|
The TFP ethos, the principles that make the other boards so fun/stimulating, damages Tilted Politics. TFP wants to include everyone in the discussion, it wants to give a hearing to each person with something to say. Newbies and old salty dogs alike are given opportunity to join the discussion. These are all great things and are why I love the TFP... but it drags the Politics board down.
The mods do a great job enforcing the rules of TFP it's just that the rules don't lend themselves to sober discussion in an arena so charged with genuine passion/controversy. The trouble with this board is, quite honestly, the volume of mind-numbingly stupid comments. I'm not talking about the posts challenging my views (trust me, there are many conservative-type posts that make me cringe in horror)... i'm talking about the ill-considered abortions that contain demonstrably false information. God-forbid something be considered a *gasp* personal attack on another poster (forgive my sarcasm). The root problem isn't invective it's that paranoia and erroneous information creeps its way into each thread. Bans are expected for those hurling insults yet no accountability is applied to posting falsehoods. Real discussion takes a back-seat (on all sides, i know) to stamping out the stupid.
Now, I know that fact-checking every post isn't the mod's job. And I also realize that conflicting information can be posted with complete integrity and goodwill from all parties. Still, much of what I read on here just can't be taken seriously.
Sorry. I realize this is more of an impotent rant as I'm not really proposing a remedy. This is something I've come to accept when discussing politics online. Short of altering TFP's guiding principles (please don't!), or creating an invite-only board (like Trampoline), I don't know of any good alternatives. As condescending as this post probably reads, I hope you'll give me the benefit of the doubt. I'd sure like to see this board improve and am willing to take honest criticism/advice on how I can help.
__________________
If you will not fight when your victory will be sure and not too costly, you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all the odds against you and only a precarious chance for survival. There may even be a worse case. You may have to fight when there is no hope of victory, because it is better to perish than to live as slaves.
~ Winston Churchill
|