Constructive suggestion

[earl]

Just popped in long enough to recommend to I Brian (and/or perhaps the miscreants I'm addressing this to) that, if I Brian really wants a community or even to maintain the once highly thoughtful interchange that once took place here, the tone will have to change here. It's one thing to have "healthy" debates about different points of view but quite another to attempt to make those points via sarcasm and put-downs. Not going to revive a once healthy discussion board that way as I can about guarantee that you will lose members even faster than you gain them with such a tone. Only if that can be achieved would I ever consider actually chatting here again. earl

[Tao_Equus]

Ok Earl come back and I'll validate your illusions for you!! I promise!!

[Avi]

Originally Posted by earl

Just popped in long enough to recommend to I Brian (and/or perhaps the miscreants I'm addressing this to) that, if I Brian really wants a community or even to maintain the once highly thoughtful interchange that once took place here, the tone will have to change here. It's one thing to have "healthy" debates about different points of view but quite another to attempt to make those points via sarcasm and put-downs. Not going to revive a once healthy discussion board that way as I can about guarantee that you will lose members even faster than you gain them with such a tone. Only if that can be achieved would I ever consider actually chatting here again. earl

Actually, Earl's comments brought to mind a suggestion which I have been thinking of for a while. I am also a member of another board which has an interesting policy. One of the sub-forums is an open one where anything goes. The others are more tightly moderated and do not permit any rude comments, perhaps Brian should do a trial of that approach here ? It is sort of a "differential moderation" approach, what do you think ?

[lunamoth]

Originally Posted by earl

Just popped in long enough to recommend to I Brian (and/or perhaps the miscreants I'm addressing this to) that, if I Brian really wants a community or even to maintain the once highly thoughtful interchange that once took place here, the tone will have to change here. It's one thing to have "healthy" debates about different points of view but quite another to attempt to make those points via sarcasm and put-downs. Not going to revive a once healthy discussion board that way as I can about guarantee that you will lose members even faster than you gain them with such a tone. Only if that can be achieved would I ever consider actually chatting here again. earl

Hi earl,

I hope you won't go, although I certainly understand your point.

Think of it this way, the power of love is not force, but a lure. Just like for violence, it does not seem to work to just censor and squash incivility. Think of it as modeling non-violence.

Please reconsider!

luna

[earl]

Originally Posted by lunamoth

Hi earl,

I hope you won't go, although I certainly understand your point.

Think of it this way, the power of love is not force, but a lure. Just like for violence, it does not seem to work to just censor and squash incivility. Think of it as modeling non-violence.

Please reconsider!

luna

Luna, I appreciate your kind words of encouragement. You were 1 of the first ones to welcome me here eons ago. It's not the fact that I know anytime I (personally) post anything that runs counter to the materialistic viewpoint of reality wil be immediately and heartily challenged. Almost welcome that as a means to make the "other side" think a bit more about the certainty of their views. It's more about how my chief detractors seem to try to make their points anymore via sarcasm and put-downs. Suppose I could console myself with the knowledge that, if their counter-points devolve into some version of merely saying "yo momma," I probably have them a bit flummoxed. But gets very tedious after a certain point. earl

[Avi]

I think Earl would be a great moderator of the religious sub-forums.

[17th Angel]

Originally Posted by Avi

Actually, Earl's comments brought to mind a suggestion which I have been thinking of for a while. I am also a member of another board which has an interesting policy. One of the sub-forums is an open one where anything goes. The others are more tightly moderated and do not permit any rude comments, perhaps Brian should do a trial of that approach here ? It is sort of a "differential moderation" approach, what do you think ?

I think moderators should have large pointy sticks.

[I, Brian]

Originally Posted by earl

Just popped in long enough to recommend to I Brian (and/or perhaps the miscreants I'm addressing this to) that, if I Brian really wants a community or even to maintain the once highly thoughtful interchange that once took place here, the tone will have to change here. It's one thing to have "healthy" debates about different points of view but quite another to attempt to make those points via sarcasm and put-downs. Not going to revive a once healthy discussion board that way as I can about guarantee that you will lose members even faster than you gain them with such a tone. Only if that can be achieved would I ever consider actually chatting here again. earl

Oh, I quite agree - and I know we've lost a couple of long-standing members because they feel the boards are too combative - and I know some people refuse to invite seriously interesting people here because they fear the reaction they may get.

However, what I've learned from the past is to never make sudden and sweeping changes here - it's very disruptive and ends up making everyone feel unsettled.

What I instead opt for, and am now trying to do more, is to try and make little posts here and there to guide conversation away from potential conflict.

It can work well, but it does need to be maintained and my real life commitments are making that difficult at present - however, I am sincerely hoping to gently nudge discussions to be more constructive, instead of outright dismissive or potentially abusive.

It requires more of a velvet glove than a gauntlet of iron, though, I think.

[Tao_Equus]

Originally Posted by earl

Luna, I appreciate your kind words of encouragement. You were 1 of the first ones to welcome me here eons ago. It's not the fact that I know anytime I (personally) post anything that runs counter to the materialistic viewpoint of reality wil be immediately and heartily challenged. Almost welcome that as a means to make the "other side" think a bit more about the certainty of their views. It's more about how my chief detractors seem to try to make their points anymore via sarcasm and put-downs. Suppose I could console myself with the knowledge that, if their counter-points devolve into some version of merely saying "yo momma," I probably have them a bit flummoxed. But gets very tedious after a certain point. earl

What blatant double standards you have Earl. You spent months stalking me round threads with your self-invented words in an effort to prove my rationalism somehow invalid. Yet when a couple of posts call into question the rationality of your assertions you scream murder and try to use what amounts to blackmail to get your way. How can you expect to be taken seriously when you behave like a petulant child?

[Tao_Equus]

Originally Posted by I, Brian

It requires more of a velvet glove than a gauntlet of iron, though, I think.

Shame you closed that other thread so soon after FS posted and sent us in the direction of mutual respect and agreement.

[I, Brian]

I just came back to re-open it, but remove the last post, which was quite inflammatory. Worth seeing if there's a chance the thread can continue positively - or at least, with less direct conflict.

[China Cat Sunflower]

It's all Tao's fault.

I'd still like to see that street preacher grudge match sub forum I suggested some time ago.

Chris

[Avi]

Originally Posted by I, Brian

Oh, I quite agree - and I know we've lost a couple of long-standing members because they feel the boards are too combative - and I know some people refuse to invite seriously interesting people here because they fear the reaction they may get.

They were only aliases anyway !!

However, what I've learned from the past is to never make sudden and sweeping changes here - it's very disruptive and ends up making everyone feel unsettled.

OMG, Brian, I am going to have to send you a copy of "Tao of Leadership". Only incremental changes ?? Come on man, show some leadership !!

What I instead opt for, and am now trying to do more, is to try and make little posts here and there to guide conversation away from potential conflict.

Wittle itty bitty posts !! (use font type 1)

It can work well, but it does need to be maintained and my real life commitments are making that difficult at present

Brian, it looks like you are going to have to outsource your leadership. There are some good phone banks in India that will take the work, for a small fee !!

- however, I am sincerely hoping to gently nudge discussions to be more constructive, instead of outright dismissive or potentially abusive.

Gently nudge using a pitchfork !!

It requires more of a velvet glove than a gauntlet of iron, though, I think.

How about an iron switch blade ?

(all in good fun, Brian, just teasing).