Poll: A controversial discussion section?

[2012 Wont Happen]

Of all the internet communities I've seen- the Escapist is definitely the most respectful and well mannered. However, when discussing controversial topics (gay marriage, religion, abortion, ect.), flame wars still do occasionally erupt.

To prevent this sort of thing, my idea is that a forums section is created specifically for controversial issues. Then, anytime somebody clicks a link to a thread in that section, it would give a warning stating the controversial nature of the content.

The warning should also say something about how everybody is entitled to their own opinion and that all discussion should be respectful. Also, if someone else is flaming, you shouldn't get angry back at them, but simply report them. I know this is already in the rules but a lot of people don't read the rules before they start posting. A lot of times, even if they have read the rules, people still flame. It would be nice to reiterate the rules to people before they enter a thread on a topic that, traditionally, brings about flame wars.

What are your thoughts?

 

[LongAndShort]

No, I think we should stay out of those things altogether. If you give people the opportunity they will just abuse it.

 

[Berethond]

That wouldn't help at all.

 

[Neonbob]

Absolutely, unequivocally, emphatically, NO.

We do not need to encourage people to act like they do everywhere else online.
Maybe we should have a quiz for newcomers, which covers the rules of posting and topic creation, though. And until they pass it, they cannot post or create new topics.
That could stop some of the problems.

 

[2012 Wont Happen]

No, I think we should stay out of those things altogether. If you give people the opportunity they will just abuse it.

That is a good point, but it seems to me that, with such an intelligent community as the one we have here, intellectual discussion on controversial topics might really give us some new insight on these issues.

 

[grimsprice]

That wouldn't help at all.

Basically. Because people post off-topic discussion threads in the gaming section for bloody hells sake!!! I doubt it would even draw one or two of the contraversial topic threads away from the off topic section.

 

[Pandalisk]

No, its fine as it is, and controversial conversations do not need their own section, Off-topic is just fine.

 

[Hazy]

I would hope that we would have the maturity to discuss controversial topics and act like adults. Sadly, that doesen't always happen. See: Console Wars, Religious Threads, etc.

So it would not be a good idea, atleast in my eyes.

 

[The Man Who Is Thursday]

Even if there were a separate section, spontaneous flame wars could and probably would erupt in standard threads, even if the topic has little to do with the flaming. So I don't think it would actually change much.

 

[2012 Wont Happen]

That wouldn't help at all.

Basically. Because people post off-topic discussion threads in the gaming section for bloody hells sake!!! I doubt it would even draw one or two of the contraversial topic threads away from the off topic section.

You could set it to where certain key words could only included in the titles of threads in the controversial section

 

[Radeonx]

No. It wouldn't work. There would still be flame wars. To stop it, lets not make those topics. I think that's a good idea! =O

 

[open trap]

it might work, maby

 

[Simalacrum]

well, if we limited the type of stuff they can say... for example, just random hating on a subject is bad, but what if there were a specific rule in which any given argument MUST have a good, proven reasoning behind it? I think it would need much, much MUCH more limiting, but it could work... also, if we made sure that the threads in this section of the forum did not pop up on the front page, so they remain inside that section of the forums, so only people who want controversial topics see them?

 

[Destal]

I just do not see how a warning would stop any flame war. They will happen regardless due to the topic... So i will have to vote no.

 

[ZeroMachine]

We don't really need that. If a thread's subject is controversial, it should show it in the thread title, and that should really be enough. There's no need to have a "beware all ye who enter here" sign when the people walking in already know it's potentially volatile.

 

[grimsprice]

That wouldn't help at all.

Basically. Because people post off-topic discussion threads in the gaming section for bloody hells sake!!! I doubt it would even draw one or two of the contraversial topic threads away from the off topic section.

You could set it to where certain key words could only included in the titles of threads in the controversial section

Maybe... but people would find ways around it just to be a dick or irritate and as Neonbob said... we don't need to have an area that encourages that kind of behavior. It would inevitably have to be labled the 'flame section' and that we don't need in any way. NIMBY.

 

[2012 Wont Happen]

well, if we limited the type of stuff they can say... for example, just random hating on a subject is bad, but what if there were a specific rule in which any given argument MUST have a good, proven reasoning behind it? I think it would need much, much MUCH more limiting, but it could work... also, if we made sure that they did not pop up on the front page, so they remain inside that section of the forums, so only people who want controversial topics see them?

These are all good ideas. Random hating should definitely not be allowed. Limiting it to the controversial section and not the front page is another good idea. That's actually what I suggested the warning system to fix but both would really make sure people wanted to see these topics.

 

[Neonbob]

well, if we limited the type of stuff they can say... for example, just random hating on a subject is bad, but what if there were a specific rule in which any given argument MUST have a good, proven reasoning behind it? I think it would need much, much MUCH more limiting, but it could work... also, if we made sure that the threads in this section of the forum did not pop up on the front page, so they remain inside that section of the forums, so only people who want controversial topics see them?

No matter how well thought out the original post would be, it's a guarantee that somewhere down the line, whether it's one post or twenty, someone will forget themselves, ignore the whole part about conducting themselves properly, and start spewing off at the neck.

Noble intentions, yes, but I fear it would end in tears and a fair bit of blood.

 

[quiet_samurai]

I think it would be a good idea, threads that are controversial are still going to be popping up here and there so why not put them in their own special place where they can be discussed. The only part that kills this idea are the posters themselves and whether or not they can be reasonable.

 

[iblis666]

no OT is all you need