Can we make MN less hostile?

[appleman2006]

But I'd really like to know why this was locked without explanation:
viewtopic.php?f=24&t=2651

I was not the one that locked it but I am guessing it was locked to continue to try and keep CAM related posts in just a few different threads so there is less chance we are talking over each other. The thread was set up with the specific intent to see what people's perceptions of CAM are at the beginning of 2020 as compared to 6 months ago. That purpose has been filled. We already have two threads dedicated to CAM issues. As I said anymore than that we are talking over each other and people are sometimes missing key things that are said and therefor misunderstanding each other. Does that make sense?

[Neto]

I haven't seen the hostility myself - maybe it is because I avoid the political stuff, and also the old worn out dead horses that had to be dug up to be beaten some more.

I don't venture over to the Political forum myself.

But I'd really like to know why this was locked without explanation:
viewtopic.php?f=24&t=2651

Was there hostility there and I didn't see it??

Of all the threads we've had on the CAM issue, this was tame in my opinion.

As for hostility, as we say in the workplace, "the truth ain't bashing."

I did look at that thread a bit, and considered how I might answer the poll. But there are things that have bothered me about CAM for years, so it was too involved to be able to answer well anyway, so I haven't followed that discussion at all since.

[steve-in-kville]

Does that make sense?

Yes, I understand.

I don't want to come off as being critical. I'm just weird about censorship.

[appleman2006]

Does that make sense?

Yes, I understand.

I don't want to come off as being critical. I'm just weird about censorship.

I understand that. I do not think this had anything to do with censorship. The thread is still there for all to read. And there are at least still two threads where one can make all the comments they want.

[steve-in-kville]

I understand that. I do not think this had anything to do with censorship. The thread is still there for all to read. And there are at least still two threads where one can make all the comments they want.

I've been participating in online forums since the 1999. I've seen a lot of moderating styles and I think the team here does a great job at it. We all can admit that the culture here on MN has taken a twist with various issues that have arisen, and I applaud the mod's for rolling right with it.

[Aurien]

But I'd really like to know why this was locked without explanation:
viewtopic.php?f=24&t=2651

Was there hostility there and I didn't see it??

Of all the threads we've had on the CAM issue, this was tame in my opinion.

As for hostility, as we say in the workplace, "the truth ain't bashing."

Ernie said when he created that thread,

Thread may be locked and/or taken down on or before February 1, depending on how well posters follow the requests in the OP.

So there was a preemptive explanation given.

[Robert]

But I'd really like to know why this was locked without explanation:
viewtopic.php?f=24&t=2651

viewtopic.php?f=24&t=2651#p78532

Thread may be locked and/or taken down on or before February 1, depending on how well posters follow the requests in the OP.

He requested it locked. I did not read the thread but saw he suggested in the OP that it would be locked so I followed his request. Feel free to open a new thread without restrictions to continue any discussion you would like.

There is a balance between respecting the theme or purpose of a thread and respecting those who post and not always fit in the theme of a thread. We moderators are often asked to move posts because the OP (original post/poster) requests it. As one who used to bunny trail worse than anyone else, I tend to be tolerant to bunny trails, while respecting the request of the OP because they started the thread for a specific reason and it can be frustrating when it is taken 40 different directions while the OP requests are ignored.

As we are mostly adults here, we should be respectful of the OP while also being tolerant of those who bunny trail. I have taught Sunday School and had a lesson and had it cooped and totally derailed. It can get frustrating, so we also need to work to be respectful of the OP since they, it has a specific purpose.

Respect and compassion for one another will make this work and all get along.

I would encourage the OP to post either in PM or in response in a thread to the bunny trailers. Often we do it and not realize we are. We can not read the mind of the OP and may not always know which direction they want. In threads I am the OP, I accept the responsibly that I will need to manage it if I want it to keep on topic. Manage it, as in constantly pull it back to the OP through reposting the OP or reminding people of the purpose as they bunny trail.

And lastly, after a few pages have been on topic, I don't worry so much about bunny trails. If it can't be said in a few pages, 10 more on topic will not help much. The forum is a relational tool. Not one to control others or other discussions.

[temporal1]

Page 20

MN (formerly MD) has had periods in its history where the hostility, disrespect, and cyncism is stronger than at other times. Now seems to be one of those times when it is stronger.

The last while, many of the comments on MN feel a lot like the comment section following a FoxNews or CNN political article.

Waking up and reading this kind of stuff on MN is not very inspiring at all.

So I will be mostly taking a break from MN for awhile.
You can let me know if this changes and I may be back.

Looking forward to your return.
i have also been dismayed to find so much of the world’s politics brought to this forum, as if it’s not over-covered “out there.” i fail to distance myself from it. my fail.

i could not limit unworthy criticism found in comments sections to Fox or CNN.
i believe it’s about the same on every news page.

i’ve been following a Reuters page principally to read viewer input, it is reliably horrible.
i’d like to think if i had a page that was a magnet for such, i’d close it down. Reuters is supposed to be a more moderate news source. It’s not.

[Bootstrap]

MN (formerly MD) has had periods in its history where the hostility, disrespect, and cyncism is stronger than at other times. Now seems to be one of those times when it is stronger.

The last while, many of the comments on MN feel a lot like the comment section following a FoxNews or CNN political article.
Waking up and reading this kind of stuff on MN is not very inspiring at all.

So I will be mostly taking a break from MN for awhile. You can let me know if this changes and I may be back.

Suppose we want to make a list of things we want to change so we can bring you back. What would be on that list? What are you looking at when you use the word "hostile"?

I have also felt a lot of hostility lately, sometimes it felt like it was directed to me. Are there things that I am doing that seem hostile? I agree that it can feel like the comment section of FoxNews or CNN, and this happens particularly in the political discussions. But I'm not sure if I am looking at the same things you are. What guidance would you give us?

[Ernie]

I haven't noticed anything from you, Boot. Having said that, I haven't been following the threads where you normally post.

IMO, the villagers in this story were very unkind.
Were they hostile? Almost.
Were they disrespectful? Yes.
Were they following biblical principles in the way that they judged situations? Definitely not.
Were they out to make somebody else look bad? Yes.

The comments that I read after a FOX or CNN article read very much like the comments of the villagers in the above story.
Many comments that I read on MN about various people, church groups, and organizations read much like the villagers and like the comments on FOX and CNN.
In these comments that I am referring to, there is not an attempt to collect all the data before drawing conclusions. There is not an attempt to be reasonable or to see the viewpoint of the other side. There is not attempt to show mercy or compassion to those who have failed. There is a desire to see "fire fall from heaven and consume anyone who has sinned".
I really wonder whether these commenters have any awareness that the yardstick they use to measure and judge others with will be the standard that God will use to judge them some day.

Guidance???
1. Be slow to speak. Especially when insinuating that someone may be guilty of something that is not known for sure. A person can raise a question and not say anything bad about the other person, but the question is worded in such a way that people starting "thinking evil" about the person being targeted, even if no research has been done as to the validity of the question or the insinuation.
2. We should consider whether we would want others to evaluate and judge us the way we evaluate and judge others. Many people would say, "Sure, if you ever see me doing this, you have a right to treat me like I am treating you." However that is not the point. The point is, "Do we want others to judge us on the issues in which we are blind to our faults and foibles, in the same manner that we judge others on the things they are perhaps blind to?"