jm's random thots

[justme]

first impressions on the experiment.
i was afraid that postings would drop drastically, but they don't seem to have.
and the content is dramatically different.
much less political.

[Szdfan]

first impressions on the experiment.
i was afraid that postings would drop drastically, but they don't seem to have.
and the content is dramatically different.
much less political.

Maybe we're just all on our best behavior, but things seem a bit gentler and it's as if there is space for other people who don't post as often to post

Of course it also strikes me how much smaller the group of regulars are than before.

[RZehr]

first impressions on the experiment.
i was afraid that postings would drop drastically, but they don't seem to have.
and the content is dramatically different.
much less political.

Maybe the rest of us are scared that we will be invited to a sabbatical as well.

[Sliceitup]

first impressions on the experiment.
i was afraid that postings would drop drastically, but they don't seem to have.
and the content is dramatically different.
much less political.

Maybe we're just all on our best behavior, but things seem a bit gentler and it's as if there is space for other people who don't post as often to post

Of course it also strikes me how much smaller the group of regulars are than before.

Contrary to your thoughts on everyone being on their best behavior, I am feeling much more free to say what I think. I’ve made a few posts that I wouldn’t have otherwise, because I knew who would respond and how that would go. Now I don’t worry about someone pulling apart a small part of the post and incinerating me for it.

[Szdfan]

first impressions on the experiment.
i was afraid that postings would drop drastically, but they don't seem to have.
and the content is dramatically different.
much less political.

Maybe we're just all on our best behavior, but things seem a bit gentler and it's as if there is space for other people who don't post as often to post

Of course it also strikes me how much smaller the group of regulars are than before.

Contrary to your thoughts on everyone being on their best behavior, I am feeling much more free to say what I think. I’ve made a few posts that I wouldn’t have otherwise, because I knew who would respond and how that would go. Now I don’t worry about someone pulling apart a small part of the post and incinerating me for it.

That's really great. Maybe I should say that I'm on my best behavior -- I've intentionally avoided posting about politics.

I know what you mean -- I posted about teaching because I didn't think I was going to get lectured about the evils of "government schools" and CRT and nonsense like that. I'm going to miss the gentler tone that's currently prevailing on MN. There's still discussion and disagreement, but it doesn't feel like the usual bloodsport.

[justme]

Maybe I should say that I'm on my best behavior -- I've intentionally avoided posting about politics.

that's what my unformed opinion at this point in the experiment says.
ban politics altogether.

[justme]

Maybe the rest of us are scared that we will be invited to a sabbatical as well.

you offered to go on the sabbatical as well
remember??

(altho i think you just wanted the money!)

[Szdfan]

Maybe I should say that I'm on my best behavior -- I've intentionally avoided posting about politics.

that's what my unformed opinion at this point in the experiment says.
ban politics altogether.

I thought about that. I'm not sure it's that easy. I think even if the politics forum was dropped, political topics would still get posted because that's what some people really want to talk about (while insisting simultaneously that they're not political). A ban on politics requires vigilant moderation.

[Sudsy]

Maybe I should say that I'm on my best behavior -- I've intentionally avoided posting about politics.

that's what my unformed opinion at this point in the experiment says.
ban politics altogether.

I thought about that. I'm not sure it's that easy. I think even if the politics forum was dropped, political topics would still get posted because that's what some people really want to talk about (while insisting simultaneously that they're not political). A ban on politics requires vigilant moderation.

In my observation, the current events forum is the one most often used to talk politics against the guidelines. We have a 'no politics' option that I use and when someone uses the current events forum to talk politics, we can call them on it. There should be respect for those who want to keep away from the fighting that goes on over politics. The current events forum criteria on the home page says that forum is discussion here is 'not part of politics'.

[Robert]

I know what you mean -- I posted about teaching because I didn't think I was going to get lectured about the evils of "government schools" and CRT and nonsense like that.

I am still here to call all things government evil.