FFA Moderation Thoughts - What Do You Think? (1 Viewer)

[the rover]

Sub forum is great.  Still a lot of stupid stuff going on but it's confined and isn't spilling over.  If you wade in there, you know what you're going to get.  Hopefully this encourages some interesting and fun topics in the main forum.

 

[waterworld]

To this point, have you considered recruiting volunteer moderators from the posters?  I might be wrong here, but I think the mods are all staff members who have additional FBG responsibilities.  There are a lot of decent, level-headed folks here who have an interest in keeping these boards running well.  I assume some of them would be willing to help the moderating efforts.  I've seen that model work well on another board.  It seems the moderators to posters ratio here is quite low which must be tasking for you guys.

I have volunteered to help. 

 

[jon_mx]

Have you ever called somebody an "idiot"? The dictionary definition of the word idiot is "an utterly foolish or senseless person". Can we agree that people exist that fit that definition? Are you saying you prefer people to type out the definition of certain words rather than using the actual words? Is bluntness the thing you're trying to steer the board away from? "Bernie Sanders is being an idiot" is a no go but "in this case I believe Bernie Sanders to be an utterly foolish or senseless person" is OK? This is silly, right?

You should attack specific ideas not the person.  If all you do is call someone stupid, you are not showing any intelligence.   Articulate your thoughts and explain specifically what is wrong whether it be racist or a dumb idea.  All calling people names does is turn the discussion into a flame war.  

 

[Scoresman]

A good example would be to not call him wrong_mx when he posts, just say he's wrong. 

 

[jon_mx]

A good example would be to not call him wrong_mx when he posts, just say he's wrong. 

Actually they should explain it.  But since I am normally right they would look kind of foolish trying. 

 

[Slapdash]

Dodds has some "interesting" theories for sure but what he was discussing was well within the established guidelines we've had since the yellow boards. Not sure why he or Joe felt the need to apologize, Dodds just has some different views on things than most people do. 

I think the bottom line is that he got people spun up because he's an owner and the guys heavy on the report button had a field day in his threads. 

Dodds explains himself and sticks to his guns, he's also someone that consistently seeks more information from all contributors. Whether you agree or disagree with his theories is a matter of debate. You know, because this is an internet message board and all. 

He admitted in this very thread he was fishing, after locking all the politics threads when he didn't like getting back what he was putting out.

 

[Yankee23Fan]

Not at all. It's a result of some of the threads boiling over and trying to salvage the FFA. There's obviously a ton of good here. But it was being drowned out. 

Just wait until the 2024 election between Chelsea Clinton and Ivanka  Trump. You are going to need like 47 subforums just to deal with tim.

 

[JAMES!]

You should attack specific ideas not the person.  If all you do is call someone stupid, you are not showing any intelligence.   Articulate your thoughts and explain specifically what is wrong whether it be racist or a dumb idea.  All calling people names does is turn the discussion into a flame war.  

Tell your brethren this in the Trump threads.

 

[Joe Bryant]

Just wait until the 2024 election between Chelsea Clinton and Ivanka  Trump. You are going to need like 47 subforums just to deal with tim.

I don't even want to think about it. I'm worried enough about The Rock vs Kanye West in 2020...

 

[jon_mx]

Tell your brethren this in the Trump threads.

Why must you do this?   First off,  I am not a trumpster and I have no idea which brethren you speak of.  Second off, never mind this is not the right thread for it. 

 

[Yankee23Fan]

I don't even want to think about it. I'm worried enough about The Rock vs Kanye West in 2020...

Lol. Good to have you back. 

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

Why must you do this?   First off,  I am not a trumpster and I have no idea which brethren you speak of.  Second off, never mind this is not the right thread for it. 

Exactly.  Anyone that thinks only one side is trolling, name calling, or derailing threads is being obtuse at best. 

 

[JAMES!]

Why must you do this?   First off,  I am not a trumpster and I have no idea which brethren you speak of.  Second off, never mind this is not the right thread for it. 

Calling a spade a spade isn't allowed but your avatar is?

 

[jon_mx]

Calling a spade a spade isn't allowed but your avatar is?

Sounds racist. :reported: 

 

[JAMES!]

Sounds racist. :reported: 

I just wanted to point out the absurdity of being lectured on forum decorum by someone with a photo from The Fappening as their avatar.

 

[Scoresman]

I just wanted to point out the absurdity of being lectured on forum decorum by someone with a photo from The Fappening as their avatar.

He should have at least centered it on Kate instead of Justin, but NTTAWWT. 

 

[jon_mx]

I just wanted to point out the absurdity of being lectured on forum decorum by someone with a photo from The Fappening as their avatar.

So first you try to dismiss my by wrongly associating me with Trumpsters.  Then you deflect from your apparent racist comment by attacking my avatar.  Why not discuss the topic at hand.   You are illustrating my point btw.  

 

[jon_mx]

He should have at least centered it on Kate instead of Justin, but NTTAWWT. 

I did, but it was a little too sexy and made Otis uncomfortable with his manhood.  

 

[Steve]

I just wanted to point out the absurdity of being lectured on forum decorum by someone with a photo from The Fappening as their avatar.

 

[Steve]

Exactly.  Anyone that thinks only one side is trolling, name calling, or derailing threads is being obtuse at best. 

 

[Dedfin]

Why must you do this?   First off,  I am not a trumpster and I have no idea which brethren you speak of.  Second off, never mind this is not the right thread for it. 

We can leave out all the times you've defended him, but you specifically said you voted for him.

 

[jon_mx]

We can leave out all the times you've defended him, but you specifically said you voted for him.

I said hundreds of times I would never or did not vote for him.  I have never defended him and have been highly critical of his actions.  What I have done is called out people for over the top attacks on him or being premature on their conclusions.  So you are 0-2.  

 

[captain_amazing]

Take it to the politics subforum, folks.

 

[jon_mx]

Take it to the politics subforum, folks.

Absolutely.  of course it is all my fault for responding without making personal attacks to posts which did make it personal.  It will be twisted to I am the troll.  Nothing new here.  

 

[Steve]

Absolutely.  of course it is all my fault for responding without making personal attacks to posts which did make it personal.  It will be twisted to I am the troll.  Nothing new here.  

You're a great poster. 

 

[FishTacoTuesday]

He admitted in this very thread he was fishing, after locking all the politics threads when he didn't like getting back what he was putting out.

Link?

 

[roadkill1292]

I'm generally wif gb Scoresman in not understanding the desire for a much older "morality" of board vocabulary. The F word, for example, is a natural and inoffensive part of nearly every board culture I've ever seen. But then I admit that I'm a secularist from a part of the country extremely comfortable with vices of all types and that my understanding of how bad words may be offensive to the more conservative members here is limited, to say the least.

Also, I saw "Mango Mussolini" at another board today and it's killing me not to use it in context.

 

[shoke]

Also, I saw "Mango Mussolini" at another board today and it's killing me not to use it in context.

That's because you're a real stand up guy

 

[Joe Bryant]

I'm generally wif gb Scoresman in not understanding the desire for a much older "morality" of board vocabulary. The F word, for example, is a natural and inoffensive part of nearly every board culture I've ever seen. But then I admit that I'm a secularist from a part of the country extremely comfortable with vices of all types and that my understanding of how bad words may be offensive to the more conservative members here is limited, to say the least.

Also, I saw "Mango Mussolini" at another board today and it's killing me not to use it in context.

I fully get it rk. I understand. But that's not something we're going to change here. I'm ok being counter culture there. 

 

[Ilov80s]

My only issue with the political subforum was that the threads on Climate Change and Vaccines NOT causing Autism were placed there. Those aren't political issues, they are science. Politicizing science into a matter of personal opinion is not good. By placing those threads there, it seems to validate the idea that thinking vaccines cause autism is just a matter of opinion like voting Republican or Democrat. 

 

[Joe Bryant]

My only issue with the political subforum was that the threads on Climate Change and Vaccines NOT causing Autism were placed there. Those aren't political issues, they are science. Politicizing science into a matter of personal opinion is not good. By placing those threads there, it seems to validate the idea that thinking vaccines cause autism is just a matter of opinion like voting Republican or Democrat. 

Yeah, there will never be a perfect spot for some issues. And I don't think it has anything to do with opinion as much as the topic sort of feels right there. Same thing can be said for climate change stuff. The political subforum feels like the right spot to talk those. We'll work our way through these as we go along. FWIW, I don't think less of the subforum. I think the opposite - it's almost like it's a more serious topic to discuss so it goes there. Best BBQ grill is FFA and Health Care discussion is in the subforum. That kind of thing. We'll see as we go along how it goes. 

 

[Politician Spock]

Yeah, there will never be a perfect spot for some issues. And I don't think it has anything to do with opinion as much as the topic sort of feels right there. Same thing can be said for climate change stuff. The political subforum feels like the right spot to talk those. We'll work our way through these as we go along. FWIW, I don't think less of the subforum. I think the opposite - it's almost like it's a more serious topic to discuss so it goes there. Best BBQ grill is FFA and Health Care discussion is in the subforum. That kind of thing. We'll see as we go along how it goes. 

So... going forward... the the subforum is for the more cerebral and the FFA is for the remedial? 

 

[timschochet]

I was opposed to the subforum for the same reasons as Saints. But I have to admit that the conversation has been great in there thus far, mainly because the trolls haven't shown up. That being said, they're starting to creep back in. 

I'm as guilty as anyone here of reacting to trolls. They post stuff that annoys or angers me, and I have responded (sometimes in ways that got me well-deserved suspensions.) Politics, especially in the days of Trump, can be an emotional issue. 

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

I was opposed to the subforum for the same reasons as Saints. But I have to admit that the conversation has been great in there thus far, mainly because the trolls haven't shown up. That being said, they're starting to creep back in. 

I'm as guilty as anyone here of reacting to trolls. They post stuff that annoys or angers me, and I have responded (sometimes in ways that got me well-deserved suspensions.) Politics, especially in the days of Trump, can be an emotional issue. 

There has been trolling in there since the second it was created.  Many have not responded to those trolls (which you may agree with so they don't come across as trolls).  For example, Squistion is still posting tweets that many may agree with while others view it as pure trolling.  The one about Republicans holding healthcare for McCain to have surgery before they take it from everyone else is a great example, IMO.  It adds nothing to the discussion because it's not true and just another snarky post.

 

[Joe Bryant]

So... going forward... the the subforum is for the more cerebral and the FFA is for the remedial? 

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

I was opposed to the subforum for the same reasons as Saints. But I have to admit that the conversation has been great in there thus far, mainly because the trolls haven't shown up. That being said, they're starting to creep back in. 

I'm as guilty as anyone here of reacting to trolls. They post stuff that annoys or angers me, and I have responded (sometimes in ways that got me well-deserved suspensions.) Politics, especially in the days of Trump, can be an emotional issue. 

Another one is one of the posters that whines about the right trolling all the time drops another one of these today:  "New Hampshire vote totals!".  It's clearly a troll post towards Hell Toupee.

 

[timschochet]

Another one is one of the posters that whines about the right trolling all the time drops another one of these today:  "New Hampshire vote totals!".  It's clearly a troll post towards Hell Toupee.

I think lots of people joke and tease from time to time. I do myself. So long as it's light-hearted and not directly insulting, I don't really see that as trolling, especially if the poster in question engages in real discussion and debate. The trolls that bother me do nothing BUT troll. 

Speaking of that, in the interest of all of us trying to be more respectful of each other in this new era, why not change your avatar? Your current one was designed specifically to make fun of squistion, wasn't it? 

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

I think lots of people joke and tease from time to time. I do myself. So long as it's light-hearted and not directly insulting, I don't really see that as trolling, especially if the poster in question engages in real discussion and debate. The trolls that bother me do nothing BUT troll. 

Speaking of that, in the interest of all of us trying to be more respectful of each other in this new era, why not change your avatar? Your current one was designed specifically to make fun of squistion, wasn't it? 

Done.  Now let's see if the troll tweets stop.  

And I doubt slapdash is light hearted teasing Hell Toupee.  The joke has run it's course and been posted about 1000 times.  But you make a good point.  What some view as trolling others view as light hearted.  That goes both ways.

 

[timschochet]

Done.  Now let's see if the troll tweets stop.  

And I doubt slapdash is light hearted teasing Hell Toupee.  The joke has run it's course and been posted about 1000 times.  But you make a good point.  What some view as trolling others view as light hearted.  That goes both ways.

Thanks. I always like the GT helmet. 

 

[Da Guru]

It's really brilliant and the only question will be why it wasn't done years ago. They can start a million threads in there and piss all over each other like a bunch of excited schoolgirls, and no one cares. More room for a variety of topics on the front page here, and 99.9% of the idiot trolls confined to a subforum that none of us ever have to see. It's a world of wondrous delights that we were told would never happen, and suddenly, here we are. I'm literally sobbing right now.

Best thing ever..Plus I will probably never read another post from Tim again.

 

[[scooter]]

Another one is one of the posters that whines about the right trolling all the time drops another one of these today:  "New Hampshire vote totals!".  It's clearly a troll post towards Hell Toupee.

HellToupee made multiple posts about investigating and providing (promising!) evidence for the voter fraud which he claimed took place in New Hampshire.

Now, if we assume that HellToupee was being 100% serious about those posts, then isn't it fair to bring it up periodically to follow up on his claims?

And if HellToupee was not being serious, then wasn't he trolling? And if he was trolling, then isn't it fair to call him out?

Also, when I searched the forum for HellToupee + New Hampshire, this was one of the first results. "clearly a troll post towards" a certain poster, go figure.

Another lame insult from a guy obsessed with pigeons.  Go figure.

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

HellToupee made multiple posts about investigating the voter fraud which he claimed took place in New Hampshire.

Now, if we assume that HellToupee was being 100% serious about those posts, then isn't it fair to bring it up periodically to follow up on his claims?

And if HellToupee was not being serious, then wasn't he trolling? And if he was trolling, then isn't it fair to call him out?

Also, when I searched the forum for HellToupee + New Hampshire, this was one of the first results. "clearly a troll post towards" a certain poster, go figure.

Yeah, Squistion liked to troll HT over and over.  But I assume you've read Joe's new thread and that was in the past, right?

My opinion is sure it's okay to periodically mention the NH thing.  I think we're way beyond periodically but that's just me. 

 

[bostonfred]

Yeah, there will never be a perfect spot for some issues. And I don't think it has anything to do with opinion as much as the topic sort of feels right there. Same thing can be said for climate change stuff. The political subforum feels like the right spot to talk those. We'll work our way through these as we go along. FWIW, I don't think less of the subforum. I think the opposite - it's almost like it's a more serious topic to discuss so it goes there. Best BBQ grill is FFA and Health Care discussion is in the subforum. That kind of thing. We'll see as we go along how it goes. 

My .02 as one of the most vocal proponents of the politics forum - there are some news events that belong in the ffa for a while but should eventually go to the sub forum.   If we go to war.  If we launch a big NASA mission that cost a lot of money.  If there's a basic income guarantee proposed in Congress.  If Elon musk proposes regulating artificial intelligence before it's too late (he just met with a bunch of politicians about this). That stuff is worth discussion in the ffa for a while. The goal is not to minimize discussion or views.  But at some point, if you move the thread the people who are interested will know where to look.   

 

[Joe Bryant]

My .02 as one of the most vocal proponents of the politics forum - there are some news events that belong in the ffa for a while but should eventually go to the sub forum.   If we go to war.  If we launch a big NASA mission that cost a lot of money.  If there's a basic income guarantee proposed in Congress.  If Elon musk proposes regulating artificial intelligence before it's too late (he just met with a bunch of politicians about this). That stuff is worth discussion in the ffa for a while. The goal is not to minimize discussion or views.  But at some point, if you move the thread the people who are interested will know where to look.   

That's fair. Let's keep watching how this goes and we can work our way through them. 

 

[ren hoek]

Hi Joe, for what it's worth I think FBGs has made a mistake with the political sub-forum. I understand there are probably legitimate, workflow related reasons for doing it but I think it's a bad idea on a number of levels. One is the accepted or continued balkanization of our conversations, and ourselves, which we are seeing everywhere.

Personally I think this thread you started was a great idea. If mods had gotten involved then, and given feedback here in response to specific questions about policy and ensured that those policies were even and consistently applied, it would have been better.

There are other things that concern me in terms of the forum and what I (used to) enjoy about it, but I don't want to go on too long. On the whole I think it's a Loss for the FFA, FBGs and maybe all of us.

- SID.

I think they chose wisely.  There's more users just looking for something loose and enjoyable to click on than political junkies looking to engage in the 24/7 Trump threads.  Doesn't seem fair to subject otherwise casual users to all the contention.  

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

Done.  Now let's see if the troll tweets stop.  

And I doubt slapdash is light hearted teasing Hell Toupee.  The joke has run it's course and been posted about 1000 times.  But you make a good point.  What some view as trolling others view as light hearted.  That goes both ways.

Be the change you want to see.

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

Be the change you want to see.

Perhaps you missed the done part in your latest efforts to parent me.  

 

[The Commish]

Done.  Now let's see if the troll tweets stop.  

And I doubt slapdash is light hearted teasing Hell Toupee.  The joke has run it's course and been posted about 1000 times.  But you make a good point.  What some view as trolling others view as light hearted.  That goes both ways.

Here's the thing.  There are some things that a person goes so over the top with that it will follow them forever.  There is no doubt in my mind that at some point in the future I will poke at Tim for his "Trump is going to be dictator of the USA" shtick.  The nonsense that HT spewed regarding voter fraud is pretty much the same IMO.  It's going to stick with him for a long time.

 

[The Commish]

Oh....and FWIW, I have no problem with the sub forum.  Honestly, I don't understand the position that it's a bad thing.  Can someone dumb it down for me a bit?  I'd like to understand

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

Here's the thing.  There are some things that a person goes so over the top with that it will follow them forever.  There is no doubt in my mind that at some point in the future I will poke at Tim for his "Trump is going to be dictator of the USA" shtick.  The nonsense that HT spewed regarding voter fraud is pretty much the same IMO.  It's going to stick with him for a long time.

I don't disagree but it's still trolling HT even if it's harmless fun, right?   Maybe a better way to put it is I don't think it's fair to troll HT about that and call it good fun but other posters get suspended if they are having harmless fun with the pigeon shtick.  Just because HT handles it better than Squis doesn't make it okay because then it gives Squis (and others) free reign to troll HT but he gets suspended if he plays along and returns fire.