Arsenal debate stupidity

[Niall_Quinn]

No I am just tired of Arsenal debate threads deviating from what they are supposed to be about. It can be understood in the transfer thread as that kind of necessitates speculation and thus not much quality. What I deleted from this thread, from the third time in bulk is not in anyway quality.

And it's not about censorship, it just gives somebody the opportunity to hide it if they don't want it clogging up the page. Not that I can find it. Going on these rants about censorship or free speech is misguided. This forum never says it is about those things, thus it shouldn't be expected.

I'm fairly sure when people click on a thread in Arsenal debate about a new signing, they don't really want to be reading about some asinine debate about a players sexuality or otherwise. Go post on a different forum for that. Currants BW if needs be, just keep it away from this section.

I'm going to move these posts to improve the forum as otherwise I am contradicting myself. The fact I have mentioned twice to people to stop things decending in the thread is what is really annoying.

You're on a tough road here. Been there, there's no end to it. I believe you are sincere, though imagine you've probably thought this out after the fact. On the scale of things (in my experience) you are moderate and your views are liberal (in an individually responsible rather than Liberal Party/ PC ****, "I'm a reasonable coward and I'll go along to get along, please don't hurt me", way.) GW gives more scope than is tolerated by the fawning sleepwalkers who sell their beliefs for minuscule authority or approval in the real (non-virtual) world. Even so, in this place there are many (countless) instances of topics veering wildly off the initial subject. It seems to me that certain types of controversies are the trigger rather than a generalised rule for sticking to the topic. That's what the evidence bears out anyway. In terms of those controversies it's the little things combined that make the bigger picture. When people tell me not to worry about minor issues and instead let them slide I tell them in return to quit reaching major conclusions based on the individual jigsaw pieces and get the fuck on and complete the puzzle. Only then does that single piece take on its true significance. So, I should stay quiet if I'm not prepared to repeat a wider (not necessarily yours or even many others here - but a few) socially "acceptable" mantras. Those are (theoretically) the two options. I hear you and I know why and I know it makes things easier and in the end this is just a forum and not the UN. And JHC, you offer a service for people to talk about Arsenal, not solve the problems of the world or fight political battles or create time sapping headaches for a handful of people who volunteer to run the place. I get it, it makes sense within certain confines although people really don't work that way regardless of the environment. Nevertheless I won't comply because it's not in my nature. I can't be quiet voluntarily. It's not an option and therefore you have no option either. So please delete my account, save everyone the trouble, and come on the Arsenal (minus the board) for 2012/13 and I hope we win the whole damn thing.

[Cripps_orig]

Good read

[McNamara That Ghost...]

No we don't delete accounts on request. If you don't want to post, don't post.

And of course threads go off topic but there should be a limit and that limit should definitely be Arsenal debate (specifically the debate threads); that section should be the main emphasis of the forum (and is borne out by amount of posts) and where we are going to get the most amount of users, being an Arsenal forum.

General chat is general chat. You can vent there.

[V-Pig]

I'm not talking about Flavs, I'm talking about certain other posters who condemn people for not falling in with their beliefs. Please try not to give them a free run on here. I don't know what developed on the threat but last time I saw it there were a few comments about a player who appeared on the cover of a gay mag being gay. I really don't think there will be any repercussions from something like that, other than self imposed penalties. I'm aware it's a fine line but for the same of free speech and free thought we should at least be walking right to the edge of that line. When there are laws against speech there's always something fundamentally rotten behind it, often disguised as the protection of rights. It needs to be disguised, hence the demands for censorship.

Adding a spoiler tag to that image will entice people to click it. No form of censorship ever works as intended.

Anyway, to address this point.

First of all, "free speech" as you appear to mean it does not exist. If some of the things said on here were said in certain contexts (for example, in person) they would potentially lead to prosecution. Therefore it is misguided to think you can, in every situation, say whatever you like.

Secondly, it would be hypocritical of you to complain about people "condemning" you if you're so keen on people expressing their right to free speech. I personally haven't reported anyone for anything on new GW (and possibly on old GW either, though I can't remember) because it's only a football forum. I challenge people head-on when they expound bigoted views as I would in real life, but I accept that this is just an Internet forum and not the fucking UN.

If you're really concerned about "censorship", I'd suggest you focus your ire on the only person known to have actually reported anything from the thread, thus compelling mods to act, which is Ach.

[Cripps_orig]

And now hes critisising for doing the right thing

Oh dear

[Xhaka Can’t]

I feel sorry for the mods.

It is impossible to do the right thing here. You want to let the forum flow but there have to be limits because people do get upset. Additionally consideration needs to be given to what could happen if some of the stuff posted here was relayed further. You may not think it, especially as this is a small forum, but it is possible that if left entirely unchecked posters and the Admins/Contributors to the forum could end up in a difficult situation regardless of whether what gets said is meant or said in jest.

[Coney]

It is not impossible to do the right thing. It is impossible to make everyone happy, but that is something else. Broadly, the mods on GW have done a good job and allow it to run on aloose lead. So maybe we all disagree with a mod's decision now and then, maybe sometimes a mod is wrong, but that is just the way of the world. It is the overall effect that counts and I think that as forums go, this one is modded extermely well.

What the mods should do is not do is throw a wobbler because they can't satisfy everyone. So what - it is not possible so don't worry about it. Do what you think is right and let people deal with it one way or the other.

[Jofnn]

Can't believe you filled my little improvements section with this argument...

I thought there was something wrong and that I was needed... but now I can see that I am not needed I am very sad indeed. I shall crawl back under my forum improvements rock and await a time when I am truly required

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

[Flavs]

To be fair the amount of shit Joker gets ion here is a disgrace. To think mildly racist satire gets deleted but people are openly battering him sums it up really

GW

[Xhaka Can’t]

To be fair the amount of shit Joker gets ion here is a disgrace. To think mildly racist satire gets deleted but people are openly battering him sums it up really

GW

Shut it honky