New Experimental Forum on Spearboard

[SpearMax]

I have decided to set up a new experimental forum on Spearboard. There has been some very good recent debate on the merits and problems of having a special place for threads that are primarily on political or religious subjects. I would like to try this idea out and see how it works. We can always merge back the threads and delete the new forum if it does not work.

Basically, the way it would work is if the subject is political or religious in your opinion, please start the thread in this forum. There would be no changes to the way new posts show up on the new posts section at the top of the board. I will move some active threads from the recent past here now to kick this off and see what happens. I personally have no issues with political or religious debate and like to see it happen, but I know some members would like to see it in a separate forum. We may decide this does not really change anything or matter, but I am willing to try it out. Please bear with this experiment.

[ObieWan2bWet]

Tony I think it is an awsome idea. If we have had a few, feel spunky and want to get our blood up lookin' for a fight for right... we can hit it entirely in seclusion... I like the fact that now this way 'Off Topic' can be the happy place for happy drunks without wading through the unsolvable viscous circle of... well politics and religion... :D :thumps:

[Bill McIntyre]

If this change will help people avoid religion and politics, I sure have no objection. But I bet the same people who couldn't resist clicking on a thread with an obvious religious or political title in Off Topic won't be able to resist sneaking a peek here either.

But that is up to them. I'm curious. A lot of people don't use the New Posts button to enter Spearboard, so they might never see this notice or this forum.

When the inevitable happens and someone mentions politics or religion in the Off Topic Forum, what happens? Will the thread be deleted by a moderator, moved to this forum, or what?

[richhermes]

When the inevitable happens and someone mentions politics or religion in the Off Topic Forum, what happens? Will the thread be deleted by a moderator, moved to this forum, or what?

I'm guessing if the main purpose of the thread is religion/politics it should be posted in that forum. Just like anything else, if it's in the wrong place it will be moved.

We have never deleted a thread because it was posted in the wrong forum.

[WreckDiver]

And for those of us that like to see new post but dont want to see the new political thread because we are weak and have to look and open our mouths. USE THIS

http://www.spearboard.com/forum/search.php?do=getdaily&exclude=120 right click and select COPY SHORTCUT.

works good to remove the California section too just add ,8 to the end of it. works best to set it as your home page.

Viola no more political thread.

[SpearMax]

If this change will help people avoid religion and politics, I sure have no objection. But I bet the same people who couldn't resist clicking on a thread with an obvious religious or political title in Off Topic won't be able to resist sneaking a peek here either.

But that is up to them. I'm curious. A lot of people don't use the New Posts button to enter Spearboard, so they might never see this notice or this forum.

When the inevitable happens and someone mentions politics or religion in the Off Topic Forum, what happens? Will the thread be deleted by a moderator, moved to this forum, or what?

Bill, I think you are right. There will probably be as much traffic in the Politics/Religion forum as before because it is kind of like driving by a car crash. Humans always want to look.

I am not sure how the entry approach breakdown really is. The more seasoned users probably use new posts more than specific forums. I use both approaches, but new posts much more often.

Concerning moving threads, as Rich says it will be a judgement call as always. If a thread is about pineapples used in a fish recipe and a bunch of people start pontificating on the spiritual powers of pineapples, a moderator might want to move it to the new forum.

Thanks for the questions, Tony

[richhermes]

Pineapples have spiritual powers?;)

[Bill McIntyre]

Pineapples have spiritual powers?;)

No, but I've got some very spiritual mushrooms. I'll try to stick to this forum when I'm consuming them.

[richhermes]

No, but I've got some very spiritual mushrooms. I'll try to stick to this forum when I'm consuming them.

That explains a lot!:D:D

[Gradyman]

I remember those enlighted days in the fields with the mushroom gods. Took a trip and never left the farm!

Thanks Tony for the new "place to go"...I think it's a great idea.

[bgbill]

Tony,

I think this new area is a great idea :thumps: Roland has figured out a way to avoid certain sections of the Forum when using a search function, that way people wouldn't even see the new posts.

[Bill McIntyre]

It sure is working well so far.

I really like the way Gradyman put up his weekly devotional thread, saying that he wasn't trying to argue with anyone or convert anyone. I've read through it out of curiosity, and while it may not fit my beliefs, it is frankly not pointed at me, so there is no need to respond. It set up a perfect atmosphere for those with similar beliefs to communicate with each other.

Other religious threads have tried to save me, or even worse, people have injected efforts to save me into threads that were not specifically about religion, so in those cases I wanted to respond.

Hmmm?. It just occurred to me that Gradyman could have set up the same thread in the Off Topic and I could have made the same decisions about the necessity to respond, but maybe there is a certain extra distance with this new forum that makes it better.

However, I'm disappointed that Roland finds it necessary to filter out the California forum. I guess I can see how he might not like some of our politics, but its too bad that even our discussion of spearfishing is offensive.

[bgbill]

However, I'm disappointed that Roland finds it necessary to filter out the California forum. I guess I can see how he might not like some of our politics, but its too bad that even our discussion of spearfishing is offensive.

Bill,

Why should it matter if Roland or anyone else decides to filter out the California section or any other section?

It isn't like he is trying to keep anyone else from seeing the section, he chooses not to see it, isn't the "Right to choose" one of the basic democratic ideals?

I don't think he ever said the california section was offensive.

[Bill McIntyre]

Yes, it is absolutely his right to filter it out.

There are East Coast regional forums in which I sure don't read most of the posts, but I was never motivated to make sure I would never even see evidence of them in New Posts. I can choose to click or not click. I couldn't help being curious about the motivation.

But hell, I don't even know that he HAS filtered out the CA forum. I just inferred that from his post in which he showed the string to do it.

[zeN]

Just popped in to say what a great idea this thread is, freedom of thought is the basis for American idealism and no other area requires a forum where freedom of expression must be guarded, kudos:) zeN

[amoney]

Don't mind me, I am just a lurker who enjoys the great information on this board. I use to heavily participate on a few boards in the past but no longer have the time, in addition, as I am sure everyone has seen some sort of insueing argument trash many boards. This is "fact of life". I have seen boards very tolerant of off topic subjects (excluding the never allowed stuff). But one needs to be carefull that freedom of expression of a minority does not ruin the look and feel of the whole board or for that matter a topic even "off topic". Bottom line my support goes to the Admistrators, I understand their novel idea, and think its good, and at least it will be seperated out. DOes make the board look weired to see such a topic but in todays time it is understandable, its almost unavoidable. However if at any time any topic threatens to spread or influence etc. the rest of the board then by all means kill it. Freedom also includes the right NOT to have certain stuff discussed, this is truly what makes this a beautifull place. By god I wish religion was not used in our current politics.

BTW the filter string is a great idea! And as for CA, dont take it the wrong way but I live on the east coast, south Florida, although CA posts are wonderfull to read through, well, its not that relavent to me, I am a bit more interested in my local area ;-)

[tommy7]

Don't mind me, I am just a lurker who enjoys the great information on this board. I use to heavily participate on a few boards in the past but no longer have the time, in addition, as I am sure everyone has seen some sort of insueing argument trash many boards. This is "fact of life". I have seen boards very tolerant of off topic subjects (excluding the never allowed stuff). But one needs to be carefull that freedom of expression of a minority does not ruin the look and feel of the whole board or for that matter a topic even "off topic". Bottom line my support goes to the Admistrators, I understand their novel idea, and think its good, and at least it will be seperated out. DOes make the board look weired to see such a topic but in todays time it is understandable, its almost unavoidable. However if at any time any topic threatens to spread or influence etc. the rest of the board then by all means kill it. Freedom also includes the right NOT to have certain stuff discussed, this is truly what makes this a beautifull place. By god I wish religion was not used in our current politics.

BTW the filter string is a great idea! And as for CA, dont take it the wrong way but I live on the east coast, south Florida, although CA posts are wonderfull to read through, well, its not that relavent to me, I am a bit more interested in my local area ;-)

A$,
Nice post, say hi to the "powers that be, for me":rolleyes:

[Samson]

I think this is a great forum. Why, if contained in a special place, is political discussion such a taboo? Why cant people who have a love for something special,....diving,... also have a place to discuss important matters such as politics?

I applaud the forum for having such a place!!!!!!!!!

Way to go!!!!! I hope it stays forever!

[ocean_314]

This is a great idea, divers are civil people and this leads to great disscusions.