forums start off by calling you an idiot and then devolve from there. No matter how involved the discussions get here, I think there is still at least an element of respect towards each other when all is said and done. At least I hope so...

Norm
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top