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Introducing the Current Affairs/IMHO forum

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Comments

  • #572
    TheRepentent
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,171 ✭✭✭TheRepentent


    Dial Hard wrote: »
    The other issue with AH is the constant stream of absolute nonsense threads being started by one particular poster. I don't really go near the place any more, tbh, it's just one stupid question after another.
    2nd this ^^^ Thankfully its only in AH and nowhere else



    https://www.btselem.org/

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israeli_war_crimes


  • #573
    Beasty
    Administrators, Social & Fun Moderators, Sports Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 78,513 Admin ✭✭✭✭✭Beasty


    The last few days have been pretty exceptional in terms of "controversial" topics and threads. I arrived home yesterday evening and between 7.30 and midnight dealt with nearly 30 reports, with a dozen or more PMs across 10 threads. A few weeks ago it may have been a similar number of reports but across 2 or 3 threads, which is easier to handle as you get a better feel for the threads in question

    Having said that, the Coronavirus Forum has without doubt been the busiest one that I've ever experienced and I suspect materially busier than any other in the history of the site. At one stage we were getting perhaps 40% of site-wide posts in a single thread. Things in that forum have settled down a lot now and the daily posts are perhaps a quarter of what they once were (bearing in mind the forum is less than 3 months old). I suspect yesterday's announcements will have placated a few of those who were shouting loudest about the easing of restrictions. Hopefully the forum will continue to decline as although that may seem imply less site activity it should also signify a decline of the virus itself

    Problems with the search function at present do not allow me to check the figures, but based on prior searches I've done I think the Coronavirus forum has not necessarily increased site traffic that much, but has diverted traffic from other forums (Sports ones being good examples where there is relatively little to discuss at present, but that applies across the site given the way Coronavirus is affecting us all). Even now the upturn in CA traffic due to the George Floyd issue has broadly matched the decline in the Coronavirus forum


  • #574
    Beasty
    Administrators, Social & Fun Moderators, Sports Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 78,513 Admin ✭✭✭✭✭Beasty


    TheRepentent wrote: »
    2nd this ^^^ Thankfully its only in AH and nowhere else

    Just on this point, one thing to bear in mind is that if the threads are not particularly interesting they should quickly drop off the front page. I personally think it's better to just ignore any such threads rather than giving them any oxygen by replying. The message will hopefully get through. However it's difficult for mods to take any action if threads started are getting regular replies


  • #575
    TheRepentent
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,171 ✭✭✭TheRepentent


    Beasty wrote: »
    Just on this point, one thing to bear in mind is that if the threads are not particularly interesting they should quickly drop off the front page. I personally think it's better to just ignore any such threads rather than giving them any oxygen by replying. The message will hopefully get through. However it's difficult for mods to take any action if threads started are getting regular replies
    Yeah totally agree , that user isn't breaking any rules etc...but still posts sh1te:)



    https://www.btselem.org/

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israeli_war_crimes


  • #576
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 18,046 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Imagine being so known for your nonsense, your name doesn't even have to be said.


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  • #577
    TheValeyard
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,568 ✭✭✭✭TheValeyard


    Dont see a problem with nonsense threads, can be a nice distraction from serious threads or daily life. Zero harm in them.

    Also think that poster has got people talking in certain threads and other posters are enjoying them, why complain or stop them?

    Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue



  • #578
    Beasty
    Administrators, Social & Fun Moderators, Sports Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 78,513 Admin ✭✭✭✭✭Beasty


    AH thrives on nonsense. Having said that, this thread is about CA, so let's not dwell on a particular point relating to AH


  • #579
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 6,583 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Is there a function to actually thread ban a user, or are users just required to not post in a thread once a mod says so?

    The only reason I'm asking is that users who a mod posts as thread banned have continued to post in threads afterwards and in the same way that the mod issued the thread ban for.


  • #580
    hullaballoo
    Administrators, Entertainment Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 18,834 Admin ✭✭✭✭✭hullaballoo


    Admin: a reminder of the requirements to have 100 posts and 3 months' membership as a minimum before posting in the Feedback forum.


  • #581
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 18,046 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Was CA just used to kill the Unpopular Opinions thread in AH?

    It was moved to CA when it obviously shouldn't be there and then it was unceremoniously closed because it wasn't suitable there. It should be moved back, not closed.


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  • #582
    Beasty
    Administrators, Social & Fun Moderators, Sports Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 78,513 Admin ✭✭✭✭✭Beasty


    Deleted User wrote: »
    Was CA just used to kill the Unpopular Opinions thread in AH?

    It was moved to CA when it obviously shouldn't be there and then it was unceremoniously closed because it wasn't suitable there. It should be moved back, not closed.
    I'll discuss with the AH mods, but it is not a suitable topic for CA

    If they are happy to have it back then we'll move it


  • #583
    EmmetSpiceland
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,977 ✭✭✭✭EmmetSpiceland


    [Deleted User] wrote: »
    Was CA just used to kill the Unpopular Opinions thread in AH?

    It was moved to CA when it obviously shouldn't be there and then it was unceremoniously closed because it wasn't suitable there. It should be moved back, not closed.

    While I don’t think it should have been “closed”, I mean, nothing posted in there wasn’t being said in countless other threads, but I, personally, don’t believe moving it back to AH is a good idea.

    Up until today the thread served as a giant dung “beacon” that CA posters couldn’t resist feasting on. Some would then hang around, “fouling” up other threads.

    I can’t argue that it’s not, exactly, a “current affair” but it would, certainly, fall under the remit of “IMHO”. Would it not?

    It should also be noted that the AH mods have done a great job of late, moving threads at speed and not allowing any to “fester”.

    I’m well aware there’s a lot going on at the moment, keeping the dregs of the site preoccupied. In some threads it’s just a “circle-jerk” of hate, which is fine when it’s contained like that.

    But there will come a time when the rioting and protesting lessens or when Rowling fades back into obscurity and when that time comes it is not going to go well for AH. Particularly, if that thread gets “dumped” back. Will not go well at all.

    “It matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be” - A. Dumbledore

    “It is not blood that makes you Irish but a willingness to be part of the Irish nation” - Thomas Davis



  • #584
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 18,046 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    If someone can't handle unpopular opinions, they shouldn't click in. Half the posts are about random stuff like food and half are about politics or something happening.

    There has to be a place on this site for unpopular opinions. It's moddle-coddling us if there isn't, and if the site wants to close that thread because it doesn't suit the sunshine and lollipops attempt in AH, it should be a separate forum with one opinion per thread.

    I got into a debate yesterday about teachers being overpaid. There isn't really anywhere else on the site for that discussion to take place now.


    And IMHO should be removed from CA as it doesn't work. Unpopular opinions is perfect IMHO and it stuck out like a sore thumb.


  • #585
    Beasty
    Administrators, Social & Fun Moderators, Sports Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 78,513 Admin ✭✭✭✭✭Beasty


    I've just re-opened it in CA. There is a warning that regardless of the thread topic any posts that contravene site rules/ToU are not allowed


  • #586
    EmmetSpiceland
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,977 ✭✭✭✭EmmetSpiceland


    [Deleted User] wrote: »
    If someone can't handle unpopular opinions, they shouldn't click in. Half the posts are about random stuff like food and half are about politics or something happening.

    There has to be a place on this site for unpopular opinions. It's moddle-coddling us if there isn't, and if the site wants to close that thread because it doesn't suit the sunshine and lollipops attempt in AH, it should be a separate forum with one opinion per thread.

    I got into a debate yesterday about teachers being overpaid. There isn't really anywhere else on the site for that discussion to take place now.


    And IMHO should be removed from CA as it doesn't work. Unpopular opinions is perfect IMHO and it stuck out like a sore thumb.

    But there, most certainly, is a place for “unpopular opinions” on this site. “Current Affairs/IMHO” is that place.

    Especially if it’s just a thread to dump in your own, personal, “unpopular opinion” without having to defend it, or to attack other ones.

    Whether the “IMHO” element belongs with that, particular, forum is a separate issue, at present. But, right now, I would urge the moderators to leave the thread where it belongs, in the “Current Affairs/IMHO” forum. It’s in the name.

    “It matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be” - A. Dumbledore

    “It is not blood that makes you Irish but a willingness to be part of the Irish nation” - Thomas Davis



  • #587
    Obvious Desperate Breakfasts
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,474 ✭✭✭Obvious Desperate Breakfasts


    EmmetSpiceland wrote: »
    But there, most certainly, is a place for “unpopular opinions” on this site. “Current Affairs/IMHO” is that place.

    Especially if it’s just a thread to dump in your own, personal, “unpopular opinion” without having to defend it, or to attack other ones.

    Whether the “IMHO” element belongs with that, particular, forum is a separate issue, at present. But, right now, I would urge the moderators to leave the thread where it belongs, in the “Current Affairs/IMHO” forum. It’s in the name.

    There's plenty of debate in Current Affairs. What are you talking about?


  • #588
    EmmetSpiceland
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,977 ✭✭✭✭EmmetSpiceland


    Obvious Desperate Breakfasts wrote: »
    There's plenty of debate in Current Affairs. What are you talking about?

    I’m well aware of that, O. Well, there’s certainly a lot of “one-sided” debate going, of late, but, yes, in general, there is plenty of debate.

    Anyway, what I meant was, that the thread, itself, is a place where you can post an opinion that you, yourself, deem to be “unpopular”.

    In doing so you are just “putting it out there” and not, necessarily, looking to have to defend it or have others discuss it.

    Of course, discussing, attack and defence, may well occur but, from my perspective, the thread is just for users to post an “unpopular opinion” they may hold.

    “It matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be” - A. Dumbledore

    “It is not blood that makes you Irish but a willingness to be part of the Irish nation” - Thomas Davis



  • #589
    Baggly
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 35,024 ✭✭✭✭Baggly


    Deleted User wrote: »
    Was CA just used to kill the Unpopular Opinions thread in AH?

    It was moved to CA when it obviously shouldn't be there and then it was unceremoniously closed because it wasn't suitable there. It should be moved back, not closed.

    To give my answer, no it wasn't moved to kill it. It was moved to keep it going. The balance of light hearted vs serious topics had tipped to the latter. If you want serious discussion like the one you were having re teachers, it doesn't belong in AH.

    It was closed for review but its open now.


  • #590
    Boards.ie: Niamh
    Boards.ie Employee, Boards Employee 2, Boards Employee 3 Posts: 12,597 ✭✭✭✭✭Boards.ie: Niamh
    Boards.ie Community Manager


    Omackeral, I've moved your post and a number of replies in relation to an AH thread being moved to this new thread in Help Desk. I recognise that there was a genuine query but it didn't belong in this thread

    How can I? User's guide to some features on the new site



  • #591
    osarusan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,003 ✭✭✭✭osarusan


    mike_ie wrote: »

    I'm not sure there is a clear cut answer because different posters want different things from the forum. A certain tier of posters want it policed like the Politics forum, in which case, why not post in the politics forum. Others want a free for all, which will result in another Thunderdome. Anything in between results in moderators being accused of having full scope for bias and capriciousness with zero accountability.
    Because, to state the obvious, lots of stuff in CA is not a political issue. Bizarre to say that somebody who wants stricter moderation should just go to a forum that has stricter modetation, even when the content of that forum is often quite different. You said yourself a few days ago that the George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Everyday Racism threads were the most challenging to moderate, and none of them belong in the Politics forum.

    The main issue with the forum remains the absurd amount of time taken to root out posters whose intent to post in bad faith and disrupt as much as possible is evident almost immediately. They rack up hundreds if not thousands of posts before they finally get kicked out, and drown the reasonable debate that other posters are trying to have.

    I might be wrong, but the impression I get is that the moderators are not particularly active on the forum apart from when looking at reported posts, so they do not develop a feel for the place. So when they look at an individual reported post, it doesn't seem to be much of a problem on its own, but the regulars know that this poster has been posting the same thing for days or weeks on end. I can think of one poster who managed to rack up 1000+ posts in an individual thread, just repeating the same thing over and over again without ever engaging in any discussion, before they finally got threadbanned.


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  • #592
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 11,195 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    the solution that seems obvious to me as a user has been brought up before in this context

    if you have to have forum-by-forum rules of conduct (debatably a bad idea in a site that doesn't necessarily present to a given user as strictly broken down by forum, imo) then you cannot also dictate where a topic "must be" discussed

    "issues" do not have inherent rules or style guides governing how they can be discussed

    an after hours thread on a current topic has every right to exist and exist in the after hours style

    the high-minded individuals that hold their hankies to their """"noses"""" can have a thread in a more controlled forum

    the only issue here that i can see is the site attitude that a topic cannot exist in both fora with a distinct character to each thread.

    stop moving threads then demanding that new rules of conduct apply as a result, and what's the problem?


  • #593
    2ndcoming
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,605 ✭✭✭2ndcoming


    I myself was unaware there was any special leeway or idea to coop the crazies in CA, I think having the Covid threads in there (the busiest threads on boards in years) was a mistake as it made CA seem like the most important forum.

    The best thing I think would be to have a standalone IMHO forum. Just call it The Trash Can or something fitting like that. It feels like eating out of the trash can every time you open a thread in there at present anyway. You'll have less people coming in getting irate and reporting posts if it's clearly marked.


  • #594
    Overheal
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86,683 ✭✭✭✭Overheal


    osarusan wrote: »
    Because, to state the obvious, lots of stuff in CA is not a political issue. Bizarre to say that somebody who wants stricter moderation should just go to a forum that has stricter modetation, even when the content of that forum is often quite different. You said yourself a few days ago that the George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Everyday Racism threads were the most challenging to moderate, and none of them belong in the Politics forum.

    The main issue with the forum remains the absurd amount of time taken to root out posters whose intent to post in bad faith and disrupt as much as possible is evident almost immediately. They rack up hundreds if not thousands of posts before they finally get kicked out, and drown the reasonable debate that other posters are trying to have.

    I might be wrong, but the impression I get is that the moderators are not particularly active on the forum apart from when looking at reported posts, so they do not develop a feel for the place. So when they look at an individual reported post, it doesn't seem to be much of a problem on its own, but the regulars know that this poster has been posting the same thing for days or weeks on end. I can think of one poster who managed to rack up 1000+ posts in an individual thread, just repeating the same thing over and over again without ever engaging in any discussion, before they finally got threadbanned.

    Assuming for granted mods don’t have the bandwidth to read megathreads and get a feel, users can still add piles of information to a reported post. Eg. If the users thread history paints the picture explain that in the report, quote examples even, not every report may be sufficient if you just call it “trolling,” Only to be left as a mind reading exercise for the moderators, Etc. - seen some where a user posted as you said the exact same post nearly dozens of times before being threadbanned, because no one post was actionable and I guess it took a while for anyone to point the pattern out to the mods.


  • #595
    Beasty
    Administrators, Social & Fun Moderators, Sports Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 78,513 Admin ✭✭✭✭✭Beasty


    osarusan wrote: »
    I might be wrong, but the impression I get is that the moderators are not particularly active on the forum apart from when looking at reported posts, so they do not develop a feel for the place. So when they look at an individual reported post, it doesn't seem to be much of a problem on its own, but the regulars know that this poster has been posting the same thing for days or weeks on end. I can think of one poster who managed to rack up 1000+ posts in an individual thread, just repeating the same thing over and over again without ever engaging in any discussion, before they finally got threadbanned.
    Just on this point, and speaking from a personal perspective. I reckon I spend 90%+ of my time on the site looking at threads in CA and the Coronavirus forums. Before I became an Admin I probably spent as much time on Sports forums

    I tried to actively follow, and contribute to, the 2 "main" coronavirus threads because they were where most of the issues have been. One is dominated by pro-lockdown proponents and the other by posters looking to relax restrictions. I also pay particular attention to one specific thread in CA, the Gangland shootings one - not one I post in very often, but one where understanding the underlying issues is very important. Being able to step in at short notice, removing a lot of problematical posts (from a legal perspective) where the "regulars" are not inclined to report stuff, is very important in that particular thread (a very large number of posts in that thread get deleted).

    As the Coronavirus forum has expanded into additional areas of discussion, and there has been an eruption of race issues following the George Floyd incident, it's not been as easy to keep on top of everything. I am sure this will all blow over and that will allow more engagement in the discussions rather than dealing with reported posts. We're not there yet, but I do think we put a lot of effort into re-focussing our attention as and when it is required. The fact we may not be posting extensively in discussions does not mean we are oblivious to some of the underlying issues/discussions


  • #596
    Buford T. Justice XIX
    Closed Accounts Posts: 20,621 ✭✭✭✭Buford T. Justice XIX


    Overheal wrote: »
    Assuming for granted mods don’t have the bandwidth to read megathreads and get a feel, users can still add piles of information to a reported post. Eg. If the users thread history paints the picture explain that in the report, quote examples even, not every report may be sufficient if you just call it “trolling,” Only to be left as a mind reading exercise for the moderators, Etc. - seen some where a user posted as you said the exact same post nearly dozens of times before being threadbanned, because no one post was actionable and I guess it took a while for anyone to point the pattern out to the mods.

    I think this point needs to be made again. A reason for reporting a post included in the report is a massive help in understanding what is objectionable in a post. More than once I've dealt with a reported post that simply states 'This'. Mods will still look at the post and look at the thread the post is from for context but just stating 'This' in a report is not going to assist in dealing with the post.

    What the poster reporting the post might find obvious, somebody not following the thread or the subject isn't always able to immediately intuit the problem.


  • #597
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 18,046 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    As I've said before, reopen the Thunderdome and let them go at it in there. No bans, no moderation, no ads.


  • #598
    Tokyo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,655 ✭✭✭✭Tokyo


    osarusan wrote: »
    I might be wrong, but the impression I get is that the moderators are not particularly active on the forum apart from when looking at reported posts, so they do not develop a feel for the place. So when they look at an individual reported post, it doesn't seem to be much of a problem on its own, but the regulars know that this poster has been posting the same thing for days or weeks on end.

    Much along the same lines as Beasty, I spend much of my time in the CA/Coronavirus forum following events back home. I'm well aware of what goes on there, and am familiar with the tone of the forum and who the contributors and shïtstirrers are. A large part of why I follow but don't post there is because if I did, we both know I'd be sitting in this same thread being accused of mod bias, shaping the conversation towards my particular leaning, etc.


  • #599
    Hodors Appletart
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,918 ✭✭✭Hodors Appletart


    i reported this earlier but wanted to see if there was any support for doing something about the incredibly annoying and downright childish practice of mangling politicians names?

    if i have to read the word "mehole" one more time i think i might scratch out my eyes for example


  • #600
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 6,583 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Hodors Appletart wrote: »
    i reported this earlier but wanted to see if there was any support for doing something about the incredibly annoying and downright childish practice of mangling politicians names?

    if i have to read the word "mehole" one more time i think i might scratch out my eyes for example

    What you're finding is that despite being over eighteen a lot on here that do this sort of thing have the mentality of a five year old.
    I say that having no political affiliations, but believing M.Martin is one of the biggest sleeveen gombeens around.


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  • #601
    Hodors Appletart
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,918 ✭✭✭Hodors Appletart


    yeah this is from someone who placed FF last on my ballot the last time i made sure to vote all the way down so i could give them last pref

    i just dislike the practice ( interestingly it is disallowed in the soccer forum for players managers etc so there is precedence )


This discussion has been closed.
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