Identical to how it is now, except whenever someone wishes to have a civil discussion about something void of insults, they can check an option to label their new thread as such (it could be an icon or something next to the thread title). On the same page you're typing your response, a note should appear at the top to remind people that civility is to be expected with this thread. This should deter most people from posting something insulting. Posts that are insulting should just be ignored, and if these posts are repeated, a moderator could jump in to give the repeated offender a warning.
Pros and cons:
Pros (imo):
Avoids cliquey impressions.
Avoids extra work by the staff to approve members and strictly moderate posts
Productive discussions will not be centralized in one specific section.
Everyone interested and uninterested are more likely to step in and participate.
Might encourage collective and long term civility in this forum.
People are not felt like they are forced to obey civility rules, and so will probably be more inclined to be civil when asked.
Cons:
Not enough people willing to play along
Hard to ignore uncivil posts and trolling
Might not be easy to enact
People might miss the good old days of free reign insult-laden posting in any thread they wish.
As to what is civil or not ... in general no insults, no disrupting discussions in an unpleasant way, no trolling
If people want a bit more than that, they can specify in their OP what kind of discussion they're aiming for, I suppose.
That's my suggestion. Whatever you guys decide to do, I'll agree to regardless. Best of luck with this, Tibs and co.
Pros and cons:
Pros (imo):
Avoids cliquey impressions.
Avoids extra work by the staff to approve members and strictly moderate posts
Productive discussions will not be centralized in one specific section.
Everyone interested and uninterested are more likely to step in and participate.
Might encourage collective and long term civility in this forum.
People are not felt like they are forced to obey civility rules, and so will probably be more inclined to be civil when asked.
Cons:
Not enough people willing to play along
Hard to ignore uncivil posts and trolling
Might not be easy to enact
People might miss the good old days of free reign insult-laden posting in any thread they wish.
As to what is civil or not ... in general no insults, no disrupting discussions in an unpleasant way, no trolling
If people want a bit more than that, they can specify in their OP what kind of discussion they're aiming for, I suppose.
That's my suggestion. Whatever you guys decide to do, I'll agree to regardless. Best of luck with this, Tibs and co.
