Controversial Topics Board

[sam_gordon]

The advantage to the "opt in" portion is that no one can complain they got offended by something someone else says. Well, they can complain, probably will, but then Corey can say "you knew what you were getting into."

I agree it shouldn't be needed. And I don't understand the "don't let those posts clutter up my feed." Scroll by them like we do on the song threads and "what color was your first bicycle" threads.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Anyone care to ”sum up” what this new board might be like, for those wondering if it’s for them?

 

[StageTek]

I think it's a great ides

 

[ford family]

Will it retain the "ignore" feature?

ford family

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

CW4D's proposed rule 1. All soccer threads must be moved to this new board.

 

[TipsyTraveler]

Anyone care to ”sum up” what this new board might be like, for those wondering if it’s for them?

It sounds like the new board will be the place for discussion, because really what topic can’t turn controversial (for sure that’s where the Royals threads should go ), and the current community board will be left to be the fluff board for song threads and survey type questions. Honestly, the fluff board should probably just be put under the games forum and the new community-discussion board can require people to opt-in.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

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

Thanks for all your comments and thoughts. I'm reading them all and taking notes. This will be a very unmoderated board. I would never put this pressure on anyone else. It’s my idea and I’ll personally deal with it. Any reports and issues will be dealt with by me, so if I find someone making my life miserable, then I'll just kindly remove their access. I'm not here to take sides on left vs right or weigh in on gray areas. Things will get heated and everyone should expect it. This is why it'll be an opt-in/opt-out and not visible to anyone else, including the search engines.

Anyone care to ”sum up” what this new board might be like, for those wondering if it’s for them?

I might as well attempt to answer my own question, based on what @WebmasterCorey has said in his two posts here.

1. New board opt in/opt out
2. Posters will be required to accept certain terms before entering
3. Will not be visible or accessible to everyone
4. Unmoderated board, but administered by Webmaster Corey alone, who’ll remain neutral
5. Access can be removed for posters repeatedly causing problems, and people can remove themselves
6. The expectation is that it will get heated and will contain “hot” and controversial topics that many want here to discuss openly, and debate.

Did I miss anything?

Maybe I’m getting too far ahead, but I guess what we need to know, at some point, is what the expectations are for posting (which I’m assuming will be covered under #2). I’m sure we’ll be learning more as this moves forward.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I'm waffling on this. I do like that we've been able to discuss things a little more lately, but I'm also unlikely to invest time in super-long debate threads, so I don't know how much I'd participate.

I like that it would be un-searchable because then it won't pull non-Disney fans into the forums and change the overall "at least we have this one thing in common" vibe.

I hope we don't see rivalries created on the sub-board spill over into the other boards, where non-participants would be clueless what hornets nest they just stepped into.

I wonder, from some of the comments about cluttered feeds, a couple of things -
1) could there be a function to ignore a thread, instead of ignoring a poster?
2) Do people know how to set their home page to "watched threads" instead of to the Community board?

I agree with whoever said there should be a clear example in the rules of the difference between attacking a person and attacking an idea. I also think an attitude of curiosity is important - asking "How did they come to that conclusion?" instead of "How can they exist thinking that?" makes for a far more productive debate.

 

[Kitty 34]

I'm waffling on this. I do like that we've been able to discuss things a little more lately, but I'm also unlikely to invest time in super-long debate threads, so I don't know how much I'd participate.

I like that it would be un-searchable because then it won't pull non-Disney fans into the forums and change the overall "at least we have this one thing in common" vibe.

I hope we don't see rivalries created on the sub-board spill over into the other boards, where non-participants would be clueless what hornets nest they just stepped into.

I wonder, from some of the comments about cluttered feeds, a couple of things -
1) could there be a function to ignore a thread, instead of ignoring a poster?
2) Do people know how to set their home page to "watched threads" instead of to the Community board?

I agree with whoever said there should be a clear example in the rules of the difference between attacking a person and attacking an idea. I also think an attitude of curiosity is important - asking "How did they come to that conclusion?" instead of "How can they exist thinking that?" makes for a far more productive debate.

The bolded is well said and sooooo true!! People are so quick to attack a poster for their thoughts instead of trying to understand how (the heck) they got to those thoughts.

Also, just a reminder to all....the backspace button can be very helpful before just blurting a thought.

 

[Disneychick13]

I'm waffling on this. I do like that we've been able to discuss things a little more lately, but I'm also unlikely to invest time in super-long debate threads, so I don't know how much I'd participate.

I like that it would be un-searchable because then it won't pull non-Disney fans into the forums and change the overall "at least we have this one thing in common" vibe.

I hope we don't see rivalries created on the sub-board spill over into the other boards, where non-participants would be clueless what hornets nest they just stepped into.

I wonder, from some of the comments about cluttered feeds, a couple of things -
1) could there be a function to ignore a thread, instead of ignoring a poster?
2) Do people know how to set their home page to "watched threads" instead of to the Community board?

I agree with whoever said there should be a clear example in the rules of the difference between attacking a person and attacking an idea. I also think an attitude of curiosity is important - asking "How did they come to that conclusion?" instead of "How can they exist thinking that?" makes for a far more productive debate.

I’ve wished this could be an option. I’ve never wanted to ignore a poster even if I think they might post irritating things or can’t get past a narrow point of view. But some threads I admit I would like to ignore!

 

[TikiRob]

Even “healthy” debate between family and friends over the last several years have ended relationships. I don’t think it is worth it here when there are plenty of places on the internet for it.

I don’t like the idea, but glad it will be voluntarily available to those that do. I just hope Dis friendships aren’t lost here because of it.

 

[Buzz Rules]

CW4D's proposed rule 1. All soccer threads must be moved to this new board.

 

[Christine]

I’ve wished this could be an option. I’ve never wanted to ignore a poster even if I think they might post irritating things or can’t get past a narrow point of view. But some threads I admit I would like to ignore!

I went for over 20 years without ignorning anyone. I don't like to censor that way; however, in the last year the daily posts that took up the whole front page (which amount to spam, IMO) got to be too much and made the board experience tricky trying to find the good threads. I finally did the ignore and, wow, so much better.

 

[The Mayor]

I’m all for it. As one that enjoyed the Debate Board (prior incarnation of The Mayor) I think adding this forum will be a good idea. I enjoy civil discussions on on current events and if they get to personal I just move on.

Its definitely worth a trial period.

 

[The Mayor]

I went for over 20 years without ignorning anyone. I don't like to censor that way; however, in the last year the daily posts that took up the whole front page (which amount to spam, IMO) got to be too much and made the board experience tricky trying to find the good threads. I finally did the ignore and, wow, so much better.

This

 

[sam_gordon]

I don’t like the idea, but glad it will be voluntarily available to those that do.

But isn't every.single.thread on the Dis "voluntarily available"? I'm sorry, I really don't get it. Who is getting forced into reading these threads that don't want to? Are people reading every thread? I know someone like that on another forum. Within minutes of posting, this person has "liked" the post. I don't get it, but to each their own.

 

[_19disnA]

Could turn into the same type of free-for-all you see on certain social media sites. No one changes their mind when the looney tune crowd posts nonsense about bizarre conspiracy theories or any of a number of topics I can't mention without causing an issue here.............LOL. Ends up being an echo chamber where only those who believe that nonsense are left talking to other like-minded individuals.

 

[robinb]

A totally open forum will never work, there will always be some jerk posting 100 times a day with the same drival.

That’s when the ignore feature comes in handy.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

Yes, 1000X yes!! People - you don't have to read the threads you don't like. Seriously, you don't have to.

I genuinely do not understand the bolded. Try not to? Just don't. It's easy. The threads don't come for you; you have to actively open them.

I said *try* because sometimes the topic may be one that interests me, but I just know that inevitably the thread will devolve into the same arguments featuring the same people it always does, so I resist the temptation. Mostly. Sometimes I do read and make my position on the topic known with emojis. Sometimes I really have to *try* to resist even reading a topic because reading it will probably raise my blood pressure. It's really not that 'easy' for me as an opinionated person. Everyone is different.

 

[john7994]

I am ambivalent to the proposed changes, but if we are opening up to new approaches on the DISboards with the objective to make this more of a consistent destination and drive more unique user engagement and views (experiences, expertise, and productive opinions relevant to the purpose of the current business model) - then maybe there should be focus on DIS initiated and curated topic content that drives search interest to engagement.

Creating another place (whatever that looks like) for people to fuss at each other may drive some views and engagement and maybe even retain some users while losing others if completely unmoderated. Likely you have this data already and maybe why it’s being discussed here.

As an additional example, when I have a Disney, Cruise, or even Universal question, more often than not I see search results pointing back to the DIS right on top, but sadly some of it is aged information and not useful and maybe why people don’t choose this destination. I don’t see a debate sub forum solving this issue other than drawing potentially more negative attention and maybe even misinformation which seems counter to the core business model.

I support the desire to tackle a very specific need, but it feels like it’s also missing an opportunity with what I assume is limited resources to focus on a smaller issue, that could otherwise be spent to breathe new life into what many have opined already to be a lackluster experience overall - which seems to have come up as feedback multiple times in this thread alone.

Anyway, good luck in whatever is decided.