Regarding "The Controversy"

[pondrthis]

@LWR: That sounds like a great idea for users, but a bitch for mods.

@Friendbot2000: Man, being a gay scout master has to be tough what with all the paranoia about that in the past few years T.T I don't envy that position. Well, I mean, being a scout master is a huge honor and all, but being targeted by homophobes, overprotective parents, and the part of the gay community that wishes the fiasco would just disappear sounds like it sucks terribly. Of course, as someone who's done mentorship of my own in my day (I'm not a whole lot older than you, though) I know it's difficult to put down because it's very rewarding.

[PyTom]

Note: My current plans are to limit my administration to non-controversial cases, like managing the server, upgrading the forum software, and playing whack-a-mole with spammers. So these are just my opinions, rather than some sort of fiat.

I don't like the idea of a dedicated "Controversy" board. It doesn't seem on topic.

I believe that the first rule of any discussion - think before you speak up - should serve as a guideline of discussion here in this forum as well, and I'd like to ask everybody here to take it to heart.

The funny thing is that "think before you speak" was what I was trying to enforce with the 12 hour rule. The general idea was that posts usually have very little value to a user, when that user can make another post a few seconds later. By limiting the rate of posts, they start to have value - and hence people will think before "wasting" one. The idea was to raise the level of heated discussions, without stopping anyone from being able to speak.

It's difficult working out proper boundaries for what sorts of actions and beliefs truly are inappropriate even in a tolerant society. There have to be some ground rules, and usually those rules have to do with the effects of your actions and beliefs on people other than yourself.

There's also the issue of how we deal with ambiguous cases. I personally like the idea of allowing people to discuss controversial topics, rather than having the administration step in to shut things down - but again, that's just my opinion. (And it seems like the intersection of this and the 12-hour rule is what exploded, so maybe it's not a good one.)

[KomiTsuku]

I'm taking Tom's idea on this one. Unless it is about making games or reviewing games, I highly doubt you will be hearing much out of me. I have enough problems to deal with without dragging my name through mud. Gonna save all my writing for games. >.<;

Well, until my assistant and I earn enough money to do this. Ending to Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (NSFW for heavy cursing and some mild violence)

[Sapphi]

The problem I have with a "Controversy" board relates to a phenomenon I saw during this latest blowout. Someone got involved in the comment war and because some other people didn't like what that person said, they pledged not to play any of that person's games. I think that's a tragedy. An author, artist, or composer's work should be appreciated for what it is, not for who created it. I have strong opinions on many things, but I would likely shy away from posting on such a Controversy board for fear that people would decide "Since I don't like you, I'm not going to like what you make, so I'm not even going to download it."

[KomiTsuku]

The problem I have with a "Controversy" board relates to a phenomenon I saw during this latest blowout. Someone got involved in the comment war and because some other people didn't like what that person said, they pledged not to play any of that person's games. I think that's a tragedy. An author, artist, or composer's work should be appreciated for what it is, not for who created it. I have strong opinions on many things, but I would likely shy away from posting on such a Controversy board for fear that people would decide "Since I don't like you, I'm not going to like what you make, so I'm not even going to download it."

Or illegally download it so I don't get the money. Joke is I do everything for free! Muwahahahaha~

[LVUER]

"12 Hours rule" sound good, really. And I think it's a good idea too. I like it or not is not the issue here, but it seems that many people doesn't like it... so why not decrease the time limit into..., like perhaps "3 Hours rule" or "5 Hours rule"?

[Blue Lemma]

It looks like people are starting to see the dilemma of managing a board. I think most people here are completely rational, good people, and yet there is so much disagreement over what should be done.

Let me say this for people to think about:

Many places have rules that prohibit discussion of race, religion, sexual orientation, etc. Such rules would calm things down a lot. But VNs and their ren'ai connection are inextricably linked to relationships and sexual orientation. If we just allowed discussion of your general BxG VN that is most common in Japan, it would reduce the likelihood for offense and misunderstanding on threads, but it would be unfair to people who want to discuss and create GxB, BxB, GxG, etc. Plus it would give the board a reputation for being anti-gay for not allowing games with same-sex relationships.

On the other hand, when all relationships are allowed as the forum always has, it sometimes creates a minefield of controversy. What is Obviously Right to one person may not be to another, and it might even be in conflict with what is Obviously Right to someone else. There are so many rights that are at odds with each other in real life, and people get hurt.

Maybe you can see why I'm leaving

[nope]

I don't want restart the flame-war, but I think we (as in forum-users) deserve to know:

http://kinougames.blogspot.com/2011/04/ ... lemma.html

Was Python posting on the blog as Temp?

[KomiTsuku]

I don't want restart the flame-war, but I think we (as in forum-users) deserve to know:

http://kinougames.blogspot.com/2011/04/ ... lemma.html

Was Python posting on the blog as Temp?

I remember he mentioned that on his twitter. No, he did not.

Edited twice because I failed at English... twice.

[PyTom]

As I already mentioned on twitter, I have never posted on Kinougames' blog.

[nope]

oh, seems Kino was trolled badly...
I don't follow your twitter, and thought that deserved an answer.

[Sapphi]

It would be nice if the mystery Temp could identify themselves if they are someone from the forum. They didn't deny Kinou's calling them PyTom and it wouldn't be fair if PyTom had to look bad for things he didn't post there.

[Suikama]

edit: oh wait nevermind

edit so that this post isn't spam: I do see this is a good example of why the 12 hour rule doesn't work. Restraining the posts of someone who is already heated up isn't going to cool them down, it often just makes them burn even more.

[sake-bento]

After some thought and discussion with lot of members of the board, I'm going to say that a "Controversy" section is what we don't want. First off, any thread can turn into a heated discussion. I mean, look at the ANN Answerman thread. It certainly didn't start out as controversial. Once a thread turns into a heated argument, I don't think moving it to another forum is really the answer. It feels like sweeping it aside. "Well, now that people have passionate arguments, let's put it somewhere else." Second, I'm not too keen on having a section that specifically asks for controversy. If it happens, then it happens, but I'd rather not try to draw it out on purpose.

[Tachyglossus]

This might be a bit off topic, but I have a question. Say you did feel offended by somene's post. Would it be considered harrassment or be considered responsible to PM that person and tell them that it upset you rather than make a public statement about it?

I just ask because I am a very private person, and I think that things, sometimes, get resolved a lot easier when you work it out one-on-one.