Controversial Threads.

I had a question even after the amount of time that I have been on ATS, and my contributions here, I was wondering if I decided to write a controversial thread, would it be wiser to inform the mods before hand as to make sure that it doesn't get out of control?

I feel quite bothered that I would even have to ask such a question, but I am afraid that this might not only be a concern of mine, but others about the route that some threads take. I wrote an entire thread, and erased it just to write this one.

No. I am not afraid of members disagreeing with me, but the derailing, and straight up maliciousness that can occur here doesn't seem worth my time or the risk. I want to share my thoughts, and views with other members, and I feel that sometimes we deter ourselves, due to a problem that seems to persist.

Thanks in advance.

Peace, NRE.

reply to post by NoRegretsEver


?What sort of subjects would you consider to be controversial for ATS.

Actually it was concerning a video that I watched from a 1990 episode of a talk show that discussed issues that I think are important, due to the content, but even though it was on main stream media, IMHO "some" people might try to immediately derail it, or trash it.

I would like a mods perceptive on this, or a U2U, if possible. BTW, I put it here, just in case this was on the minds of others, which I think it is.

Peace, NRE.

I just had one of my controversial threads trashed, so yes. Before you take the time to write something, it's better to make sure it wont be for nothing.

reply to post by NoRegretsEver


Someone once said publish and be damned, so go ahead I say.

reply to post by NoRegretsEver


I think it's always best to inform a Mod if you think the topic of your thread could be controversial. I did so a while back and was told that I couldn't do the topic I wanted because it would be too controversial and would be flying in the face of a couple of T&C's.

So yeah, it's always best to ask beforehand

reply to post by NoRegretsEver


There is certainly no NEED to do so.... I'd think it better to explain your concerns in your opening post, to kind of help the membership see that you want to foster discussion, not create flamebait. By all means, if YOU want to give the mods a heads up, feel free to do so, but there isn't a requirement for it.

reply to post by baked


Was it trashed for something YOU said, or were there just a lot of T&C violations by others in the thread? Personally, I've always been far more of an advocate of closing, rather than trashing a thread.

I posted a thread which was "super" controversial, it got like heaps of flags and hearts and also got taken off in like two hours or less. What i did was accidentally(being new at the time) made a joke and this let a Mod think that i was not serious, or gave him the option he needed to close my thread. I also think that I hurt his feelings as the thread related to an area he thought he was very well versed in, which he isn't. Just watch what you write, as open as this website claims to be, hidden deep are minds set in stone.

Controversial threads are fine, just make sure, that you back up all of the arguments with facts, and present it in a way that would not offend anyone. I have been on ATS for a while, and the threads that end up getting closed, or the person banned, are those that deliberately troll and seek to offend, rather than those that spur a debate among the people who use and read ATS. Keep in mind, such should not be deliberately attack anyone on the board. Having an opinion is good, but use facts and do a bit of research on the topic you are wishing to post about, giving links to back up your arguments. That way you can post something controversial and produce a good topic.

Originally posted by Gazrok
Personally, I've always been far more of an advocate of closing, rather than trashing a thread.

Just a quick post to concur with Gazrok's preferred approach. I'd much rather threads judged inappropriate were closed/locked rather than trashed - at least where they were not clearly spamming ATS etc.

Personally, I've had a thread trashed which I'd like to be able to reference (even if it remains locked) so that other members of ATS could judge for themselves whether they think it was fair to trash the thread.

(I put in a request to this effect to one of the moderators in relation to the relevant thread, with a post that I requested be added to that thread to put forward my position, but never received any real response to that request).

All the best,

Isaac

I agree with Gaz. I think if you make a disclaimer at the beginning of your post that you indeed want to foster discussion and inspire intelligent debate between members, then you should be okay. We all know that sometimes this doesn't happen, given our diverse population of users, but it's good to forewarn in advance. I personally say, fear not, and post away.

Denying Ignorance means sometimes talking about the topics that some would find controversial, and trying to inspire intelligent debate about the topic. To be ignorant of the issues concerning any topic goes against what ATS was founded on (in my opinion).



Peace be with you.

-truthseeker

OP just post it.

What's the worst that could happen?

reply to post by NoRegretsEver


When in doubt ask - I've had some great input from Masqua and Skyfloating. I might not always agree with them but they've been great when in question and always open and honest with their opinions and guidance..

Good Luck on your thread!

Oh, and, remember - if you can't stir 'em up with your threads, get 'em thinking, and push the limits and boundaries of the 'envelope' - why post? In my opinion that's what ATS is all about - going where no one else dares to - with the truth as your shield and sword!

peace

Originally posted by NoRegretsEver
I was wondering if I decided to write a controversial thread, would it be wiser to inform the mods before hand as to make sure that it doesn't get out of control?

It probably wouldn't matter, honestly. It's not like we can assign a mod or 3 to monitor one specific thread. Post it. If it goes off the rails, alert on the offending posts. Whatever 'risk" that's associated with posting a thread, you'll have to assess.

The one time it might make sense to run a thread past a staff member is to see if it's potentially a T&C violation before you even get started. There's nothing wrong with "controversial", as long as the subject isn't violating the T&C.

Controversy, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.

If you expect to offend someone - thus causing controversy - use all your wits to present your thread in a a measured and balanced manner that requires all offense to 'taken' and not 'given'

If you expect to be offended - explain the sensitivity - rendering all potential offenses to be 'given' and not 'taken'...

If you are uncertain - you may be over-thinking the topic...

confer with friends, or a Mod, or anyone else you feel might be useful in making your OP the best it can be; but when in doubt and the compulsion to post is great remember - our community values dialog over silence....

Compose your thread and let the members
decide what happens to it.

What are you so afraid of? If a member is critical of your thread it is not going to be a major setback in your life.

Fear stops us from exceeding to our full potential.

Let her rip tater chip.

I'm interested in what you have to say.

screw it. write it and post it. if someone doesn't like it, screw them.

If the mods trash it, raise hell. That is what i do. Of course, you don't have to be a jerk about how you raise that hell...but i have ruffled a few feathers along the way. I feel that i am fair and honest, and because of this generally tend to not have problems that cannot be resolved.

besides, at the end of the day, you really don't have any ownership here. Let it roll off your back. Turn off the computer and go outside when things online piss you off. I am sure there is someone IRL that loves you and will soothe the bruised ego.

As for me, i don't write threads much. I irks me that on the first page of every thread, someone comes in whining that there is already a thread about it. The lame pissing matches with the epeens is a silly waste of time. Beyond that, seeing the stuff that has been trashed in the past, i KNOW that it isn't always about TAC. It is something else.

I want to thank you all for your responses. I have thought it over and decided that I will indeed do the thread. I do think that one of the good things about ATS is when a thread is started that forces you to think, and pushes the limit to why we are in this forum in the first place, is never a bad thing.

Either way it goes you all have inspired me, and I will take as much time as I need in order to make sure that it represents the quality that is expected here on ATS, and that it does in fact, make people think about themselves, and others. Though I feel that no matter what I do about this particular subject that will go into "social issues", will offend some, thats just the nature of some, but I cannot deny myself and others that want to have a good dialogue concerning subjects, the right to do so, just because a few have a problem.

If we all did, this place would be empty.
Thank you all,
Peace, NRE.

BTW, if a particular mod would like a preview, just U2U me, and I will send a link to the first video.