Petition to keep the forum apolitical

[mayank11280]

And that is what these discussions will reveal. How smart. How mature. How trustworthy.

Taking part in these discussions is like being on some truth serum.

If you're unhinged it shows fast. You can almost psych profileby their behavior in these topics

Approach them at your own risk.

Why?

Argue your case and then you move ahead

I think, we have a fundamentally different understanding of the purpose of the forum.

This is a tech forum. It is to share and increase our collective knowledge about tech. This is not an arena to test someone’s personality: smartness, maturity or trustworthiness. There is not much need for clash of ideology. There are philosophy and politics related dedicated forums for that.

A person can be less smart and less mature in some people’s perception yet they can contribute to the technology policy debate.

The question is how to make the forum achieve its central goal: heighten everyone’s participation and interest in technology? Unnecessarily hostile political debates create obstruction in achieving this.

Political threads must be separated from the tech threads. People should have choice to join in, and not the other around, i.e. they shouldn’t have to actively ignore.

I talk of everyone’s interests. You will get your political debates because you want it. Those who want to not get involved, will not have to do anything.

 

[blr_p]

This is a tech forum. It is to share and increase our collective knowledge about tech. This is not an arena to test someone’s personality: smartness, maturity or trustworthiness. There is not much need for clash of ideology. There are philosophy and politics related dedicated forums for that.

Or there are sections here where you can do the same if you are knowledgeable

A person can be less smart and less mature in some people’s perception yet they can contribute to the technology policy debate.

Of course and in the right sections

The question is how to make the forum achieve its central goal: heighten everyone’s participation and interest in technology?

Wrong topic to be asking this question.

Political threads must be separated from the tech threads. People should have choice to join in, and not the other around, i.e. they shouldn’t have to actively ignore.

Sure

I talk of everyone’s interests. You will get your political debates because you want it. Those who want to not get involved, will not have to do anything.

What I've noticed in other places is when a tech topic with political implications came up. It would devolve into pitched battles and get political fast. The frequency depending on world developments.

The solution was to create a free space where people could discuss the political aspects of that topic but that was not allowed in the tech sections.

So you got a clean separation and everybody is happy

You know the surprising part? All of a sudden not so many wanted to fight with that too in the free section. I don't know why but yeah defused things quick because now the requirements were stricter and take effort and time which people didn't want to spend

The really knowledgeable were a handful as is the case in any section.

 

[mayank11280]

Why?

Argue your case and then you move ahead

Since you want me to argue my case:

We have interacted many times now.

I have always been curious about your stances. I have asked questions many times to understand your POV and respond so that we can reach a middle ground. I try to listen.

I have also noticed that when we discussed, you began to use ad hominem. Making presumptions. Which was disappointing. My questions were replied with distasteful “you” this, “you” that.

Moreover when I did provide sources, you ghosted. Never acknowledging the argument. Which made me feel, that while I look at debate to come to a mutually acceptable conclusion, you view it very differently. I don’t want to win. I want to learn.

Even in the argument you said to argue my case, I already had. Those who want to take part in the debates are not one person, those who don’t are many too. That’s why I said: it is a forum and not an issue of one person per se.

if you are knowledgeable

This is what I am talking about. What makes you think those who are uncomfortable are not knowledgable?

Wrong topic to be asking this question.

What makes you say so?

This is the perfect place to ask the question, IMO.

When someone says on this forum political debates help determines maturity, smartness, etc. then it becomes crucial to ask question about purpose of this forum. I think it is very pertinent.

The solution was to create a free space where people could discuss the political aspects of that topic but that was not allowed in the tech sections.

So you got a clean separation and everybody is happy

I have argued for the same solution, my first reply to this section was exactly that.

Edit: after closely reflecting on the nature of our discussions, I think I will recuse myself. I don’t want to argue any further. I want to engage in conversations where we all can learn and evolve. If nothing changes, there is not a lot of benefit in it. Happy new year. Enjoy.

 

[blr_p]

I have also noticed that when we discussed, you began to use ad hominem. Making presumptions. Which was disappointing. My questions were replied with distasteful “you” this, “you” that.

Not ad hominem. Pigeon holing. I know what your views are and if opposing won't bother.

Moreover when I did provide sources, you ghosted. Never acknowledging the argument.

If I did that then I had nothing more to add. Or if a divergence of views arises.

Your post went unchallenged is how I would see it

Which made me feel, that while I look at debate to come to a mutually acceptable conclusion, you view it very differently.

That's not realistic. And not desired as positions have to be watered down.

Positions can be entrenched and both need to know the others positions. In this case the tie breaker is the party making policy which is how it works in the real world.

This is what I am talking about. What makes you think those who are uncomfortable are not knowledgable?

If the view is divergent and both are knowledgeable in their own area then i don't know how you proceed other than state the position and leave it at that. Move to other areas of the discussion.

What makes you say so?

Because the question was whether politics should be discussed or not.

You want to stimulate tech discussion then do it in the relevant tech section.

This thread is in the off topic section.

When someone says on this forum political debates help determines maturity, smartness, etc. then it becomes crucial to ask question about purpose of this forum. I think it is very pertinent.

Non sequitur. Discussing politics has nothing to do or ever had anything to do about the purpose of this forum.

All that maturity stuff notwithstanding just count the number of market +tech+news related sections and then compare with just one section on current events.

The evidence would suggest the main course is tech oriented with a side dish or minority interest in current events.

How can asking why the politics section is more active than elsewhere be relevant.

It's completely non related.

 

[ze_cook]

And that is what these discussions will reveal. How smart. How mature. How trustworthy.

Why?

Not so easy as discussing tech is it. And that is why techies need to get better at it. This has been my rationale to alow them going back to 2010

No, I'm on a forum called called TechEnclave, not SelfHelpEnclave, I'm here to discuss tech and I don't want people to cast judgement on my political beliefs (or lack thereof) and I hate when a discussion gets hijacked by politics. It ruins my interest in the thread as I get notifications for irrelevant posts.

Taking part in these discussions is like being on some truth serum.

If you're unhinged it shows fast. You can almost psych profile people by their behavior in these topics

Why do you want to psych profile people on a tech forum?

I'll add you and several others to my ignore list, as well as this thread. People have already resorted to name calling and started meta political discussions.

Regarding the thread topic, even though I want politcal threads to be banned altogether, I doubt that's going to happen. I suggest create a subforum separate from general, for just political threads, which will let everyone ignore the subforum if they wish so. People can report politically charged comments outside those threads and mods can take action accordingly.

 

[6pack]

If political threads are more active, it means no one is interested in tech discussions. If people don't want political discussions to come on front page then just drown it with more tech discussions. Complaining wont make it go away.

 

[mayank11280]

I'll add you and several others to my ignore list.

TIL: we can put members on ignore too. It was right there but I never saw it. Thank you.

 

[blr_p]

No, I'm on a forum called called TechEnclave, not SelfHelpEnclave, I'm here to discuss tech and I don't want people to cast judgement on my political beliefs (or lack thereof)

Who's stopping you

and I hate when a discussion gets hijacked by politics. It ruins my interest in the thread as I get notifications for irrelevant posts.

That won't happen in a tech discussion when a seperate sand box already exists for politic. If it does then either create a seperate thread in politics with the political posts which already happens

Why do you want to psych profile people on a tech forum?

I don't but the responses or hate shown to parties and leaders exposes it

The reverse is also true

Regarding the thread topic, even though I want politcal threads to be banned altogether, I doubt that's going to happen. I suggest create a subforum separate from general, for just political threads, which will let everyone ignore the subforum if they wish so. People can report politically charged comments outside those threads and mods can take action accordingly.

That's already the emerging consensus

 

[TEUser2K1]

Compartmentalizing political into private lounge is a good idea, also kick out people who use abusive words from that specific thread. Reduce their whatever virtual points too... Banning in not optimal decision.
I tend to call out bad steps by both ruling and opposition parties, this create confusion between those who fight within self identified and drawn fences which I dislike a lot. Pro is I find myself not needing to support any party, Con is everybody equally dislike opinions.

 

[kartikoli]

Around 10 years back a forum had a section which was superhit among members named "No Holds Barred" in short NHB where people were given freedom to speak freely, you just can't abuse anyone but name calling was common even I had a fight with a member back then which feels stupidity when I think about it now.
Make a sub forum and when people start misbehaving just move the thread to NHB the thread will be derailed instantly. I know I will keep away from such discussion but reading those posts was fun.

 

[solo_wing]

Around 10 years back a forum had a section which was superhit among members named "No Holds Barred" in short NHB where people were given freedom to speak freely, you just can't abuse anyone but name calling was common even I had a fight with a member back then which feels stupidity when I think about it now.
Make a sub forum and when people start misbehaving just move the thread to NHB the thread will be derailed instantly. I know I will keep away from such discussion but reading those posts was fun.

I have also seen in a forum where one of the members said something about a big politician. The other guy was from same party and his father was in very high position.

He got so personal that he start threatening the other guy and some other guy mature and decent enough intervened and apology was made by the threatened guy to calm the situation.


Edit : it is something a possibility that mods should consider.
I am still in favor of discussing as I feel it is important but it is like Samundra Manthan...with Amrit ...posion will also come out .

 

[logistopath]

Around 10 years back a forum had a section which was superhit among members named "No Holds Barred" in short NHB where people were given freedom to speak freely

I think I know which forum (which no longer exists) you are talking about. It was probably the most active section in the entire forum.

 

[blr_p]

Make a sub forum and when people start misbehaving just move the thread to NHB the thread will be derailed instantly.

Any discussion can be disrupted and even derailed this way. Doesn't take much effort or knowledge.

Can be done anywhere in the discussion. At the beginning where it won't cause much harm. But few pages later can be disruptive.

Because people don't agree with the discussion or any petty reason and contributed nothing.

 

[lockhrt999]

You guys do realize that there's no anonymity on this forum, right? We all know each other's names and addresses.

Someday, a mentally not so stable dude is going to show up at another dude's house.

 

[blr_p]

You guys do realize that there's no anonymity on this forum, right? We all know each other's names and addresses.

Those people never participate in these discussions.

 

[lockhrt999]

Those people never participate in these discussions.

Not true, mate.

 

[blr_p]

Not true, mate.

If they are sellers then they won't participate. Bad for business.

Sellers address is available.

Buyers however will only be known by sellers. Who don't participate

 

[kartikoli]

I think I know which forum (which no longer exists) you are talking about. It was probably the most active section in the entire forum.

The live section was insane and I still miss those super quick posts where if you miss a fraction of a sec the topic changes.
The forum was insane but super fun (Attack on another forum/making 10k posts in 3 days/messing with another forum elections in mods private section )

You guys do realize that there's no anonymity on this forum, right? We all know each other's names and addresses.

Someday, a mentally not so stable dude is going to show up at another dude's house.

Not the same but this has actually happened in the forum I am talking about where 2 members came to settle there score face to face, turned out the more aggressive member never showed up he even ditched him in reality as well lol.

 

[mayank11280]

Not the same but this has actually happened in the forum I am talking about where 2 members came to settle there score face to face, turned out the more aggressive member never showed up he even ditched him in reality as well lol.

Reminds me of this

https://imgur.com/jbTtHr1