Under Investigation Thoughts On Refining Rules On Political Discussions

[Zwielicht]

These are currently our rules on political discussions:

2.10 Political and Religious Discussions
Political and religious discussions are prohibited across the forum, with the exception of designated private sections such as the Sapphire and Platinum Saloons. Proselytizing is not permitted in any area of the forum. Only mentions of globally recognized holidays (e.g., Christmas, Eid, Diwali, Chinese New Year) are permitted within the Saloons.

I'm sure many of you have noticed we've been a bit lax about political remarks outside of the Sapphire and Platinum Saloons. I noticed many of you have been able to handle at least making political remarks with the threads devolving into flame wars.

I've been thinking lately about refining these rules further to only prohibit political persuasion (the political equivalent of proselytizing), but allow political remarks. You know, relax the rules on this a little bit.

However, I wanted to hear everyone's thoughts on this first.

 

[Dopious]

Sounds good, if it goes sideways there is always the option to lock the threads and use other rules on like real hate stuff.

 

[t0mmy]

Yes, always yes when it involves more freedom of speech. I’ve always been of the belief that this is the internet, the internet was built and once was a place of serious freedom of expression.

I believe so long as it’s not criminal discussions or content then it should be let run on any forum, people fizzle out eventually if they can’t take the heat from something that annoys them or which they get into a heated debate on, others are free to just ignore any threads they don’t like. Freedom was the cornerstone of the internet, especially communities… when I ponder on it, the communities that allowed more freedom of expression flourish and attract members with smarts as well as wit on top of a sense of humour.

If you’re easily offended you shouldn’t be on the internet in my humble opinion, it’s easy to stay out of things if you don’t agree with them, or like I often do get stuck into a debate heh fuck it… shit is fun at times, honestly. Live and let live, if it ain’t criminal let it loose I feel.

 

[Man]

I myself noticed the political talks upon my return and happened across this thread.

I for one vote for this. With world events as they are now, it would be very much appropriate for these discussions to happen here.

 

[Champagne]

Political topics in forums can always be a bit problematic. I’ve seen several other forums that literally went from being online marketing or business-related forums to full-blown political ones just because people couldn’t behave themselves. I’m all for refining the rules without limiting free speech. It’s difficult to moderate, but I think that when things get out of hand, a thread should be closed no matter what.

 

[Zwielicht]

Political topics in forums can always be a bit problematic. I’ve seen several other forums that literally went from being online marketing or business-related forums to full-blown political ones just because people couldn’t behave themselves. I’m all for refining the rules without limiting free speech. It’s difficult to moderate, but I think that when things get out of hand, a thread should be closed no matter what.

Yeah, that's always a risk, especially if we don't moderate it effectively.

I think it's something we can try out, and if it turns into a train-wreck, we can always go back to the old rule.

I'll add in a clause to the rules letting everyone know that threads that if a thread becomes too heated, a moderator may close the thread.

 

[roydan]

I fucking hate politics and religion discussions because as an Israeli atheist I just keep losing at them.

Not a big fan of it but it looks most people want them allowed.

 

[t2van]

Just bin them. I think just leave it as it is.

HOWEVER

I think if a thread becomes political and then ventures off back to "normal" talk then don't stop or close it.

Guess close if it's gone totally derailed BUT let users have a chance to sort it out between themselves first more so if a mod not jumped on it in the first instance. Coming in 10-15 posts later and closing it when everyones moved on just seems daft, a gentle prod would be better to say to keep back on track.

 

[MisterF]

Sadly with Ai, a lot of stuff posted on the web is often fake news and many people just share it without checking it out.

I don't mind discussion about anything, but when it gets personal, sadly the option to punch someone in the face, doesn't work as well online as it would in a pub/bar.