Everybody's welcome?

[_Blixa]

Personal insults are supposed to be relegated to the next kingdom down (the telestial forum) and the mods to a pretty good job keeping up with that.

That said there are a few posters here, on all "sides," who traffic in ad hominems and abrasive language. But I don't think that's the only experience one can have here. DCP is a lightning rod for such things, for whatever reasons, but surely including his own self-professed "nastiness." And I think its reasonable that many would doubt that that poster was the real deal (though personally I saw no reason it wasn't).

Anyway you're here now, so post away!

[_Rollo Tomasi]

I have seen many calls for MADites/apologists to come on over and enter into discussions on this board. DCP finally shows up (about the time that hell freezes) and he gets this:

"Are you a liar? Was Nibley a liar? I believe so. When one takes excruciating measures to create revisionist history, betray others confidence and go out of ones way to defend the indefensible you then become a liar.

Maybe that's why no one in your field actually knows your name.

Tell me douchebag, do you believe that tapirs can be used as horses?"


The front page of this board says:

"Here is a place of free discussion. Whether you want to discuss the finer intricacies of doctrine, or whether you want to discuss the truthiness of the church in general, your word will be heard here.

Pro, anti, investigator, questioner, critic, apologetic, no matter what you call yourself, what you have to say, or what your agenda is, you have a place here. We pride ourselves on a minimalistic moderation policy, so that your voice is always heard."

If the majority really do want substantive discussion they could be sadly disappointed if "free discussion" equates to gross discourtesy. Board management says "you have a place here" [even if you're DCP] and yet you'd have to really really want to be here to wade on through when it's such hard slogging, as above.

One of the biggest obstacles to smooth running of these boards is that it's difficult to have a cohesive unit when there's no one playbook. Some people would be very interested in discussions on topics of mutual interest with knowledgeable people, whoever they are. Others don't even want to talk about Mormonism. The forum selection answers that to some extent but obviously not altogether.

I didn't consider that my reception on FAIR/MAD as a newbie poster was all that friendly. They can certainly say the same about this board. I know some people won't care about that but I thought the majority agenda was to attract new and diverse participants? I'm not saying to pull our punches in a fair debate but the knee jerk pot shots are unseemly even on a day when hell/ice happens (DCP shows up on MD). I thought that was what you wanted? Who could blame him for never coming back?

I know if this was MAD somebody would be yelling "board nanny" at me. I'm not trying to be that - it's just that I'm seeing a huge discrepancy between the stated goals and the posting reality. It's no way to grow a board. :/

I wholeheartedly agree with Nightingale. I welcome DCP's input here, and anyone else's who comes over from MAD or other bb. The big difference between this bb and FAIR/MAD (in my view) is the lack of censorship here (actual ... or 'constructive,' in the form of driving people away from here with personal attacks). Debate is only worthwhile when the participants stick to the substance; personal attacks have no place in debate or open discussion, in my opinion. Just my $.02.

[_Jason Bourne]

Why would Peterson or any other "target" of many of the rabid angry exmo's or semi exmo's ever stick around here for the vile that the ilk of PP, Merc, Schmo, Inks, and others will spew. These people have some real problems with civility. I wonder at times why I stick around here. I guess it is an interesting study. Even in the celestial forum the PPs of the board often seem unable to control themselves. Look at the response by Merc in the forum on Runtu's departure when I suggested he control his vitirol. He seems unable to do so, or thinks he is so rationally above treating someone who in his even infinite wisdom he finds irrataional.

I would not hang out here were I a Peterson or one of the others so many on this board love to hate.

[_Jason Bourne]

Nightingale.

Problem is there are some here who are so irrational about their hatred for things LDS that they really do need therapy. They claim they are free from the clutches of an evil cult but they are controlled more it now then they ever were. They really do need some therapy in order to move in in life. They seem unable to grasp the idea of civility.

[_Blixa]

Still Jason, I think there's reason enough to keep trying for civil discussion, even loosely defined. This board does seem to offer a different kind of space than any others I'm familiar with...

[_Some Schmo]

Why would Peterson or any other "target" of many of the rabid angry exmo's or semi exmo's ever stick around here for the vile that the ilk of PP, Merc, Schmo, Inks, and others will spew. These people have some real problems with civility.

You think I spew vile? Hmph. Interesting. Now, is that commentary on me or your perspective?

I'm usually smiling when I'm typing up my posts. I like to be silly.

I don't dislike any of the posters here (it's hard to dislike those you don't know). I may not like what's written, but I have nothing against the people themselves. But does that mean I'm not allowed to mess with people based on the things they write?

Wow dude, you seem a tad sensitive to me, or take this way too seriously. After all, we're only talking about religion, which is an endless well of potential comedic fun.

Just thought I'd mention it.

With respect to the OP and the point of this thread, I often find myself amazed at how seriously people take these boards. I think I might have to jump of a bridge if I took any of it to heart. It's just mindless fun (for me, anyway). I never consider it "people talking to people" but rather "board personalities talking to board personalities" or perhaps "caricatures talking to caricatures." There's no way people would talk the way they do here to each other in "real life." If they do, then what's the point of coming here? It doesn't bother me in the least when people insult me for a couple reasons:

1) They don't know me
2) I take it so I can give it

So fire away, people!

I think people would do well to put places like this in perspective.

[_harmony]

DCP finally shows up (about the time that hell freezes)

It was 128 degrees in Vegas over the weekend. Doesn't seem to me like hell is freezing over any time soon. And the jury is still out about whether or not that's the real DCP or not. I'm leaning towards Not, since DCP dusted this place off his feet, vowing to never bless us with his presence again. I can't see him going back on that without extreme provocation.

I didn't consider that my reception on FAIR/MAD as a newbie poster was all that friendly. They can certainly say the same about this board. I know some people won't care about that but I thought the majority agenda was to attract new and diverse participants? I'm not saying to pull our punches in a fair debate but the knee jerk pot shots are unseemly even on a day when hell/ice happens (DCP shows up on MD). I thought that was what you wanted? Who could blame him for never coming back?

We do not speak with one voice. We are many voices, all at different volumes, all with something different to say. Giving one voice more power than any other is worse than useless; it's counterproductive. This board is easy to access, easy to participate on, and no one ever needs worry about being banned. Each voice is valued, just because it's unique. That said, if you don't like one of the voices here, ignore it and concentrate on the voices you wish to converse with.

I know if this was MAD somebody would be yelling "board nanny" at me. I'm not trying to be that - it's just that I'm seeing a huge discrepancy between the stated goals and the posting reality. It's no way to grow a board. :/

This isn't MAD. Try to keep us straight. MAD is the over-moderated post-menopausal vision of a woman with significant issues. MDB (note the different spelling) is the non-moderated vision of a man determined to give everyone a voice, even those who are silenced on MAD. Posters need a thick skin, a minimal elementary understanding of the subject matter, and the ability to give and take. Some Saints would not survive here. Daniel isn't one of them. Daniel's biggest problem isn't that he couldn't do well here, and score some points. Daniel's problem is he'd have to give only his best here, and he has no desire to make that effort. It's much easier for him on MAD, where he's never challenged and he's constantly protected. It's not our fault he makes that choice.

[mentalgymnast]

I have seen many calls for MADites/apologists to come on over and enter into discussions on this board. DCP finally shows up (about the time that hell freezes) and he gets this:

"Are you a liar? Was Nibley a liar? I believe so. When one takes excruciating measures to create revisionist history, betray others confidence and go out of ones way to defend the indefensible you then become a liar.

Maybe that's why no one in your field actually knows your name.

Tell me douchebag, do you believe that tapirs can be used as horses?"
:/

I saw this too, but figured it was a waste of time to comment. While Shades, Beastie, Liz, M. Scratch, Harmony(maybe) Bond and others would no doubt welcome interaction with someone like Dr. Peterson here at MD, there are unfortunately a small handful of other posters who would not. Every time I've seen Dr. Peterson post here, the outspoken minority have done their best to drive him off.

Chap; staying in the Celestial forum won't help because if the language gets heated or vulgar, the remedy is to move the thread to a lower forum, not clean it up and inforce the rules in that particular forum.

(After reading Harmony's post which was written at the same time mine was--I edited mine to add ("maybe") since I'm not sure she cares either way.)

[_harmony]

I saw this too, but figured it was a waste of time to comment. While Shades, Beastie, Harmony, Liz, M. Scratch, Bond and others would no doubt welcome interaction with someone like Dr. Peterson here at MD, there are unfortunately a small handful of other posters who would not. Every time I've seen Dr. Peterson post here, the outspoken minority have done their best to drive him off.

Chap; staying in the Celestial forum won't help because if the language gets heated or vulgar, the remedy is to move the thread to a lower forum, not clean it up and inforce the rules in that particular forum.

And yet there are some very civil threads there about some very sensitive issues. And there's one very long thread (something like 30+ pages) that can only be described as scholarly and educational. I guess sometimes people complain just to complain and for no other reason.

[_Alter Idem]

I saw this too, but figured it was a waste of time to comment. While Shades, Beastie, Harmony, Liz, M. Scratch, Bond and others would no doubt welcome interaction with someone like Dr. Peterson here at MD, there are unfortunately a small handful of other posters who would not. Every time I've seen Dr. Peterson post here, the outspoken minority have done their best to drive him off.

Chap; staying in the Celestial forum won't help because if the language gets heated or vulgar, the remedy is to move the thread to a lower forum, not clean it up and inforce the rules in that particular forum.

And yet there are some very civil threads there about some very sensitive issues. And there's one very long thread (something like 30+ pages) that can only be described as scholarly and educational. I guess sometimes people complain just to complain and for no other reason.

What happens to a scholarly thread if one of the posters here decides to attack? It would go right down the tube. Do you really think that if Dr. Peterson started to post that he'd be left alone? Did you read the thread that Nightingale quoted? Exactly what did Dr. Peterson say to deserve the vulgar, obnoxious attack he got? His comments were benign--but he's got a big target on him that some posters just can't resist taking pot-shots at.