DIFFERENCES OF OPINION NOT ALLOWED?

[Jeff D]

Oh well while we are at it, I would like to see a clear policy. I must say it is a little surreal that a edged weapon forum thread could be closed by the description of the hunting of a fictional elephant, in a book that probably will be found in most high school libraries. Perhaps a little icon that indicates a thread may be graphic. Then again I really do not want this forum to be a gross out contest! good luck moderators!

Jeff

[VANDOO]

I KIND OF STEPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF IT HERE I WAS NOT AWARE OF ALL THAT HAD PRECEDED IN OTHER POSTS. I SAW CONOGRE'S POST AND WANTED TO PUT IN MY 2 CENTS WORTH BUT IT WAS ALSO LOCKED SO I MADE THIS POST. I DIDN'T SEE THE GROSS PICTURES BUT WOULD NOT NEED TO, TO KNOW THAT DEAD THINGS AND WASTEFUL KILLING IS GROSS. HUNTING IS PART OF MANS HERITAGE AND IF DONE FOR A GOOD PURPOSE , SUCH AS TO EAT OR REGULATE THE HERD TO PRESERVE THE ECOLOGY AND SELL THE MEAT ,IVORY AND HIDE TO HELP PAY FOR THE CONSERVATION AND ANTI POACHER PROGRAMS. SO I HOPE THIS POST CAN STAY COOL AND AVOID THE FATE OF ITS PREDECESORS AND EVERYONE CAN PUT IN HIS 2 CENTS WORTH.
NO GROSS PICTURES PLEASE

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by Jeff D

Oh well while we are at it, I would like to see a clear policy. I must say it is a little surreal that a edged weapon forum thread could be closed by the description of the hunting of a fictional elephant, in a book that probably will be found in most high school libraries. Perhaps a little icon that indicates a thread may be graphic. Then again I really do not want this forum to be a gross out contest! good luck moderators!

Jeff

Hi Jeff. Candidly, I'm not sure we want any additional "formal" policies or rules. With regard to the posting of graphic photos, my personal opinion is that our membership should apply common sense, (something I'm confident most have) to avoid posting gratuitous or off-topic photos. It will then be up to the staff to determine if something should be removed.

I admit, this is a bit like the U.S. Supreme Court's analysis of "obscenity", but rather than a hard/fast rule, I'm more comfortable dealing with this on a case-by-case basis as "I know it when I see it".

Incidentally, I did not close the elephant thread because of the topic, heated debate, differences of opinion or the posting of ugly photos. I closed it because we (the staff) needed some time to discuss matters. Unfortunately, several threads were subsequently started about my decision to close it. In the wake of all this, I decided to let that sleeping dog stay where it was.

I'm going to request that we all now move forward. Those of us who are trying to moderate a discussion forum populated by intelligent, opinionated enthusiasts from many different countries and cultures are human beings also. Our goal is to encourage the exchange of information in a free and friendly environment. The rules and policies we implement and, at times, enforce, are to this end. Only that.

Andrew

[Jeff D]

Hi Andrew,

Thanks for the reply. My problem is I am unclear as to where the elephant thread went wrong, and therefore unsure how to avoid going astray in the future. I missed Radu's photo's and am glad I did, but I feel the thread should have been reopened. I agree that it is upsetting, and should be dealt with sensitively, which is what was done until the photo's. So now I am confused, are we are are we not to discuss the use of these edged weapons that we collect?

Thanks and sorry for using up your time.
Jeff

[fearn]

Hi All,

The only thing I'd add to this discussion is that in the future, perhaps threads should not be locked pending a decision. I'm not sure that said discussion can happen fast enough to keep upsetting people.

Otherwise, given the size of this board and the number of moderators, I think a case-by-case policy is a good idea. This is an issue of scale: I was a moderator on a much larger board with more members, and due to the size and structure of the board, the lack of a clear set of moderator policies led to total chaos. I also got demoderated in part for pointing this out. I suspect there's a lesson there--no one administration structure fits all boards, and things should change as the board grows.

That's not a criticism. While I'm still scratching my head about that elephant thread, I'm happy with the way things are run here.

Fearn

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by Jeff D

Hi Andrew,

Thanks for the reply. My problem is I am unclear as to where the elephant thread went wrong, and therefore unsure how to avoid going astray in the future. I missed Radu's photo's and am glad I did, but I feel the thread should have been reopened. I agree that it is upsetting, and should be dealt with sensitively, which is what was done until the photo's. So now I am confused, are we are are we not to discuss the use of these edged weapons that we collect?

Thanks and sorry for using up your time.
Jeff

Jeff,

My mistake when closing that thread was that I didn't indicate why I was doing so at the time. Apparantly, my subsequent posts in both Conogre and GAC's threads were too cryptic.

In the future, when I close a thread, I will endeavor to advise the participants why, in the event my reasoning is not apparant from the thread itself.

The elephant thread went "wrong" when links to some photos were posted. Since the topic had the potential to overheat quickly, and since the posting of those links needed to be discussed by staff, I closed the thread.

As so many have pointed out, discussion of weapons cannot really take place in a vacuum. The use and effect of those weapons is certainly an appropriate subject of discussion. Provided such discussion is undertaken appropriately.

I'm not able to articulate it any better than that, I'm afraid. Gratuitious gore, incivility, trolling, and "stirring things up" will be handled as it comes.

Best,
Andrew

[Jeff D]

Originally Posted by Andrew

Jeff,

My mistake when closing that thread was that I didn't indicate why I was doing so at the time. Apparantly, my subsequent posts in both Conogre and GAC's threads were too cryptic.

In the future, when I close a thread, I will endeavor to advise the participants why, in the event my reasoning is not apparant from the thread itself.

The elephant thread went "wrong" when links to some photos were posted. Since the topic had the potential to overheat quickly, and since the posting of those links needed to be discussed by staff, I closed the thread.

As so many have pointed out, discussion of weapons cannot really take place in a vacuum. The use and effect of those weapons is certainly an appropriate subject of discussion. Provided such discussion is undertaken appropriately.

I'm not able to articulate it any better than that, I'm afraid. Gratuitious gore, incivility, trolling, and "stirring things up" will be handled as it comes.

Best,
Andrew

Thanks Andrew, that would indeed have avoided some confusion.

PM Coming.
Jeff