Post by on May 20, 2005 17:47:39 GMT -1
It has come to my attention, in my anonymous wanderings around the site, that there are many people here with strong views, and there are insightful discussions dotted around all over the place.
Being the debate lover that I am, I decided that what this forum needs is a decent debating chamber for us to discuss serious matters. This is not the place where people ask 'Oranges or cherries?' or 'OMG have you seen HITCH HIKER! THEY SO SCREWED UP THE ENDING!' or 'What is your favourite stravaganza character?'. These things are not wrong, they have their place on this site, but they belong in Burlesca and other boards.
By serious, I mean topics such as 'Do you think that abortion counts as murder?', or 'What is your view on Charles' and Camilla's wedding?', or more recently, 'Is stem cell research morally right?'.
However, as this is a more serious board (I like to think that the rest of the site is fairly lighthearted most of the time) there are some extra and stricter rules. Please note, I am NOT trying to limit your freedom or be a wet blanket, I'm trying to make this a place where people can discuss and read other peoples opinions on thought provoking matters.
Rules
1) No profanity, No bad language, No personal slurs, No verbal attacks or abuse will be tolerated. I cannot emphasise this enough. This is meant to be a board where people can discuss conflicting views, so of course, there will be some clashes, but that is NO excuse for ANY of the behaviour mentioned above. It will not be tolerated.
I have a very high opinion of you all, and I think that you're quite a mild mannered bunch of wonderful thoughtful, considerate people.
But I have to say this. If you break the above rule seriously (ie. it was not just a matter of my oppinion) I will delete the post, contact you and give you a warning. If you break it again, I will ban you and your IP adress from stravagante. I am not joking.
2) Althouh this is a place where you are meant to express your opinions, there are some opinions that are not suitable. For instance, if you believe that a certain race/ethnicity of people are inferior, or should burn in hell, you are entitled to your opinion. However, it is NOT appropriate for this site. Please keep those kind of opinions to yourself.
On to some slightly lighter ones now... phew, I feel so dictatoral...
3) Please only post if you have something genuine to say. 10 'Me too!' post's in a row is not partiucarly constructive. In fact, it's down right annoying.
Instead, tell us why you think that way, what has lead you to think that way - although please do not repeat something another person has said with different wording. Basically, contribute if you have something new or interesting to say.
4) Posts should be well written, properly punctuated (no text speak here sorry!) and fairly long. No one word/one sentence posts here!
Chances are, if you have something to contribute, it should be at least a couple of sentences, if not more. When you're writing the post, write it slowly and think about what you are trying to convey. Consider your choice of words, and how you could best impart what you are trying to say. Apart from anything, it's excellent writing practice. It also means (just as a bonus) that we can understand your point.
5) Keep it on topic folks! Much as how Lavita's post reminded you of an amusing story about an incident involving your friend, a sombrero, a bucket of ice cream and a a dog, here is not the place to tell it. Decamp yourself over to Burlesca.. (incidently, if anyone DOES want to hear ther story involving my friend, a sombrero, a bucket of ice cream and a a dog... )
6) If you want to start a new discussion, first wait until there is a free space. I only want 4 or 5 debates running at once, after a while, if I feel that one has gone stale, or that nothing new is being put forward, then I will close it.
Not delete, I want to be able to read back through the archives, just lock against new posts.
Start a new topic with a clear title, ie. Dan Brown - hyped up junk or modern classic? (not really a serious topic, but as an example it will do.)
Open with an NEUTRAL statement/question. At this point, you are trying to provoke discussion.
for example; 'Who else here thinks that Dan Brown's books are a load of jumped up poo? They suck!' is not good.
'What do people think about Dan's Brown's books? Do they suck big time or are they ok?' is slightly better, although still not particuarly inspiring.
'What are other peoples opinions on books by Dan Brown? Are they a load of hype, or do they genuinley explore the darker side of the catholic church?' is much better.
You can add your personal thoughts and feelings later.
Got it?
Ready, Steady, GO DEBATE!!!
Being the debate lover that I am, I decided that what this forum needs is a decent debating chamber for us to discuss serious matters. This is not the place where people ask 'Oranges or cherries?' or 'OMG have you seen HITCH HIKER! THEY SO SCREWED UP THE ENDING!' or 'What is your favourite stravaganza character?'. These things are not wrong, they have their place on this site, but they belong in Burlesca and other boards.
By serious, I mean topics such as 'Do you think that abortion counts as murder?', or 'What is your view on Charles' and Camilla's wedding?', or more recently, 'Is stem cell research morally right?'.
However, as this is a more serious board (I like to think that the rest of the site is fairly lighthearted most of the time) there are some extra and stricter rules. Please note, I am NOT trying to limit your freedom or be a wet blanket, I'm trying to make this a place where people can discuss and read other peoples opinions on thought provoking matters.
Rules
1) No profanity, No bad language, No personal slurs, No verbal attacks or abuse will be tolerated. I cannot emphasise this enough. This is meant to be a board where people can discuss conflicting views, so of course, there will be some clashes, but that is NO excuse for ANY of the behaviour mentioned above. It will not be tolerated.
I have a very high opinion of you all, and I think that you're quite a mild mannered bunch of wonderful thoughtful, considerate people.
But I have to say this. If you break the above rule seriously (ie. it was not just a matter of my oppinion) I will delete the post, contact you and give you a warning. If you break it again, I will ban you and your IP adress from stravagante. I am not joking.
2) Althouh this is a place where you are meant to express your opinions, there are some opinions that are not suitable. For instance, if you believe that a certain race/ethnicity of people are inferior, or should burn in hell, you are entitled to your opinion. However, it is NOT appropriate for this site. Please keep those kind of opinions to yourself.
On to some slightly lighter ones now... phew, I feel so dictatoral...
3) Please only post if you have something genuine to say. 10 'Me too!' post's in a row is not partiucarly constructive. In fact, it's down right annoying.
Instead, tell us why you think that way, what has lead you to think that way - although please do not repeat something another person has said with different wording. Basically, contribute if you have something new or interesting to say.
4) Posts should be well written, properly punctuated (no text speak here sorry!) and fairly long. No one word/one sentence posts here!
Chances are, if you have something to contribute, it should be at least a couple of sentences, if not more. When you're writing the post, write it slowly and think about what you are trying to convey. Consider your choice of words, and how you could best impart what you are trying to say. Apart from anything, it's excellent writing practice. It also means (just as a bonus) that we can understand your point.
5) Keep it on topic folks! Much as how Lavita's post reminded you of an amusing story about an incident involving your friend, a sombrero, a bucket of ice cream and a a dog, here is not the place to tell it. Decamp yourself over to Burlesca.. (incidently, if anyone DOES want to hear ther story involving my friend, a sombrero, a bucket of ice cream and a a dog... )
6) If you want to start a new discussion, first wait until there is a free space. I only want 4 or 5 debates running at once, after a while, if I feel that one has gone stale, or that nothing new is being put forward, then I will close it.
Not delete, I want to be able to read back through the archives, just lock against new posts.
Start a new topic with a clear title, ie. Dan Brown - hyped up junk or modern classic? (not really a serious topic, but as an example it will do.)
Open with an NEUTRAL statement/question. At this point, you are trying to provoke discussion.
for example; 'Who else here thinks that Dan Brown's books are a load of jumped up poo? They suck!' is not good.
'What do people think about Dan's Brown's books? Do they suck big time or are they ok?' is slightly better, although still not particuarly inspiring.
'What are other peoples opinions on books by Dan Brown? Are they a load of hype, or do they genuinley explore the darker side of the catholic church?' is much better.
You can add your personal thoughts and feelings later.
Got it?
Ready, Steady, GO DEBATE!!!