FFA Moderation Thoughts - What Do You Think? (2 Viewers)

[adonis]

90% of the posts in this thread are awful posts from the same guys. Just hand me the axe. I'll chop.

Well done, mods.  Axe them all and permaban the usual offenders instead of letting them just repeat their nonsense in new threads.

Hopefully they find a new home to repeat their opinions to each other ad infintum.  

It's baffling to me why you guys care so much about what other people are posting.  I don't care about a ton of posts of no interest to me (most of the FFA)...it's odd that you guys are so bothered by this and are advocating banning folks and stopping all political talk.

It's a Free For All, and so long as we're not clogging up the system (which lately there have been very few political threads), what's the beef?  Live and let live man...just skip over stuff you don't like...it's not hard, and you can do what you want and we can do what we want, and whenever either side wants to cross over, they can.

You guys need to lighten up.

 

[Juxtatarot]

Do you think it's civil to post nothing but the lmao emoticon again and again and again?

The lmao emoticon probably starts more i-fights than anything else around here.  Honestly, anyone that uses it for mocking purposes should expect to be banned. It's really inexcusable.  

 

[shader]

The lmao emoticon probably starts more i-fights than anything else around here.  Honestly, anyone that uses it for mocking purposes should expect to be banned. It's really inexcusable.  

 

[MaxThreshold]

It's baffling to me why you guys care so much about what other people are posting.  I don't care about a ton of posts of no interest to me (most of the FFA)...it's odd that you guys are so bothered by this and are advocating banning folks and stopping all political talk.

It's a Free For All, and so long as we're not clogging up the system (which lately there have been very few political threads), what's the beef?  Live and let live man...just skip over stuff you don't like...it's not hard, and you can do what you want and we can do what we want, and whenever either side wants to cross over, they can.

You guys need to lighten up.

Holy Moley!  Adonis and I actually agree on something!  Could this be the beginnings of a beautiful relationship?

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

The lmao emoticon probably starts more i-fights than anything else around here.  Honestly, anyone that uses it for mocking purposes should expect to be banned. It's really inexcusable.  

Why?  If it's so offensive then perhaps it shouldn't be an available emoticon to use.  But it's not nearly as bad as the verbal attacks that constantly come from some posters when they disagree with your views.

When someone posts something so outrageous it's clear trolling, or trying to elicit negative response, the laughing emoticon is an appropriate response in my opinion.  But if David and Joe feel otherwise, they can tell us that.  It's amazing to me how many people get offended at the emoticon when they troll all day long.  

Edit to add:  I think the main reason they get offended is because the person using the emoticon won't engage them in the nonsense they are looking for.

 

[MaxThreshold]

You son of a...

 

[NotSmart]

The Russia thread got axed?

Yes, but we don't know what it was axed.

 

[MaxThreshold]

The lmao emoticon probably starts more i-fights than anything else around here.  Honestly, anyone that uses it for mocking purposes should expect to be banned. It's really inexcusable.  

Right.  But constantly calling posters racist, bigots and rednecks is a-ok.

 

[MaxThreshold]

Yes, but we don't know what it was axed.

I can say it wasn't me since I haven't been in there for at least 9 hours.  Y'know, since i was threatened with a suspension.

 

[jon_mx]

:cstu:

 

[bostonfred]

This kind od talk wouldn't even be annoying if it were confined to a politics forum

 

[HellToupee]

Russian hackers?

it was a pleasure to give you your 1st like

 

[Arsenal of Doom]

There was a pretty nasty post directed at @Bob Magaw right at the end from a poster or alias that hadn't even been in the thread up until them from what I recall. 

As I posted earlier in this thread, my main question is what changed now after 15 years to make these threads start getting killed? I don't feel like the tone has really changed from the Bush/Obama era political discussions. There have always been posters who are just there to fling feces around but I don't recall many threads getting locked because of it. 

 

[moleculo]

Wow.  The russia thread was really good.  Lots of great stuff there - I don't think I'm alone when I say I learned a lot, including better understanding viewpoints from the other side.

Honestly, without free and open debate, I'm questioning what value FFA (and, by extension FBG) has for me any more.

 

[Juxtatarot]

Why?  If it's so offensive then perhaps it shouldn't be an available emoticon to use.  But it's not nearly as bad as the verbal attacks that constantly come from some posters when they disagree with your views.

When someone posts something so outrageous it's clear trolling, or trying to elicit negative response, the laughing emoticon is an appropriate response in my opinion.  

You haven't noticed how it can make people defensive? Regardless, it's just plain rude, in my opinion. If a poster disagrees with a post, we're all better off if they explain why in a respectful manner.

 

[the rover]

Obama thread more of the same.  Trolling, racist, useless thread.  Ban the offenders and axe the thread.  This is just trash.  

 

[Juxtatarot]

Right.  But constantly calling posters racist, bigots and rednecks is a-ok.

Neither is OK.

 

[the rover]

Right.  But constantly calling posters racist, bigots and rednecks is a-ok.

Maybe there should be less bigoted and racist posts.  They seem to crop up mostly in--you guessed it--political threads or trolling by the usual political posters.

 

[moleculo]

Smily face is poor form.  It's insulting a post without giving the dignity of a proper rebuttal.  Someone posted that yesterday in Russia thread, I called him out on it, and it actually led to a pretty good discussion and I ended up with a much better appreciation for a different view point.

 

[HellToupee]

Obama thread more of the same.  Trolling, racist, useless thread.  Ban the offenders and axe the thread.  This is just trash.  

very slippery slope

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

You haven't noticed how it can make people defensive? Regardless, it's just plain rude, in my opinion. If a poster disagrees with a post, we're all better off if they explain why in a respectful manner.

I hear you but I disagree that it's even in the top 10 rude replies around here.  I think we'd be better off eliminating  posters calling others racists, bigots, Trumpettes, or many other Trump like nicknames.  Almost every single person offended by the emoticon uses one of those names.  You don't think that is irritating and beyond rude?  I just explained my use of the emoticon in a respectful manner to you.  If others use it differently they can explain their reasons.

 

[adonis]

There was a pretty nasty post directed at @Bob Magaw right at the end from a poster or alias that hadn't even been in the thread up until them from what I recall. 

As I posted earlier in this thread, my main question is what changed now after 15 years to make these threads start getting killed? I don't feel like the tone has really changed from the Bush/Obama era political discussions. There have always been posters who are just there to fling feces around but I don't recall many threads getting locked because of it. 

Yeah, years ago they'd just delete the post and ban the person who posted it or give them a timeout.  

Obama thread more of the same.  Trolling, racist, useless thread.  Ban the offenders and axe the thread.  This is just trash.  

Why not just ban the offender and delete the offending posts?  Why kill the entire thread because of the actions of someone who is breaking the rules?  Your opposition to these things don't make any sense.  It's like a zero tolerance policy, but only with political threads...if someone is an ### anywhere in the FFA should the person be banned and the entire thread be killed?  It's a silly policy you're advocating.

 

[David Dodds]

Bob Magaw confessed to deleting it likely because I sent him a note saying both he and I were likely adding to the frenzy of these political threads.  So I guess I am to blame here.

 

[the rover]

very slippery slope

No it isn't.  It's a private board and this garbage was allowed to get out of control.  The mods are finally doing something about it.  Just drop the hammer. 

 

[Dickies]

I don't understand why people who don't enter the political threads want them all gone.  Gambling doesn't interest me at all so I don't go n the gambling thread.  If I didn't care about politics I simply would avoid them.  There are a handful of posters that are pure trolls.  Get rid of them instead of nuking the threads.

 

[moleculo]

I'd also ask: without political threads at FBG, where else would I toss out conspiracy theory test balloons?  Facebook?  I don't think so.  I'd rather not talk politics with B&M friends because that talk might not be able to be turned off.  If I tire of politics, I can simply ignore the thread, whereas I can't simply ignore my family.

 

[William Munny]

The Russian Connection thread was polite, excellent, productive, educational, substantive.

Beg to differ my man. When you've got a forum mod who is also one of the most staunch supporters of one side tell a respectful poster from the other side they are no longer allowed to post in the thread, it's a major problem. 

 

[the rover]

Yeah, years ago they'd just delete the post and ban the person who posted it or give them a timeout.  

Why not just ban the offender and delete the offending posts?  Why kill the entire thread because of the actions of someone who is breaking the rules?  Your opposition to these things don't make any sense.  It's like a zero tolerance policy, but only with political threads...if someone is an ### anywhere in the FFA should the person be banned and the entire thread be killed?  It's a silly policy you're advocating.

There is no benefit to a thread that's just based on trolling and insults, and no benefit to allowing the same people to continue the same behavior in every thread.  You may enjoy it, but as a longtime member and paying customer I'd like to see it gone.  

If debating the same group of people means so much to you, start a group chat.

 

[adonis]

Bob Magaw confessed to deleting it likely because I sent him a note saying both he and I were likely adding to the frenzy of these political threads.  So I guess I am to blame here.

So were you looking to have it deleted?  And if not, is it able to be brought back from the dead - like Lazarus? 

 

[hilineninerfan]

Wow.  The russia thread was really good.  Lots of great stuff there - I don't think I'm alone when I say I learned a lot, including better understanding viewpoints from the other side.

Honestly, without free and open debate, I'm questioning what value FFA (and, by extension FBG) has for me any more.

totally agree. 

 

[McGarnicle]

Wow.  The russia thread was really good.  Lots of great stuff there - I don't think I'm alone when I say I learned a lot, including better understanding viewpoints from the other side.

Honestly, without free and open debate, I'm questioning what value FFA (and, by extension FBG) has for me any more.

Yes ironically I posted just today in there how the thread was unusually civil and rich in content. I learned some stuff too. Both sides were pretty thoughtful and respectful to each other for the most part.

Beating a dead horse at this point, but more people really need to utilize the ignore function. I don't think I would even come here anymore if it didn't exist. I don't know why some of you waste your time reading and responding to complete idiots. It's like playing chess with a 5 year old; how can it be rewarding whatsoever to debate someone who just posts a sentence or two of inane, insulting crap? If that's the only person willing to argue against your side of an issue, assume you've won and move on. 

 

[William Munny]

 

Uh oh

 

[squistion]

Smily face is poor form.  It's insulting a post without giving the dignity of a proper rebuttal.  Someone posted that yesterday in Russia thread, I called him out on it, and it actually led to a pretty good discussion and I ended up with a much better appreciation for a different view point.

It has gone far beyond its original meaning of finding something funny or amusing, and has morphed into short hand for ridiculing what someone has to say without giving any sort of explanation. It should be eliminated as a option and people can still type lmao! if they really want to say the same thing.

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

There is no benefit to a thread that's just based on trolling and insults, and no benefit to allowing the same people to continue the same behavior in every thread.  You may enjoy it, but as a longtime member and paying customer I'd like to see it gone.  

If debating the same group of people means so much to you, start a group chat.

Do you think more than 10% of the trolls actually think they are the ones trolling?  Or do they likely think they are innocent and it's the other guy that's wrong?

 

[gianmarco]

I don't understand why people who don't enter the political threads want them all gone.  Gambling doesn't interest me at all so I don't go n the gambling thread.  If I didn't care about politics I simply would avoid them.  There are a handful of posters that are pure trolls.  Get rid of them instead of nuking the threads.

There's 1 gambling thread.  In the past, there were a bazillion political threads on a page with limited space.  HTH.

 

[hilineninerfan]

Bob Magaw confessed to deleting it likely because I sent him a note saying both he and I were likely adding to the frenzy of these political threads.  So I guess I am to blame here.

What frenzy? As noted, it was civil and informative.

 

[adonis]

Yeah, years ago they'd just delete the post and ban the person who posted it or give them a timeout.  

Why not just ban the offender and delete the offending posts?  Why kill the entire thread because of the actions of someone who is breaking the rules?  Your opposition to these things don't make any sense.  It's like a zero tolerance policy, but only with political threads...if someone is an ### anywhere in the FFA should the person be banned and the entire thread be killed?  It's a silly policy you're advocating.

There is no benefit to a thread that's just based on trolling and insults, and no benefit to allowing the same people to continue the same behavior in every thread.  You may enjoy it, but as a longtime member and paying customer I'd like to see it gone.  

If debating the same group of people means so much to you, start a group chat.

Again, I find it odd that you feel you should be telling me what to do on a forum that's a literal Free For All where you or I are free to post, view, respond, start whatever topics we want.  I don't care a whit about what you do, or what posts you make in any threads. If you post somewhere and I'm not interested, or you start a topic I'm not interested in, I just ignore it.  I have no idea why you don't do the same with political threads.

There is bad behavior in political threads just like in other threads.  If people are not being excellent to each other, their posts should be deleted and they should be given a ban or timeout, like it has been done for 10+ years.  There is nothing different today than there was 8 or 16 years ago.  The policy doesn't need to change, it just needs to be enforced fairly - in political threads and non-political threads alike.  That's the most reasonable solution that keeps the FFA as what it has been for as long as it has been here.  

 

[the rover]

Yes ironically I posted just today in there how the thread was unusually civil and rich in content. I learned some stuff too. Both sides were pretty thoughtful and respectful to each other for the most part.

Beating a dead horse at this point, but more people really need to utilize the ignore function. I don't think I would even come here anymore if it didn't exist. I don't know why some of you waste your time reading and responding to complete idiots. It's like playing chess with a 5 year old; how can it be rewarding whatsoever to debate someone who just posts a sentence or two of inane, insulting crap? If that's the only person willing to argue against your side of an issue, assume you've won and move on. 

Ignore function is useless, since it doesn't ignore quotes.

a downvote function for posters or threads would serve a purpose 

 

[adonis]

I don't understand why people who don't enter the political threads want them all gone.  Gambling doesn't interest me at all so I don't go n the gambling thread.  If I didn't care about politics I simply would avoid them.  There are a handful of posters that are pure trolls.  Get rid of them instead of nuking the threads.

There's 1 gambling thread.  In the past, there were a bazillion political threads on a page with limited space.  HTH.

When there's a lot of political stuff going on in the country, there will be more threads and more interest because it's more in the public space.  This election has been crazy, and there have been a lot of things going on that people find worthy of discussion.  Is this the FFA or is it not?  Despite all of that, there have been a relatively limited number of threads, and people have tried to focus their comments in those threads but even the consolidated threads on specific topics have been dropping like flies, for no good reason.

Earlier today, I think i saw 2 or 3 poltiical threads on the first page most of the day...is that too much now?

 

[Otis]

You guys all need to get more angry about what strangers are saying on the internet. 

 

[HellToupee]

There is no benefit to a thread that's just based on trolling and insults, and no benefit to allowing the same people to continue the same behavior in every thread.  You may enjoy it, but as a longtime member and paying customer I'd like to see it gone.  

If debating the same group of people means so much to you, start a group chat.

I'm a longtime paying customer like you but have a totally different opinion.I've  been called a racist , bigot etc for having a different political viewpoint than a vocal group here but there others who disagree are respectful . Its easy to ignore the trolls .I love politics , fantasy sports , classic punk , old movies , the ffa offers plenty

Why would you enter a political thread if it doesn't interest you 

 

[the rover]

Again, I find it odd that you feel you should be telling me what to do on a forum that's a literal Free For All where you or I are free to post, view, respond, start whatever topics we want.  I don't care a whit about what you do, or what posts you make in any threads. If you post somewhere and I'm not interested, or you start a topic I'm not interested in, I just ignore it.  I have no idea why you don't do the same with political threads.

There is bad behavior in political threads just like in other threads.  If people are not being excellent to each other, their posts should be deleted and they should be given a ban or timeout, like it has been done for 10+ years.  There is nothing different today than there was 8 or 16 years ago.  The policy doesn't need to change, it just needs to be enforced fairly - in political threads and non-political threads alike.  That's the most reasonable solution that keeps the FFA as what it has been for as long as it has been here.  

Nobody's telling you what to do.  This is a thread by mods asking what we want to see.  I'm expressing my opinion.  You and certain others express yours in every single political thread, to the point where many of us gave up on participating and want them moved or gone. 

 

[David Dodds]

I suggest talking politics on Twitter or a political board.  These threads always end up with posts like these:

Trump (or Hillary) Supporters are...followed by a bunch of generalities that are stereotyping half of the population.

Sometimes they are disguised, but it's essentially the same.

How can anyone with an IQ over 30 support somebody so in love with Russia?

This is BAIT.  Somebody will take the bait and call that person out (or post the smiley) - It naturally escalates and then mods have to delete a ton of posts, issue timeouts, etc.  Or we can ignore and let the trolling, bait, responses continue to escalate and finally the threads find themselves deleted or people get banned.  

 

[gianmarco]

When there's a lot of political stuff going on in the country, there will be more threads and more interest because it's more in the public space.  This election has been crazy, and there have been a lot of things going on that people find worthy of discussion.  Is this the FFA or is it not?  Despite all of that, there have been a relatively limited number of threads, and people have tried to focus their comments in those threads but even the consolidated threads on specific topics have been dropping like flies, for no good reason.

Earlier today, I think i saw 2 or 3 poltiical threads on the first page most of the day...is that too much now?

Nope, it's perfect.  That's because they've been cut down.  Before the silencing, >80% of the page was political threads.  That was too much.  That's why those of us with 0 interest in political threads wanted a political subforum. 

 

[hilineninerfan]

A thread like the "Russian Hacking" serves a purpose. It's informative, controversial and adversarial but like MSM it forces us to use critical thinking. Shutting it down, willy-nilly reeks of censorship.

 

[adonis]

I suggest talking politics on Twitter or a political board.  These threads always end up with posts like these:

Trump (or Hillary) Supporters are...followed by a bunch of generalities that are stereotyping half of the population.

Sometimes they are disguised, but it's essentially the same.

How can anyone with an IQ over 30 support somebody so in love with Russia?

This is BAIT.  Somebody will take the bait and call that person out (or post the smiley) - It naturally escalates and then mods have to delete a ton of posts, issue timeouts, etc.  Or we can ignore and let the trolling, bait, responses continue to escalate and finally the threads find themselves deleted or people get banned.  

So it's just coincidence that this new lack of desire to moderate as normal came after Trumps win?  

I mean, you have to admit that this is a significant deviation in moderation methods from the entire history of the FFA, political threads included.

 

[the rover]

I suggest talking politics on Twitter or a political board.  These threads always end up with posts like these:

Trump (or Hillary) Supporters are...followed by a bunch of generalities that are stereotyping half of the population.

Sometimes they are disguised, but it's essentially the same.

How can anyone with an IQ over 30 support somebody so in love with Russia?

This is BAIT.  Somebody will take the bait and call that person out (or post the smiley) - It naturally escalates and then mods have to delete a ton of posts, issue timeouts, etc.  Or we can ignore and let the trolling, bait, responses continue to escalate and finally the threads find themselves deleted or people get banned.  

Just go look at the "Thanks Obama" thread.  There's no useful discussion there.  Just trolls being trolls.

 

[McGarnicle]

Ignore function is useless, since it doesn't ignore quotes.

a downvote function for posters or threads would serve a purpose 

It's not useless at all, it actually makes threads much more readable. The quotes can be annoying but generally the worst trolls don't get quoted much. 

A downvote function would be awesome, though in political threads I can see that getting out of hand. Ultimately there aren't any board features that can overcome crap people. 

 

[jon_mx]

There is some pretty good political discussion on this forum.  Of course there is blindly partisan rhetoric that creeps in and pollutes the discussion.  For instance, anything you might see on facebook or twitter almost never advances intelligent discussion.  

 

[the rover]

A thread like the "Russian Hacking" serves a purpose. It's informative, controversial and adversarial but like MSM it forces us to use critical thinking. Shutting it down, willy-nilly reeks of censorship.

It's a private board.  It's called terms of service.