Stimulate the Forum

[Davita]

Am I wrong or is this forum becoming boring?
It used to be full of interesting world and local dynamics that everyone could have a say about but lately seems to become a bulletin board.......https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_forum

I try to keep up with news, etc.... and present what may be appropriate for forum members to be informed, hoping to have a debate.
However, it seems to me that conversations thereafter go amiss. It is fine to disagree, and I personally welcome that, but short simplistic (facebook-type) responses do not permit reasonable conversations that I would wish to engage in, and continue the thread, so maybe it's my fault.

Any-one agree or disagree please comment ...I have enough clicks to last a lifetime.

 

[Gratilla]

OK, so what do we debate?

- US methods of execution are cruel and unusual.
- RIchard Branson is not a nice man.
- We now have the technology to be truly democratic and can do away with our corrupt politicians.
- Is Bad_azz in reality some fat old geezer, sitting in front of his web-connected PC, in his ketchup-stained skivvies and knee-deep in empty beer cans and pizza cartons?
- yada, yada, yada ...

 

[Scooterindo]

I said long long ago on that "other forum" that we shouldn't have a like button.
I feel It denigrates peoples contributions

 

[waarmstrong]

If the Forum has become boring, perhaps it's because the Provocateur in Chief is falling down on the job.

 

[Davita]

OK, so what do we debate?

1. - US methods of execution are cruel and unusual.
2. - RIchard Branson is not a nice man.
3. - We now have the technology to be truly democratic and can do away with our corrupt politicians.
4. - Is Bad_azz in reality some fat old geezer, sitting in front of his web-connected PC, in his ketchup-stained skivvies and knee-deep in empty beer cans and pizza cartons?
- yada, yada, yada ...

1. I believe all methods of execution are cruel...however necessary. In many societies it is accepted that execution for a crime is necessary to prevent further crime. I do not support that hypothesis.
2. I met Richard Branson once when he interviewed me for a job in his airline...I found him to be extremely affable.
3. I believe technology and democracy is intertwined and will eventually eradicate hypocrisy, graft and cronyism...but it will produce new problems of international financial and transactional issues.
4. I love Bad_azz and her/his comments. She/he is an extremely interesting contributor and I do not subscribe totally to your point...although the idea of ketchup and pizza cartons do come into my thinking....

 

[Gratilla]

1) The pertinent point is is not on the pros and cons of execution but that it is "cruel and unusual" where practiced in the US (ie electric chair and lethal injection, both of which take time as compared to the Chinese bullet, which is more immediate). This is ironic considering their reported abhorrence of "cruel and unusual" punishment. <While writing this I got a Trivago on the TV. If there's one person that deserves something cruel and unusual it is her.>

2) RB, despite his self-promotion as a nice guy, is quite the opposite. A convicted criminal from a family of criminals, that uses the taxes he avoids for generous donations to both the major UK political parties. Funny how he got his government contracts at knocked down prices, followed by massive subsidies generating large profits on which he, wait for it, paid no taxes. He also welched out on paying the contractually promised GBP1,000,000 to a proven successful solution to his Virgin Earth Challenge. Al Gore got burnt on that one.

3) We've yet to fully implement biometrically-secure measures for elections. If they're good enough for transferring our money, they're good enough for transmitting a vote.

4) Bad_azz is the unfortunate random target for an example of how devilish the Internet can be. I'm sure she is a very nice person.

Nothing really interesting to debate so far.

 

[Puspawarna]

I have met Bad_Azz in person. As far as I can tell, she comes naturally equipped with girl parts.

I didn't know Richard Branson was so horrible - I always had a vague idea that he was a nice guy, perhaps dating back to an interview he did with (the American TV show) 60 Minutes, decades ago. One thing I remembered from the interview was that he said he was very independent and confident of his abilities because of the way his mother raised him. He told a story of how when he was about 4 years old she drove him to a vacant lot 5 miles from home, dropped him off, and said, "okay, kiddo, it's up to you to get home" - and then drove away. I may have specific details wrong, but that version captures the gist of it. I was caught somewhere between horror and fascination by that story.

On any forum, activity tends to come and go. If something major happens in the news, I'm sure discussion will heat up very quickly. I tend to be a bit of a lightweight poster myself, unless my buddy Davita helps me out by posting some proposition, most likely related to gender, that I can't resist debating.

This thread is a good reminder that it's helpful for the health of the forum for everyone to start threads from time to time (and respond to the threads of others, of course). Some people, like Davita, really pull their weight on that score (thanks, Davita!) and we also have a few posters - Van Helsing comes to mind - who vanish periodically but then come back and contribute a ton, which is appreciated. The rest of us should get busy, I guess.

 

[mauricio]

People are now more careful of what they say on forums and social media.

 

[Jamu]

People are now more careful of what they say on forums and social media.

Agreed, especially in countries like Indonesia, where the authorities have prosecuted people for their online posts.

 

[Balifrog]

Agreed, especially in countries like Indonesia, where the authorities have prosecuted people for their online posts.

Agreed.
In some countries one better be carefull about what they express on the internet. Think about Thailand where the Computer crime act is very often used for political purposes. People have been prosecuted for "liking" the "wrong ideologie" on F.B. ....

Davita, another reason is maybe that many BM use their phone to post, and long posts are not easy with a microscopic keyboard. Well, at least its my case.

Just my 5 french centimes.

 

[Davita]

Agreed.
In some countries one better be carefull about what they express on the internet. Think about Thailand where the Computer crime act is very often used for political purposes. People have been prosecuted for "liking" the "wrong ideologie" on F.B. ....

Davita, another reason is maybe that many BM use their phone to post, and long posts are not easy with a microscopic keyboard. Well, at least its my case.

Just my 5 french centimes.

I'm aware of the highlighted comment and think it may be the reason for the demise of forums like this...but I also read that Facebook Users are also on the decline. I wonder what fad will come next...editorials/readers comments to newspapers perhaps....

 

[Anglian]

Agreed.
In some countries one better be carefull about what they express on the internet. Think about Thailand where the Computer crime act is very often used for political purposes. People have been prosecuted for "liking" the "wrong ideologie" on FB

Just my 5 french centimes.

Balifrog has raised an interesting point, most of us have at some point made a comment which could be deemed insulting to say Islam, MPR ,various politicians, police, Army, on this forum, I wonder what the moderators would do if the authorities request the name and address of what they deem an insult by a member(s) of the forum, would they be obliged to hand over any requested info, over the years some harsh opions have been expressed on this and the failed forum and no action taken by the authorities, I’m such they must be aware, most forum members come from countries where free speech and though aren’t even thought about, it’s taken for granted, as far as I can see the forum doesn’t try to influence Indonesian, they are opinions expressed between members of the forum

 

[HeikkiL]

I keep blaming that Zuckerberg platform. Sucks the energy out from proper forums like these.

 

[Davita]

People are now more careful of what they say on forums and social media.

Agreed, especially in countries like Indonesia, where the authorities have prosecuted people for their online posts.

IMO...The above is a problem and does dissuade from freedom of speech and I've even advised Mods on observed comments that could get the member and/or the forum in trouble under Indonesian law.
I wonder if excluding everyone except bone-fide members from accessing the site would be workable.
At present anyone can read, but not write, and this is useful to attract new members. They can read the content and tone and decide if they wish to join but....maybe that is too open to abuse by those wanting to catch someone, or the forum, by manipulating the content to be contrary to Indonesian law.

 

[vocalneal]

- Put jokes, memes threads in a separate heading so they are not difficult to find.
- Discourage Indo bashing. Yes carrying a fridge on a motorcycle is amusing but just because it is different doesn't open it up for ridicule. same goes for standards of driving etc.

I don't care what happens in Syria or N. Korea or who shot how many in the latest Texas school shooting or anywhere else for that matter. So this forum does not need to regurgitate the News. Unless from a unexpected source or unusual news like a man from Papua setting fire to his penis guord or any Indonesian anecdotes that may slip through the "system".

Not likely to ever invite Branson for tea so his character etc is irrelevant.

Switzerland has a democracy for the populous by the populous that doesn't need technology. It works for them, but they are Swiss and have all served their time in the Army. I don't know who their senior minister or president is!

Who Badd_Azz is or isn't is irrelevant. If I want to count her as an acquaintance or ask her to baby sit a dog I'll invite her for tea. Otherwise... Same goes for anyone on here living near anywhere I might go on a frequent basis. Willy, Brian and Gab_rob may have a beer in lieu of tea.

Want a long serious conversation with someone go to the pub and talk to them?

 

[Davita]

- Put jokes, memes threads in a separate heading so they are not difficult to find.
- Discourage Indo bashing. Yes carrying a fridge on a motorcycle is amusing but just because it is different doesn't open it up for ridicule. same goes for standards of driving etc.

I don't care what happens in Syria or N. Korea or who shot how many in the latest Texas school shooting or anywhere else for that matter. So this forum does not need to regurgitate the News. Unless from a unexpected source or unusual news like a man from Papua setting fire to his penis guord or any Indonesian anecdotes that may slip through the "system".

Not likely to ever invite Branson for tea so his character etc is irrelevant.

Switzerland has a democracy for the populous by the populous that doesn't need technology. It works for them, but they are Swiss and have all served their time in the Army. I don't know who their senior minister or president is!

Who Badd_Azz is or isn't is irrelevant. If I want to count her as an acquaintance or ask her to baby sit a dog I'll invite her for tea. Otherwise... Same goes for anyone on here living near anywhere I might go on a frequent basis. Willy, Brian and Gab_rob may have a beer in lieu of tea.

Want a long serious conversation with someone go to the pub and talk to them?

The above is the most discouraging post I think I've read on this forum and is the opposite to what I'd hoped the majority of members would wish. If I'm wrong and other members agree with vocalneal I suggest the mods need to do something before this forum goes the way of others that have expired.

 

[Gratilla]

[RB] told a story of how when he was about 4 years old [his mother] drove him to a vacant lot 5 miles [8 km] from home, dropped him off, and said, "[FO] kiddo,

She subsequently "found" a diamond bracelet [without telling us whose jewelry box it was found in] and pawned it! Didn't even consider handing it into the police.

BTW, the last part was contributed by RB himself!

 

[atlantis]

I wonder what the moderators would do if the authorities request the name and address of what they deem an insult by a member(s) of the forum, would they be obliged to hand over any requested info

This is something which should be discussed in between all mods but personally I know what my answer would be: I know various way to say to someone to take a hike in Bahasa Indonesia, polite and less polite forms, and am ready to take full responsibility for any refusal to disclose information concerning our members, save for cases where a member would be involved in a serious crime (murder, sexual crimes, robbery...etc).

Anyway, the only one who sports officially the admin title on his profile page is me, so there is a good chance that they first try to identify me (very simple) and ask me. It also solves the problem, being the only one with an Admin title it allows the rest of the team to state that they do not have access to the admin panel.

I have been already tried once in Court here so it is is very unlikely that the prospect of being threaten with it again impresses me. That's the first time which hurts, after it's just routine.

I’m such they must be aware, most forum members come from countries where free speech and though aren’t even thought about, it’s taken for granted, as far as I can see the forum doesn’t try to influence Indonesian, they are opinions expressed between members of the forum

I am pretty certain they don't give a toss about how free speech is understood in other countries. If anyone powerful enough complain, they will ponce on us without second thoughts.

 

[dafluff]

The above is the most discouraging post I think I've read on this forum and is the opposite to what I'd hoped the majority of members would wish. If I'm wrong and other members agree with vocalneal I suggest the mods need to do something before this forum goes the way of others that have expired.

I am puzzled as to what the mods are supposed to do? We have power to stop people from posting, but not to get them to post more or sign up and post.

We have tried (and still are trying) an almost no moderation approach, and that if anything, has discouraged people from posting more and new people from joining. It turns out unrestricted free speech is a turn off for many.

Sure would love to hear any actionable suggestions, of course.

 

[Anglian]

I don’t think there is much the moderators can do,it’s up to to forum users to start interesting threads on any subject under the sun, I think the cage is not a bad idea but does restrict forum members using it by the initial 200 post requirement, perhaps open that a bit more to more forum members, also the Dislike button and Like button should perhaps do away with, this would perhaps encourage forum users to say why the dislike or like, also if they disagree they should say why, hopefully this would encourage more comments and make threads more interesting, just an idea