DISCUSSION: Forum Consolidation

[SOLDIER #819]

Martin: If this were 1 year ago (or the year before that), I'd be willing to agree...but it's not going to happen. We've talked about adding a large variety of threads and, like with almost every other initiative TFF has had, it was forgotten. We're just going in circles: offering the same solutions and never really changing anything because it's more comfortable not to.

You can't force "niceness"--as you said, people there are already pretty nice. It's just volatile subject matter + the regulars of ID knowing each other pretty well = a pretty harsh environment. They may not be best friends, but they're comfortable enough to debate the way they do. Nothing wrong with that.

They can debate like that anywhere, though. Sasquatch and Order aren't going to stop mass-quoting just because it's GC. But people outside that circle have and will continue to not post in ID topics when they feel intimidated, because they're "not smart enough for ID" or because "ID is too abrasive". Take ID out of the equation completely and that stigma will have to disappear to some extent.

TFF isn't a country and this isn't voting congress. We can always just change it back if it doesn't work out... haha. Yet people aren't really willing to test new things out. I'm just ranting, but crap, it's ridiculous how little we experiment around here.

[Martin]

Martin: If this were 1 year ago (or the year before that), I'd be willing to agree...but it's not going to happen. We've talked about adding a large variety of threads and, like with almost every other initiative TFF has had, it was forgotten. We're just going in circles, offering the same solutions, and never really changing anything because it's comfortable.

You can't force "niceness"--as you said, people there are already pretty nice. It's just volatile subject matter + the regulars of ID knowing each other pretty well = a pretty harsh environment. They may not be best friends, but they're comfortable enough to debate the way they do. Nothing wrong with that.

They can debate like that anywhere, though. Sasquatch and Order aren't going to stop mass-quoting just because it's GC. But people outside that circle have and will continue to not post in ID topics when they feel intimidated, because they're "not smart enough for ID" or because "ID is too abrasive". Take ID out of the equation completely and that stigma will have to disappear to some extent.

I just don't want it to become a place where people aren't free to give their own opinions. It shouldn't have to be a sheltered away part of the forums, simply there for the amusement and frustration of a few members. Perhaps a name change will help. Only time will tell with that. But I'll always post in there because it engages me, challenges me to think and it's a good way to unwind. I like the disagreements. I like the arguments. I like that I learn from there. Perhaps the cloud of intellectual superiority will disappear once these changes are put in place. I sincerely hope so.