Should General Chat (Off - Topic) forum be closed?

[MikeG.]

I wonder if I am the only one who thinks we might be better off without the General Chat (Off Topic) forum?

There seems hardly a day go by without yet another discussion ending with the thread being locked because of strident and disrespectful posts. I believe it has led to a breakaway site being formed in the past, and we have seen people repeatedly banned. Sensible and thought out comments get met with derision, and name calling seems endemic.

I'm relatively new here, and have had occasion to be grateful to this particular forum for answering technical workshop-type questions which weren't woodwork related, so I would miss its upside. However, I wonder how much the bickering, endless rehearsal of entrenched positions, and name-calling would be missed?

An alternative might be to shut it down for a short period..........say 3 months.......Whilst everyone draws breath those who feel the need for an argument every day might head off somewhere else.

I have added a poll so that those who don't want to get bogged down in yet another slanging match can have their views heard over the din.

Mike

 

[Jake]

There isn't a poll.

It would all just spill over into thread drift, I reckon.

BTW, the 'breakaway site' formed partly because of very on-topic comments on the merits or otherwise of Krenov which offended a mod prompting a chain of events which resulted in a ban, partly some perception of officiousness, and partly some snobby disrespect shown to tradespeople. Not much if anything to do with the off-topic forum.

 

[woodbloke]

Mike - I have some sympathy with that view and do get fed up at times with the seemingly constant bickering but the GF does occasionally have it's gems and sensible non-political threads, which make it worthwhile. Besides, where else would we have the Christmas Panto? (got very silly two years ago :lol: ) - Rob

 

[Sawdust]

Mike,

Whilst I agree about the petty bickering being tedious, it's usually the same topics and people so it's easy enough to ignore them.

And if you really object to the off-topic section, it's easy enough to stay out of it concentrate on the topics you like.

I also agree that if this section was closed, the bickering would move to another section. It seems to be nature of forums that a few people are very precious and a few are very argumentative.

Just my two-peneth
Mike

 

[Jake]

It seems to be nature of forums that a few people are very precious and a few are very argumentative.

Heh. Which category does that fall under? :lol:

 

[ByronBlack]

I see absolutely no reason to close the Off-Topic forum, it is a place for people to communicate/chat and get to know each other outside of talking about woodworking.

If you removed it, off-topic stuff would spill into the other forums diluting the threads from their purpose.

If you dont like the bickering, or the subjects, then its very easy to not read them - I rarely contribute to off-topic threads because i don't have a contribution on a particular subject or it doesn't interest me, it doesn't mean it should be closed.

 

[wizer]

I voted no. The Off Topic section is very valuable to any forum. The thing that is ruining it at the moment is the constant controversial and provocative topics. This are now appearing more than daily. It's easy to say 'don't feed the trolls' but with the sheer volume of these posts, it's hard not to touch somebody's nerve.

I utilise the 'new posts' feature which means I see every post title and I tend to read most of them too. The off topic section has had some great threads over the years. I have learned a lot of stuff from like minded people who want to discuss their other areas of expertise. Discussions on Heating, Insulation, IT, Mechanics, etc, etc have all been a great asset to all of us. What I find infuriating, to put it mildly, are the threads that are completely off the stratosphere when it comes to a woodworking forum. Why on earth would you come to a woodworking forum to discuss child molestation, American politics, race relations, economics, foreign affairs or anything else that's popped up in the News of the World this week.

I can't deny occasionally posting in these threads, it's usually early on before the trolls start circling, but I honestly don't think they have a place here. Often the off topic section is refereed to as a 'pub', well I don't think that analogy is true. I'm a complete woodworking nerd, I come here to get my fix of wood related banter. The off-topic area should be about pooling the collective knowledge of the forum. Not for setting the world to rights. If you can't talk about these topics to your real life friends, then perhaps you should find a political website/forum to spout your views.

We have lost a great deal of members over this situation, more than some people realise. It used to be an extremely helpful and friendly forum.

 

[TonyW]

Like others I do not believe that closing, even temporarily, the General Chat forum would have any affect on posters behaviour, or generally benefit the whole forum.

Those that wish to make trouble by disrespectful posts will probably move their focus to the next forum with the highest post count.

 

[Karl]

The thing that is ruining it at the moment is the constant controversial and provocative topics.

Couldn't agree more.

I don't think it should be shut down, but I think the Mods should move more swiftly to shut down threads which are clearly heading in the wrong direction.

Cheers

Karl

 

[Lord Nibbo]

But where would you have posted the question if the "Off Topic" didn't exist?

PS... I voted NO.

 

[Vormulac]

I don't think the off-topic forum should be shut down, nor do I think the moderators should be called to police the threads there more closely - it was the perception of some members that threads were being over moderated that caused the major schizm here in the first place. I think off-topic should be off topic, why should it be constrained to woodwork related 'off-topics'? All that we need to do is behave like grown adults and neither indulge in trolling nor in feeding the trolls.
I know it is difficult to hold your tongue when someone is espousing a point of view you feel to be deeply wrong, but it would be better for all concerned if we could exercise some discretion (I say 'we', I am as guilty as anyone else of piling in when I feel the cause is just) and perhaps state that we disagree with the OP and then close that thread and don't go back; if a discussion needs to be had, it can be conducted via PM.
Draconian measures are not necessary, but they are easier to introduce than a forum-wide change in mindset.

Just my 2p.

Vormulac.

 

[filsgreen]

I voted no also. I did a quick count on the first ten pages of topics and there were four locked threads, hardly worth punishing the rest of the members for some people getting a bit hot headed. As mentioned previously, we would all lose a valuable asset if this section was closed.

Cheers

Phil

 

[Jenx]

"Discussion", even in quite a 'forthright' form, is healthy.

Degenerating a discussion into the realms of personal insults, isn't.

When at work - and faced with the temptation to send a 'nastygram' of some description - most of us should 'know'.. " I'll sleep on that, and see if I feel the same desire to do so, tomorrow morning " .... and 99 times from 100, the benefit of 'calming down a little' becomes only too apparent.

Also - none of us, should we say something thats taken 'out of turn', whether it was initially intended to be so or not, should be above venturing an apology. ( Or indeed ever be above accepting one, should the boot be on the other foot. )

Personally - I feel if the 'General Chat' area were to be removed, its another little step towards the 'Sanitised Society', where the Character and Idiosynchrasy of the Individual would be even further suppressed,
-- and in my humblest of opinions, I can't see that as a positive move.


In summary - behave like the 'Proper Adults' we're supposed to be, in a respectful and good humoured manner, and problems will be kept to an absolute minimum.

 

[Peter T]

I voted No also.

I think it would be a pity to loose such a lively forum. We're all adults here, I think, and we should be able to withstand a little boisterous discussion from time to time without getting too upset.

If anyone really objects to the content they have the choice not to read or contribute to the offending threads.

 

[Bentham Andy]

I am new to this and any other forum for that matter but feel that I have to register my 'no' vote on this matter. Whist not commenting on any thread that may have prompted this poll, closing down something that is of benefit and enjoyed by the majority because of the actions of a small minority or individual is clearly not going to help anything. And even if something of a controversial nature is posted at least it is thought provocing and people have a right and open 'forum' for reply.


Bentham Andy

 

[Argee]

I know it is difficult to hold your tongue when someone is espousing a point of view you feel to be deeply wrong, but it would be better for all concerned if we could exercise some discretion (I say 'we', I am as guilty as anyone else of piling in when I feel the cause is just) and perhaps state that we disagree with the OP and then close that thread and don't go back; if a discussion needs to be had, it can be conducted via PM.

That's very well put! It is difficult not to get involved on occasion. I tried carrying on a "debate" via PM, but was then accused of "hiding behind" the PM, so even that's not foolproof.

My gauge now is that if I hear myself saying "Oh-oh," then I need to think very carefully about getting involved and why. I don't think we should press the "Submit" button with a "take that!" attitude either, but even that gets difficult sometimes.

I voted "No" because the pros (N.B: not "prose") outweigh the "cons" at the moment.

Ray

 

[BradNaylor]

I voted 'Yes' out of pure selfishness.

Countless times over the last few months I have vowed not to enter the Off-Topic forum again because of the presence of certain bigoted and moronic individuals spouting their Daily Mail derived drivel.


Unfortunately will-power alone does not seem to be enough and I find myself repeatedly drawn back. This takes up valuable time which I just don't have.

An enforced spell of cold turkey would do me good!

Cheers
Dan

 

[Paul Chapman]

No.

 

[Rich]

Definitely NO, I suppose it's fair to say that I hold STRONG views on certain subjects and air them accordingly, but, that's all they are, views, nothing else the fact of the matter is that often when I air a view I get barraged with derogatory replies and even though I answer them in a polite manner, this doesn't suffice for some members, they have their views and I fully respect them for holding such views, but reciprocation is not there, herein lies the problem :?
I belong to the UK debate forum and I don't have the same problem there,if as it seems that I am the CAUSE of ill feeling on this forum then I wholeheartedly apologise and will refrain from posting in the off topic section if this is what the members want.

Rich.

 

[BradNaylor]

if as it seems that I am the CAUSE of ill feeling on this forum then I wholeheartedly apologise and will refrain from posting in the off topic section if this is what the members want.

Rich.

Well done Rich.

That'd solve it.

Dan