some unneeded and unpleasant static

[Crossdive]

(I'm not sure if this is in the right section or not, but please don't delete or edit it or something) you won't believe it, but I am not feeling to happy with this board right now. Normally it is my favorite board, here I have fellow Christians and friends of the same interests (anime, etc.), but I am getting sick of the adminship that is deleting/editing/locking threads whether anyone has caused any harm or not, take the Helsing advice thread by AnimePriest and/or the Sin City Movie advice thread by myself for example, no one was bashing or arguing, yet, out of concern that something might come up, they were locked, I would think these things should be done only IF the problems arise. Otherwise it kills some fun of being at the board if you can't even have a conversation with another member in a topic like that. Forgive me, but I can't say I'm to ok with this. For all I know, trying to express how I feel by posting this thread will get me banned, or the thread crippled in some way or the other, but, in light of the fact this is a Christian board, I should hope that isn't the case, because that would be very unfeeling to do to me, I don't think that would be the reaction Jesus would have you give, so please try to consider that and hear what I am saying and consider it. God willing this won't be my last post at this board...

[Jasdero]

I think it's more that the admins/mods are trying to -prevent- a problem from even arising, instead of acting after everyone has already spouted some flames at each other (i.e. Closing down an old building only after the fouth floor collapses and kills a few people).

^^; But that's my opinion, anyway.

[Bunny]

It looks to me like there's been some considerable dissatisfaction with the staff and policy lately. As a member completely without bias, I'd like to say this:

I'm all about freedom of self-expression and I've never liked structure. However, recently I've been put in some leadership situations and I've had to sacrifice my own beliefs on those subjects a few times just to keep things orderly. Not everything is black and white with regulations and there are times when you have to put your foot down despite the fact that the decision won't be well-liked or even when you don't want to have to do it. I don't think it's the intention of any staff member to cut you off. Simply put, they have a responsibility to look after everyone's interest that comes before you liking them. There may be times when you don't understand their decisions but in my opinion, that's when you would send them a pleasant PM and ask very kindly for an explanation. I trust the staff to handle the board to the best of their ability and I think they're doing an excellent job of it.

[Mangafanatic]

If you'd really like to continue the discussion, just take it to PM.

Really, threads aren't closed as some sort of an act of hatred against someone. It's done to protect members.

[Arnobius]

I think it depends on how it's done. I've seen some threads locked appropriately and I've seen some that seemed to be locked arbitrarily. It's important to remember that the mods are human too and if they're in a bad mood might not explain so well what they really intended.

I just wish that the DND list would be updated, because many topics I've seen locked were given the explanation "this is a forbidden topic." But there's nothing on the FAQ or DND list on those topics.

As an example, Last month we had a very controversial topic (which I won't name to avoid permaban) and finally Ashley said that the next person to start a thread on the topic would be permanently banned-- but this was only posted ON that thread itself and not elsewhere on the site. So possibly someone could have come along and started a new thread on the subject being unaware of the ban and gotten into serious trouble.

I would respectfully ask the mods/admins when they decide a topic is not allowed to be discussed, that they update the list as soon as posible so everyone can know. Otherwise it does look arbitrary, even if it isn't.

[Crossdive]

I understand the good intentions of why they do that, I just wish that it didn't go that way. And I don't think my voice is very well heard when trying to explain things to them. I respect the intentions of what they do, they feel it is a better idea and something that is neccesary to keep the peace I guess. I just like to have deep and interesting, serious and direct debates about things sometimes where someone has the chance to really express a passionate feeling they have on a subject, but how can that be done when it is locked? I don't find them guilty of some crime for what they think is needed, I guess it is just I don't feel that way personally, so I wish they would at least show they consider what I have to say first.

[Slater]

welcome to the world that a lot of us already belong to, sir, but the people in this thread have already answered your question as well as it can be answered. Admins will give you the same answer as well.

[Arnobius]

[quote="Crossdive"]I understand the good intentions of why they do that, I just wish that it didn't go that way. And I don't think my voice is very well heard when trying to explain things to them. I respect the intentions of what they do, they feel it is a better idea and something that is neccesary to keep the peace I guess. I just like to have deep and interesting, serious and direct debates about things sometimes where someone has the chance to really express a passionate feeling they have on a subject, but how can that be done when it is locked? I don't find them guilty of some crime for what they think is needed, I guess it is just I don't feel that way personally, so I wish they would at least show they consider what I have to say first. ]
I find that they're pretty polite when PM'd for an explanation so long as you're careful with your choice of words.

I was over at the other site and think one thing could have been clarified: Where do they see the line between discussion and debate? Can an on duty mod/admin please clarify?

[Slater]

just consider debate the level of discussion where it's possible that name-calling and lower-thinking-of-one-person-age (there's probably an easier way to say that but I can't think of it at this moment) can happen.

[Arnobius]

just consider debate the level of discussion where it's possible that name-calling and lower-thinking-of-one-person-age (there's probably an easier way to say that but I can't think of it at this moment) can happen.

Ah, so we're more on terminology then. I thought of a debate where people challenged the assertions on the other side in an attempt to convince others, while what you describe as more of a flame war.

But if that's what the mods had in mind then it's understandable no matter what you call it.

[Slater]

well, ja... but things like that quickly escalate.

We can debate on the meaning of debate if you want

[Arnobius]

[quote="frwl"]well, ja... but things like that quickly escalate.

We can debate on the meaning of debate if you want ]
LOL Would they lock that?

Kind of reminds me of an exchange on a listgroup I belong to

Person 1: Let's agree to disagree
Person 2: I don't agree with that

[Stephen]

Wow, how not to sound mean when saying this. Stop whining. Most of you have no idea what its like to run a message board, let alone one this size. We have rules, which are followed...or threads are locked. Like it, or leave it. The staff do not go around randomly locking threads. If people start bickering like children back and forth...yup, its gonna get snipped. If we get a controversial issue..yup, snipage. Newsflash. This is CAA. That means its an anime site. Not a debate politics site. You want that, we have a handy little link to T-Web right up top. Its very frustrating to have to listen to whining like this whenever someones thread gets locked. I understand your only 14, so I am trying to be as gentle with my words as I can. If you feel you cannot stand to be under the rule of the staff here, you were charged nothing to join...so leaving is free as well.

[Ashley]

I think Sunako said it best--we're more of a bomb squad than a fire troupe. What that means is each staffer has a lot of experience at detecting when topics are doused with enough volatility to go off and they will make the decision to close the thread at that time. Why? To prevent that explosion--otherwise so what if you locked the thread, people still get hurt/upset and the fellowship is jarred. The damage is already done.

But you know, we try our best to explain things to people. We have lists and logs, and we take great lengths to explain decisions or actions to people when most sites--Christian or not--would never consider such a thing. I feel like we already go above and beyond our duties to try to keep the peace, and people still complain about it. Heck most sites wouldn't even allow a thread like this to stand; you'd just be banned instantly. Just bear in mind there is a whole aspect to running a site that members have no idea about, nor are they privy to some of the things said behind closed doors or the true depth of love every staffer feels for this site. Trust me, they have to have it or they would have quit a long time ago. The hours are simply not worth the pay (which is non existant by the way). All of us have real world jobs, sometimes in addition to school, families, friends, and offline lives to keep up with as well. So to sit back and whine that you can't talk about whatever you want and that we are just arbitrarily being killjoys is really ignorant. We do not expect approval or praise from the members for doing our jobs, just some basic obedience. And as Shatterheart said, you do not pay anything to keep this site running nor were you charged membership to join--in short if you disagree with the policies here no one is twisting your arm to stay.

As for the definition of a debate, it's any discussion where either side begins to degrade into less than courteous behavior--be it bashing the other person's opinions, inflammatory language, whatever. It's a discussion getting out of hand, in ADDITION to controversial topics that are bound to bring conflicting, passionate and irreconcilable opinions to the floor.

[Jasdero]

I understand the good intentions of why they do that, I just wish that it didn't go that way.

^^ Me too. But you know, it's not all that bad. Instead of looking at what you -can't- do, look at what you can. This is the first -safe- board I've found, and I'm quite grateful for it even if there are some things that I wish were different.

u.u and now to now to make the biggest point of all. *o*/ This is a -free- board. What the administration says and does is law. Sure, you might not agree with it, but hey, you aren't paying for access to this board or for their services. XD]And I don't think my voice is very well heard when trying to explain things to them.[/QUOTE]
^^; You know, as far as I can tell, the administration is actually really accommodating compared to -a lot- of other boards. Most of them don't feel they even need to give an explanation. If the thread is locked, its locked, and don't you dare ask them why. At least the admins/mods here give reasons as to why, and then even take the time to explain more thoroughly if you PM them.

I respect the intentions of what they do, they feel it is a better idea and something that is neccesary to keep the peace I guess. I just like to have deep and interesting, serious and direct debates about things sometimes where someone has the chance to really express a passionate feeling they have on a subject, but how can that be done when it is locked?

^^ You might have a lot of fun at Theology Web.

Person 1: Let's agree to disagree
Person 2: I don't agree with that

XDD lol

Edit: >.> Shucks, having gone to eat dinner in the middle of this post let people post before me.. T_T and therefore, a few of my points were already said. XD; Oh well. \^O^/ Peace, Love, and Shrimps~ >.> I hate seafood.

[Arnobius]

[quote="Ashley"]I think Sunako said it best--we're more of a bomb squad than a fire troupe. What that means is each staffer has a lot of experience at detecting when topics are doused with enough volatility to go off and they will make the decision to close the thread at that time. Why? To prevent that explosion--otherwise so what if you locked the thread, people still get hurt/upset and the fellowship is jarred. The damage is already done.

But you know, we try our best to explain things to people. We have lists and logs, and we take great lengths to explain decisions or actions to people when most sites--Christian or not--would never consider such a thing. I feel like we already go above and beyond our duties to try to keep the peace, and people still complain about it. Heck most sites wouldn't even allow a thread like this to stand]
Thanks for your explanation. I try to stay within the rules but sometimes it seems that the rules change faster than I can keep up. I guess you guys have had a lot of experience in seeing things spiral out of control though and can see it coming better. Now that I know what you guys actually mean when you say "debate" I'll understand when you kill a thread.

One thing I've suggested before and will do so again is having an updated FAQ-- maybe with links to your stickys or something. That's something I wish I had when I first arrived and did some stuff I'm not proud of. Maybe I'm wrong but I find myself wondering how many people break these rules out of not knowing instead of doing it deliberately.

[Fsiphskilm]

I'll agree and disagree.
It's true we don't know what goes on behind stage.
It's also true that right before you're about to respond to a thread it gets locked becuase it "might" cause problems. Technically ALL threads have the potential to cuase problems.

It's a christian message board, theology is inevitable..
we can either change the name to Anime Alliance
or we think first on what to bring up and what not to bring up.
it is difficult trying to ask yourself that question all the time though,

[Stephen]

Why this thread was bumped is a mystery to me. I think Ash amongst other staffers were pretty clear.