Trexxen Posted November 5, 2008 Posted November 5, 2008 Well, I had to think about posting this for a while, but here goes... So, yeah. We all know about that big "thing" that happened a little while ago. Some of us are happy, some not so much, but that isn't the point I'm trying to make here - and though I can't stop you (but the staff can), I'd like to ask that you don't discuss said thing here as it's against the rules and would probably hurt my cause. So, simply put: I think that the community forum (or the Media forum, not sure which it'd fall under) should have a new subforum for "serious news", stuff that is usually looked down upon as being too likely to start a flame war. Firstly, the EB rule on said serious topics: Manners and Serious Topics: Don't be offensive to other members. We like Eurobricks to be a friendly place to discuss LEGO and won't allow posts that are intended to offend or attack. For the same reason, topics about religion or politics are not welcome on Eurobricks. Now, obviously you'd think that that makes any argument I have invalid, and of course this is purely up to the staff anyways - I'm just making a case for it. But, I believe that with the community we've established here, we're ready to "test the waters", so to speak. What do I mean? 1. Start a new subforum. This will be the ONLY place on EB such topics can be talked about. Simple, and doesn't pollute the other forums - but what about new members that would pollute it with flame wars, etc.? 2. Create restrictions. Normally a simple rule like the BST forums would suffice - get X posts to gain access. In this case, however, two drawbacks appear to that - honest people that don't have time to post much (such as me, actually), and people that have a lot of posts but aren't "ready" for such discussion. I propose something different entirely: A forum that only members of a certain, "hidden" (in that it creates no visible differences) group that is run by "silent choice", that is, the admins/mods/person in charge of the forum decides who to let in and when. Then again, that also creates a problem of some people going unnoticed, so unlike staff, titles, tags, or other "symbols of power", you CAN request to be let in. Then that person will look at your recent posts and decide if they are indicative of a person who is mature enough to be in such discussions or not. 3. Finally, make the rules less lax in that subforum. Flaming's bad normally, but if you flame in a political setting it can be disastrous. Simply put, "chamber" the individual and then keep him/her out of the subforum until they have completely redeemed themselves. I think I've said enough for now, but if anyone wants me to clarify on anything I'm fine with it. I would add a poll, but I'm not sure if I should or not - I only currently have pollmaking rights because I'm in the Reviewer's Academy, so... ~Trexxen Quote
Siegfried Posted November 5, 2008 Posted November 5, 2008 This has been discussed many times before and we always come to the same conclusion; Eurobricks is a site about Lego. It's a quite broad topic as it is; many sites are just one theme afterall, and we do allow off topic-ness to a degree already. While your ideas are good, they still would involve more work for the staff, time that would be better spent working on the Lego aspects of Eurobricks. But feel free to discuss this, but please, no polls. Quote
Pickerel Posted November 5, 2008 Posted November 5, 2008 This has been discussed many times before and we always come to the same conclusion; Eurobricks is a site about Lego. It's a quite broad topic as it is; many sites are just one theme afterall, and we do allow off topic-ness to a degree already. While your ideas are good, they still would involve more work for the staff, time that would be better spent working on the Lego aspects of Eurobricks. But feel free to discuss this, but please, no polls. To help all you politics-discussants, perhaps, with an admin's approval, you'd be able to form a group on a social-networking website with other members from here to chat about politics? This, however, could lead to some serious on Eurobricks causing some problems on here that would be out of EB's ability to fix. From my experience, once given the chance, some people will be hurtful and careless no matter what. Forming a group like this would give people the chance. Sorry, no other ideas for you other than the above. ~Pickerel Quote
Stash2Sixx Posted November 6, 2008 Posted November 6, 2008 You make great points Trexxen. But I have seen many people who were once best friends get into some of the nastiest arguments over politics. It's bad enough we have people who make really dopey posts on this website...and I would just hate to open up the opportunity for them to talk about politics. I agree with the site, and the number one rule I learned as a bartender, leave discussions on politics and religion out. We can talk about anything, but let's please avoid those two! Quote
Hinckley Posted November 6, 2008 Posted November 6, 2008 If you want to talk about such serious topics with your EB friends, hook up on MSN or Skype-but with 3000 + registered members, these discussions always go south. Stick to talking about LEGO. If you really need to express your views on serious issues online, go to forums that deal with those issues and please just have LEGO fun here. Thanks. Quote
Guss Posted November 6, 2008 Posted November 6, 2008 I totally agree that we don't need to talk about politics, religions or this kind of thing on this forum, as Hinckley said, if some people wants to debate about these things, they just can talk on MSN or other forums that talks about it. adding some sub-forum to talk about politics and stuff is just the best way to make the database explode ! ^^ Quote
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