Political/Controversial topics

[Hambeast]

There's some threads on the forum which are generally self-contained but the discussion can get fairly heated at times, with some of it leading the constant arguing or name calling. How would everyone like to see these topics handled in the future? Keep everything as it is?  Heavier moderation? Move it all to a separate area where anything goes?

Please add any other ideas you have.

[Carnage]

I went for the new area option. Debate is fine and dandy, essential even but when it descends into bickering and petty back-and-forth, it's tiresome.

[Pagan Saviour]

Generally this site is much better and more respectful than Metalireland. I'd largely say leave well alone but one or two individuals could do with giving it a rest. The Trump Thread a classic example.

[Eoin McLove]

Leave it alone. It's easy to ignore and nice to occasionally scroll through. I honestly think Chris and Kev are really starting to make progress on certain topics too and it would be irresponsible to cut them off now when they might actually save the world pretty soon. Or at least convince someone with the hammering of their left/right opinion.

[Trev]

I think in general it's grand, once there's a bit of back and forth and actual debate. But the last couple of pages the Trump thread add nothing since it's essentially one lad telling everyone else to shut up, dunno if he was on the sauce last night or what was going on

[Eoin McLove]

Defo looked like the old Mexican Fuhrer was hitting the tequila.

[Thorn]

Leave it as it is, reckon most folk here are big enough and warty enough to engage in a bit of back and forth without getting all offended about it.
I enjoyed the boys going at it last night !

[Black Shepherd Carnage]

I went for the "MW meet-up with yokes (provided by astfgyl)" option.

More seriously, I'll take just the making of this thread as Hambeast (at whose pleasure we are here, after all) requesting that we make a bit more of an effort to keep the tone civil. Message received. And if you do end up going with one of the other options, also all good with me.

[The Heretic]

I'd leave it as it is, as long as it's not personally abusive, most of that stuff goes over my head anyway.

[Giggles]

I think the Trump and PC brigade threads do a good job of keeping all that shite out of other threads as it is.

Was there not an ignore function on this website before, or did I imagine it?

[Hambeast]

More seriously, I'll take just the making of this thread as Hambeast (at whose pleasure we are here, after all) requesting that we make a bit more of an effort to keep the tone civil. Message received. And if you do end up going with one of the other options, also all good with me.

I'm mainly trying to gauge how these threads are perceived by everyone in general. Is everyone in these threads happy to argue back and forward, or is it getting too heated and needs to be shut down? Are other users happy to simply ignore these threads if they don't care or dont want to get involved, or is it annoying to constantly have to avoid threads which are actively bumped to the top? Is the site seen in general to be leaning one way in particular, or are these threads seen to be contained instances where each opinion belongs to the invidual user?

It's up to everyone to know when they need to step away from a thread, but it's problematic if it's actively making people avoid the forum or driving people away. I'm not saying this is happening, I'm more trying to figure out if it is happening.

Based on the comments so far it seems like everyone is wanting to continue with how things are, although I'm aware there's people who don't post and people who don't even have an account. It's interesting to see the poll results so far and I'll be keeping this open for further input from everyone.

Was there not an ignore function on this website before, or did I imagine it?

Yes, you can click your username at the top of the page, then "Ignore List", then you can add anyone you want to ignore.

[Emphyrio]

Leave it as is would be my opinion. If people don't want to see/engage that's easily done and it's currently contained in only a couple of threads. Everything else pretty much stays on topic as a result.

[The Butcher]

Could have off topic section only visible to registered members for the next six months to gauge whether or not it's the case that off topic in general is keeping people away from the site.

[Maggot Colony]

Perhaps Chris should change his avatar to Marty McFly, or Caoimhin could change his avatar to a Star Trek villain like Khan or Q just to keep things consistent. Another option would be to start afresh as He-Man and Skeletor, or Captain Planet and Hoggish Greedly. Thanks.

[Emphyrio]