Lounge threads need purpose now?

[StirCrazy]

I have noticed some threads in the lounge being closed for not having a purpose, sense when did the lounge need a purpose? heck look at 90% of the poses here and they don't have a purpose so why not close them all? I totally agree with the other forums being on line and purposeful but not in the lounge as that was the place designed for us to talk about what ever, and as long as there is no flaming criminal activities and the general feel is civil I don't believe it should be closed.

Not picking on any Mod so don't take it the wrong way I just feel this issue needs to be addressed/discussed be for it gets out of hand.

Steve

[Bob I]

What I find interesting that a thread as useless as "Do you believe in God", which has absolutely nothing to do with reefing, is allowed to carry on. There does not seem to be any rhyme nor reason.

[Tangman]

BOB , I agree with you ,COMPLETELY!!!!

[Doug]

I figured it would not take long before someone posted this. Glad you see it as civil.

I closed the thread because the last post of so, were gettings close to crosing the line. It was also closed untill the other staff members could comment.

MOST lounges do not allow threads on politics, which is where this was heading and/or threads on religion, because they usually end up in a free for all.

The thread on religion was not closed on the decision of the other staff members, for now. I totally disagreed with the wording of some of the questions there, such as calling other beliefs "weak & fearful". FWIW, I thought it should be closed.

I will unlock the thread.


Why do topics that start arguments and hard feelings need to be talked about on a reef board lounge? There,s other places for that. Look at all the threads on here. Most are useful or provide a laugh or two.

[Tangman]

I just feel this not the place for that , Thank you

[Delphinus]

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

I have noticed some threads in the lounge being closed for not having a purpose, sense when did the lounge need a purpose?

Forum description reads:

Anything aquarium related but not belong to other forums

heck look at 90% of the poses here and they don't have a purpose

Point well taken. But read on..

so why not close them all? I totally agree with the other forums being on line and purposeful but not in the lounge as that was the place designed for us to talk about what ever, and as long as there is no flaming criminal activities and the general feel is civil I don't believe it should be closed.

I think you answered your own question. There are a lot of topics that make people uncomfortable, but, so long as the general feel is civil, we try to leave them be. The thread you refer to was closed because it looked like it temporarily lost its civil tone, or had the potential to go that way.

Not picking on any Mod so don't take it the wrong way I just feel this issue needs to be addressed/discussed be for it gets out of hand.

With all due respect ... before what gets out of hand? The moderators are here to MODERATE things. If you have an idea how we can improve that task, feel free to present them to one of us privately. We're reasonable people doing at times an unpleasant job. Having our motives questioned like this, is I think, a little unfair.

In general, if you exercise COMMON SENSE when starting a thread, or responding to one, it will get left alone. And if not ... well then we have a duty to do. I'm sorry if that makes us unpopular, but the reality is we don't have to explain ourselves at all if we choose not to. It says so right in the user agreement that you agreed to, to become a member of the board. I would like to think, however, that the moderators have never chosen to abuse that privledge.

[Snappy]

Although I put my two cents worth in on the controversial thread I don't think those discussions are best suited for this type of website. There are chat rooms and plenty of other places to go over those issues. I for one don't shy away from discussing whatever topic topic comes up if I feel I can actually give some input, however as stated I agree that topics on this website should be related to the hobby or at least relevent in some way.

[Aquattro]

I think Tony has done a fine job answering this. It's funny, we leave a thread, we're wrong. We close a thread, we're censors, and wrong again. What's that old saying? Can't make all of the people happy ever, or something like that.
Looking back, the "americans are dumb" thread should have been closed in the first 2 seconds. The god thread should also have been removed, although I have to say after 3 pages, it has remained civil. Still, I'm recommending to the rest of the staff that any future politcs/religion threads be prohibited. This is a reef board, and I'm sure there are boards about gods and politicians elsewhere, and people should go there to discuss it.

[Samw]

I think the point of some off-topic posts is simply to learn about the point of views of other members in our reefing community and look for commonality.

Back around Nov 26, 2001, I thought it was decided that any topic could be discussed in the Lounge. That post is not there anymore but I remember reading it and someone followed up by posting a thread called "ANY Topic..?" to see if it was indeed true.

[Doug]

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

I just feel this issue needs to be addressed/discussed be for it gets out of hand.
Steve

I also wonder what that meant?

Good post Tony. Thanks for putting it in another way.