How Should Forums (Not This One, But Forums in General) Be Run?

[TromboneAl]

The person who runs a forum such as this one (but not this one, I'm talking about forums in general), and who makes money from the advertising on the forum, should certainly be able to delete offensive material such as racial comments or child pornography.

And, of course, he/she can do anything he/she wants, since he owns the forum; it is a for-profit venture.

However, should the forum members tolerate censorship of material which disagrees with or simply discusses how the forum is run? Should they have any say in the forum's operation?

 

[whitestick]

If not democratic, then it is just a wider newsletter, and where's the value in that to the participants?

 

[brewer12345]

Mutiny on board the Bounty, Al?

We all have a simple remedy if we don't like the way things are being run, but I hope it doesn't come to that.

 

[Sam]

However, should the forum members tolerate censorship of material which disagrees with or simply discusses how the forum is run? Should they have any say in the forum's operation?

Ha ha... I love rhetorical questions. Actions speak louder than words, and yesterday's actions were DEAFENING.

 

[saluki9]

Ha ha... I love rhetorical questions. Actions speak louder than words, and yesterday's actions were DEAFENING.

What did I miss?

 

[brewer12345]

What did I miss?

Somebody put up a poll on the admin board asking how long the edit time period should be. The Powers That Be got their dominator freak on and shut down the poll. Then they recanted and reinstated the poll. Various and sundry posters felt a little miffed that seemingly heavy-handed tactics were used.

Personally, I was too distracted by the Acticve Adult Living 55+ communities in FL, GA, SC banner ad to really notice much. I mean, heck, what exactly are these "active" adults up to in their communities? I'm sure some of it must be against state law in places like GA and SC.

 

[retire@40]

...And, of course, he/she can do anything he/she wants, since he owns the forum; it is a for-profit venture.

However, should the forum members tolerate censorship of material which disagrees with or simply discusses how the forum is run? Should they have any say in the forum's operation?

They can do anything they want and I can do anything I want.

If I don't like what they do, I can either put up with it or leave.

If they don't like what I do, they can ask me to leave or ban me.

Life is only as complicated as we want to make it.

 

[cute fuzzy bunny]

what exactly are these "active" adults up to in their communities? I'm sure some of it must be against state law in places like GA and SC.

Sex in Sun City Chicago Sun-Times - Find Articles

An old girlfriends mother moved there right about the time this was going on. She was aghast...

So am I

 

[nfs]

I was too distracted by the Acticve Adult Living 55+ communities in FL, GA, SC banner ad

Firefox with Adblock plus and a standard filter set.

Don't surf without it.

 

[CuppaJoe]

If not democratic, then it is just a wider newsletter, and where's the value in that to the participants?

I’ve spent a lot of time on a forum about a health issue. It is funded by several corporate sponsors and member donations. Well, if someone seems too liberal or God-forbid is an obvious atheist, other members flame at them or shun them and they drop out. Even a co-founder had it out with an "extreme Christian," both left for many months and the later came back to an adoring albeit very small group. One moderator left to form her own forum after some posters complained that the site was getting contentious (She loved Splenda and I posted that the short-term studies on Splenda are suspect because they are funded and run by the people who make Splenda; and I won’t touch the stuff until long-term neutral studies come in.) At one point I wrote, "is this forum for Christians only." Of course, the response was that all are welcome. That forum is a very dull place to visit. I lurk there occasionally just to see where they are sociologically.

 

[justin]

For folks voting "dictatorship" as your preferred method of governance, do you realize the irony/humor in being allowed to democratically vote for this option?

 

[cute fuzzy bunny]

Irony is the word of the week...

I learned from taking polls here that its worthless to take polls here. 25-50% of people give funny or oddball answers they dont really agree with. The rest lie.

 

[yakers]

I want a forum rum by a decisive manager who represents a great cross section of the population and agrees with me.

 

[clifp]

I voted for dictatorship and I want to toss my hat into the ring as dictator for life for these forums.

If elected I promise to listen to everyone's opinion before doing exactly what I know is correct. As a guy I am certain of my infallibility (see Freud pages 1 to 20,234)

 

[cute fuzzy bunny]

I vote for Clif...cuz this stuff sounds like work.

 

[justin]

I really have no problem with dictatorships. But can we get term limits? Also, can I be one of the cronies entitled to special privileges?