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New Forum Area

10K views 31 replies 19 participants last post by  MacLeod 
#1 · (Edited)
We have decided to alter our stance a little bit regarding political/religious discussions. Realizing that some discussions within Classical music are related to political or religious views and points, the staff, after a lengthy study session and meeting have decided to allow these discussions to occur on the open boards.

We have created a new forum area Politics and Religion in Classical Music specifically for the Discussion of political, religious, and other potentially contentious topics in relation to classical music - please note the keywords "in relation to classical music".

The new forum area is in the Music & Repertoire area entiled "Politics and Religion related in classical music".

Down and out discussions about politics/religion unrelated to classical music will not be allowed. Period!

As always, the same rules apply about being civil to one another, and this new forum has certain restrictions in place from the start ...

Here's the catch ...

Only members with 3 or less active infraction points will be able to participate (create new threads, post in threads) in its discussions.

Those with 4 or more active infraction points will not be allowed to post in that particular forum area. Most infractions are time limited and eventually expire ... once the active infraction points drop to 3 or lower, the member will once again have access and will be able to participate.

The Rules & Regulations have been revised. :)
 
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#2 ·
For clarity: I assume this means don't start a thread unrelated to classical music (perfectly reasonable), but what about thread drift? These discussions have a tendency to go from specifics to generalities, and their relevance to music recedes into the distance. Is this acceptable? To take a specific example, would the "Tchaikovsky wasn't gay" thread be stopped at the same point or allowed to continue further?

Anyway, thanks for creating the new area - I look forward to some interesting discussions...
 
#6 ·
I think it's impossible to set exact rules about "drifting", but as long as a thread doesn't drift too far away, I don't see a problem - as long as there is a clear line from the original topic. If it drifts too much, we will probably post a message in the thread asking everyone to get back on track :)
 
#15 ·
The first time I saw this other announcement about "Politics and Religion in Classical Music" I thought: "oh, just another shut-up-about-those-topics memo", but this is a pleasant surprise. Thank you guys! This is one more proof that we have a great team on here :)
 
#21 ·
I just came upon the latest brilliant development at TC used to keep us uppity ones in line. It seems that there's d a new forum to house all the contentious discussions of a political or religious nature. Members with 3 or more active infraction points are banned from posting on the threads there.

Initially I thought, "Big deal! I rarely ever post on the threads dealing with politics or religion, anyway."

But it seems that the management has a broad interpretation of what qualifies as political/religious debate. Threads on favorite hymns?:confused: So am I no longer permitted to discuss Bach's cantatas or Mozart's Requiem?

The thread "Are Listeners Permitted To Dislike, And Express Such Dislike, Of Pieces Of Music?":confused:.

I'm guessing this was placed under the political/religious sub-forum so as to prevent "inappropriate" or alternative views from being expressed.

I can't say I am likely to stick around at a forum where any controversy or debate will result in censorship of the voices of certain members. I suspect there are others who feel the same way.

:tiphat:
 
#24 ·
Let me make this clear: No one is trying to censor any particular opinions! The reason why the "Are Listeners Permitted To Dislike, And Express Such Dislike" was moved to the political forum was because it had turned political. We are, however, currently debating whether we should change practice in the future and leave the longer threads where they are, and instead ask people to stay on topic (off politics) - or outright close the thread - rather than moving it.

In any case, the restrictions of the Political forum has nothing to do with censoring views, but instead it's an attempt at allowing political and religious discussions without turning the forum in to a flame fest, which such topics has a tendency to ignite.

I just came upon the latest brilliant development at TC used to keep us uppity ones in line. It seems that there's d a new forum to house all the contentious discussions of a political or religious nature. Members with 3 or more active infraction points are banned from posting on the threads there.

Initially I thought, "Big deal! I rarely ever post on the threads dealing with politics or religion, anyway."

But it seems that the management has a broad interpretation of what qualifies as political/religious debate. Threads on favorite hymns?:confused: So am I no longer permitted to discuss Bach's cantatas or Mozart's Requiem?

The thread "Are Listeners Permitted To Dislike, And Express Such Dislike, Of Pieces Of Music?":confused:.

I'm guessing this was placed under the political/religious sub-forum so as to prevent "inappropriate" or alternative views from being expressed.

I can't say I am likely to stick around at a forum where any controversy or debate will result in censorship of the voices of certain members. I suspect there are others who feel the same way.

:tiphat:
 
#22 ·
I think they've done it very nicely with the ban on people who have been infracted. The clever thing is that if you are having a good well mannered and interesting discussion in the new forum, but lose your rag on a general forum, then your infraction will stop you continuing with that discussion - neat!

Yes, clever idea indeed. Voltaire would have loved it.

"I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it."
 
#26 ·
This has been argued before, but a privately-run Internet site is not necessarily a forum for free speech. House rules are set by the owner of the house.

And that is fully understood. Almost any online forum has rules with regard to profanity, name-calling, etc... This division between members who are permitted to voice opinions and those who are not is something altogether different.
 
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#28 ·
In any case, the restrictions of the Political forum has nothing to do with censoring views, but instead it's an attempt at allowing political and religious discussions without turning the forum in to a flame fest, which such topics has a tendency to ignite.

And this applies to the thread on "favorite hymns" how? Surely the threads on sports, overrated albums, Wagner... and the endless polls (Mozart vs Haydn, Mozart vs Beethoven, Gesualdo vs Miley Cyrus) are likely to be more controversial?
 
#29 ·
I am at least glad that the new forum, though, is helping to prevent controversial arguments on the main forum. Even so, I personally feel that not many people will deliberately start a political or religious discussion - they tend to shift into those when straying off-topic. So it may just be ingeniously discouraging, in that way, all political or religious discussions in the entire forum! Nice job, Magle, nice job.... :)

I think that the sooner we move the new forum down to the lesser-important areas in the list. We have a pretty intelligent staff here at TC.... :D
 
#31 ·
Just an update: there is now a consensus among the staff in general not to move whole non-political threads turned political to the new forum in the future. We are still discussing what to do with then (splitting them up is one option), but that's another matter which the staff will decide on soon.

In any case, StlukesguildOhio, both your complaints have now been addressed, and in both instances we actually agreed with your point! (see also mamascarlatti's reply regarding the hymnal thread above).

Regards,
Frederik
 
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