Closed Threads.

[goraman]

In the last week there has been a couple of threads that have really been upsetting to some members and at least a couple of our moderators.
Something one of our moderators said after closing a thread reminded me aside from loving music and audio we all have lived very different lives in different country's and have come from different back grounds with very different experiences.

I feel it is better for me to avoid some of the more sensitive threads.
It just leads to divisiveness and no one ever really walks away from them feeling better for having posted in them.

I just thought we should each personalty reflect before posting if the thread is leading to real bantering no matter what the topic,I know I will from now forward.
I have personally been guilty of escalating the banter via not knowing when to just stop posting.
I have been the biggest offender so I'm going to self moderate.

[Ali Tait]

Nice sentiment Jeff, but it is MHO that the moderators in this place have been very heavy-handed in the past. However, recent times have shown a more professional attitude. Hopefully this will long continue. I have a great dislike for any kind of censorship. It just seems very wrong to me.

[goraman]

MHO?

[Ali Tait]

My Humble Opinion.

[John]

In the last week there has been a couple of threads that have really been upsetting to some members and at least a couple of our moderators.
Something one of our moderators said after closing a thread reminded me aside from loving music and audio we all have lived very different lives in different country's and have come from different back grounds with very different experiences.

I feel it is better for me to avoid some of the more sensitive threads.
It just leads to divisiveness and no one ever really walks away from them feeling better for having posted in them.

I just thought we should each personalty reflect before posting if the thread is leading to real bantering no matter what the topic,I know I will from now forward.
I have personally been guilty of escalating the banter via not knowing when to just stop posting.
Jeff this has really touched me I really admire your self reflection here
I guess I been one of the mods that have found this the hardest, sometimes the threads have really pushed my own buttons I am not a religious man myself but I am open to learning from all cultures and religions.
For me its been hard to strike the balance between my values and being a mod to the point where I am uncertain about my role.
I always seen your views as honest and geniune.
I am here for the talks on music and audio my thoughts on philosophy and religion I feel are more suitable for a chat in the pub where we can both chat and enjoy the banter :cool:

[Tim]

I am here for the talks on music and audio my thoughts on philosophy and religion I feel are more suitable for a chat in the pub where we can both chat and enjoy the banter :cool:
I agree 100% - comments can often be taken out of context when you don't know the person making them, or the reasons behind the comments, as each person will have their own unique history. Some things are best left alone on a forum, Royal Weddings can now be added to Politics and Religion!

[Alex_UK]

I agree 100% - comments can often be taken out of context when you don't know the person making them, or the reasons behind the comments, as each person will have their own unique history. Some things are best left alone on a forum, Royal Weddings can now be added to Politics and Religion!

And threads about celebrity musicians... :doh: I shall be very careful before starting any such thread in the future!

[Barry]

Geoff, John's post has already provided the reply that came to mind on reading your OP.

I like to think that AoS is the kind of place where any topic can be discussed openly, honestly and without rancor. If AoS were a bar or pub and where we could meet face-to-face, I'm sure this could be so. Unfortunately it is the nature of on-line fora that the conversation and debate takes place via the written word, with all the limitations that imposes. For the more sensitive topics this means one has to choose one's words carefully, avoid typing errors of spelling mistakes or even missed-out words, be careful with punctuation, and even then nuances are hard to convey; smilies which are there to try to overcome this, are not appropriate in some situations. There is also the time difference to consider and that the discussion will involve viewpoints from several members.

I think the Moderators of AoS might now be thinking of an off-the-cuff remark once made by the late Jim Callaghan (one time Prime Minister here in the UK in the late '70s): "A week is a long time in politics". We have had a 'week' of quite emotive threads - we were all in our own way reacting to and coming to terms with the unexpected news. It was probably not surprising that there was such a 'lively' and 'colourful' series of posts. When the thread seemed to be becoming embittered and running off the rails, I did wonder if the Moderators were allowing it to get out of hand, but realise they had a difficult job in allowing freedom of expression on the one hand and keeping a steady hand on the tiller. I think we, members and Moderators alike, have learnt a lot over the last week.

Finally I respect and applaude you reflection on this matter. At times it can be difficult to know when to stop. Fortunately, you are now aware of this: we have had others who did not - they are no longer members here.

Looking forward to reading future post from you Geoff on food and drink (oh and on music and audio, if that's no too contentious). :)

Regards

[Welder]

Jeff

I certainly haven’t been offended by anything you’ve written here and like others have written, while I may not agree with your views at times, I would certainly defend your right to voice them.

I would far rather I found I had to exercise greater tolerance than others moderate themselves to adapt to my sensibilities.

[Jac Hawk]

In the last week there has been a couple of threads that have really been upsetting to some members and at least a couple of our moderators.
Something one of our moderators said after closing a thread reminded me aside from loving music and audio we all have lived very different lives in different country's and have come from different back grounds with very different experiences.

I feel it is better for me to avoid some of the more sensitive threads.
It just leads to divisiveness and no one ever really walks away from them feeling better for having posted in them.

I just thought we should each personalty reflect before posting if the thread is leading to real bantering no matter what the topic,I know I will from now forward.
I have personally been guilty of escalating the banter via not knowing when to just stop posting.
I have been the biggest offender so I'm going to self moderate.

Jeff if we didn't have differences of oppinion we would have very little to talk about, i for one enjoyed the thread in question aside from the sabre rattling shall we say. At the end of the day if we all agreed all of the time, how boring would that be:eek: