Controversial Issues & the Debate of same

[KatzNK9]

Do you think it would be a good idea to have a separate board for these types of issues?

Some of the same issues of controversial nature keep cropping up (some pun intended) & get debated from the start all over again (and again & again & again & again & ... OK, I'll quit).

If there was one spot for all of these things that seem to trigger everybody's emotions we'd quit having new threads created just to re-do what has already been done & people could find all the applicable debate much easier & add their thoughts all in one spot.

Others who have no interest in such things could avoid those sections a little more easily too.:rolleyes:

Just a thought.

[Ceph]

the only thing were I might see were this could go wrong is it might make people get a little too hotunder the collar...I saw this in my last forum and people would get emotional over what they believed in and it created alot of tension....if we could keep it civil though, it would be a great idea. :D

[Taeric]

That's an interesting thought, but I see two potential problems with it.

1) People may use that as an excuse to flame. While I am 100% for rational debate on any topic, we will not stand for people being rude, flaming, or similar. Knowing that the topic is in a controversial topic/debate forum, some people may feel that it gives them free reign.

2) Having multiple locations for information can be confusing. For example, a healthcare issue would best be posted in the healthcare forum because that is where people would logically go to look for such info. If we pull it into another forum due to heated debate, someone browsing the site may not be able to easily find it.

Repetitive threads on the same subject aren't often very productive. Instead of creating a new thread to revive a debate, it's often best to start things up again in an old thread.

[GSDNewbie]

It would never work IMO I find myself at controversy in mybeliefs many times and people who have the other thought from someone else just cannot accept that someone does not believe in what they are doing no matter how nice it is stated they will see it as against them and where there is defensive feelings there will be conflict no matter what kind of rules or moderating it will get ugly especially when different sides feel more is allowable to be said than the other and so forth and so on........ I have never seen any passionate dog topic of great controversy discussed without offense.

I find myself erasing so many posts and biting my tongue soooo much in forums because my degree of feelings towards the protection of dogs and breeds is so very strong and I am trying my best not to give in to temptation on a regular basis to say something.

[vagreys]

There are going to be subjects that get brought up, repeatedly. It can't be avoided, entirely. New people arrive. New twists on an old theme occur. But we have them in every subject area from training to food to grooming to healthcare to rescue.

This may just be a fact of life in the DogForum.

A members-only forum where people can talk about more controversial subjects might be a good idea, but I agree with Taeric that deciding where a subject goes could prove difficult. There is already confusion between the "Dog General Discussion" and "General Dog Breed Discussion" for example. When should a subject be posted in the debate/soap box area?

[Doberman's]

We strive to keep our discussion polite and nice. As Taeric has already stated we do not tolerate rudeness,harassment, flaming or similar. When such things happen they are addressed quickly and without bias, everyone is treated fairly.

We are not like other dog boards we are the best ! :):):)

[skunkstripe]

I have seen a couple of variations of this.
One is where you cannot access a certain subforum until you have so-and-so many posts and/or have been a member "long enough". The other is where there is a 'pit' set up where anything goes.

I agree with Taeric's first point which is that once you do that, people feel like they do not need to be as careful on those sub-forums. After having seen enough flame wars on other forums (yes, and getting dragged into them myself) I prefer a forum where the whole place is "clean".

The policy here towards rudeness, personal attacks and flaming is zero tolerance. If someone gets all heated up in a controversial debate and posts something that is rude or personal, that is excusable and we will delete it without making a big deal out if it. But if someone is consistently rude or belligerent, or harassing members they get a warning to stop. If they do not heed it they get the boot and that is that.
So, sorry Katz, I have thought about it but come to the conclusion it would be counter-productive.

[borzoimom]

If I may venture an opinion- I come to this site to talk about dogs- to share with people, and its a much needed break from the outside world. Subjects that are off that topic get into politics, health care etc- all it does is upset everyone.
People that have pets are asthetic people. I would rather not see topics outside of this on this forum. We are all here for the common denominator- our love and passion for dogs or other pets. ( off the soap box now...steps down..)

[MixedBreed]

I think this forum community does a wonderful job of keeping it civil. I belong to other forums where things that are not a matter of life & death for *anybody* (like video games!) get ridiculously overblown, personal, and vicious. I like to come here to take a break from the vitriol that spews out over the rest of the internet.

Many subjects pertaining to dogs are obviously emotional subjects for many people. I think giving them an 'arena' where they can duke it out would be counter-productive to this lovely environment, and detrimental to the participants in the long run. As it stands now, the expectation that you check your ego & temper at the door seems to be working wonders.

[Taeric]

If I may venture an opinion- I come to this site to talk about dogs- to share with people, and its a much needed break from the outside world. Subjects that are off that topic get into politics, health care etc- all it does is upset everyone.
People that have pets are asthetic people. I would rather not see topics outside of this on this forum. We are all here for the common denominator- our love and passion for dogs or other pets. ( off the soap box now...steps down..)
We have no plans to do away with the off topic section. That provides a place for members to get to know each other and have fun, posting jokes and other random things that do not fall under the main topics of the site - kind of the "all work and no play..." philosophy. While the main focus of the site will always be the core forums, the off topic area helps to build and strengthen the community. Such highly controversial subjects as religion and politics are expressly prohibited by the TOS, and we keep a close eye on other topics to ensure that things stay friendly.

[Jake2006]

I'm a moderator for our linguistics group and .psych. group. I find the only way that I can moderate fairly is to keep my opinions on controversial issues to myself and be totally unbiased. It is hard when moderators have strong opinions and the group know of those strong opinions, unfortunately so often it is like kicking against the pricks!

There are issues that I cannot be totally unbiased on and in that instance I withdraw and leave it to others.

Just my opinion.

[borzoimom]

We have no plans to do away with the off topic section. That provides a place for members to get to know each other and have fun, posting jokes and other random things that do not fall under the main topics of the site - kind of the "all work and no play..." philosophy. While the main focus of the site will always be the core forums, the off topic area helps to build and strengthen the community. Such highly controversial subjects as religion and politics are expressly prohibited by the TOS, and we keep a close eye on other topics to ensure that things stay friendly.
Ohhhhhhhhh I see.. :D

[KatzNK9]

:) I happen to agree this is the best forum on the net as far as polite debate ... and think it is due to 50% on polite/friendly members & 50% great moderation.

I don't think there's any way to keep some discussions completely "emotion free" and that's OK with me too as long as people are respectful of others & allow for differences of opinion without getting personal. Again, I have no problems with the way the boards are moderated ... I think that job is being done to perfection.

I wasn't suggesting there was a problem. In fact, I usually enjoy a good debate. I was just offering a suggestion that I thought might help slow the number of repetitive debates covering issues addressed at earlier times. I can see the down side of the idea as well.

Thanks for your comments.:cheers:

[Doberman's]

Thanks Katz. :)

[Pauline46]

I am part of another forum where I am a moderator. What the moderators do is to take the discussion already discussed and combine the threads. We bring to the posters attention that this subject has already been discussed and they may find it helpful to read this thread.

Sometimes the person is satisfied and it goes no further. If there is a discussion that is uncomfortable, it's best that you don't participate. IMO

[lassie]

I'm a moderator for our linguistics group and .psych. group. I find the only way that I can moderate fairly is to keep my opinions on controversial issues to myself and be totally unbiased. It is hard when moderators have strong opinions and the group know of those strong opinions, unfortunately so often it is like kicking against the pricks!

There are issues that I cannot be totally unbiased on and in that instance I withdraw and leave it to others.

Just my opinion.



Well said Carole, must be very hard for you but i know you're a pro:cheers: