Lounge threads need purpose now?

[Doug]

Originally Posted by 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.

I could not agree more.

[Doug]

Originally Posted by 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.

Thats fine Sam and I agree but not when insults are being thrown about. I already mentioned how I found the #6 question part of the thread on religion as insult and how can anyone not tell me the American thread was not an insult to many people.

And FWIW, I would love to read and partcipate in a thread on religion in a decent manner but they never seem to go that way.

[Doug]

Originally Posted by reef_raf

Looking back, the "americans are dumb" thread should have been closed in the first 2 seconds.

Could not agree more but the thought of a thread like this prevented me from doing so.

[Skimmerking]

MODERATORS WELL Written!!!!!
and you have the right to close what ever you feel. If people can't leave a normal thread alone with out adding in their 2 cents of spaced out answers well time to go some where else to beak off.

Any ways i used to be a moderator on a board a few years back and I always got the emails you an Blank this and a blank that. Because you closed off a thread people wine on these threads because they are mad or ****ed ,due to the fact they didnt get a chance to post.... THAt is IMO and I'm sticking to it ..


Mike

[Beverly]

Originally Posted by Flatlander

And FWIW, I would love to read and partcipate in a thread on religion in a decent manner but they never seem to go that way.

I recently signed up to a board to debate religion and philosophy. I was very disappointed, and somewhat disgusted, by what I read there. In some cases, there was no true debating going on, only bashing of believers in God by those who did not believe in God.

I knew the belief/non-belief in God topic would be risky for this board, which is why I made it into a poll instead of a "tell us about your belief or non-belief in God" thread. That way, people could simply vote anonymously. However, I thought some people would likely want to talk about their beliefs/non-beliefs so I made it clear that bashing of any kind of another's belief was not going to be tolerated.

I also wanted to be all-inclusive while devising the possible beliefs/non-beliefs choices, which does happen to include everyone from strong believers in organized religions to those who are contemptuous of anyone believing in God.

So far in the poll, everyone has been respectful those people who chose to explain their beliefs/non beliefs. I give thanks to everyone who has taken the time and effort to respond, and to others who may not agree with some of what is said but have kept their criticism to themselves. Thanks, also, to the moderators for allowing such a controvsial poll to continue at all.

All that said, one topic I would NEVER discuss here or on any public forum would be p*l*t*cs

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by Flatlander

Could not agree more but the thought of a thread like this prevented me from doing so.

but it is this inconsistency that causes this questioning, I see the religion thread running, and several other controversial threads that have never been closed, then a joke one comes up about the Americans and it is slammed, I see worse than that about the Americans on city walk on Jay Leno anyways I know what it is like to be a Mod, as I was a on line mod for a family chat for a board I used to be a part owner of in town, and I know your damed if you do and damed if you don't but this just didn't make sense when you see the other topics that have gone through the lounge in the last couple months.

anyways I guess I am just trying to rationalize why a thread like this was closed and one like this,
http://www.canreef.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=13687

which was totally out of line and should have been closed, was allowed to continue. as far as the topic line reef related but doesn't fit in another group, look at the last months of posts in the lounge, you can count the reef related ones on 1 hand, heck we got cars for sale and everything.

I agree you guys need to close some threads once and a while and I normally don't have a problem, but I think we need more consistency in the lounge.

Steve

[Doug]

Steve,
I dont find any comparison in Leno,s street talk & the thread I closed, but then thats my opinion.

Why the thread you linked was not closed, is also a good question. Perhaps its because the staff is like the rest of the board and we always dont all see things the same way either.

There will always be some inconsistancy, as I see also on most other moderated forums.

What I would like to know, is why are the threads I moderate, are question by some of the same people, almost everytime? I guess at least thats consistant.

And then you wonder why the hesitation or confusion in moderating threads.

[Aquattro]

Doug, we need to go on a moderating course!! Then we'll know what to do all the time.

[Invigor]

IMO the mods are doing a fine job. I for one, do not like being put in a spot where my own judgement is questioned, and I believe it to be only human for others to feel the same.

I believe a mod should have the power to remove what they find offensive without question. If it is questioned, a simple explaination should be provided. Easy as pie, right?

[Aquattro]

Right.