I Have a Question...

[indianasmith]

I enjoy both political and religious discussion.  I try not to take things personally, and very few people here . . . mostly passing stranges like Judge Death - have ever really gotten under my skin.  I will say that my ongoing dialogue with Flick in the "Let's Wax Philosophical . . . " poll thread has been on of the most interesting and civil conversations I've ever had on any subject.

Yes, there are other places to discuss these kind of things . . . but this is the only place I can discuss them with YOU GUYS!  And that is what I love about this place - not the range of topics but the range of personalities! 

But if my choice of topics gives offense, I apologize.

[Raffine]

But if my choice of topics gives offense, I apologize.

Indy, personally I've never been offended by anything you've said or your topics.

I like the idea of a separate little corner on this board where these kind of discussions can take place. Maybe a subtopic in the off topic board for political and other potentially controversial discussions, similar to the Weird News or Whatever Happened To..? sections. I think they originally came about when those subjects threatened to overpower the off topic board.

That way when the topic is a bit more heated the participants can be told to "getta room!". 

It's obviously up to Andrew and if he wants to monitor (or appoint a monitor for) such a potentially fiery place.

[BoyScoutKevin]

And the answer is . . .

As hot as the discussion on politics and religion gets around here, I am sure we have seen other political and religious discussions on the web, and the ones here, I have found are far more thoughtful, intelligent, and friendly than those others. Which (IMHO) says something about the quality of posters we have on this board.

As for myself, I tend not only not to post at such poltical and religious threads, and those on Trevor's underpants, but to ignore them as well. But, that does not mean that I want to see such a time as we here cannot have thoughtful, meaningful, intelligent, and friendly discussions on politics and religion and Trevor's underpants.

[Paquita]

I like the idea of a separate little corner on this board where these kind of discussions can take place. Maybe a subtopic in the off topic board for political and other potentially controversial discussions, similar to the Weird News or Whatever Happened To..? sections. I think they originally came about when those subjects threatened to overpower the off topic board.

My only concern with that is it may encourage more controversial topics when, if I'm understanding correctly, they're actually discouraged here.  It appears that they almost always end with being locked because it seems that if they weren't the fight or whatever nonsense would continue until it eventually causes someone to leave the board.  I'd hate to lose someone over a fight in one of these topics.  I'd rather lose someone in a fight over whether Godzilla is superior to Gamera.

Fun Fact - I have a Trival Pursuit game with a card that says Gamera is a giant shrimp.

[Andrew]

I like the idea of a separate little corner on this board where these kind of discussions can take place. Maybe a subtopic in the off topic board for political and other potentially controversial discussions, similar to the Weird News or Whatever Happened To..? sections. I think they originally came about when those subjects threatened to overpower the off topic board.

My only concern with that is it may encourage more controversial topics when, if I'm understanding correctly, they're actually discouraged here.  It appears that they almost always end with being locked because it seems that if they weren't the fight or whatever nonsense would continue until it eventually causes someone to leave the board.  I'd hate to lose someone over a fight in one of these topics.  I'd rather lose someone in a fight over whether Godzilla is superior to Gamera.

Fun Fact - I have a Trival Pursuit game with a card that says Gamera is a giant shrimp.

My concern about a political board is that it would suggest that the forum caters or endorses such discussion, and politics has no place in polite discussion.  There is a reason that "politics, religion, and women" were traditionally forbidden subjects when attending a formal Mess Night.  I'm not saying that the idea does not have quite a bit of merit, it's just that I'd quite honestly prefer that we don't have political discussions.  There are plenty of other sites where that is encouraged and people can have fun applying stereotypes to their heart's desire. 

Paquita, I wonder if the Trivial Pursuit game meant Ganime, the crustacean (which I have always thought to be a mutated coconut crab) in "Yog:  Monster from Space."

[AndyC]

I hadn't thought of it that way, but it makes sense. If we carve out a niche for controversial topics, we are acknowledging that they have a place here, even if the intention is to make a place for them to be banished. With the status quo, it's something we tolerate within reason, but moving these topics to their own board would amount to a seal of approval.

I think I might go back to what I used to do, and just post endless pictures of dogs when an inflammatory topic comes along.

[Flick James]

Andrew's concern is a valid one. I get selectively involved in political discussions, but based on what I've seen lately, it leads too often to hard feelings and bitterness and interferes with what would otherwise be two people who share a common interest in movies. You take two people who have that common interest, and once they get to the point of namecalling, their future conversations on the fun stuff this site is about become strained. That's not a good thing.

I would say no need for change in that regard. People will start such discussions in the Off Topic board, and if these discussions get out of hand then Andrew may make the executive decision to shut it down. The rest of us can use our free-will to either participate in or avoid threads. I mean, I'm all for Off Topic discussion of any type, but what are we really here for?

[Ed, Ego and Superego]

I'm to the point of just ignoring them.

Ditto.

[Raffine]

but what are we really here for?

To sing the praises of Andy Milligan!