[NOTE: The policy changes below are a direct result of member comments, as well as Staff discussion]
CHANGES TO BOARD POLICY ON THE "N-WORD" AND OTHER ISSUES
Hi everyone! Based on the "n-word" poll and associated thread, as well as some good comments from the "losing traffic" thread, as well as discussion in the Staff Lounge, below are the policy changes that we'll be implementing, effective immediately:
1) The N-word will no longer be allowed, and will be starred-out. This will include all previous appearances in existing threads. Once again, this is not because I want this place to be some snowflake "safe-space"
, but rather to allow members and staff alike to be able to refer folks to this forum without trepidation. (And yes, I too stopped referring people here, and that should be proof enough how uncomfortable some of our posted material made me.) I ask that you PLEASE try to also minimize other highly charged words referring to the "chimp community". (sigh, my bad.)
2) Misogynistic/woman-hate posts on unrelated threads will be removed. Misogynistic threads in their own right MAY be moved to ALT depending on content, and where the thread goes in discussion. (However, rants against militant feminism/feminists are fine.)
3) Catholic bashing has got to stop. POPE bashing of this particular "anti-pope" will be allowed. But not the entire religion. (Muzloid bashing will be allowed until they stop bombing, killing and beheading innocent people around the world.)
4) Membership requests will be given top priority moving forward. We need to check for those requests EVERY DAY.
5) REPORT THIS POST is absolutely necessary. We intend to crack down on serious ass-holery (heh) that all too often gets injected into our conversations. (Yes, I'm guilty of it as well. I have instructed the staff to slap me when they see me doing it.) The staff member who handles the issue will report back to the reporting party, so that that member knows that someone actually reviewed the issue. PLEASE DO NOT REPORT A POST BECAUSE YOU’RE BUTT-HURT OR YOU HAVE A DISAGREEMENT WITH WHAT WAS POSTED.
That's it. The goal here is NOT to stifle anyone's free expression, but rather to make this place more conducive to enhanced discussion from a greater number of members. I've noticed that only the same 50-60 people seem to actively participate on a daily basis. That HAS to increase, or we're doomed, and sooner rather than later. You all know that I love this place with all my heart, and deeply appreciate each and every one of you (yes, even you medic -
). I want MORE discussion rather than less. I want MORE newshounds, rather than fewer.
At some point in the future, TB, like many other web fora, may indeed close its doors. The era of the web forum is fading, just as the era of BBS's passed in the late 80's. But I want us to be here as long as we possibly can. We use this site for myriad things, not just news. When it's gone, it's gone, and will never return. Whether that happens in a year rather than 10 years (or longer), depends on us all.
CHANGES TO BOARD POLICY ON THE "N-WORD" AND OTHER ISSUES
Hi everyone! Based on the "n-word" poll and associated thread, as well as some good comments from the "losing traffic" thread, as well as discussion in the Staff Lounge, below are the policy changes that we'll be implementing, effective immediately:
1) The N-word will no longer be allowed, and will be starred-out. This will include all previous appearances in existing threads. Once again, this is not because I want this place to be some snowflake "safe-space"
, but rather to allow members and staff alike to be able to refer folks to this forum without trepidation. (And yes, I too stopped referring people here, and that should be proof enough how uncomfortable some of our posted material made me.) I ask that you PLEASE try to also minimize other highly charged words referring to the "chimp community". (sigh, my bad.)2) Misogynistic/woman-hate posts on unrelated threads will be removed. Misogynistic threads in their own right MAY be moved to ALT depending on content, and where the thread goes in discussion. (However, rants against militant feminism/feminists are fine.)
3) Catholic bashing has got to stop. POPE bashing of this particular "anti-pope" will be allowed. But not the entire religion. (Muzloid bashing will be allowed until they stop bombing, killing and beheading innocent people around the world.)
4) Membership requests will be given top priority moving forward. We need to check for those requests EVERY DAY.
5) REPORT THIS POST is absolutely necessary. We intend to crack down on serious ass-holery (heh) that all too often gets injected into our conversations. (Yes, I'm guilty of it as well. I have instructed the staff to slap me when they see me doing it.) The staff member who handles the issue will report back to the reporting party, so that that member knows that someone actually reviewed the issue. PLEASE DO NOT REPORT A POST BECAUSE YOU’RE BUTT-HURT OR YOU HAVE A DISAGREEMENT WITH WHAT WAS POSTED.
That's it. The goal here is NOT to stifle anyone's free expression, but rather to make this place more conducive to enhanced discussion from a greater number of members. I've noticed that only the same 50-60 people seem to actively participate on a daily basis. That HAS to increase, or we're doomed, and sooner rather than later. You all know that I love this place with all my heart, and deeply appreciate each and every one of you (yes, even you medic -
). I want MORE discussion rather than less. I want MORE newshounds, rather than fewer.At some point in the future, TB, like many other web fora, may indeed close its doors. The era of the web forum is fading, just as the era of BBS's passed in the late 80's. But I want us to be here as long as we possibly can. We use this site for myriad things, not just news. When it's gone, it's gone, and will never return. Whether that happens in a year rather than 10 years (or longer), depends on us all.
)
