Should we shut Civics 101 down?

[Sparko]

Civics has basically taken over Theologyweb in the last few years to the point that it is just about the only active section. The problem, besides the obvious one that this is supposed to be a THEOLOGY discussion site, is that Civics is a cesspool of trolling, fighting, and name calling. We have been considering just shutting it down completely and getting back to debating Theology and fostering more social interactions in the fellowship areas.

What is your opinion? Yes, shut it down, no, don't? Have some other ideas? Vote in the poll and explain in the thread. Votes are public.

[oxmixmudd]

I'm guessing shutting it down would help take the edge off - politics is always contentious. But the deep disdain in some for others will not likely just disappear because politics is off the table.

[Thoughtful Monk]

I find it hard to have meaningful discussions as most threads are in the gutter by page 3. Let's get back to focusing on religion including atheism and discussions around that.

And yes the number of active members and posts will go down.

[Cow Poke]

I think if some of us were to make a serious effort to tone things down, and deal with facts instead of false accusations and condemnation, and encourage others to do likewise, it could be salvaged. As I have said, I considered the probability that it was ME who was causing the bulk of the rancor, so I disappeared for a while, but each time I peeked back, the pot was still boiling. There aren't THAT MANY posters who are responsible for the rancor.

[rogue06]

As I mentioned to you and mossy I think with Trump leaving office that the TDS crowd will start cooling off in the months that follow. Any discussion should probably wait and see if that does happen

[MaxVel]

Maybe a separate (higher) standard of behaviour could be instituted for the Civics forum?

If posters were given infractions for the undesirable behaviour, posts removed etc that would remove problem posters and 'encourage' a higher standard of behaviour.

[Cow Poke]

As I mentioned to you and mossy I think with Trump leaving office that the TDS crowd will start cooling off in the months that follow. Any discussion should probably wait and see if that does happen

Naw, the Georgia runoffs are just around the corner, then there's the campaigning for the mid-terms --- I think that's gonna be a revenge election. I don't see this going away.

[Cow Poke]

Maybe a separate (higher) standard of behaviour could be instituted for the Civics forum?

If posters were given infractions for the undesirable behaviour, posts removed etc that would remove problem posters and 'encourage' a higher standard of behaviour.

That creates quite a dilemma for the mods. "Yeah, you deleted MY post, but you let your BUDDIES say horrible things...."

[Sparko]

As I mentioned to you and mossy I think with Trump leaving office that the TDS crowd will start cooling off in the months that follow. Any discussion should probably wait and see if that does happen

I am willing to give it a couple of months before making a final decision. I don't see things changing. It was pretty bad when Obama was President too.

[Sparko]

Maybe a separate (higher) standard of behaviour could be instituted for the Civics forum?

If posters were given infractions for the undesirable behaviour, posts removed etc that would remove problem posters and 'encourage' a higher standard of behaviour.

I think we would just end up with most of the members in the matrix.

[Sparko]

I find it hard to have meaningful discussions as most threads are in the gutter by page 3. Let's get back to focusing on religion including atheism and discussions around that.

And yes the number of active members and posts will go down.

I am hoping that if we move back to a Theology centered site we would attract more of the types of members we want over time.

[Sparko]

Any suggestions for leaving civics open but making it less relevant/popular would be appreciated.

[MaxVel]

That creates quite a dilemma for the mods. "Yeah, you deleted MY post, but you let your BUDDIES say horrible things...."

No, I mean that the mods do what they normally do, except that for Civics there is a higher standard of conduct.

For example, perhaps any form of personal attack could be moderated. so things like making mocking versions of a poster's name, or calling them evil, or stupid, or ignorant etc etc could be considered an infraction.

Also - I expect that the posters who don't trust the mods to be at least somewhat fair and balanced are a large part of the problem anyway.

[MaxVel]

Any suggestions for leaving civics open but making it less relevant/popular would be appreciated.

Get the Twitter, Youtube or Facebook moderators to run it?



Move seriously, some limit on how many posts a member can make per day on the Civics forum? Say 5 a day? That would make people only reply to things that really matter to them & it would slow things down, maybe let people cool off & post more thoughtfully.

[Cow Poke]

I am hoping that if we move back to a Theology centered site we would attract more of the types of members we want over time.

Yeah, I have tried to start serious discussions - particularly with the practical application of theology - but they go nowhere. One of the main reasons I took another vacation.