Ban Politics from the forum

[cycleruk]

I wouldn't mind so much if all this political chit chat would make a halfpence worth bit of difference to the real world. People who it could effect/influence won't be reading this forum.
As Confucius said - for a happy world don't discuss politics or religion.

[Audax67]

I don't see how there could be any objection to having a separate area: those who don't want to see politics would be spared the dread sight, those who do would be accommodated. To say you don't want politics even in a separate area strikes me as selfish.

But hey, there's always YACF, which is a lot funnier too.

[blackbike]

I don't see how there could be any objection to having a separate area: those who don't want to see politics would be spared the dread sight, those who do would be accommodated. To say you don't want politics even in a separate area strikes me as selfish.

But hey, there's always YACF, which is a lot funnier too.

It strikes me as a bit selfish to want other members to be hived off to a separate area just because some people would prefer not even to know of the existence of some threads.

If you don't like to know about what topics others choose to discuss, go elsewhere. That would solve your problem without impacting on others who choose to chat about what they find mutually interesting.

[irc]

Now I'm not so sure. Like many who voted Brexit, I suspect, I'm capable of changing my mind.

And vice versa.

https://inews.co.uk/essentials/news/uk/ ... rt-remain/

[tyreon]

Morin Sid.
Mornin Harry.

One hour passes.

Weather mightn't be too good.
Say that again.

Another hour passes...and the shop is closed.

Tick tock,time passes.

And then we die!

[mercalia]

maybe have a corner in this group pointing to a teatotallers section like they do with touring re camping?

[NUKe]

There have been people recently who seem drawn to the forum to espouse extreme political views. fortunately moderation seems to have wormed these leaches out. I think we have to remember this forum is funded by the Cycling UK to promote cycling and not as platform for extreme political views of either the left the right or for that matter the liberal middle.

Several member of this forum have completely different views to my own, as many of my friends do, and I would love to argue with you over a pint, but I sometimes think the debate gets a little overheated on here and I know I cant change any ones mind so I tend to avoid the political debates.

[661-Pete]

And vice versa.

I knew it! Like a red rag to a google....

[Flinders]

Two bad options. I'm not voting for either.
A separate section, maybe.

[meic]

and I know I cant change any ones mind

I dont agree with that.
I reckon if you are planning for a total conversion of somebody from one extreme to another then that would be optimistic. I find that I leave most of the debates better informed than when I enter them and that is in equal measure from those I am arguing against and those who are arguing alongside me.

[Psamathe]

..and I know I cant change any ones mind....

For me it's not about "changing minds" (i.e. not from being a Remain supporter to being a Leave supporter). It's more about becoming aware of different views, different reasons and different facts. I regularly find my opinions "moving" as I learn more and understand things better and that better understanding comes from discussing and reading as others draw my attention to information. People talk about "nobody ever changes their mind" but they do, but maybe not radically and maybe not quickly. I certainly hold different views now from those I held as a youngster and those changed views were largely from discussing and learning more and people pointing out additional information, different aspects, misunderstandings, etc. is a major part of that.

And this forum is unusual on the internet in that people (mostly) offer polite and mostly constructive discussion - a credit to the forum and the participants.

And even if minds or attitudes don't change, being more aware of the reasons others hold differing views makes one appreciate their stance more even if you don't agree with it.

Ian

[Psamathe]

Two bad options. I'm not voting for either.
A separate section, maybe.

Likewise. It is designed as a self proving survey because it is based on the (in my view) incorrect assumption that there is a problem. If there is a problem it's with people continually starting threads like this (and duplicate discussions in different threads - like this).

Ian

[SpannerGeek]

Two bad options. I'm not voting for either.
A separate section, maybe.

Likewise. It is designed as a self proving survey because it is based on the (in my view) incorrect assumption that there is a problem. If there is a problem it's with people continually starting threads like this (and duplicate discussions in different threads - like this).

Ian

You can choose to abstain. You have that luxury in a democracy when given a binary choice.

Unfortunately other forum members can't choose not to see extreme and bigoted views portrayed on this forum. Like the other day, when members we defending the use of the word 'Paki'. Extreme, violent and pornographic depictions are not allowed on television because they offend people .

The 'don't watch if you don't want to be offended' trope cuts no ice there either. It shouldn't do here. Many people have already said they are offended by such topics. The worst if all is that these extreme views can't even be challenged because of the abuse of the Report system and knee jerk moderation.

[AlaninWales]

Two bad options. I'm not voting for either.
A separate section, maybe.

Likewise. It is designed as a self proving survey because it is based on the (in my view) incorrect assumption that there is a problem. If there is a problem it's with people continually starting threads like this (and duplicate discussions in different threads - like this).

Ian

You can choose to abstain. You have that luxury in a democracy when given a binary choice.

Unfortunately other forum members can't choose not to see extreme and bigoted views portrayed on this forum. Like the other day, when members we defending the use of the word 'Paki'. Extreme, violent and pornographic depictions are not allowed on television because they offend people .

The 'don't watch if you don't want to be offended' trope cuts no ice there either. It shouldn't do here. Many people have already said they are offended by such topics. The worst if all is that these extreme views can't even be challenged because of the abuse of the Report system and knee jerk moderation.

I haven't seen any "Extreme, violent and pornographic depictions" on the forum (and would have reported them if I had). Have the Mods been having problems with these and are they related to people making political points? Or is that a straw-man you pulled from the haystack?

Ditto the "paki" and the blacking up discussions: Some people asked (IMO genuinely uncertain, but if not the question can easily be treated as such) why these were still offensive. They were answered (effectively - again IMO). Neither constituted 'political' discussion (so I am not sure why they get pulled into threads about banning or side-lining political discussions - apart from more straw targets perhaps). Both were educational for some.

If people are offended because some people are not aware of such issues then (a) these people are incredibly thin skinned and (b) they will never achieve universal understanding of what offends them, because they are too offended to explain!

[Psamathe]

[...
The 'don't watch if you don't want to be offended' trope cuts no ice there either. It shouldn't do here. Many people have already said they are offended by such topics. The worst if all is that these extreme views can't even be challenged because of the abuse of the Report system and knee jerk moderation.

If people make inappropriate posts/start inappropriate threads then expect them to be deleted (and I'd expect repeat offenders to be banned).

But I've not seen this "abuse of the Report system" nor the "knee jerk moderation" you keep suggesting is happening (and I'm fairly active in the current affairs discussions).

If there have been a few people needing moderation then it must be a very small minority and given the number of participants, the widely differing views and the contentious subjects discussed I think the general standard of discussion reflects very well on the forum, the participants (mostly) and the moderators.

Ian