slo’s MONDAY 1/5 poll - Controversial Topics Board

[leebee]

Too many of the regulars there have no real life experience with what they love to post about. And to be honest, most likely not much of a real life in general.

And you know this...how?

 

[Dan Murphy]

I would say I am almost close to a daily visitor, maybe 6 days a week. Not necessarily looking for a day off, just some days are busier than others with things that are not online related.

On my most every day visits, I most likely do post something. Often a few political cartoons from my two daily papers I get. There is something taking time, reading two daily paper papers, plus a few online newspapers and news sites. I am a news junkie, enjoy reading. Sometimes I will start a new thread.

I am a very opinionated person regarding several topics, mostly one, generally not allowed here on the CB. The CT board gives me an outlet, pretty unfetteredly, to express those opinions. I generally do not debate my or others viewpoints but rather mostly just state my viewpoints, sometimes as a reply, sometimes as a new thread. If I am the thread starter, I may add some posts along the way, but again, typically not actually debating others with alternate views or opinions. There are enough posters there to support either side of an opinion, ha.

Up above, where the CB is titled at the top of the forum home page, it states...........

Join our moderators in a discussion forum for any topic, Disney or otherwise. Swap stories, information, ask questions...just be friendly.

It has said this since the CB's inception over 25 years ago. The CT allows the CB to remain friendly. Not that the CT is unfriendly. Many posters wished everybody a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. It just allows the CB to not have serious consternation.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

I voted other because I CAN'T go to the Controversial Topics Forum.
I never have requested access because:
1) I strongly believe those topics should not be restricted to one board.
2) I strongly believe EVERYONE should be able to READ the posts in that forum without requesting access. I could however, accept requiring registration to POST in that forum.

I have no idea what, if anything I am missing. The biggest controversy on the DIS over my 23+ years as a member, and a previous 2 years are a lurker, has been that things flagged as controversial that were nothing more than a valid opinion.

So because of what you perceive is a lack of freedom of speech around here, you are voluntarily giving up your freedom of speech when they give you a place for it? By the way, you had to register just to post here. Posting there doesn't require additional registration. It's available for the asking. That's so you know and acknowledge what you're getting into. And you can also ask that you be removed from access at any time as well. Some people don't want click and read access to that board. And that option is available to them. Just as click and read access is available to you just for the asking.

I do find it interesting however that some people have gotten "temporary timeouts" for their posts and some have been flat out banned. Apparently they just couldn't help themselves.

I find it interesting they all complain and play the martyr over here. It's everyone's fault but theirs.

I think certain posters that bent the rules here thought they would dominate the board. But as it turns out there were a lot more that didn't bend the rules here that ended up being the majority.

 

[fla4fun]

I have never requested access and I do not plan to. I come here to the DIS primarily to discuss Disney and travel. I want to have fun here. There are plenty of other places to discuss controversial content should I wish to do so.

 

[MIGrandma]

Too many of the regulars there have no real life experience with what they love to post about. And to be honest, most likely not much of a real life in general.

And how do you know this? Do you know most of them personally?

 

[lovesmurfs]

I'm intrigued by this....you don't discuss controversial topics with your husband? Ever??

It's a matter of "a man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still." When we first married, politically, he was what I'd call a moderate conservative. Since he's aged (he's 12 years older than I), he's gotten incredibly conservative and won't brook any disagreements about actions of the current political administration.

I can say it's disappointing not to be able to talk about my personal frustrations without getting emailed a link to what he calls a "fair" YouTube video about why something was right to do.

 

[ClaraOswald]

It's a matter of "a man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still." When we first married, politically, he was what I'd call a moderate conservative. Since he's aged (he's 12 years older than I), he's gotten incredibly conservative and won't brook any disagreements about actions of the current political administration.

I can say it's disappointing not to be able to talk about my personal frustrations without getting emailed a link to what he calls a "fair" YouTube video about why something was right to do.

Yeah, I can see how that would be very difficult. Sorry you have to deal with that. I guess I sometimes forget that many people are in relationships with those who have vastly different opinions on "controversial" topics. My husband and I certainly don't agree on every single topic that exists, but I'm thankful that when it comes to some major ones, we are on the same page.

 

[kdonnel]

I don't see any value, except maybe entertainment.

Arguing with people on the internet is rarely productive for either person.

You are not going to change anyone's mind. People often just end up angry and swimming in negativity.

 

[evilmommie]

Actually, just like the CB, there are members from ALL walks of life. There are former military, some medical, and law enforcement just to name a few.

I am a very active participant. The board moves very fast sometimes, but it can be engaging. I still don't personally think a separate section was needed. If there's a thread you (general) don't like the topic on, don't read it, or, if necessary, use the "ignore thread" feature. I think some threads on the CB are totally boring ("Name a song with the word 'song' in it") and I have no interest in. You know what? I don't click on the thread.

I think we as a people are better off being able to express/discuss our views, even with those who are diametrically opposed.

I do find it interesting however that some people have gotten "temporary timeouts" for their posts and some have been flat out banned. Apparently they just couldn't help themselves.

I’m sure there may be people with experience there, but I have no way of knowing whose experience is real and who isn’t. Because of that, I don’t find those threads useful and I don’t participate. I’d rather spend my debate energy on conversations with people I actually know.

 

[leahgoogle]

I don't see any value, except maybe entertainment.

Arguing with people on the internet is rarely productive for either person.

You are not going to change anyone's mind. People often just end up angry and swimming in negativity.

You hit the nail on the head exactly! It is nothing but entertainment over there with angry people whose minds are not going to be changed no matter what.

 

[Sanchez]

The Controversial Topics Board is the Spirit Airlines of the DIS. Sometimes it is amusing to watch the Spirit Youtube fights and arguments, but mostly it leaves you depressed about the state of your fellow man. Every once in a while you might think it wise to get one of those cheap flights, but then reason and logic win out. You realize that it is best for everyone that those folks have their own airline, and it is one that most people would be embarrassed to be involved with.

 

[kdonnel]

I’d rather spend my debate energy on conversations with people I actually know.

I completely agree with you.

Debating in person is so different than through the anonymity of the internet. It can actually be useful.



This is how I see debates happening through the safety of the internet. Looks real productive.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I haven't joined yet but from what I've heard it's overall a missed opportunity to what conversations used to be had here (pre-covid mostly but then some after). Not so much about harkening back to the debate board (before my time) but from what I've heard there's not nearly as much variety of conversations.

Part of what was up with conversation just being on the Community Board is that a wider variety of posters were available to comment, that movement over to the other board and requesting access has also IMO narrowed the pool of available posters willing to join an entire side dedicated to potentially heavy topics instead of just bypassing threads here and there. There may be a variety of people from different walks of life but that doesn't mean that those who are on there are as wide variety as there could be if on the Community Board. That's not solely an issue with the Controversial Board as time and especially the pandemic altered the makeup of the DIS. It's not surprising to hear how some people feel the newer board has become.

I've still kept it open to eventually opting in but these are just my opinions on when it used to be visible to see the topics and from what others have said and what I've gleaned off what it can be like over there.

 

[Praying Colonel]

I've never visited. I only wish they'd move controversial topics over there sooner.

 

[kdonnel]

And just to be clear I am not saying I haven’t been caught up in an internet debate or two, the Covid response threads here were fun!

But it does have draw backs.

I gained a stalker or two for some period of time from this message board.

A woman took the time to find what she thought was my phone number and called and left a hateful message. It was actually my wife’s phone though.

And I got a PM once saying that I was being discussed on another Disney themed board.

The moral of the story is to be careful because there are some true psychopaths out there in Disney World/Land.

 

[_19disnA]

DIS can make whatever rules they want on how to run their website, I have no issue with that. Their rationale for moving certain topics to the controversial board was explained in detail when this area was first implemented. I think it is good when more people are willing to stand up and speak out about things they think are wrong and the right place for that on this site is the controversial forum. Too often on social media, someone grabs the microphone and thinks just because they yell the loudest or the longest they somehow speak for the majority. Having people willing to speak out about things shows there are others valid points of view and some with fringe ideas don't necessarily speak for the majority.

 

[HeatherC]

Haven’t read all the responses, but for me I find it to be a hangout for those who like to engage in online battles of which I have no interest in. I also find that many posts seem to get quite contentious and even downright nasty at times. There is name calling and politician bashing of which I choose to avoid. I come on here to relax and forget about things for a while and that board just isn’t for me.

 

[MamaMermaid]

I visit and post sometimes.

 

[tvguy]

So because of what you perceive is a lack of freedom of speech around here, you are voluntarily giving up your freedom of speech when they give you a place for it? By the way, you had to register just to post here. Posting there doesn't require additional registration. It's available for the asking. That's so you know and acknowledge what you're getting into. And you can also ask that you be removed from access at any time as well. Some people don't want click and read access to that board. And that option is available to them. Just as click and read access is available to you just for the asking.

You bring up an important point. I could read the entire DIS without registering, which I did for a couple of years. You can not even see the Controversial Topics forum without signing up for THAT part of the DIS. Any access DOES require something additional.
That is a fair requirement to post, but I think the forum should be visible to everyone.

 

[Minnesota!]

I used to visit multiple times a day. I enjoy seeing other view points. BUT, since mid-2025, my mental health has been on the brink of survival. For my own sanity, I check in rarely. I feel like some of the posters are blind, deaf, dumb there and I just cannot beat my head against a wall on most days.

I read along far more than I contribute these days. Some of the posters give me hope when I need it most, too.