Mature Discussion Forum

[Samerron]

There are numerous posts in the Writers section with the 18 stamp on them, yet those are 100% visable to all inluding non-members.

Why can't we do the same thing for Mature forum? After all, people who are interested to read and write about these topics in the Mature Forum (Politics, Religion, Philosophy) will already be exposed to it (outside of B&R) and I guess won't find new harm when entering the mature discussions.

 

[Motokid]

I thought the main fear behind the topics that would appear in the MDF was the emotional sensitivity of the membership, and how they might react with each other over seriously personal topics? And, how that sensitivity would carry over into other areas of the general forum?

Would member turn against member in a personal manner that would create tension for the entire membership? So the feeling was to restrict the people who could post based on how they’ve handled themselves in the other areas of the forum. Isn’t that the issue, and not x rated, graphic topics?

I never once thought the MDF was supposed to be a place for raunchy, graphically sexual and/or graphically violent content of a nature that could lead to legal issues.

 

[SFG75]

I thought the main fear behind the topics that would appear in the MDF was the emotional sensitivity of the membership, and how they might react with each other over seriously personal topics? And, how that sensitivity would carry over into other areas of the general forum?

Darren made clear in this thread that he WASN'T talking about emotional sensitivity, but rather, some adult conversations that would say-not be appropriate around minors as opposed to other adults. How you got the idea that people were offended and thus, a new outlet was created, is beyond me. I'd be curious to learn as to specifically how you came to such a conclusion. A link or quotes would suffice.

Would member turn against member in a personal manner that would create tension for the entire membership? So the feeling was to restrict the people who could post based on how they’ve handled themselves in the other areas of the forum. Isn’t that the issue, and not x rated, graphic topics?

Personal attacks?...overly sensitive members?? What are you talking about? No trophy fish for the fishing expedition, sorry.

I never once thought the MDF was supposed to be a place for raunchy, graphically sexual and/or graphically violent content of a nature that could lead to legal issues.

Yeah, neither did Darren.

I'm not talking about porn here, but the more adult conversations you'd have with a friend in the pub

We know, we know, Darren is wrong. He's wrong if he creates a blog section. He's wrong if he creates an adult forum. He's wrong for not advertising the mature forum area despite his thread about it. It's Darren's fault that the porrige is too hot. It's also his fault if it's too cold. Yes, he's also to blame for global warming. Darren is also to blame for when your PC crashes and for SPAM.

 

[Occlith]

He's wrong if he creates a blog section. He's wrong if he creates an adult forum... he's also to blame for global warming. Darren is also to blame for when your PC crashes and for SPAM.

Shame on you Darren! SHAME

SFG75 you forgot to mention that Darren started The Da Vinci Code thread! Oh, will the list of crimes never end????

 

[Motokid]

It’s a crying shame that some people have nothing better to do than make ridiculous claims, carry petty and childish grudges, and basically pretend to be the voice, conscience, and protector of an entire forum full of intelligent people.

I would think it would be in the best interest of the forum if some people could learn to use the “ignore” function.

I have not made any accusations at all regarding the MDF, the Admin, or the Mods.

I have simply asked, in the “Suggestions” area of the forum, that the MDF be made viewable to everybody.

That’s all.

It’s a suggestion in the appropriate section of the forum, and what follows is some discussion that pertains to that suggestion.

Reading your silly and childish prejudices into my posts only serves to indicate you have a problem, and that kind of thing casts a negative light on the entire forum.

 

[SFG75]

SFG75 you forgot to mention that Darren started The Da Vinci Code thread! Oh, will the list of crimes never end????

Occlith-And why is it that you have to be a member to post? Why can't you just be a "visitor" and post? I mean, why can't everyone post? Doesn't he know that if you aren't a registered member that you should automatically be able to read all of the threads and even post in them because it's your constitutional right or something?

Moto-I'm just curious as to how you came up with the idea that the "main fear" was "the emotional sensitivity of the membership." I gave a hyper-link regarding Darren's reasoning. Nowhere in it, is anything like what you've stated even indicated. Yes, you haven't insinuated anything about Darren and the mods, though you're reasoning for the creation of the mature forum section appears to be a bit off, just trying to sort through it.

I thought the main fear behind the topics that would appear in the MDF was the emotional sensitivity of the membership

For you to have "thought" something means you came to a conclusion from a post or a thread about the reasoning that you are mentioning. I'm not finding it, I just want to find out how you came to that conclusion.

I have simply asked, in the “Suggestions” area of the forum, that the MDF be made viewable to everybody.

I can respect that, if that's the case, then why delve into why it was created in the first place?


And this is just plain confusing, you ask a question and then run with it.

Would member turn against member in a personal manner that would create tension for the entire membership? So the feeling was to restrict the people who could post based on how they’ve handled themselves in the other areas of the forum.

One last thing-what is it about the forum that you like?

 

[Litany]

It’s a crying shame that some people have nothing better to do than make ridiculous claims, carry petty and childish grudges, and basically pretend to be the voice, conscience, and protector of an entire forum full of intelligent people.

So maybe you need a new hobby. Have you considered wood turning?

 

[Motokid]

Have you considered wood turning?

Martial Arts is much more rewarding on many levels.

 

[SFG75]

The pot?...the kettle?.......a dark color?..........

Moto-I recommend you fixing your site first. I have a McAfee online security system. Just checked your site and got flags left and right about it. Here's what the pop-up warning said about it:

When we tested this site we found links to alwaysfreepornmovies.com, which we found to be a distributor of downloads some people consider adware, spyware or other unwanted programs.

I know you're for more viewership, but what is potentially available on your forum might be a bit too much.

 

[Motokid]

The original and only intent of this thread was to increase awareness, and to possibly increase participation in the MDF.

That’s it.

Nothing else.

Stewart (Senior Moderator at the time) appeared to agree that the suggestion made some sense.

I wish I could say that I was shocked by the backlash to even a simple suggestion, designed to promote and possibly help a section of the forum become more popular, but this is TBF/BAR, and the predictably adolescent school-boy crush that one member just can't seem to let go of has once again twisted things beyond reason and scope.

I have formally asked that the Mods step in and tend to this on-going infatuation that does nothing but detract from the atmosphere of the forum.

Perhaps one day simple suggestions on how to possibly get more people involved in posting won’t be looked at as something negative. Perhaps one day there will be the freedom to ask questions, provide insight, and seek ways to make more people want to post here without the distasteful and embarrassing responses that some people just can’t resist posting.

I honestly hope the yardstick for judging who is mature enough to gain entrance to the MDF is not age alone. That seems quite unfair to those younger members who are miles above some of the responses in this thread.

 

[SFG75]

Open up the discussion area, why not? Go for it!.

However, I for one, won't participate in it if minors are allowed. I stopped participating in the Zoe Heller thread as I didn't feel comfortable that minors were in it. Yes, Lenny's thread and a few other items may not be suitable, but I don't actively seek interaction with minors, and it's a serious indication of poor boundaries when adults desire to be "friends" with minors.

As for your site, that's an easy thing to clear up. A lot of places that offer free forums do that to generate revenue. That isn't necessarily your fault. How about picking a new location or paying to get rid of advertising? Just a thought bro, nothing more, nothing less.


Have a great day and I hope the idea carries.

 

[nick_m100]

Small issue in forums

First of all: Has anyone else noticed that in nearly all forums someone says something that completely tears away the minor attention span of all but the few without ADD.

Second of all: SFG75, why would it make for poor boundaries being friends with minors? What's wrong with us that we make poor companions for those of a different age group? Generally when you have friends of a different age group you get useful new input or light shed upon something that wasn't clear before.

Third of all: Why do you people seem to bring up an issue about something that is no longer being discussed as in with the age issue, it doesn't matter.

 

[Motokid]

There's nothing wrong with people under 18.

MonkeyCatcher was a wonderful example of a teenager with incredible depth and intelligence when she first joined. She still is.

I have great conversations with kids and kids offer some incredible and interesting innocense towards various topics. I find it fascinating to discuss a broad range of topics with my kids and their friends.

I wish I could understand why religious, political, and philosophical topics are deemed subjects that under-18's should not participate in.

I think under-18's go to church. I think they discuss politics and government in school. I think they are receptive to all the issues that over-18's face and discuss.

It is very rare that I even consider checking a members profile to see what age they might be. Usually when the desire arises I'm shocked at how old the person is, not how young they are.

If nothing else I hope this thread calls attention to a part of the forum that some members don't even know exists.

Any member that wishes to discuss politics, religion, and or philosophy should feel free to contact Stewart or any of the mods for permission.

 

[MonkeyCatcher]

I think that the best idea would be to have the header that Occlith mentioned. That way members are aware of the forum and can join, yet we still avoid the legal issues that Darren is concerned about.

However, I for one, won't participate in it if minors are allowed. I stopped participating in the Zoe Heller thread as I didn't feel comfortable that minors were in it. Yes, Lenny's thread and a few other items may not be suitable, but I don't actively seek interaction with minors, and it's a serious indication of poor boundaries when adults desire to be "friends" with minors.

Sorry to drag up an old thread, but I don't think that this can be ignored.

What is wrong with minors? What is wrong with adults being friends with minors? If all members here had that mentality when I first joined I would have been very lonely indeed, not to mention that ValkyrieRaven and Vespertilio would have been in the same boat also (both of them are, as you know, incredibly intelligent and articulate).

Minors do have opinions too, and believe it or not, they can be quite mature about expressing them.

 

[Stewart]

Any member that wishes to discuss politics, religion, and or philosophy should feel free to contact Stewart or any of the mods for permission.

Not quite true. They should register via the Group Memberships option in their profile. Only I have the ability to accept/deny the requests.

 

[Motokid]

It's true, in that one of you mods can give specific details on what to do, and how to do it, rather than leave it all open to speculation and/or chance.


So what about Occlith's suggestion?

While I'm still completely fuzzy on how topics in the Writers Section, and the blogs can be open to anything and completely viewable to non-members, yet the "Mature" section can't, I do think having the header viewable would be a perfectly acceptable compromise.

I've seen forums where the header for a "permission only" section is viewable, along with a note on how to gain access.

At least that way all people would know something is there, and who to contact to access the goodies inside.

So what about that guys? Occlith's suggestion seems perfectly "legal".

Can we get a witness?

 

[Stewart]

Motokid, just give it a rest. You've had your say and there's no need to keep going on about it. I might just ask Darren to change your name to Monotonekid.

As you are full aware myself, mehastings, and Ice cannot change the forum's layout and/or structure and this is something that only Darren can do. He's not here right now. Live with it. Or join in and talk about books in the meantime, eh?

 

[The waveguide]

Just curious...

Well, I am just curious...

How do you know who is "minor" here? By the age that was submitted to the B&R forum when registering, or one should send an ID with a photo ?

Or there is a "special question" that only grown-ups can answer ? BTW, many grown-ups (group age between 20 and 55) would not get my definition as "mature" anyways.

 

[Stewart]

How do you know who is "minor" here? By the age that was submitted to the B&R forum when registering

That's all that can be accepted. Darren, for some reason, seems keen on working around an American internet use policy (namely COPPA) which requires under thirteens to get written permission from a parent or guardian to use a forum. This then gets posted to Darren and he activates the minor. Too much of a hassle and so under thirteens are frozen out (which makes me wonder why our kid forum is so active, in retrospect: grow up, you lot!). The date of birth you sign up with can be used as a defence - so if a minor signs up to say they are eighteen, Darren is covered.

 

[Ice]

Darren, for some reason, seems keen on working around an American internet use policy (namely COPPA) which requires under thirteens to get written permission from a parent or guardian to use a forum. This then gets posted to Darren and he activates the minor. Too much of a hassle and so under thirteens are frozen out (which makes me wonder why our kid forum is so active, in retrospect: grow up, you lot!). The date of birth you sign up with can be used as a defence - so if a minor signs up to say they are eighteen, Darren is covered.

I am assuming this site must be hosted on a US server, hence the need to comply with COPPA regulations?