Politics and stuff

[Bruce Wayne]

As some of the longer term members know, we've had long-running discussions about the merits of political threads on GOT as they tend to result in disagreements and in-fighting amongst Blues.

They, and other similarly 'hot' topics, do tend to be discussed however, so we're going to trial putting them all into the upgraded member lounge, where moderation is more relaxed on account of it being primarily used by members who have shown a willingness to support the site.

Threads that will be put there include topics such as politics, religion, guns and so on. Any existing threads on these topics will be moved over to the upgraded lounge by Sunday evening.

 

[Clint Planet]

And this idea of only allowing those who pay to be allowed to discuss politics isn't right. Should either be up for discussion or it shouldn't. Segregation is just wrong.

On this day of all days. You couldn't make it up.

 

[summerisle]

Use yoghurt, but not a crunch corner, soon clear up

Yoghurt ? Haven't had any of that since it tasted of metal.

 

[GrumpyBlue]

Would be nice.

j ) Be threatening, abuse or invade another's privacy, or cause annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety;
k ) Be likely to harass, upset, embarrass, alarm or annoy any other person;

Would Sir like a handkerchief?

 

[The Cowboy]

https://www.grandoldteam.com/forum/threads/forum-rules.11181/



Or we could just observe the rules you all agreed to when you signed up.

I'd like to know the rationale behind this particular rule. Frankly, there are alternative fora out for every possible conversation topic, so why are those singled out? Sure, they're some of the more polarizing topics and likely get more heated than discussions around films and John Stones, but why does that mean they need to be banned?

Is it simply that the level of moderation would need to be raised, and the GOT crew ain't got time for that? Or is there another reason why contentious topics are banned?

 

[COYBL25]

Why not just make the AleHouse unmodded then?

LOL.

 

[jal123]

Believe it or not, we do try to. Of course, we're not perfect and never will be, but we certainly try and be as fair and equitable as we can.

That's fair enough, you can't see everything I get that.

Just as long as the rules are enforced fairly in the 'free' part of the forum then if people want to disregard them they know they can simply pay for the privilege. It just seems to me that those who pay for the privilege to play in an unmoderated forum also get to play by their special rules in the 'free' boards too.

 

[jal123]

Why not just make the AleHouse unmodded then?

Probably the best shout in the thread

 

[orly]

On this day of all days. You couldn't make it up.

We're gonna build that (pay) wall

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Why not just make the AleHouse unmodded then?

I can't speak on behalf of Dan, but I believe the upgraded lounge was in part designed as a thank you to people for supporting the site, and in return for their investment of both time and money, they had access to a more open place to post. The belief at the time was that forum supporters are good members and deserve that faith put in them.

It's not a perfect system, and I wouldn't claim that it is, but that's the intention to the best of my knowledge.

 

[Woolly Blue]

I can't see how this is relevant though.

Well, and again, correct me if I'm wrong, you're basically you're saying the politics threads are the most important parts of the site to you ?

Now Bruce is quite a political animal, as was Esk, and Roydo likes to natter politics too.

But Esk is no longer moderating and Bruce is effectively saying he's fed up with moderating them which leaves it all on Roydo ( If any of the other mods are interested in moderating them then I'd be surprised ).

So what I'm seeing from my pedestal in Chorley is about a dozen posters moaning that it's not fair, but not one of them has shown any real interest over the last few years in actively helping moderate the place because "That's something someone else does"

Forgive me for being blunt, but all those complaining come across as a set of cry-arses.

 

[RaleighBlue]

It's not paying to have a voice. The Everton forum and ale house abide by the standard rules of the forum, of which no politics is (or should be) one of them. The upgraded lounge is designed as a place for forum supporters whereby most of those rules are relaxed, including the kind of content you can discuss there.

I see the distinction, of course. Like I said, it has a 'whiff' about it. I know it's not the intent to silence people that can't/don't pay. I also know if has that implication.

It's a private website that can make any rules it damn well pleases. It's also a wonderful website of user generated content. The users that generate that content feel they have an emotional stake in the direction of the site, that's all.

I personally disagree with the underlying ethos put forward that limiting the discussion will lead to less conflict on the site. There will likely be less overall conflict, but I don't see it affecting the 'dog wars' or the manager wars, or any of that far more visible hostility.

Hell, I'd be happy to mod if the issue is simply workload but figure my laziness at upgrading precludes me (I should really do something about that...calls the wife).

 

[BlueLlama]

Would be nice.

j ) Be threatening, abuse or invade another's privacy, or cause annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety;
k ) Be likely to harass, upset, embarrass, alarm or annoy any other person;

So basically not have an opinion about anything then.

 

[chrismpw]

As some of the longer term members know, we've had long-running discussions about the merits of political threads on GOT as they tend to result in disagreements and in-fighting amongst Blues.

They, and other similarly 'hot' topics, do tend to be discussed however, so we're going to trial putting them all into the upgraded member lounge, where moderation is more relaxed on account of it being primarily used by members who have shown a willingness to support the site.

Threads that will be put there include topics such as politics, religion, guns and so on. Any existing threads on these topics will be moved over to the upgraded lounge by Sunday evening.

Hmm so free speech for those who can afford it, irrelevant of insight or knowledge. Very Orwellian. The first time I have disagreed with the ethos of anything GOT.
A little light has gone out in my heart and I am sad now.
I'm sure Bruce will retort with some slick Londonesque inspired rhetoric that sounds somehow intellectual.

 

[Goat]

I can't speak on behalf of Dan, but I believe the upgraded lounge was in part designed as a thank you to people for supporting the site, and in return for their investment of both time and money, they had access to a more open place to post. The belief at the time was that forum supporters are good members and deserve that faith put in them.

It's not a perfect system, and I wouldn't claim that it is, but that's the intention to the best of my knowledge.

I get that, but im fairly certain the majority of people dont sub for perks, they do it cos they want to support the site.

I could be very wrong mind, but the UG forum is a ghost town, which suggests to me that, despite people voting to keep it, it has no real purpose, I realise this is intended to give it a purpose, but its not really sending the right message, I know you arent drumming up business so to speak, but I dunno, I get you are trying to give the UG forum life and give back something to the people that sub, but I personally dont think this is a good idea, but hey ho, im just me.

 

[RaleighBlue]

Well, and again, correct me if I'm wrong, you're basically you're saying the politics threads are the most important parts of the site to you ?

Now Bruce is quite a political animal, as was Esk, and Roydo likes to natter politics too.

But Esk is no longer moderating and Bruce is effectively saying he's fed up with moderating them which leaves it all on Roydo ( If any of the other mods are interested in moderating them then I'd be surprised ).

This is great background in explaining the problem that needs solving, thank you.

So what I'm seeing from my pedestal in Chorley is about a dozen posters moaning that it's not fair, but not one of them has shown any real interest over the last few years in actively helping moderate the place because "That's something someone else does"

Forgive me for being blunt, but all those complaining come across as a set of cry-arses.

Honestly, I'd do it, but wouldn't be much help in political threads because I generally ignore them (esp UK/EU politics that blow my mind). Either way, I think the explanation in this post was extremely enlightening and would have been a really good thing to start with.