A personal word about message boards and me

[Big Lin]

I've been involved with message boards for a long time now. I remember joining my very first one some years ago which is where I met Anna and Iamjumbo. Through it I got the bug and joined a lot of others. At one stage I belonged to over 130 forums and it did become a slight obsession.

Most of them have long since passed away for a variety of reasons. One of my favourites was ssbotaged by an enemy who had inside help from three other staff members. Another one closed because the owner fell in love and got married!

What I noticed though as a continuing pattern that remains true to this day is that most of the ones that were more than just social clubs but actually debated serious issues either had a wide range of diversity of opinions among their members or else were dominated by particular points of view to such an extent that they became cults.

One board I used to belong to where I met a lot of people who are now either members here (but sadly none of them posting any more) or on other boards that are still active became so dominated by the far right that in the end the owner first stopped posting on it himself and finally closed it down in despair.

It became a hatefest where those who didn't fit in where bullied and abused and where particular groups of people were routinely demonized and even lied about.

I'm not surprised that the board owner - who actually e-mailed me to explain how disgusted he felt about the ocnduct of most of his members - finally gave up and closed it down.

Now for all kinds of reasons people leave or fall silent - Sadie I know had family and health issues, Hunny I don't know. But I accept that these things happen.

But what happened to the former board owner who closed down his own forum because he was so disgusted at the way it was turning into a hate-fest against Muslims, Jews, Scots, blacks, gays and just about anyone else is something that saddened me greatly.

I resolved from the moment I started my own forum that I WANTED diversity of opinion. I went out of my way to persuade liberals, conservatives, socialists, capitalists, atheists and religious believers to join.

For a long time I was successful in holding that balance of diversity of opinion.

Lately that doesn't seem to be the case.

Almost every poster lately with the exception of one or two people seems to be engaged in a long diatribe against Islam, against 'multiculturalism' and so on.

No matter how many times I rebut there often FACTUALLY WRONG statements it makes no difference. They continue to repeat their untrue assertions.

This board is in serious danger of turning into a carbon copy of the defunct board to which I once belonged.

I am not going to allow that to happen.

I don't know how I can increase diversity of membership.

I've tried for instance inviting Muslims and they've been so appalled at the Islamophobia they see that they've refused.

I've tried to recruit blacks but they've been so appalled at the frequent racism they've seen they've refused.

I did manage to persuade ONE Roma to join but he too was appalled at the racism and fell silent.

And so on and so on.

Now I don't want this board to become as intolerant and dogmatic as two left-wing forums I belong to where everyone to the right of Trotsky is considered a fascist.

Nor do I want it to become as intolerant and dogmatic as two right-wing forums I belong to where everyone to the left of Genghis Khan is considered a Communist.

I want this to be a diverse place reflecting a wide variety of opinions on a range of subjects.

That's just not happening.

Now I'm all for free speech; I even allowed two holocaust deniers to post on this forum.

But unless I see a little less obsession with monomaniacal single-issues and a more varied diversity of opinion I may well have to consider whether or not to follow the example of James and close down my forum because the way it's going lately is in a way that I find deeply disgusting and immoral.

[Deleted]

TOTALLY understood! Hugs!

[Deleted]

Yes, I'm glad you made that post Lin.

btw, I have been thinking about Mike, and am hoping he is doing okay. Have been missing him. Please do let him know....

[Deleted]

You know my views already Lin , but I have seen Anna do this on other forums, give her an inch and she will post non stop racist crap on any forum that will let her!

I really hope Mike is doing better

[♫anna♫]

Jun 11, 2016 17:36:57 GMT Gibby said:

You know my views already Lin , but I have seen Anna do this on other forums, give her an inch and she will post non stop racist crap on any forum that will let her!

I really hope Mike is doing better

Correction! I post non politically correct content especially when Western civilisation is being vilified and attacked by political correctness sycophants and the we are entitled lobbyists.

[DAS (formerly BushAdmirer)]

Jun 9, 2016 21:49:16 GMT Big Lin said:

I've been involved with message boards for a long time now. I remember joining my very first one some years ago which is where I met Anna and Iamjumbo. Through it I got the bug and joined a lot of others. At one stage I belonged to over 130 forums and it did become a slight obsession.

Most of them have long since passed away for a variety of reasons. One of my favourites was ssbotaged by an enemy who had inside help from three other staff members. Another one closed because the owner fell in love and got married!

What I noticed though as a continuing pattern that remains true to this day is that most of the ones that were more than just social clubs but actually debated serious issues either had a wide range of diversity of opinions among their members or else were dominated by particular points of view to such an extent that they became cults.

One board I used to belong to where I met a lot of people who are now either members here (but sadly none of them posting any more) or on other boards that are still active became so dominated by the far right that in the end the owner first stopped posting on it himself and finally closed it down in despair.

It became a hatefest where those who didn't fit in where bullied and abused and where particular groups of people were routinely demonized and even lied about.

I'm not surprised that the board owner - who actually e-mailed me to explain how disgusted he felt about the ocnduct of most of his members - finally gave up and closed it down.

Now for all kinds of reasons people leave or fall silent - Sadie I know had family and health issues, Hunny I don't know. But I accept that these things happen.

But what happened to the former board owner who closed down his own forum because he was so disgusted at the way it was turning into a hate-fest against Muslims, Jews, Scots, blacks, gays and just about anyone else is something that saddened me greatly.

I resolved from the moment I started my own forum that I WANTED diversity of opinion. I went out of my way to persuade liberals, conservatives, socialists, capitalists, atheists and religious believers to join.

For a long time I was successful in holding that balance of diversity of opinion.

Lately that doesn't seem to be the case.

Almost every poster lately with the exception of one or two people seems to be engaged in a long diatribe against Islam, against 'multiculturalism' and so on.

No matter how many times I rebut there often FACTUALLY WRONG statements it makes no difference. They continue to repeat their untrue assertions.

This board is in serious danger of turning into a carbon copy of the defunct board to which I once belonged.

I am not going to allow that to happen.

I don't know how I can increase diversity of membership.

I've tried for instance inviting Muslims and they've been so appalled at the Islamophobia they see that they've refused.

I've tried to recruit blacks but they've been so appalled at the frequent racism they've seen they've refused.

I did manage to persuade ONE Roma to join but he too was appalled at the racism and fell silent.

And so on and so on.

Now I don't want this board to become as intolerant and dogmatic as two left-wing forums I belong to where everyone to the right of Trotsky is considered a fascist.

Nor do I want it to become as intolerant and dogmatic as two right-wing forums I belong to where everyone to the left of Genghis Khan is considered a Communist.

I want this to be a diverse place reflecting a wide variety of opinions on a range of subjects.

That's just not happening.

Now I'm all for free speech; I even allowed two holocaust deniers to post on this forum.

But unless I see a little less obsession with monomaniacal single-issues and a more varied diversity of opinion I may well have to consider whether or not to follow the example of James and close down my forum because the way it's going lately is in a way that I find deeply disgusting and immoral.

I think you're headed down the wrong path here Lin.

I've been following this board for a long time and have stuck with it even during lull periods were there weren't many posts and just a few boring ones.

Right now, this board is the best it has ever been. There are so many posts it is a chore to keep up with them. The posters are passionate and are making very good arguments.

If you own one of these boards, and you want it to be successful, you should seek controversy because controversy is the lifeblood of any discussion board. You want people to debate, argue, r if tant, and really get into it. Controversy begets participation and participation begets postings, which leads to more participation, etc. Participants have many options. Some belong to other boards. Some even own their own boards. They have lots of options? Why come here if they're going to encounter thought policing? If they're not allowed to say what they really believe and can only post what the board owner considers to be politically correct?

That's why your vendetta is a really bad idea. I've already had a private message from one of the best posters here saying adios and goodbye just because of your post above. That was enough to drive away this person. Just the thought of censorship is abhorrent to many of us here.

That's my two cents.

[blc]

Jun 13, 2016 17:12:01 GMT DAS (formerly BushAdmirer) said:

Jun 9, 2016 21:49:16 GMT Big Lin said:

I've been involved with message boards for a long time now. I remember joining my very first one some years ago which is where I met Anna and Iamjumbo. Through it I got the bug and joined a lot of others. At one stage I belonged to over 130 forums and it did become a slight obsession.

Most of them have long since passed away for a variety of reasons. One of my favourites was ssbotaged by an enemy who had inside help from three other staff members. Another one closed because the owner fell in love and got married!

What I noticed though as a continuing pattern that remains true to this day is that most of the ones that were more than just social clubs but actually debated serious issues either had a wide range of diversity of opinions among their members or else were dominated by particular points of view to such an extent that they became cults.

One board I used to belong to where I met a lot of people who are now either members here (but sadly none of them posting any more) or on other boards that are still active became so dominated by the far right that in the end the owner first stopped posting on it himself and finally closed it down in despair.

It became a hatefest where those who didn't fit in where bullied and abused and where particular groups of people were routinely demonized and even lied about.

I'm not surprised that the board owner - who actually e-mailed me to explain how disgusted he felt about the ocnduct of most of his members - finally gave up and closed it down.

Now for all kinds of reasons people leave or fall silent - Sadie I know had family and health issues, Hunny I don't know. But I accept that these things happen.

But what happened to the former board owner who closed down his own forum because he was so disgusted at the way it was turning into a hate-fest against Muslims, Jews, Scots, blacks, gays and just about anyone else is something that saddened me greatly.

I resolved from the moment I started my own forum that I WANTED diversity of opinion. I went out of my way to persuade liberals, conservatives, socialists, capitalists, atheists and religious believers to join.

For a long time I was successful in holding that balance of diversity of opinion.

Lately that doesn't seem to be the case.

Almost every poster lately with the exception of one or two people seems to be engaged in a long diatribe against Islam, against 'multiculturalism' and so on.

No matter how many times I rebut there often FACTUALLY WRONG statements it makes no difference. They continue to repeat their untrue assertions.

This board is in serious danger of turning into a carbon copy of the defunct board to which I once belonged.

I am not going to allow that to happen.

I don't know how I can increase diversity of membership.

I've tried for instance inviting Muslims and they've been so appalled at the Islamophobia they see that they've refused.

I've tried to recruit blacks but they've been so appalled at the frequent racism they've seen they've refused.

I did manage to persuade ONE Roma to join but he too was appalled at the racism and fell silent.

And so on and so on.

Now I don't want this board to become as intolerant and dogmatic as two left-wing forums I belong to where everyone to the right of Trotsky is considered a fascist.

Nor do I want it to become as intolerant and dogmatic as two right-wing forums I belong to where everyone to the left of Genghis Khan is considered a Communist.

I want this to be a diverse place reflecting a wide variety of opinions on a range of subjects.

That's just not happening.

Now I'm all for free speech; I even allowed two holocaust deniers to post on this forum.

But unless I see a little less obsession with monomaniacal single-issues and a more varied diversity of opinion I may well have to consider whether or not to follow the example of James and close down my forum because the way it's going lately is in a way that I find deeply disgusting and immoral.

I think you're headed down the wrong path here Lin.

I've been following this board for a long time and have stuck with it even during lull periods were there weren't many posts and just a few boring ones.

Right now, this board is the best it has ever been. There are so many posts it is a chore to keep up with them. The posters are passionate and are making very good arguments.

If you own one of these boards, and you want it to be successful, you should seek controversy because controversy is the lifeblood of any discussion board. You want people to debate, argue, r if tant, and really get into it. Controversy begets participation and participation begets postings, which leads to more participation, etc. Participants have many options. Some belong to other boards. Some even own their own boards. They have lots of options? Why come here if they're going to encounter thought policing? If they're not allowed to say what they really believe and can only post what the board owner considers to be politically correct?

That's why your vendetta is a really bad idea. I've already had a private message from one of the best posters here saying adios and goodbye just because of your post above. That was enough to drive away this person. Just the thought of censorship is abhorrent to many of us here.

That's my two cents.

I feel the same way. Censorship nearly killed the site I have. The previous owner wanted all views expressed and yep its hard to run a site that allows for free speech because sometimes we don't agree with one another. The owner got too busy with moving, a new job and life in general and decided to sell his forum. I bought it, but it came with a lot of issues and animosity. This group was going to leave if things didn't go their way. The other group said the same. It came down to having to really police it hard and heavy for personal attacks, not for the opinions expressed.

We had a lot of back and forth and a lot of complaining. We tried it their way, but I am here to tell you as soon as you remove the controversial stuff people left. People have strong opinions on controversial topics, its just the nature of the beast and people are going to post based on their experiences and their readings and research.

Be prepared to back up your statements. If you can't, you might be in the wrong place.

I dated a muslim for several months many years ago. Being told after sex that you had to leave the bed or mattress and sleep on the floor with no blanket or pillow, it didn't take me too long to realize that a faith that denigrates women like that is not a good relationship for me. I wasn't allowed to talk to other guys or they to me. Fortunately I was raised to think for myself and I ended that relationship. Years later he contacted a mutual friend and called me and wanted to come over but I declined. Seems he needed a green card. Oh well.....

I have a muslim poster at my site. He doesn't bother anyone and has always been polite in engaging discussions with others. He posts in Health. I have no idea why, but my experience with another muslim poster, under the previous owner was that for whatever reason they tend to stay in one area. I don't know if they are unfamiliar with the forums so I leave his posts there so he can find them easy. He's pleasant and I let him do his own thing. I have had a couple of people pm me about his presence but he isn't bothering anyone so I try and engage him now and then. I even asked him about free will and he said yes they believe in free will.

People need to self police. If you don't like certain topics, seek a different one.

Calling someone racist is a personal attack and an attempt at stifling discourse. As soon as someone starts name calling and enters into personal attacks you know they have lost the argument.

There isn't anything wrong with Vendetta per se, because the discussion can carry on there. But to try and dictate which topics are ok and which aren't will discourage people, same with labeling people as racists and personally attacking them that way.

Intelligent people don't want to play A-Z word games and discuss what they last ate.

[♫anna♫]

No one can claim that any Muslims have been personally mistreated here. Muslims enjoy the right to criticise Christianity and debates as a rule remain civil here.

A Muslim can freely criticise everything from the crusades to Bible quotes.

Why then does political correctness suddenly become rabid with insults and labels if someone quotes the Quran and Islamic history is presented?

[aaronb]

I understand what you mean big lin. Forums can be a very complex thing. I drop in from time to time, and will continue to do so. Like I say, lately I have become obsessed with ebay, but I do enjoy throwing my opinions out here.

[aaronb]

I find that muslim people are beautiful people. I wouldnt let a few rotten apples ruin the whole barrel. I try love all people regardless of color or religion or anything else. Thats why I love Dr. Martin luther King jr so much. He was about love. I watched a documentary recently about Dr.king, and it was fascinating. The way he carried himself. He didnt let anything or anybody ruin his happiness.

[Scottish Lassie]

Jun 11, 2016 2:08:37 GMT @Deleted said:

Yes, I'm glad you made that post Lin.

btw, I have been thinking about Mike, and am hoping he is doing okay. Have been missing him. Please do let him know....

me too

[Scottish Lassie]

It is imperative that we follow the rules at all times.

[Scottish Lassie]

Hi BigLin, I am unable to post on the latest topics, as I am only being shown the year 2016.Navigation no longer works for me.

[Scottish Lassie]

Mar 15, 2019 15:52:21 GMT aaronb said:

I find that muslim people are beautiful people. I wouldnt let a few rotten apples ruin the whole barrel. I try love all people regardless of color or religion or anything else. Thats why I love Dr. Martin luther King jr so much. He was about love. I watched a documentary recently about Dr.king, and it was fascinating. The way he carried himself. He didnt let anything or anybody ruin his happiness.

wasn't he shot whilst giving a talk from his balcony?