The Newly Departed thread: announcements (departures)

[KevinM1]

I should add, I'm not opposed to Christians being here. I just don't think creating a little fiefdom more or less set aside for them (tacitly, if not officially) is the way to go. I'd be in favor of some other, more inclusive implementation, including new rules that tighten member behavior on the forum as a whole.

[DodosAreDead]

Someone on AF recently said something along the lines of this: we all agree that we don't want AF to lose many members and have the same few people participating in tired discussions. (Paraphrasing here) (I think it was Kevin, but don't remember exactly)
The point is, why are we continuing the discussion about the Civil Discussion forum? It's clearly divisive and polarizing. I'm not saying we should self-Sensor (totally not getting into that) but, is vehemently stating your opinion really worth losing valuable members, in the long run? It's ok to just shut up sometimes.

[KevinM1]

Someone on AF recently said something along the lines of this: we all agree that we don't want AF to lose many members and have the same few people participating in tired discussions. (Paraphrasing here) (I think it was Kevin, but don't remember exactly)
The point is, why are we continuing the discussion about the Civil Discussion forum? It's clearly divisive and polarizing. I'm not saying we should self-Sensor (totally not getting into that) but, is vehemently stating your opinion really worth losing valuable members, in the long run? It's ok to just shut up sometimes.

Yeah, that was me

I think it's worthy of continued discussion. Not to rub salt in any wounds, but to clear the air and try to come up with a solution that benefits the entire community. Can't do that through silence.

That said, you're right in that this really isn't the thread for it.

[DodosAreDead]

I think it's worthy of continued discussion. Not to rub salt in any wounds, but to clear the air and try to come up with a solution that benefits the entire community. Can't do that through silence.

Several nice people have been driven away by the 'continued discussion' already. Your intentions are good and all, but it hasn't all worked out well in practice.

Look guys, all I'm trying to say is, drama is fine. It happens. But don't you think this particular time things have gone south in a way that won't make anyone happy? Is anyone happy about Boru, TGB, Whatevs and VL leaving?

[GrandizerII]

Yeah, ok, us who weren't ok with the fake "civil" section must be the bad guys. Our reasoning doesn't mean shit to people apparently, as long as they have their stupid toy, even if it was less for them and more for the 5-6 privileged people.

Fuck this manipulation. You want an option for civility? Most of us do too. But cut the bullshit, and let the majority have a say.

[Neo-Scholastic]

The debate area remains open for anyone who wishes to have a focused discussion without unwelcome distractions. I suggest people use it.

[Foxaèr]

I suggest sounds like something I want to ignore.

[Angrboda]

Someone on AF recently said something along the lines of this: we all agree that we don't want AF to lose many members and have the same few people participating in tired discussions. (Paraphrasing here) (I think it was Kevin, but don't remember exactly)
The point is, why are we continuing the discussion about the Civil Discussion forum? It's clearly divisive and polarizing. I'm not saying we should self-Sensor (totally not getting into that) but, is vehemently stating your opinion really worth losing valuable members, in the long run? It's ok to just shut up sometimes.

Drama can be pointless, but not always.

[RoadRunner79]

The debate area remains open for anyone who wishes to have a focused discussion without unwelcome distractions. I suggest people use it.

Personally I prefer discussion to a debate.  A debate, I feel needs much more preparation, is more formal, and is limited to a few participants, where others who might have a good idea can't express that.  I don't understand what the issue is, with having something in the middle.

[Angrboda]

The debate area remains open for anyone who wishes to have a focused discussion without unwelcome distractions. I suggest people use it.

I was going to make a snarky comment, but I'll try to make a serious one instead. Mystic has challenged me to a debate on irreducible complexity. My response was basically, no; just, no. And one of the recent civil discussion threads had been objected to on account of the loaded way in which the premise of discussion was phrased/stated. So the debate area has in some sense been seen as a trap rather than an opportunity, and a way to force the terms of debate when doing so is not only undesirable but actively resented. Additionally, I also have to think there's something of a concept barrier, that a debate area recalls typical staged debates between theists and seculars, and how pointless those can be. Who exactly is the audience and where's the rapt audience gonna sit so they can applaud at the good points? The debate section, as much as anything, often comes up as a dare. I.e., you might have me by the balls out here, but let me get you in there and just see how the tables will turn. So there are negatives, to the image and the appeal of the debate section which don't appear to have any obvious remedy and may have more to do with the way it has been used than the way it can be used. Maybe Neo and the theist's use of it recently is an example that models behavior which can be followed by others. Unfortunately, many viewed that discussion, it's creation, and its purpose with a side eye, too.