This spread is split off from the discussion on trolling started in this thread.
The issue has been raised that discussions in the Elections forum have become so partisan and absolutist that a) no real discussion is accomplished, and b) many participants could easily be called on trolling, due to how quickly the teams go to their corners and start throwing bricks. Person A knows what “the other side” is going to say in response to a particular topic, but comes in to say it and ruffle feathers. Both “sides” do this. This presents the appearance of trolling, whether or not it was intended to do so.
Because we are, generally speaking, a Board that prides itself on rational discussion and debate, I wanted to raise the question of what we should do about the Elections forum. Do we assume that the spittle will stop flying after everyone has gotten through the first 100 days of the next presidency? Essentially, that means we do nothing and folks just stay out of the forum unless they want to indulge in partisan bickering.
Do we start to more strictly enforce rules about debate and discussion? I think this would require general consensus that rational debate on policies, issues, and politics is desirable. Possible next steps would be: rapid punting of any thread to the Pit if it descends into pointless, partisan bickering, mod notes that call out the behaviors, closing threads that are duplicative, and more guide rails about staying on topic. For example, is “your side does it too” a valid rhetorical device? Should we allow it? I’ve seen multiple threads derailed by that rabbit hole alone.
I’m starting this thread because I don’t think that most of us want an Elections forum that is a cesspool of trolling behavior. Notice that I am saying “behavior” there, NOT that anyone there is a troll. I just think we’ve gotten so heated over this election and its aftermath that we, collectively, have adopted some unproductive behaviors.
What do you all think? Is the Elections forum a problem for the Board? Does anything need to be done or do we just wait for a self-correction?
I personally would like things just a bit more circumscribed. It’s impossible to actually discuss almost anything right now.
Seems like the mods are doing a decent enough job doing those things already. You’re not going to change what people think and want to post about; the best you can do is try and keep it civil outside the Pit. I’ve seen more threads moved from Elections to the Pit in the weeks since Trump won as I’ve seen in the entire existence of that forum (just guessing, didn’t actually measure anything).
This board tends to freak out when the Republicans are in power, so fasten your seatbelt. You’re in for a bumpy ride the next four years!
This hasn’t been my experience. The other side of the “don’t troll others” coin is to not overreact to the comments of others. Not all spirited partisan discussions are trolling.
To me Elections is a spin-off from Great Debates and follows that forum in form and content. I read both more than I participate but I find both fun the way they are and the Mods look to be keeping good control. So basically no harm, no foul.
Impossible to discuss anything? I disagree. Elections is a forum that can’t help but be polarized. That polarization probably appears as trolling, when it’s not intended that way. That’s why most boards don’t allow discussions of a political or religions nature.
The mods have their hands full there, that’s for sure, but they are on top of the situation.
Discussions in that forum are bound to get heated, it’s the nature of the beast. It’s admittedly a difficult forum to moderate but I agree that the mods have it under control.
Honestly, I find Great Debates to be trickier to moderate.
Elections presents one or two fairly common issues to moderate.
Threads started in the wrong forum. Hoo boy, some people seem to believe that any topic that features a politician - you know who I’m talking about - needs to go in Elections. This is, of course, wrong. Such threads can fit into many different fora depending on the topic.
Threads that are overly vitriolic due to the partisan leanings of the posters. Those require a firmer hand than normal at the moment to maintain civility - some people will never admit that shouting and insulting their opponents will not magically convince them of the error of their ways - but it’s almost become routine at this point. We know who’s prone to doing so and how to encourage the calmer side of things.
Still, there’s certainly ways to improve and suggestions are always welcome. Elections is still our newest forum and I think it can be improved. It’s just a matter of finding ways to do so.
Irony much? Seriously, by what means would you suppress this rhetorical device? Mod note or warning? Or should we just use our words to show how weak such ploys are?
