Should political discussions be banned on AoS?

[Marco]

Indeed, and they don't suffer from the effects of inbreeding...

Marco.

[Macca]

Ban it. It's just annoying and not what I imagine the majority of people come to a hi fi forum for. The Steve Hoffman forums ban political discussion and it makes for a much nicer place to post when it's just like minded people sticking to music and hi fi.

That would make complete sense except that you get people falling out over those subjects too. I suppose if we ban politics it is one less subject to fall out over.

[Marco]

I like that idea, Andrew. We'll defo implement it!

Marco.

[Pigmy Pony]

Following the Brexit debate, I trust that, should the outcome of this vote not be popular with some members, that there will be a long and protracted debate about having a second vote?

I see what you did there

[Pigmy Pony]

I have zero interest in Brexit, or any other political issues for that matter, but I am quite passionate about censorship (in that we're grown up enough hopefully to just avoid subjects we may have a problem with. So my vote is a no.

[Len Co]

People don't like their politics questioned and will fight tooth and nail to win the argument which usually ends in tears so nothing positive comes out of them and any reasonable person would agree to a ban. Just my view of course.
Edit- also monitoring them is a job someone can well do without I imagine.

[Svend N]

Marco, my vote is a No. I have a several reasons for this, not the least being that I expect all who participate in any public forum to conduct themselves online in the same civility and respect for others that they would if they were face-to-face. In other words, not to hide behind the anonymity of their online persona and use that a license to act in an aggressive or uncivil manner. If they can't do this, then I wholeheartedly agree with your proposed ban. To use a term from hockey: put them in the penalty box for a little time out.

Furthermore, if political discussion is banned, then the trolls will have ruined it for all others, who do want to engage in a civil discussion of things other than hi-fi. This would be a great shame. I find the diversity of topics being discussed on this forum very refreshing, and makes for a thriving, interesting place to have a quick chat about all sorts of things. I don't want to join a separate forum to discuss coffee, the weather, motorcycles, or whiskey...or politics. The occasional post here and there in this place is enough. Let's not start getting too narrowly focussed.

So, that's my two-bits worth. Hope this puts a bit more perspective into this.

Best,
Svend

[Firebottle]

Great post Svend.

[Pigmy Pony]

That would make complete sense except that you get people falling out over those subjects too. I suppose if we ban politics it is one less subject to fall out over.

Some people you could put into an empty room and they'll just fall out with themselves.

[Edward]

Still need to make up my mind.

My basic instinct is not to ban stuff and let people moderate themselves with gentle prodding by other members when someone starts to get out of line. A sin bin idea also would act as a suitable deterrent.

A lifetime ago I was an active member on a different forum where people got to know, respect and care for each other deeply over many years. But then the 7/11 thing happened and all hell broke loose. Many members stopped talking to each other and many members simply stopped posting. A ban at that time would have avoided lots of the heartache. But as I say goes against my instincts. Still thinking.