Civil discourse in the Politics forum


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cameracollector is offline cameracollector Post #1  March 4,2009, 8:03am
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Lori, is there any way to improve the quality of discourse on the Politics board? It really seems to be one of the most offensive places on eHA these days, IMO - and not just because I'm a liberal! Many individuals who have in the past contributed thoughtful, quality posts no longer visit there because the tone is so aggressive and offensive. I come away feeling bruised every time. In fact, I've come to think of it as a verythuggish place to visit.


I posted a thread a few weeks back asking people to observe some sense of decorum, and it helped for a few days. But it seems that every time a new person discovers that board they jump in and start bashing away with abandon and glee.


Do those of us (of all political persuasions)wishing to have more civil and thoughtful conversations have any option other than to form an invitation-only group?


Comments and suggestions welcome....
 
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neardc is offline neardc Post #2  March 4,2009, 8:37am
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I agree with cameracollector. I am one of those who used to spend quite a bit of time there, but have essentially stopped posting. I have no problem with a little heated back-and-forth on political issues, but it has essentially turned into a "bash the liberals and call them stupid" forum; "thuggish" describes it well. At least one more conservative member has made a concerted effort to foster more civil discourse (thanks, Rob!), but that only lasted until some of the more aggressive members -- and there are both liberal and conservative members who fit into that category --jumped into the conversation.


I have given up on the place for now, but it would be great if it were possible to make it a more pleasant and interesting place for all to visit again.
 
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lizard47 is offline lizard47 Post #3  March 4,2009, 9:01am
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I have to disagree because I stopped going over there because I felt that I was being attacked for my opinions and stance on life from Liberals. Since I regular engage in discussions with people IRL regarding politics, most of the people from my gym are liberal and they have never made me feel the way some on the politics board did.


FYI - my experiences with CC and neardc were not bad
 
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ThePriestess is online now ThePriestess Post #4  March 4,2009, 9:23am
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cameracollector, wrote :

Do those of us (of all political persuasions) wishing to have more civil and thoughtful conversations have any option other than to form an invitation-only group?
There are several groups here geared specifically for conservatives ... and yet the Politics forum has evolved into much of the same.
 
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eHA_Admin_Lori is offline eHA_Admin_Lori — Advice Official Moderator Post #5  March 4,2009, 9:43am
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Interesting to hear this because I get virtually no Violation Reports from that forum. But I will cruise through there today and see what needs addressing.


To respond to your question, cameracollector. politics is always a tough topic, along with religion (maybe that's where the saying came from, "“Never discuss religion or politics in polite company&rdquo. Interestingly enough when I googled that quote to get it right, I found tons of discussions about why these things can't be discussed civilly -- so this problem is not unique to us (not that I think you were implying that it was).


When it comes to discussion these topics, I think that people assume their politicial and religious views as an integral part of their identities; therefore if you disgree with them, they feel as if part of who they are is being invalidated, and in turn they react strongly.


Additionally, our "models" in the political realm (politicans) certainly don't inspire productive discourse on topics and issues. Look at how disrepectfully they treat each other, all the time -- and they're supposed to be "professionals".


As to how we can improve the discourse here, I would suggest trying to break out of the "I'm right." "NO, I'M RIGHT!" pattern of conversation that generally dominates all of the discussion in that forum in a round-and-round pattern which just ends in frustration and the escalation of negative behavior. Republicans think the Democrats are doing it wrong? Democrats think the Republicans are doing it wrong? That's a given.What WOULD be the right way? If that could betalked throughrationally and free of partisan rhetoric and finger pointing (and biting sarcasm), I think it would result in a less vitriolic and more productive discussion.


Also,use the Report Violation feature, if Community Standards are being violated.
 
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neardc is offline neardc Post #6  March 4,2009, 10:06am
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I think that the people who are posting in this thread now all avoid the shrieking "I'm right, you're wrong" stance. We have different opinions, but don't blast the person holding opposing views and instead focus on pointing out flaws we see in an another's argument or in presenting contrary information or whatever.


I have sometimes submitted violation reports, but did not perceive that any action was taken and so don't generally bother (if you really want us to report all of them, you will be getting a LOT). The fact that the moderators don't show up there has in fact been used as an excuse for more bad behavior (i.e., "If what I'm doing is a problem then the moderators would be here, you ignorant....").
 
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graceventually is offline graceventually Post #7  March 4,2009, 10:19am
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I finally decided I couldn't read it any more, and left also. Usually, I didn't see any community standards being violated (at least not in the last few weeks - I had reported a couple of violations in the fall), just a lot of repetition of right-wing radio talking points.Of course "dittoheads" have a right to "ditto" asthey choose; I just can't read it without my blood pressure going thru the roof. PerhapsCC is right, and some of usshould just start a different thread.
 
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littlebluemonkeymind is offline littlebluemonkeymind Post #8  March 4,2009, 10:39am
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You could start a group called Civil Discourse: Politics and World Events and invite those who regularly argue well to join...and remove those who consistently fight dirty, right?


I might visit a political forum if I knew that it was being managed so as to cut down on the ugly. Otherwise, I just treat it like network news and don't pay a bit of attention to it.
 
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cameracollector is offline cameracollector Post #9  March 4,2009, 11:18am
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littlebluemonkeymind,515285 wrote :

You could start a group called Civil Discourse: Politics and World Events and invite those who regularly argue well to join...and remove those who consistently fight dirty, right?


I might visit a political forum if I knew that it was being managed so as to cut down on the ugly. Otherwise, I just treat it like network news and don't pay a bit of attention to it.
Well, that's exactly what I was thinking, LBMM. I hate to be elitist about it and I certainly want some variation in political viewpoint, but I'd also like to keep the discussion above the playground level (yeah, I know I am but what are you?).
 
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Village_Idiot is offline Village_Idiot Post #10  March 4,2009, 11:43am
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FYI - DivaDoc started a group "anything goes! smart chat...." It has a Christian slant, but most of the threads are good discussions by intelligent people who actually read and respond to each others' posts! (OK, five pts off for sarcasm!)
 
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