What the forum is about

[Beef Oven!]

Leaving aside that he wasn't onto Bryn for doing anything, isn't he supposed to speak for himself rather than for anyone else?

You are weird.

[Bryn]

weird:

noun: Scottish archaic


1.
a person's destiny.

[Beef Oven!]

noun: Scottish archaic


1.
a person's destiny

So he can't help himself?

[french frank]

For the record, the complete discussion and poll results are here: http://www.for3.org/forums/showthrea...ghlight=Ethics

And since, on reading the thread I see that one member asked to be changed from 'Yes' to 'No' (which I didn't take account of because it couldn't be done), the No vote becomes 30/60 actively opposed.

I don't think the forum can be responsible for any members 'not having been aware' of any particular poll having taken place. This one took place four years ago.

[ahinton]

I asked if anyone had heard from them, you doughnut - I can see whether they have posted or not.

You didn't mention doughnuts and, since I'm not fond of them, your reference now falls flat, I fear.

In any case, my reference to the fact that Mr Pee hasn't posted for over a year was quite clearly incidental to the purpose of my response which was to point out that, of the five whom you mentioned, he's the only one who remains a member here. You didn't mention in your original question why you wondered if any other member here had heard from any of them via means other than the forum (or perhaps via PM), so one might well ask you, as you did me,

Anyway, why are you so interested in all of this?

Anyway, to answer you this time around, I'm not especially "interested in all of this" (as I imagine ought to have been fairly clear from my answer to cloughie that I don't especially miss these people) but at the same time not so disinterested as to be unconcerned to respond to your question.

[ahinton]

You are weird.

On what specific grounds? OK, I caretake the music and literary writings of Sorabji and I write as I do, but do you consider those facts alone to be sufficient to qualify me as meriting such a description?...

[ahinton]

So he can't help himself?

I don't know and it's not really for me to say anyway but, whilst I am indeed Scottish, I am not archaic. I cannot help being a Scot, though...

[Conchis]

The problem with political discussions on arts-related forums (particularly, it must be said, music forums) is that the majority of forum members consider themselves 'on the left'. This tends to mean that the minority of members who consider themselves 'on the right' often get roundly abused for expressing their contrasting viewpoint: consequently, the 'rightists' become more vociferous, feeling themselves under attack, and end up adopting increasingly right-wing positions, as often as not just for the sake of baiting the 'leftists'.

Of course, if the situation was reversed, exactly the same thing would happen.

Look at the Guardian 'comments' sections for a perfect example of what I mean.

[Serial_Apologist]

The problem with political discussions on arts-related forums (particularly, it must be said, music forums) is that the majority of forum members consider themselves 'on the left'. This tends to mean that the minority of members who consider themselves 'on the right' often get roundly abused for expressing their contrasting viewpoint: consequently, the 'rightists' become more vociferous, feeling themselves under attack, and end up adopting increasingly right-wing positions, as often as not just for the sake of baiting the 'leftists'.

Of course, if the situation was reversed, exactly the same thing would happen.

Look at the Guardian 'comments' sections for a perfect example of what I mean.

Let me assure you, Conchis, that being on the political Left in this day and age is no comfortable place to be. Were someone whom I could consider consistent and sufficiently principled to persuade me out of views I have held for most of my life, and which seem ever more proven in the light of present-day events and circumstances, I would gladly succumb, for my own peace of peace of mind.

[Sir Velo]

not so disinterested as to be unconcerned to respond to your question.

Oh dear. I had thought that one could be safe in the belief that this forum's members knew the distinction between disinterested and uninterested.

[ahinton]

Oh dear. I had thought that one could be safe in the belief that this forum's members knew the distinction between disinterested and uninterested.

This one does and in his case it's arguably both, but I do agree that it's certainly more "un" than "dis"!

[Dave2002]

Political discussions are now officially excluded, following the dropping (again) of the P&CA board and the closing of the General Election thread. Some forums allow politics, other don't. We now don't. It may have been a disappointment for those whose main interest was in discussing politics, but that's not really a facility FoR3 wants to offer … members also voted not to have a Religion & Ethics board some while ago when it was suggested.

[1] The management of FoR3 is at liberty to do what it likes, as presumably the few people who run it are providing the service for the remainder of the participants. Most of us are, hopefully, very grateful for their efforts and support.

However, if attempts are made to narrow the scope too much I predict that ulitmately the board will fail, the number of active participants will drop, and what purpose will that have served? Maybe the board has already passed its sell by date. though I hope not.

Indeed it does seem that some topic areas are too problematic, and I can understand that religon and politics may fall into such cases, though I had hoped that a more mature approach would have avoided some of the problems. Slagging off prominent European politicians on a public board does seem to have been particularly inept, even if some might have felt that criticisms were justified. The board administrators arguably did the best they could to have avoided problems following that.

It does seem that the suggestion for a religion and ethics board was put to a vote, though now around four years ago. I am unaware of any similar vote for/against a politics board, plus further the P&CA board also was intended to enable discussion of current affairs, not just politics. Looking at the discussion on the outcome of the religion and ethics vote from years ago does suggest that there was no need for a separate section, but that individual items in other areas weren't completely banned.

The tone of recent comments re P&CA does suggest that anything about politics, and/or current affairs will automacially be subject to censorship, wherever it occurs "within these walls."

Any discussion about hot air, global warming, fracking, and future of the universe would thus seem to fall foul of the management. However, do refer back to sentence 1. This board does not have to be run as a democracy, though para 2 might indicate that membership could drop off.

[Beef Oven!]

This one does and in his case it's arguably both, but I do agree that it's certainly more "un" than "dis"!

Ha! Caught out at your own game by bigger boys!

[Richard Tarleton]

This board does not have to be run as a democracy, though para 2 might indicate that membership could drop off.

Seems a bit of a non-sequitur to me, dave. What's the evidence that people join, or stay, because they want to discuss politics and current affairs? I think the reverse may be the case. I may be in a minority but I for one heaved a huge sigh of relief when the P&CA board disappeared. My heart used to sink at some of the stuff on it. And as for religion and ethics, I think we manage quite well with Ideas and Theory don't we? We actually had a long and very civilised discussion on the Trinity last year which started life as I recall somewhere on the Choir board.

[antongould]

Seems a bit of a non-sequitur to me, dave. What's the evidence that people join, or stay, because they want to discuss politics and current affairs? I think the reverse may be the case. I may be in a minority but I for one heaved a huge sigh of relief when the P&CA board disappeared. My heart used to sink at some of the stuff on it. And as for religion and ethics, I think we manage quite well with Ideas and Theory don't we? We actually had a long and very civilised discussion on the Trinity last year which started life as I recall somewhere on the Choir board.

My thoughts exactly RT .......