Politics sub-forum

[french frank]

I think there's a case for starting a politics sub-forum (of Platform 3) where serious political issues can be discussed seriously. First candidate would be the recent contributions on the Plebs v. Toffs thread (detached from the frivolous banter, of course) of which several have been of some substance.

Advantages:

a) It would flag up to those who aren't interested in politics at all that this is a territory to avoid, and

b) more importantly, it would (I hope) encourage those who do have serious and informed views to contribute, with irritating flies swatted when necessary by unrepentently dictatorial moderation

My preference is that it should be more theoretically based, rather than low party political sniping.

[amateur51]

An interesting suggestion, french frank.

Would this unrepentently dictatorial moderation cover posts that include lazy left-right jibes?

By focussing it on more theoretically-based politics rather than low party political sniping wouldn't you be in danger of ignoring political realities past and present for some sort of political nirvana?

[vinteuil]

... and will you moderate the Hébertists?!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hébertists

[french frank]

Would this unrepentently dictatorial moderation cover posts that include lazy left-right jibes?

Yes, of course. And lazy right-left jibes (assuming there is a difference).

By focussing it on more theoretically-based politics rather than low party political sniping wouldn't you be in danger of ignoring political realities past and present for some sort of political nirvana?

Well, the sub-forum might well do that, but there would still be the same opportunities on Platform 3 for everyone to put the boot into my leader whenever this was thought necessary

... and will you moderate the Hébertists?!

Je reviendrai en temps utile à propos de cela, M. Vinteuil

My main concern is not to avoid people knocking eight bells out of each other: it's to provide a calmer environment where ideas can be debated in a reasonable way.

[amateur51]

Yes, of course. And lazy right-left jibes (assuming there is a difference).

Well, the sub-forum might well do that, but there would still be the same opportunities on Platform 3 for everyone to put the boot into my leader whenever this was thought necessary

Je reviendrai en temps utile à propos de cela, M. Vinteuil

My main concern is not to avoid people knocking eight bells out of each other: it's to provide a calmer environment where ideas can be debated in a reasonable way.

All power to your debating elbow then, french frank

[scottycelt]

A most reasonable, sensible-sounding suggestion ...

However, the main stumbling-block as far as I can see is what one member thinks is a serious point may well be considered quite laughable by another. An 'informed view' is also often used by its claimant as a rather pompous cover for a wholly subjective opinion.

If some members here wish to have a 'serious' debate without any semblance of 'humour' and 'gentle' ribbing along the way well, yes, why not?

I am, however, surprised at your suggested initial inclusion of the Plebs 1, Toffs 0 thread. Surely the very title and spirit of that thread attracted the very responses which you obviously feel other members may look upon with some disapproval and may wish to avoid?

[french frank]

I am, however, surprised at your suggested initial inclusion of the Plebs 1, Toffs 0 thread.

I would be similarly surprised if I had suggested that. But I didn't. I said:

"First candidate would be the recent contributions on the Plebs v. Toffs thread (detached from the frivolous banter, of course) of which several have been of some substance."

[scottycelt]

I would be similarly surprised if I had suggested that. But I didn't. I said:

"First candidate would be the recent contributions on the Plebs v. Toffs thread (detached from the frivolous banter, of course) of which several have been of some substance."

So what you are actually saying is that a moderator would decide which responses were of 'some substance'?

Also there will inevitably be posts which contain views of 'substance' and a bit of frivolous banter as well, so presumably the banter would be deleted?

[french frank]

If the sub-forum was set up specifically for people (of whatever political stripe) to exchange views, I personally would have no problem with removing comments which seemed to me to disrupt such discussion, and putting them somewhere else.

'Frivolous banter' would be judged by whether both/all sides considered it amusing or whether 'one side' thought it amusing and the other didn't.

As I said, the idea is to encourage people to discuss issues here; threads that are constantly hijacked by sniping or banter don't encourage discussion. This isn't the House of Commons after all

[eighthobstruction]

Is it April the first??....

[teamsaint]

HS
there are musical threads on Platform 3 that seem not to fit elsewhere..."Your favourite string Quintet" type of thing.
Also, politics, in a general overlap at points with music. Not always, but from time to time.
i don't use many MB's, but my experience is that general forums on specialist boards tend to be very popular, and keep people interested in that specific board. it seems that people do like to discuss non musical matters with those who share an interest in certain types of music.
No really sure what I think of a specific politics sub board...sounds like something for those with a background in political theory, but perhaps I am wrong...

[amateur51]

I

Too much to hope for, I know, but a man can dream, can't he?

HS

You're not planning to exclude women, I hope HS?

Especially after your recent softening up of a certain party

[greenilex]

My problem is that I enjoy discussing politics but distrust most politicians.

People do tend to mess up fine theories, I feel.

But pursuing theoretical dogma gets me nowhere fast.

[MrGongGong]

One of the great virtues of music is that it is an international language, understood by all and, for the most part, apolitical and non-sectarian.

It certainly isn't that at all
unless you mean just "classical music" and even then i think there are issues

If it was an "international language" there would be a shared understanding which there isn't

[heliocentric]

It certainly isn't that at all

Of course it isn't. Any social act like making music has a political dimension; denying that is equivalent to putting yourself on one side of a political fence, like it or not.

Oh, sorry, back on topic: and for that reason I have a slight preference for not having a separate political subforum, but no strong feelings either way.