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spectre · 04-08-2007, 10:41 AM

I'm not one to stifle people's opinions, and I think the only way to grow is to take criticisms and to learn from them. So on that note, this was PMed to me from a member who feels this is important, but doesn't want their name on it because it's a little controversial:

Quote:

We've had a terrible, extremely disappointing loss of understanding on how mature discourse is supposed to go here. We chide and belittle people who present alternative viewpoints on things, whether it's because the opinion seems "crazy" or "unusual" to us. Arguing that would be a moot point; we see it happen all the time. This is especially seen in the area of politics, topics of general discussion, and sexuality (and several others, to lesser extents).

This seems to branch from a way of thinking that just because you disagree with someone's opinion, you have carte blanch to put them down for having said opinion. This is further reinforced by the act of behaving as though someone has issued you a personal affront, when they are expressing an opinion that differs from your own.

The worst part is that now, because we've come to allow this kind of behavior, I can't post in certain threads because I know my "unpopular opinion" will be treated disrespectfully, and I will be ganged up on for having that opinion. I am not the only one, and not one who's faced this problem very much. Others have fought this just as much, if not more. We have people who are afraid to post because of their opinion. This flies in the face of the sense of community we should be cultivating and encouraging in others, and I want everyone's opinion on how we, as a community, can turn this trend back around.

This isn't a job for the "mods" to solve, this is a job for us all, as members. We have to recognize that voices are stifled, and conversation blunted time and time again, because people are afraid to express an opinion that doesn't conform- or DO express such an opinion and some members derail the discussion process by condescending to the poster for their view.

This is the main question for us, as members, as I see it:

How do we regain the sense of community that used to prevail here- the ideal that the exchange of opinions both normative and new is not merely important, but the practical life-blood of a site whose goal is intelligent, mature discussion and growth? There can be no growth when others' opinions are shunned for being different, and those members are treated with disrespect for having them. What are your thoughts on this and how to fix it?