Suggestion: Time For an Adults Only Section in Off Topic?
I sent a msg to RPM (peace be upon him) asking about the idea of finally adding an adults only section to offtopic, requiring one extra 'agreement' page, where the reader has to click an agreement that they may be confronted with adult or explicit material.
As this Forum is getting big, the idea that one can maintain a 'nice' non offensive overall content, without chilling or stifling debate, isnt really possible. Many of the bigger forums, on whatever topics, have a 'no holds barred' section, to help members let off steam.
This doesnt mean any change in the current site censoring software - just that there's a section with an agreement page ahead of it, where anyone can let rip on potentially offensive subjects, and removing the current situation where the more sensitive members get offended 'unexpectedly' and thus run to Mods to complain.
Currently there's a wide range of topics, idea's, and concepts which - whenever they're discussed - the more sensitive forumites (perhaps justifiably) leap into action to complain about.
If there's a section where - in order to even access the area - an agreement link has to be clicked, warning the reader that this area may contain offensive material, this removes the ongoing dulling down of the forum - which is what happens when 5000+ members are required to ensure that they say nothing which might be offensive to the average 13 year old child.
This isn't possible, in reality. And to continually keep this Forum at the safe sensitive level that would not offend a 'sensitive' forumite - is actually contributing towards a stifling of healthy debate, at times. As well as it begs the simple pointing out that - why SHOULD any of us have to censor, stifle, or restrain ourselves - in order to cater to the whims, predjudices and fancies of the more sensitive Forumites?
That's not freedom of speech - its 'rule by the lowest common denominator'.
This is not a call for obscenity - its a call for a demarcated area, where concepts, idea's and statements that might offend, are allowed - and the sensitive among us must - in the interests of free speech and democratic thought on the Forum overall, acknowledge that they need to simply keep away from that area - on the offchance that they read something which upsets them.
An area, where nobody can 'accidentally' read something they might be offended by. Thus everyone, depending on their mood - has a place to rant forth about whatever's bugging them, using whatever language they like.
I think a new section is required, and would be very healthy for the Forum.
What say the Forumites? If this seems sensible, and easily achievable, then contact RPM and ask for it.
If we Forumites don't ask for it, we won't get it.
PS
Given that this all came from a harmless post I'd made, and a message from a Mod, requesting that I censor it. I then placed their message asking for censorship on forum - and received a further huffy and grumpy moan from the Mod in question, suggesting that I shouldnt have posted their REQUEST FOR CENSORSHIP on forum - its clear that something is needed to stop the secrecy and potential for abuse that the current situation is providing.
Think about it - a Mod messages someone to censor a post, and demands secrecy for this censorship request. How's that contribute towards honest, open debate? It doesn't.
Originally Posted by LoneGunman
I Think You Hit The Nail On The Head
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