Vanishing Topics?

[NATURAL ANKLING]

Hi,
I suppose if you use a different ISP address then you cannot be spotted returning under a different name, you will need a different email address too.
ISP addresses change so that's not right, can someone return with out being found out.
Does using a VPN mean that you cant be spotted, I assume that maybe the site software disallows connection with a VPN ?

Not trying to circumvent anything just curious

[Mick F]

This has happened a few times, but they give themselves away by their posting styles and subject choices.
They are sussed in the end.

[Cyril Haearn]

I couldnae puzzle out who it was, anyone care to enlighten me? (or not)

[merseymouth]

Morning all, Sadly my Latin fails at time of need!
I think I need "Custodet et Custodet"? No I'm not slagging off the mods, even though I'm more of a Rocker Take that as a cryptic clue as to the identity of the naughty boy
Naming and shaming might be one way forward, but some offenders are repeat offenders who don't appear to see the error of their ways?
We all have a duty to offer points and opinions whilst accepting that others will do likewise. Browbeating with "Citation Please" is just as much abuse as directly abusing others, accept some things as having been noticed by others, but those persons will not have filed away all relevant data for academic standard retrieval, many of us ain't that way wired!
Try the odd humerus post, smiling uses more facial muscles thn frowning. TTFN MM

[Tangled Metal]

Citation or evidence please is common. Usually after the requested has been spouting opinions. It's used to try and silence opposing opinions but requiring proof for one side of the argument only.

As to political threads go I've made my view public once or twice. Abuse isn't the only offence committed in political threads but it's really the only one that gets moderation most of the time.

As to freedom of speech and the "you can always turn off" arguments. Well bullocks! People get passionate about things they view as important or that matter to them. It's not easy to turn that off and avoid reacting.


Freedom of speech has different approaches in different cultures and nations. Russian approach isn't the American approach. But neither is the UK approach. Imho we have a more commonsense approach where in many cases you don't have the freedom to speak abuse. It's not considered acceptable to allow abuse then confront it with arguments. It's confronted by addressing the perpetrator. Then there's the forum culture. Freedom of speech is less important than a friendly place to discuss matters of interest to forum members. Culture is partly dictated by members of the culture but also by the owners or polices of the culture. As with any culture you really need to fit in with it for it to work for you.

That last point is often the reason why I take spells away from here.

[661-Pete]

Freedom of speech has different approaches in different cultures and nations. Russian approach isn't the American approach.

Reminds me of the old joke from the Soviet era. "In Russia we have freedom of speech; in Britain you have freedom after speech..."

Well ... almost...

[Mick F]

Freedom of speech has different approaches in different cultures and nations. Russian approach isn't the American approach.

Reminds me of the old joke from the Soviet era. "In Russia we have freedom of speech; in Britain you have freedom after speech..."

Very good indeed. Both points!

We can say anything we want to on this forum, but a line is drawn regarding insults, swearing and threats. Keep it clean and arguments are fine.

Also, this is a coming together of like-minded folk who cycle. Obviously, most of the stuff on here is about all things bike, but Tea Shop is just that, a cafe we can meet up in over a cuppa and a cake, and chat about anything or just listen. The cafe owner reserves the right to eject people who are trouble-makers.

[mjr]

You're ALL moderators.
Use the Alert function if you feel something is wrong or insulting or defamatory or or objectionable or whatever.
The Mods will see your alert and take action.

There lies the problem
Too many easily "offended" or "outraged" and eager to press the report button.

That's not what the report button is for. It's for stuff that breaks the rules posted on the forum, such as the off-topic posts just abusing someone who dared to disagree with the abuser.

I think the reports could be improved if the drop-down choices matched the reasons in the rules more, rather than 80% of reports being "other" and pasting into the box.

Here's a thought......if you don't like something you read on these pages then click the back button and don't revisit that thread?You know a bit like changing the channel on TV

Oh yes, the failed "don't ban the trolls" rhetoric which makes facebook such an enjoyable website and has killed so many smaller forums.

So much for freedom of speech
I've said it before and I'll say it again......the Mods on here are far too trigger happy/power mad

And I've said the opposite. Too much nasty stuff left on this site, but at least it doesn't ban feedback discussions like this, unlike some.

[Vorpal]

Freedom of speech does not mean freedom from moderation.

[NATURAL ANKLING]

Hi,
We don't know who all the moderators are who make decisions et cetera et cetera.
We know there is a committee of type.
From what I've seen Vorpol Mick Graham, Are levelheaded well mannered people.
I'm quite happy to be moderated by them.

I always say that imagine what it will be like on a desert island marooned with some of the people that you work with.

Apart from the individual who I guess has been kicked out, most of the ones I regard as sailing close to the wind have been more subdued of late.
Or maybe I'm just imagining it

[Tangled Metal]

Also, this is a coming together of like-minded folk

I think the issue with political discussions is that this isn't true. We're not like minded folk. Or not all like minded.

All fora I've been on for various activities and special interests like cycling that have political discussion areas tend to have a bit of bias to one side of the spectrum politically. Unless there's forceful characters on both sides capable of a good and friendly debate this bias is at risk of coming out unfriendly to what is in effect the losing side. Eventually it becomes more obviously biased and an uncomfortable place for anyone with opposing views.

It's not enough to moderate insults and offence. Imho excessive bias in threads need moderating or at least thread locking. The moment you drive people away it's too late.

[mattheus]

Are there any cycling sites with a right-leaning tendency, politically?? I won't rule it out, but I would be surprised ...

[mjr]

Hi,
We don't know who all the moderators are who make decisions et cetera et cetera.

Click "The Team" in the footer of any page.

[mjr]

Are there any cycling sites with a right-leaning tendency, politically?? I won't rule it out, but I would be surprised ...

Besides this one, you mean? They might not be running the show alone but there are more right-leaning members on here than most cycling sites. Few would dare admit voting for the bike-banning 2010 UKIP on other forums!

The Conservative Cycling Group used to have a website but it seems to have gone offline. I think the group still exists. It may have pages buried in the main party websites.

Cycling has strong self-reliance and independence aspects, being less reliant on public subsidy or foreign oil than other modes of transport, which I think appeals more to conservatives than what attracts green, socialist or democrat support.

[Tangled Metal]

Are there any cycling sites with a right-leaning tendency, politically?? I won't rule it out, but I would be surprised ...

Actually bikeradar has strong characters across the spectrum but seems to have more right wingers debating topics than most. Cyclechat when I last looked seemed to have a mix but some very right wingers being vocal at one point. I've not checked in for some time now. I came across as kind of a leftie on there. Tbh I think this site is really the only one that comes across as strongly left leaning that I've visited. Most are more balanced. Just my opinion ymmv.