Introducing the Current Affairs/IMHO forum

Obvious Desperate Breakfasts · 03-12-2019 04:18AM

I don’t recall the supposed in-fighting that killed the Ladies Lounge. It just started to slow down as a forum but fighting, I do not recall. I’d imagine no good examples of that could be provided if sought. To me, it just seems like a lazy “LOL, women are the worst to other women” smear. There used to be great discussions on that forum and, yes, by the far the biggest problem was fly-by posters parachuting in with trolling posts and then running away.

osarusan · 03-02-2020 07:39PM

Current Affairs is supposed to be a place for frank debate on contentious issues (or whatever it says).

One of the standards that was going to separate CA from Politics is that posters wouldn't be in trouble for not backing up a claim, but it just leads to stuff like this. Is there anything that can be done about posting like this?

Poster A wrote:

the vast majority of prostitutes don’t have a huge online presence because they don’t have access to social media or lobby groups to tell anyone how shìt it is.

Poster B wrote:

Back this up

Poster A wrote:

Bother me arse tbh, better things to be doing on a Sunday morning than entertaining nonsense

Beasty · 03-02-2020 07:46PM

And readers are perfectly capable of drawing their own conclusions based on such exchanges. The best thing, in my view, is to agree to disagree and move on rather that continuing to draw attention to the issue

WishUWereHere · 03-02-2020 07:52PM

Pardon my ignorance Beasty but........

Really liked your last avatar. But who is the broke currently occupying your avatar now?

Beasty · 03-02-2020 08:17PM

In the words of Pete Townsend:

He's known as the Speaker....

Sir Lindsay Hoyle - MP for Chorley with a proper northern accent to rule over the HoC

One eyed Jack · 03-02-2020 08:38PM

osarusan wrote: »

Current Affairs is supposed to be a place for frank debate on contentious issues (or whatever it says).

One of the standards that was going to separate CA from Politics is that posters wouldn't be in trouble for not backing up a claim, but it just leads to stuff like this. Is there anything that can be done about posting like this?

I appreciate that you were using my posts as an example, but one of the easiest things you could have done about it is asked me yourself, and I would have had no problem providing mountains of evidence to back up my claim, and the critical factor is that I’ve always taken the time to do so for anyone who I thought was genuinely interested in the discussion.

A fly-by “back this up” comment wasn’t IMHO any sort of an attempt to engage in the discussion, so I made as much effort with my reply as I felt the post deserved. As it happened I was heading out to mass at the time, so I really did have better things to be doing than entertaining that sort of nonsense. You’ll see I later engaged in the thread with posters who I figured had at least done their homework, even if it wasn’t an entirely accurate characterisation -

To put in context, If memory serves, One Eyed Jack is proud of his very conservative religious beliefs. Might be why he defends a religious organisation.

I didn’t ask them to back up their claims, but rather I chose to correct them by providing evidence to show their claims were, well, nonsense (they were posting from memory though, to be fair to them). The forum allows for this though as it’s not just called Current Affairs, also in the forum name is “IMHO”, which is why it’s the perfect place for frank discussion. Debates don’t interest me tbh, which is why I don’t bother with the Politics forum.

CA/IMHO offers a perfect balance between the standards expected in AH and the standards offered in Politics. It allows for frank exchanges of opinion on contentious issues, as opposed to Politics or AH where completely different standards apply.

WishUWereHere · 03-02-2020 09:44PM

Beasty wrote: »

In the words of Pete Townsend:

He's known as the Speaker....

Sir Lindsay Hoyle - MP for Chorley with a proper northern accent to rule over the HoC

Hah, nice choice. Now I do recognize him.

Good choice

Hotblack Desiato · 05-02-2020 04:02PM

How is it there are open threads in the Politics Cafe 2.0 forum? Last post on one was in December. The New Thread button isn't greyed out, either.

Boards.ie: Mark · 05-02-2020 04:05PM

Thanks for the heads up. Looks like it wasn't closed off properly. Will sort that now.

29-02-2020 08:22PM

How's this forum working out?

I think it's great that it's separated from AH as AH has now become a lot more relaxed- only feedback is that this new forum, during elections, can be a bit too political i.e. more like Politics forum- I can understand throughout elections, but after, I'd be inclined to tell people to get over to Politics?

Only MHO,

Blueshoe · 29-02-2020 09:25PM

[Deleted User] wrote: »

How's this forum working out?

I think it's great that it's separated from AH as AH has now become a lot more relaxed- only feedback is that this new forum, during elections, can be a bit too political i.e. more like Politics forum- I can understand throughout elections, but after, I'd be inclined to tell people to get over to Politics?

Only MHO,

Do you think AH is boring now or better? I never really view it anymore

01-03-2020 04:46PM

Blueshoe wrote: »

Do you think AH is boring now or better? I never really view it anymore

I mean, you’re going to have people here saying any forum, AH included, was much better “back in the day” - and it probably was many years ago.

But there’s a clear distinction now in terms of AH and Current Affairs - to paraphrase Full Metal Jacket, “one is for fighting and one is for fun”

You don’t really see people having to justify their irreverence in AH anymore, because the only threads that should be there are the trivial fun and irreverent ones- everything else goes into Current Affairs- I think that’s a good thing

- if you think about it, AH was never really a place for something like an “RIP” thread of some famous person. And it was proven time and time again, that a “serious discussion” just wasn’t worth the effort in AH , because the forum charter was just too broad to maintain one.

There’s probably less people now viewing AH simply because current affairs stuff like viruses, elections etc are actually very popular and where people want to spend their time- I tend to jump into both but yeah, Current Affairs probably gets more of my attention theses days.

I’d be interested to hear from AH mods - I’d bet the workload on that forum has greatly reduced

EmmetSpiceland · 01-03-2020 05:07PM

To be honest, the whole point of the “Current Affairs” forum has been failing of late. Threads just aren’t being moved fast enough.

The “Jordan Peterson” thread has caused a lot of CA “types” to hang around and then post their hatred, and bile, in other AH threads.

Could really do with a “move thread” button as the “report” button isn’t really applicable in that case and, let’s face it, it probably won’t even be looked at.

If the CA oddballs continue to stream into AH and posting that “brand” of bigotry and viciousness there really is no point in having two, separate, forums.

Blueshoe · 02-03-2020 12:36AM

EmmetSpiceland wrote: »

To be honest, the whole point of the “Current Affairs” forum has been failing of late. Threads just aren’t being moved fast enough.

The “Jordan Peterson” thread has caused a lot of CA “types” to hang around and then post their hatred, and bile, in other AH threads.

Could really do with a “move thread” button as the “report” button isn’t really applicable in that case and, let’s face it, it probably won’t even be looked at.

If the CA oddballs continue to stream into AH and posting that “brand” of bigotry and viciousness there really is no point in having two, separate, forums.

I don't see the sense of posting in an echo chamber either though. Everyone has the same or close to opinion. Sounds bland.
Obviously extreme posting is no benefit either. I'm a week back from a 3 month ban and a one month ban before that. I had a real issue with some posters having ridiculous opinions. I couldn't help myself I had to react. Now I just realize that some people are mental and there is no point in engaging with them.

EmmetSpiceland · 02-03-2020 01:54AM

Blueshoe wrote: »

Now I just realize that some people are mental and there is no point in engaging with them.

I want to “engage” with them as little as possible, B. That’s why I wish they’d stay in CA.

The fact that threads, like the “Peterson” one, are left open to descend into some pretty vicious “attacks” on trans people just invites these weirdos, and creeps, to hang around and then they start seep into other threads.

It’s just a shame, that’s all.

Arghus · 02-03-2020 04:58AM

It's gone predictably batshit in there with all of the Coronavirus hysteria.

Blueshoe · 02-03-2020 08:31AM

EmmetSpiceland wrote: »

I want to “engage” with them as little as possible, B. That’s why I wish they’d stay in CA.

The fact that threads, like the “Peterson” one, are left open to descend into some pretty vicious “attacks” on trans people just invites these weirdos, and creeps, to hang around and then they start seep into other threads.

It’s just a shame, that’s all.

I believe he is in hospital in Russia after nearly dying several times due to a sedative addiction. There's a lesson in there somewhere. Nobody is physically or mentally bulletproof. I see the be nice because of what happened with Caroline flack lasted about 10 mins on twitter.

nkl12xtw5goz70 · 02-03-2020 11:28AM

EmmetSpiceland wrote: »

The fact that threads, like the “Peterson” one, are left open to descend into some pretty vicious “attacks” on trans people just invites these weirdos, and creeps, to hang around and then they start seep into other threads.

Do you have examples of "vicious attacks on trans people" from that thread? I'd love to see them. Because from my reading, people have expressed opinions such as these:

Because male-bodied athletes have innate physiological advantages that persist even after testosterone levels are reduced, it's unfair (and, in contact sports, dangerous) to permit them to compete against natural-born female athletes;
That a male-bodied sex offender is currently incarcerated in an Irish women's prison, because they possess a gender-recognition certificate that obliges the state to recognize them legally as female, sets a wrong-headed and dangerous precedent;
An unregulated system of gender self-identification can easily permit male sex offenders to pose as women, and thus gain access to female-only spaces such as bathrooms and changing facilities;
Puberty-blockers should not be prescribed to ten-year-old children, or double mastectomies performed on 14-year-old girls, because over-eager parents or clinicians believe that they "identify" as the opposite gender.

Far from constituting "hatred," "bigotry," or "vicious attacks," per your hand-waving above, such concerns are rational, defensible, and legitimate. A female MMA fighter suffered a fractured skull in a bout with a male-bodied opponent. Female athletes in some US states are losing out on college scholarships, pushed off the podium by male-bodied competitors. Confused and vulnerable adolescents are being prescribed medications and surgeries that have irreversible effects on their future lives. Convicted male-bodied rapists are being housed in women's prisons on the basis that they have decided to self-identify as female. These are the real-world consequences of trans activism. People are entitled to be concerned about such issues without being labeled as transphobic bigots.

Attacking other Boards.ie posters whose opinion you don't share as "weirdos and creeps" is far more of a problem than anything posted on that thread.

osarusan · 03-03-2020 03:50PM

osarusan wrote: »

Far, far too much leniency given to posters whose intent to do nothing other than post in bad faith and spew shyte is obvious after just a few posts.

6 months later, this remains a real problem.

Obvious Desperate Breakfasts · 05-03-2020 03:34AM

EmmetSpiceland wrote: »

I want to “engage” with them as little as possible, B. That’s why I wish they’d stay in CA.

The fact that threads, like the “Peterson” one, are left open to descend into some pretty vicious “attacks” on trans people just invites these weirdos, and creeps, to hang around and then they start seep into other threads.

It’s just a shame, that’s all.

As somebody who was very vocal about trans issues in the Peterson thread, I’m pleasantly surprised at the AH mods for allowing the discussion to unfold and not shutting it down. I was sure it would be. Maybe what was being said wasn’t all that objectionable?

05-03-2020 05:12AM

This came up before in this very thread I believe. One poster ages ago linked to a genuine hateful post claiming the thread was full of them.. Like every second post you'd be led to believe. The post they linked to was something like post #161 in the thread and the rest of the thread was fine.

There is absolutely no point in even trying to explain the concept of a public forum to some people. boards.ie has the strictest posting guidelines I've ever come across and yet it's nowhere near strict enough for those who work themselves into a tizzy seeing red everywhere.

nkl12xtw5goz70 · 05-03-2020 08:46AM

I note that when EmmetSpiceland was asked to back up his claims about "vicious attacks on trans people" in that thread, he vanished faster than a cupcake at a kids' birthday party.

There's been a pronounced tendency lately for the self-appointed righteous to declare that Boards is full of right-wing hatred and bigotry, and that threads or even entire forums (especially CA) are populated by "creeps and weirdos." When asked to substantiate such claims, they disappear — but it's 100% guaranteed that they'll pop up somewhere else repeating the same nonsense.

Why are staff/admins allowing these baseless allegations to continue, when they're damaging to the reputation and standing of the site? Anyone accusing posters of spreading bigotry, or Boards.ie of hosting hate, is making serious allegations that run counter to the site's reputation as a well-moderated and well-run forum for open discussion. If allegations of hatred and bigotry are found to be baseless, per those above, cards and bans should be handed out.

end of the road · 05-03-2020 03:47PM

Adeline Dead Firefly wrote: »

I note that when EmmetSpiceland was asked to back up his claims about "vicious attacks on trans people" in that thread, he vanished faster than a cupcake at a kids' birthday party.

There's been a pronounced tendency lately for the self-appointed righteous to declare that Boards is full of right-wing hatred and bigotry, and that threads or even entire forums (especially CA) are populated by "creeps and weirdos." When asked to substantiate such claims, they disappear — but it's 100% guaranteed that they'll pop up somewhere else repeating the same nonsense.

Why are staff/admins allowing these baseless allegations to continue, when they're damaging to the reputation and standing of the site? Anyone accusing posters of spreading bigotry, or Boards.ie of hosting hate, is making serious allegations that run counter to the site's reputation as a well-moderated and well-run forum for open discussion. If allegations of hatred and bigotry are found to be baseless, per those above, cards and bans should be handed out.

to be fair the problem with such allegations is that they are subjective.
they are not like other allegations which can easily be disproved, because the allegations about the CA forum and individuals within it are opinion based, which are based on what views and opinions people find acceptable or not. essentially they are opinions held in good faith, even if i would not share such a view on a whole
the people expressing such views could provide lots of examples to show why they think the CA forum is full of whatever, but given others do not share the same views as them, no amount of proof could be enough.
i'm not seeing what staff here can really do in this situation to be honest.
personally i think the CA forum is a great success and addition to the sight, and if people do not like what is posted within it, they should either pop in and challenge views or just ignore.

05-03-2020 04:54PM

anyone posting "cesspit" can be safely ignored, I've found.

A real giveaway that one, the typed equivalent of a hanky held up to the nose.

EmmetSpiceland · 05-03-2020 05:50PM

Adeline Dead Firefly wrote: »

I note that when EmmetSpiceland was asked to back up his claims about "vicious attacks on trans people" in that thread, he vanished faster than a cupcake at a kids' birthday party.

There's been a pronounced tendency lately for the self-appointed righteous to declare that Boards is full of right-wing hatred and bigotry, and that threads or even entire forums (especially CA) are populated by "creeps and weirdos." When asked to substantiate such claims, they disappear — but it's 100% guaranteed that they'll pop up somewhere else repeating the same nonsense.

Why are staff/admins allowing these baseless allegations to continue, when they're damaging to the reputation and standing of the site? Anyone accusing posters of spreading bigotry, or Boards.ie of hosting hate, is making serious allegations that run counter to the site's reputation as a well-moderated and well-run forum for open discussion. If allegations of hatred and bigotry are found to be baseless, per those above, cards and bans should be handed out.

I’m still here, Prof. Apologies, some of us do have busy lives outside of this online message board and can’t be posting 24/7.

I didn’t “backup my claims” because I wasn’t going to go “combing” back over that massive thread for examples. But I would encourage the mods to take a look, whenever the thread diverts onto the topic of “trans” people. As for what lures kids away from parties, I’ll bow to superior knowledge on that front.

No one is saying “Boards is full of right wing hate and bigotry”. I do, however, believe that the “Current Affairs” forum is. I don’t, honestly, know how anyone could argue otherwise.

I have said countless times, at this stage, that I think the mods in CA are doing an amazing job. The forum has to have a more relaxed attitude to certain opinions to ensure that the usual “cohort” stay in there as long as possible. Can you imagine if those animals were wandering across into normal forums? I salute both the mods and the brave good souls who keep them occupied in their pen.

I am aware that the poster above has closed their account but I felt that, considering I was “called out” personally, a reply was required. Apologies again for the delay, I do hope it was satisfactory.

Gatling · 05-03-2020 06:51PM

EmmetSpiceland wrote: »

I didn’t “backup my claims” because I wasn’t going to go “combing” back over that massive thread for examples. But I would encourage the mods to take a look, whenever the thread diverts onto the topic of “trans” people.

Why .

There seems to be minority group of people who are demanding control over who and when people can discuss the topic of trans /people suffering gender dismorphia ,
And anyone that doesn't agree with certain opinions are bigots or right wing head cases ,

Blueshoe · 05-03-2020 07:26PM

Gatling wrote: »

Why .

There seems to be minority group of people who are demanding control over who and when people can discuss the topic of trans /people suffering gender dismorphia ,
And anyone that doesn't agree with certain opinions are bigots or right wing head cases ,

Literally Adolf Hitler reincarnated

Outlaw Pete · 05-03-2020 07:45PM

Gatling wrote: »

And anyone that doesn't agree with certain opinions are bigots or right wing head cases ,

Aye, and on a forum were the vast vast majority of users express predominantly liberal views too. Makes no sense.

Never understood how even with the numbers on their side, where their posts get backslapped as a matter of course, such users will still freak out and claim right wingers are ruining the place when some opinions are expressed which they don't happen to agree with.

I can only assume it's because what they really want is an echo chamber of sorts.

EmmetSpiceland · 05-03-2020 07:49PM

Gatling wrote: »

Why .

There seems to be minority group of people who are demanding control over who and when people can discuss the topic of trans /people suffering gender dismorphia ,
And anyone that doesn't agree with certain opinions are bigots or right wing head cases ,

Why what?

I don’t have any issue with people “discussing” anything. Whether you’re a bigot, homophobe, oddball, racist, creep, misogynist, crank, TERF or any of the assorted -isms our there, that is your “business”.

Where I do have an “issue” is when any of that nonsense is spouted in “After Hours”. All of that stuff is at home in CA.

And, yes, it really does “bother“ me to see CA threads staying in AH for far too long. When that happens you see posts about ‘crooked Hillary’, ‘Epstein was murdered’ and random pops at FG around insurance premiums.

Now, if there is a thread about a celebrity telling about a past sexual assault, that’s when they have a field day. Posts claiming ‘regret isn’t rape’ and calling into question the character of the victim. Well, unless the perpetrator turns out to be black, Muslim/Arab or of Asian Indian origin.

As long as that “carry on” is kept in CA it’s really not a big deal, par for the course in there. But all the mouth breathing really does start to stink up AH and takes away from the general “fun” of the place.

Obvious Desperate Breakfasts · 05-03-2020 08:38PM

EmmetSpiceland wrote: »

Why what?

I don’t have any issue with people “discussing” anything. Whether you’re a bigot, homophobe, oddball, racist, creep, misogynist, crank, TERF or any of the assorted -isms our there, that is your “business”.

Where I do have an “issue” is when any of that nonsense is spouted in “After Hours”. All of that stuff is at home in CA.

And, yes, it really does “bother“ me to see CA threads staying in AH for far too long. When that happens you see posts about ‘crooked Hillary’, ‘Epstein was murdered’ and random pops at FG around insurance premiums.

Now, if there is a thread about a celebrity telling about a past sexual assault, that’s when they have a field day. Posts claiming ‘regret isn’t rape’ and calling into question the character of the victim. Well, unless the perpetrator turns out to be black, Muslim/Arab or of Asian Indian origin.

As long as that “carry on” is kept in CA it’s really not a big deal, par for the course in there. But all the mouth breathing really does start to stink up AH and takes away from the general “fun” of the place.

What’s with all the inverted commas? It makes for confusing reading.

Introducing the Current Affairs/IMHO forum

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