Politics & Current Affairs board

[french frank]

There has been discussion about problems that have cropped up on the forum, and the general consensus of Hosts and Administration is that the Politics & Current Affairs Board be moved to a less prominent position. Those who want to continue to use it should bookmark it or make a note of the url.

The visible balance of the forum is affected by having so many posts contributed by so few members: this was not what the forum was set up for and, frankly, to have the two opposing sides constantly sniping at each other, no matter what the topic, is not much of an encouragement to those who might think of joining.

The main forum will refocus on matters that relate to Radio 3 and relevant subject matter. Platform 3 to continue as a light-hearted social board.

As a 'ruling', it's not unusual for online forums to disallow such topics for exactly the reasons that we have seen. We held a poll some while back to see if members supported a Religion and Ethics board and the suggestion was turned down, mainly because the topics foment ill-feeling.

The board will be moved tonight.

[Petrushka]

I can't say that this surprises me very much even though I derived some level of amusement from the same names knocking seven bells out of each other. In any case, that particular board has moved so far down the page that it was practically invisible anyway. By 'less prominent position' does this therefore mean a disappearance from the forum altogether?

My only concern is that the same names constituting the opposing sides will just use other parts of the forum to carry on as normal (especially Platform 3). Does this mean that posts on political/current affairs topics are banned?

I find it sad that people of above average intelligence cannot debate serious issues in an adult manner but it is plain that they are unable to do this.

[eighthobstruction]

You might like to give this thread a more eye catching name....it does not stand out....and i think it should....Something like Politics and Current Affairs Board moving....perhaps

[Petrushka]

You might like to give this thread a more eye catching name....it does not stand out....and i think it should....

Agreed!

[french frank]

By 'less prominent position' does this therefore mean a disappearance from the forum altogether?

It will be in the same place as the Diversions forums. The new posts will not show up and the board will have to be sought, just as the main forum has to be sought.

My only concern is that the same names constituting the opposing sides will just use other parts of the forum to carry on as normal (especially Platform 3). Does this mean that posts on political/current affairs topics are banned?

That board will be available, and politics and current affairs discussions will be confined to that board.

It may need a more proactive moderating policy on the main forum. There are very few members involved. Platform 3 is to be a 'light-hearted social board' for varied topics. If that's of no interest to anyone, people should stay away.

[Petrushka]

It will be in the same place as the Diversions forums. The new posts will not show up and the board will have to be sought, just as the main forum has to be sought.

That board will be available, and politics and current affairs discussions will be confined to that board.

It may need a more proactive moderating policy on the main forum. There are very few members involved. Platform 3 is to be a 'light-hearted social board' for varied topics. If that's of no interest to anyone, people should stay away.

This seems fine to me and, in truth, was becoming increasingly inevitable. Now that their posts will not be visible to a wider audience my guess is that political/current affairs 'debate' will cease.

[Nick Armstrong]

I derived some level of amusement from the same names knocking seven bells out of each other

You will still be able to spend time 'ring-side' and watch the ding-dongs...

[Petrushka]

You will still be able to spend time 'ring-side' and watch the ding-dongs...

Life's too short...

[Flosshilde]

If that's of no interest to anyone, people should stay away.

The same could be said of any thread. The 'Choir' board frequently has threads that descend into vituperative slanging matches. & watch out for New Year's day!

[Flosshilde]

Now that their posts will not be visible to a wider audience my guess is that political/current affairs 'debate' will cease.

Rather a strange comment. Are you suggesting that people shouldn't contribute to threads if they expect other people to read their contributions? Or that threads should only be a discussion between two people - in which case they would be better conducted as private messages, leaving the Forum totally blank?

[french frank]

Rather a strange comment. Are you suggesting that people shouldn't contribute to threads if they expect other people to read their contributions? Or that threads should only be a discussion between two people - in which case they would be better conducted as private messages, leaving the Forum totally blank?

I think it's probably the experience that if a slanging match is removed to the Diversions forum but remains open with an invitation to all contributors to continue as before, they seldom do. It seems that people by this time get tired of it, so anyone who does post a comment can't be sure anyone else wil bother to read it.

[Mr Pee]

I think it is a shame that a board that often debates important issues should be shunted into the sidelines just because some of the threads sometimes get a bit heated. Surely that is inevitable given the subjects under discussion? And as Flossie said, many musical threads can go the same way, witness debates on modern music, the New Year's Day concert, and indeed the Last Night of the Proms.

I think that having a wide remit is part of the attraction of this Forum, and it reflects, with all their faults, eccentricities, and differences, the listenership of Radio3. And one cannot say the political threads aren't popular- I recently started a thread on Bayreuth, which attracted a grand total of 4 replies. On the other hand, many of the threads on the P+CA board have many hundreds of lively and often entertaining contributions.

I also sometimes contribute to a Cycling forum, which likewise has a lively political section, where most of the threads bear no relation to anything cycle- related. But it has never been suggested that that part of the forum be sidelined. It is all part of the wide-range of debates that keep the forum alive, and if you don't wish to look at that part of the forum, it's really very simple, as it is here- just don't look at it! There should be no need to hide it away.

[Nick Armstrong]

Rather a strange comment. Are you suggesting that people shouldn't contribute to threads if they expect other people to read their contributions? Or that threads should only be a discussion between two people - in which case they would be better conducted as private messages, leaving the Forum totally blank?

I thought it was pretty clear Pet was suggesting that without an audience, beyond the 7 or 8 'regulars', the desire to engage in endless tit-for-tat rhetoric might diminish...

[eighthobstruction]

I think that it is a bit TOO radical....the way it looks as though it is going to be set ONLY blaa x number of people will know it exists....and no new people will see it....Many of the (lets say 100#)people who are involved at some time over a year in (EVIL) political and current affairs exchanges will mostly not be able to find it ( as is the case when ff says "it has been moved to the Diversion dungeon"....no bugger including me knows where that is....Cannot a Diversions Forum be on the Main Forum page so that people do not have go searching for it or KNOW THE SPECIAL PASSWORD.... (at the very very very very bottom)BUT not be on the What's New....

Petruska's <<<This seems fine to me and, in truth, was becoming increasingly inevitable. Now that their posts will not be visible to a wider audience my guess is that political/current affairs 'debate' will cease.>>> WELL of course....it is basically ****ed....these debates may end or carry on with 4-5 people but they often (regularly)start with many more for the first 50 posts.....AND THEY ARE OFTEN VERY VERY INTERESTING FOR THE FIRST 50 POSTS

I think 20% of the board members have been sold down the river....

[eighthobstruction]

For a start THOMPSON v Patten is on P&CA Forum....is that really topic for " a 'light-hearted social board' for varied topic[s]".