Politics and religion are off-limits, unless you opt in - Page 3

Sweetpea · 10-25-2010, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparrow

But that doesn't mean that every forum has to debate them.
MobileRead was intended for purposes that religion and politics are only tangentially associated with. I have some reservations about the decision, but I think it is an improvement for most members (many of whom may just want a respite somewhere from the ubiquity of these issues).

I've been avoiding the lounge lately because of this. I'm sick and tired of these endless discussions that go nowhere... I really applaud this decision!

vivaldirules · 10-25-2010, 09:05 AM

Excellent idea, Alexander. I'm particularly pleased that the default is "opt out" until you consciously opt in. I should paint the "opt in" button bright red on my monitor.

ShortNCuddlyAm · 10-25-2010, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AprilHare

I never thought of you as a hardened debater before!

I'm not, but I do enjoy it from time to time

neilmarr · 10-25-2010, 09:31 AM

Thanks. This is a big enough forum to get through without being sidetracked by subjects more effectively discussed in forums specifically dedicated to them. I belong to several that I visit when time allows. But MR must maintain its specialised focus just as these other subject-dedicated sites do.

That the threads in question may be of interest to writers and readers in certain spheres may be true, but where do we stop -- do we also discuss the morality of genetic engineering, gambling, fifteenth-century Armenian architecture, hypnosis, the validity of third encounter accounts from those who claim to have been abducted by aliens, how to prepare the perfect Elizabethan banquet, camping tips, martial arts, flower-arrangement, etc, etc, etc, too?

Opt-out as default is, I think, a wise and generous decision by the team.

Best wishes. Neil

dsvick · 10-25-2010, 09:35 AM

Great idea!!!

This should serve to keep the lounge a more light-hearted and friendly place for people that are dropping by to unwind, while giving the hardened debaters a place to go to discuss the more serious things.

I'll probably opt in and lurk

HarryT · 10-25-2010, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsvick

Great idea!!!

This should serve to keep the lounge a more light-hearted and friendly place for people that are dropping by to unwind, while giving the hardened debaters a place to go to discuss the more serious things.

I'll probably opt in and lurk

The purpose of the Lounge, as its description says, is: "lighthearted banter and discussions unrelated to ebooks" (emphasis mine). This new forum certainly won't remove the role of the Lounge as a forum for serious debate; it simply move two specific subject areas (politics and religion) into their own forum. The Lounge will remain the place to discuss other subjects unrelated to ebooks.

Seanette · 10-25-2010, 09:47 AM

I wasn't aware that this forum had King Solomon as an admin.

This really does seem to be a very good solution to a perenially thorny problem on any web forum I've ever participated in. Those who want that discussion can easily have it, those who prefer to avoid flamewars (which religious and political discussions tend to become, given the depth of emotion and commitment those topics inspire) don't have to deal with it.

Tom Wood · 10-25-2010, 09:54 AM

deleted

happy_terd · 10-25-2010, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Wood

Look at the high number of posts/pages those threads have. That traffic is a good thing.

I will get the excel ready and verify the traffic orgin on some of these threads. I am guessing that it is generally the same 4-6 people and not somewhere new people even post. (not that it matters)

--------------------------------------------------

I really do think that this is a great idea. I probably will join but not actually participate (since I think a lot of you are on crack.

---jk) Maybe we should also include DRM / Pirating debates to the list? *shrug*

-------

Seriously though, the mods use to delete a lot of the religious and political threads. Now they can all stay open. I do not consider this censorship at all. I consider this compromise.

happy_terd · 10-25-2010, 10:06 AM

This may also force some new members out of lurkers.

ShortNCuddlyAm · 10-25-2010, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by happy_terd

Maybe we should also include DRM / Pirating debates to the list? *shrug*

happy_terd · 10-25-2010, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShortNCuddlyAm

It is easier if we keep all the fights in the same bar.

I wonder what poor mod is going to get the crap job of keeping that place running smoothly.

Barcey · 10-25-2010, 10:14 AM

Good decision!

Although I am concerned about this "collective hive mind" buzzing away in the background. It sends a shiver up my spine.

poohbear_nc · 10-25-2010, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by happy_terd

It is easier if we keep all the fights in the same bar.

I wonder what poor mod is going to get the crap job of keeping that place running smoothly.

Are you going to start a "Are Chickens Being Attacked in America" thread?

TadW · 10-25-2010, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barcey

Good decision!

Although I am concerned about this "collective hive mind" buzzing away in the background. It sends a shiver up my spine.

Perhaps we should refer to all mods as the Borg Collective?

10-25-2010, 09:54 AM	#38
Tom Wood oddly human Posts: 82 Karma: 6872 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: Kindle	deleted Last edited by Tom Wood; 10-25-2010 at 06:22 PM.

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10-25-2010, 09:05 AM	#32
vivaldirules When's Doughnut Day? Posts: 10,059 Karma: 13675475 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Houston, TX, US Device: Sony PRS-505, iPad	Excellent idea, Alexander. I'm particularly pleased that the default is "opt out" until you consciously opt in. I should paint the "opt in" button bright red on my monitor.

10-25-2010, 09:31 AM	#34
neilmarr neilmarr Posts: 7,215 Karma: 6000059 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Monaco-Menton, France Device: sony	Thanks. This is a big enough forum to get through without being sidetracked by subjects more effectively discussed in forums specifically dedicated to them. I belong to several that I visit when time allows. But MR must maintain its specialised focus just as these other subject-dedicated sites do. That the threads in question may be of interest to writers and readers in certain spheres may be true, but where do we stop -- do we also discuss the morality of genetic engineering, gambling, fifteenth-century Armenian architecture, hypnosis, the validity of third encounter accounts from those who claim to have been abducted by aliens, how to prepare the perfect Elizabethan banquet, camping tips, martial arts, flower-arrangement, etc, etc, etc, too? Opt-out as default is, I think, a wise and generous decision by the team. Best wishes. Neil

10-25-2010, 09:35 AM	#35
dsvick Wizard Posts: 2,737 Karma: 635747 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Northeast Ohio, USA Device: PRS-900	Great idea!!! This should serve to keep the lounge a more light-hearted and friendly place for people that are dropping by to unwind, while giving the hardened debaters a place to go to discuss the more serious things. I'll probably opt in and lurk

10-25-2010, 09:47 AM	#37
Seanette Addict Posts: 254 Karma: 834 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Sacramento, CA Device: Samsung Galaxy s3 (Android 4.4.2), iPad 2, Win10 laptop	I wasn't aware that this forum had King Solomon as an admin. This really does seem to be a very good solution to a perenially thorny problem on any web forum I've ever participated in. Those who want that discussion can easily have it, those who prefer to avoid flamewars (which religious and political discussions tend to become, given the depth of emotion and commitment those topics inspire) don't have to deal with it.

10-25-2010, 10:06 AM	#40
happy_terd Banned Posts: 13,045 Karma: 10105011 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Finally made it to Walmart. Device: PRS 420	This may also force some new members out of lurkers.

10-25-2010, 10:14 AM	#43
Barcey Wizard Posts: 1,531 Karma: 8059866 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Canada Device: Kobo H2O / Aura HD / Glo / iPad3	Good decision! Although I am concerned about this "collective hive mind" buzzing away in the background. It sends a shiver up my spine.

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