Controversial Topics Board

[WebmasterCorey]

Hello, everyone!

Some of you may know me, and I guarantee most of you don't. I've been around for a bit but recently started delving into the boards and re-evaluating some of our procedures. Lately, I've been personally approving all new registrations to prevent spam accounts from joining. Some slip through the cracks, but that's bound to happen.

Obviously, I don't want to disrupt what works, nor do I intend to dismantle or dismiss the hard work of our Moderators and Webmasters. I'd like to begin asking the community how to handle very controversial topics, especially here on the community board. You might have noticed a more lenient approach, like threads staying open longer than usual, comments deleted without infractions applied. This was all part of a test I've been conducting over the past few months and gathering feedback, similar to us publishing articles about Reedy Creek on wdwinfo.com but not allowing discussions here. I get it.

So, here we are, in a highly debatable world, discussing many topics. Although necessary at times, I really don't like to ban people, issue points, and repeatedly close threads. It's evident that many of you love Disney and other destinations, but some are also passionate about "highly" debatable topics in the world. I also want to ensure everyone here feels safe from "world drama" issues appearing in their feed.

Here is the question… Would you find it beneficial if I created a sub-board where we can move and allow "hot topics" for a semi-un-moderated discussion? I would only allow access by request. If you are open to the potential "firestorm," then I'll grant you access, but you'll be required to accept certain terms before entering.

Unlike the past Debate Board, the threads here will not be visible or accessible to everyone. It’s opt-in / opt-out.

The Community Board is a place for all topics that don't necessarily fit in with the others. It's a catch-all to discuss anything you want, but there are obvious limitations we must enforce to keep the peace.

Let me know if I'm crazy.

Thanks,
Corey

Edited 1/25/24 to provide the link to new the forum. Opt-in only!!
https://www.disboards.com/forums/controversial-topics.206/

 

[TippyThomas]

I think it's an excellent idea. I hope you end up making it happen.

Edited to add: I don't think you're crazy.

 

[Allison]

Very interesting concept.

 

[wvjules]

A non-debate board debate board?

I kinda like it all on the CB, personally.

 

[HokieRaven5]

I’m good with the idea if it allows certain topics to persist rather than be continuously shut down or derailed.

 

[wabbott]

I think it a good idea. There needs to be a forum for criticism about the company, the parks, the movies, tv shows, etc. We get enough company PR as it is.

Edited to add: I would ask that if does come to be an area that allows more open debate, one of the conditions should be that name-calling not be allowed.

 

[CdnCarrie]

Maybe not answering the question but I have to say I appreciate the new moderating system so much. I recently had one post removed. The mod messaged me to tell me the reason for removing it and was polite - no points.
It was nice not to be treated like a naughty child and with contempt. Very refreshing.

 

[Disneychick13]

I think it’s a really good idea.

 

[BrianL]

I dunno. As someone who does sometimes get into these types of debates to a reasonable extent, I don't know that I'd want to see the debate go even further. That can get UGLY fast, and I like that the DIS is reasonably safe from that, even when the mods have to step in. It's unfortunately that poeple can't even talk about Disney anymore without these things coming up, but when there is a lot of politicly motivated speech about Disney as a company and their operations it is hard to seperate that out. Disney is so big that it touches everything. For many of us, information about operations is important, as we travel to the affected areas quite often. We all have opinions on it of course. Generally I think we do a decent job of keeping it civil, though I know it goes off the rails sometimes too. Usually it peters out naturally before it gets too crazy though.

 

[Smugpugmug]

I'd be fine with it vs. threads about the same topic continually being deleted without any warning whatsoever. I would like the ability to discuss various topics but at the same time keep it so that it doesn't get to a level where everyone is name calling each other (to which, yes I've seen happen within the past couple of months on the CB).

 

[nw6675]

I'm on the fence. The obviously discriminatory posts that have allowed members to be blatant about their intolerant beliefs have no place on the DIS. I personally don't think this is the forum for political, religious, gender/sexuality type posts. I love the CB when it's lighthearted and fun.

So if you can create a request by members only subforum THAT DOES NOT SHOW UP IN MY NEW POST FEED, that's good. Otherwise, the topics need to go IMO.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

I used to be on a messageboard where they had a similar concept and it worked. Like you suggest, it was a request to access and not publicly visible. The more volatile topics and discussions were contained.

The problems happen though, when people who dont have access to that section, continue to post in the main section. Some people are just contrary and dont want to be contained and feel they have every right to post in the main section when it would be more appropriate to post in the restricted section. Some people like the attention and having a restricted section with less people means their posts wont get the same views and replies so they continue to post in the main section.

Overall though, I think its a good idea, as it gives an outlet for certain topics and discussions and the genuine people who want to have those discussions have a place to go.

 

[soccerdad72]

How about seemingly innocuous topics that veer off into debate?

 

[Christine]

I think it's a great idea. Longtime member here who clearly remembers the Debate Board. Loved it but it could get rough sometimes (my goodness the peanut allergy threads were cruel), but those were actually "nicer" times back then so I can only image how a free-for-all debate board would go. I like that the new board would be special access and out of the way for those that just don't want to see that.

I agree with @Bad Pink Tink 2.0 that you might have those that will still try to be controversial in the main section but that would be easily remedied with the new subforum. Those posts can quickly be shut down with a statement that the only belong on the XXXX subforum.

 

[HokieRaven5]

How about seemingly innocuous topics that veer off into debate?

Thats just bad manners.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Sounds like it could be interesting. I mostly like the way people conduct themselves on here & during quarrentine there were lots of interesting conversations.

There are a lot of very intelligent people who are extremely thoughtful with all sorts of points of view so I'd like to hear more of what they have to say without them backing off to avoid points, it is so obvious when it happens.

Question, could a person remove themselves from the fray if they decide they don't like it?

 

[Genie+]

Seems worth a try!

Some controversial subjects are interesting on DISboards. The Disney community demographic here feels like my peers, helping to make conversations more relevant than the internet at large can be.

I also understand wanting to avoid seeing these issues, especially in a Disney space where many want nothing more than a safe escape and a place to focus on positive things. I’ve only used the personal ignore button temporarily, to avoid seeing certain threads keep popping up. I really didn’t want to block anyone but that was the only way I found to stop seeing those threads. Wasn’t a great solution, so I think your idea may work better Corey. Keep it in its own area that one must intentionally access.

 

[WebmasterCorey]

Sounds like it could be interesting. I mostly like the way people conduct themselves on here & during quarrentine there were lots of interesting conversations.

There are a lot of very intelligent people who are extremely thoughtful with all sorts of points of view so I'd like to hear more of what they have to say without them backing off to avoid points, it is so obvious when it happens.

Question, could a person remove themselves from the fray if they decide they don't like it?

Yes

 

[Suger Mag]

I would be interested... and no you are not crazy... hopeful maybe. Better start making the popcorn

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I would wonder what would be part of it (aside what was mentioned in the thread title).

Obviously topics such as mass shootings fit the bill listed but so do any thread that has to deal with the Royals because while those two topics couldn't be further apart from each other in level of seriousness both usually devolve into a weird back and forth jab after jab.

Something like the Federal Government making it available again to request free covid tests isn't generally controversial these days most especially with the topic no longer being a no-go. The most recent thread on it stayed (to my knowledge) very on topic and actually was how I even knew to order more tests (as I didn't back in the fall) but if that was labeled under the sub forum for an opt there would be posters who don't really involve themselves into more sensitive topics could miss that.

But mostly I would be concerned that by hiding it by an opt in/opt out would lead to even more of an echo chamber than some threads can be now. On the surface I can see why there's a level of wanting to protect people from seeing such topics. But on a deeper level I could see it turning away more posters who already complain about the vast amount of inane threads. Most of the time the complaints I'm seeing now are of that variety rather than of the years before the pandemic where it was political-based. I guess what I would be wondering is how much would be left on the Community Board that is already so much lighter in type of content than it was in years past and for infrequent posters or new posters how do they know where to go to join in that discussion.