Recent thread closures / removals ( Political et al tit for tat )

[ColinD]

You may well of noticed a few topics have disappeared overnight. I hid them.

 

For what feels like years now; because it is, we've been plagued by a growing divide. The uk, and many other countries, are facing similar divides. East meets west, left vs right. Pro vs Anti.

 

The toxicity this brings, compounded by the mental pressures of lockdowns, stress, is poluting and damanging. Damaging to all, you personally...

 

I hoped and indeed often shared my view that together we could accomodate and at least hear the other side of discussions. Alas it seems we cannot.

 

So I took the choice to adjust the landscape, the canvas that this community provides. I no longer wish to see, or hear tit for tat style posting.

 

It is no single persons fault, not the lefties, the righties, the remainers, the exiters, it' all of us and I include myself in that.

 

I, we can't solve humanities desire to go at it. I was a fool for thinking we could as a community live in a idilc bubble... dammit, it was my dream, let me hold on to it.

 

Thank you to all those who do post good, interesting stuff, even if it's non skoda related

 

Sadly till we realise we all live on a sphere, that does not have sides, and thus collaboration is the way to achieve things, this sort of fight will continue.

 

So why have I done this?

The short version is despite repeated warnings, the recent antics, akin to the teacher saying ok everyone stop talking, some carry on wispering, because it's not talking miss...

 

The barrage of pasted screengrabs or just copying text ( with source ) as a post... thats not conversation or debtate that's just a proxy parrot. Are you really a parrot doing someones elses bidding? No.

 

So a degree of attitude, ignorance towards the nudges the mod team left and indeed other community members. That deafness if you like to consideration, a desire to perpeptuate, not to consider, to game etc. I get it, your views are strong and firmly held. There is a time and a place, and it's not every other post.

 

I get it, to get folk to collaborate, you must present arguments to change there perspective, to illustrate a collabroative approach will actually work. It's how thats been done, or not in many cases that's gotten me to this point.

 

Is this the right move?

I don't know, but its one I feel forced to make.

 

What happens next?

There will be no clousre of the rodside hotel subforum. It serves and has served a very useful and good purpose. A place to have, and to continue to have serious conversations without diversion.

 

To that end, if you just drop a video, screenshot or twitter esq embedd with no comment, please don't be upset if you find it gone. This means no proxy posting, explain yourself, explain why with this clip, insert, you feel, or agree/disagree. Add some of your own words, in the spirit of this, to illustrate/explain your post.

 

Poitical topics?

Gone.

Some may remain. Of those that do it's my judgement they serve a purpose. The general sentiment of not making them political stands or taking them onto your agenda remains.

 

But isn't everything political?

Crikey this sounds like a physicology discussion I had one semester.

Yes.

 

You have to exercise self moderation, in where you drag a topic. If it's taken off topic in the hotel, you will be cupble for the threads closure and likely given a warning.

 

No one has been removed today for any of this. I reserve the right to do so in the future if such actions or behaviour deem it easier than hiding posts.

 

What happens next?

We're in polluted waters now. The pollution from all the recent brexit, gov't, etc topics will continue to pervade our community. I can't clear that up, I can't erase your memory. That has to be done by starting a fresh, leaving the past at this point in time. If it turns out you can't, you essentially continue to whisper, then I'm afraid we might not be the community for you anymore.

 

See even this is starting to sound like a episode of the fisherman. We are a product of our input.

 

So, as ever, this topic is open, feel free to feedback. Bearing in mind all the above and the general guidelines. I'll accept & work with constuctive feedback.

 

If you want to tell me some people or groups, tell me the names, in confidence via email/pm. I can't work on "some people" "that person", I'm not in your head or your side of the fight...

 

We live on a sphere, there are no sides.

 

Finally....

We're not alone, we're not the only community or group experincing these problems.

 

Leave, stay, join, everyone has there time.

 

Help us, to help each other and if that's a reach, help each other first.

 

It takes two to tango, remember that old chestnut? Maybe you missed it while you were wispering at the back of class. I know I did... :(

 

 

Thank you for reading,

 

Colin.

 

 

 

Edited 10 March, 2021 by ColinD
typos and clarity

[Sad555]

About time this was done, some topics appear to be vehicle for some members political bias.

[mac11irl]

its pretty bad this has been needed, but needed it has become.

 

as an outsider - foreign paddy with no affiliation to any particular viewpoint and so a little more independent position- watching the devolution and breakdown of conversation and debate here has been disappointing. solid members with knowledge to share have jacked it purely because of the socio-political divides created in recent years.

no doubt this has infected much more than just briskoda - media, news, twitter (a cesspool anyway...) and Zuckerlandia... (even the ebaumsworld comment section!!) are just full of faux outrage and self appointed experts in everything barking at each other because all that knowledge is from the increasingly biased information feeds they get courtesy of tracking cookies and flawed algorithms that lead to a reduction to 1 of a few base viewpoints. the law of diminishing returns one could argue..

 

what seems to be overlooked or ignored though is the fact that all the social division does is actually make it easier for the powers that be to get away with doing what they want - we are all so distracted fighting with each other about what change we want that those in charge dont need to change anything and continue to milk the systems for their own gain. 

 

Colin is 100% correct - 

Collaboration is how to fix it all, its also the scariest of potentials for a political establishment to think about "the plebs have reached a united consensus! we are all screwed! how do we keep control???"

 

mend fences people, or better yet take them down and share the garden

 

 

 

jaysus i sound like a conspiratorial buddha or somethin 😬

[skomaz]

It's definitely a shame it has come to this but it's an understandable decision given the way some of the more 'politically charged' threads have been recently, the direction they were taking, the apparent animosity to opposing views expressed by some of the posts and the lack of a desire to simply move on and make the most of the current situation.  Hopefully the message will now get through and the aforementioned traits won't permeate into other discussions and threads (or if they do can be 'managed').

 

However, respect to @ColinD for making a hard decision...   I personally think it's the right decision, is definitely in the best interests of the forum and will allow Briskoda to get back to it's old self.

[cmp1951]

35 minutes ago, mac11irl said:

its pretty bad this has been needed, but needed it has become.

 

as an outsider - foreign paddy with no affiliation to any particular viewpoint and so a little more independent position- watching the devolution and breakdown of conversation and debate here has been disappointing. solid members with knowledge to share have jacked it purely because of the socio-political divides created in recent years.

no doubt this has infected much more than just briskoda - media, news, twitter (a cesspool anyway...) and Zuckerlandia... (even the ebaumsworld comment section!!) are just full of faux outrage and self appointed experts in everything barking at each other because all that knowledge is from the increasingly biased information feeds they get courtesy of tracking cookies and flawed algorithms that lead to a reduction to 1 of a few base viewpoints. the law of diminishing returns one could argue..

 

what seems to be overlooked or ignored though is the fact that all the social division does is actually make it easier for the powers that be to get away with doing what they want - we are all so distracted fighting with each other about what change we want that those in charge dont need to change anything and continue to milk the systems for their own gain. 

 

Colin is 100% correct - 

Collaboration is how to fix it all, its also the scariest of potentials for a political establishment to think about "the plebs have reached a united consensus! we are all screwed! how do we keep control???"

 

mend fences people, or better yet take them down and share the garden

 

 

 

jaysus i sound like a conspiratorial buddha or somethin 😬

Alll so very spot on. You see it, I see it; shame the rest don't see they are being "had over" by the likes of,  well better not name names and orginsations, self appointed or otherwise.

 

As the say, divide and conquer, or as we used to say in certain quarters, "If you want a compliant population, scare the sh-t out of them"; I wonder when THAT last happened? Don't think we need to look too far back, do we.

[@Lee]

Arsonists pretending to be firefighters aren't helpful IMO.

I've always maintained, if people don't like the topic/ find it uncomfortable, walk away. It's what you'd do IRL. Well, I do.

It's a shame that the goalposts kept moving at the behest of some people. People complied and adjusted their angle to get the ball in the net yet the new goalposts were shifted again. Things had to be current/ from certain sources etc etc but from when or where wasn't made clear. 

I won't go into the personal digs that have been ongoing and became worse since my location changed or the topic of 'downvote trolls' etc etc.

I just feel it's a shame that it's come to this but respect the decision. 

[ColinD]

Just for the record,

 

I can’t see into peoples heads, I don’t know who the people are. 
 

I read things as I see them, and for the political topics that was too much reading for my life clock.

 

I don’t understand comments like this. Even for me it’s too woolly. Say it in a pm or email, or don’t and don’t publically.

 

ref goalpost moving if I think you mean the changing guidance mid topic, that’s fine. From the point of the post onwards. 
change is/ was required to try and reinforce the other nudges. 
 

if you didn’t mean this, welcome to my world trying to read between the lines of personal attritional posting by indirect references. 
 

spoiler I can’t read everyone’s posts from everyone else’s perspectives. I see a pattern, not the detail.

one final clarification as it’s been raised by a few channels, the above post does not ban political chat  

 

more it strongly discourages the tit for tat, proxy postings. And perhaps wise not to test me on it right away. Bears with sore heads and lack of sleep and all.
 

In this I’ve probably left a sword for myself to fall on yet again. What’s tit for tat in ones mind vs another.

 

the spirit is, well it’s above and in the guidelines which date back to 2002.

 

there are no winners from this. I don’t mind an objective slaughter* of external parties just not of each other, hidden or overt.
 

* within legal requirements. You’re responsible/libel for what you post. 

 

time for honey 🍯 

[gadgetman]

Raised my concerns some time ago on this very subject. 

 

All I have to say in direct response is the following - which I feel is quite apt given views above yet posts made elsewhere:

 

Some people’s idea of free speech is that they are free to say what they like, but if anyone says anything back, that is an outrage.

- Winston Churchill 

[john999boy]

31 minutes ago, Lee01 said:

I won't go into the personal digs that have been ongoing and became worse since my location changed or the topic of 'downvote trolls' etc etc.

I'm ingesting all the main topic info and don't have anything additional to say on that but thought the above points had been dealt with.

If there is any repeat then please let us know. 

[Redboy]

Good! You run the site, you make the decisions. Anybody who finds your decision (using the contemporary over used term) ' offensive' can move on to another site. 

[Westbury63]

As I said about political threads in the post regarding moley and his sad departure, if I ignore them I do leave the site feeling happier! So on that basis, good decision made ColinD.

 

Now, can I get back to my favourite subject, the MK1 Octi. Did I ever mention I had one for 12 yrs once..................... I'll get me coat !!

[J.R.]

Thank goodness for that.

 

Thankyou for your common sense and bravery Colin, I think that you, the forum and its community will be rewarded in spades whether it be from returning members or others hopefully investing even a fraction of the input that they used to devote to political topics to what has made this forum such a fantastic resource and pleasant place to linger.

 

Vive Briskoda!!!!!!!!

[Breezy_Pete]

I literally couldn't have put it better, thanks @J.R. for expressing what I was struggling to pick the right words for. 

[AlVal]

Your site, your rules. As every social media platform has learnt over time, rules are unfortunately needed. Fully support you

[J.R.]

And what an absolute pleasure to be able to read through many pages of the "All activity" feed without seeing a single cross word or bunfight, if only the other remaining forums were how this one has got back to being, too much to expect from the one I use most for English speaking immigrants in France who call themselves ex-pats, the bitterness is too entrenched now.

 

Thank you again ColinD!

[john999boy]

1 hour ago, J.R. said:

if only the other remaining forums were how this one has got back to being, too much to expect from the one I use most for English speaking immigrants in France who call themselves ex-pats

Spill the (french) beans @J.R. - just for reference in case other people are experiencing cold turkey! 

[@Lee]

2 minutes ago, john999boy said:

Spill the (french) beans @J.R. - just for reference in case other people are experiencing cold turkey! 

French  
I'm confused as to what he means by 'entrenched bitterness' myself.

[john999boy]

14 minutes ago, Lee01 said:

French  
I'm confused as to what he means by 'entrenched bitterness' myself.

I’m sure he’s only referring to the unnamed (so far) expat forum Lee...............

Please oh please say that is so @J.R. as I’m sure you’ll agree that entrenched bitterness will never again darken the steps of Briskoda!

[J.R.]

Absolutely, I'm sure its the same for ex pat (I hate using that word) forums across all the EU countries that have a significant UK  citizen population, very strong opinions which have pretty much smothered the helpfull places that they once were.

 

If any were brave enough to take the step that Colin D has then they would lose 90% of the current postings,  most people who wanted to continue with the original aims of the forum (mutual aid) have already left or been hounded away. Its been painfull to see what was once a caring supportive community tear itself apart.

 

But at least it means that  there are places to go for those who can no longer use this forum as their outlet.

[gadgetman]

10 hours ago, J.R. said:

And what an absolute pleasure to be able to read through many pages of the "All activity" feed without seeing a single cross word or bunfight

You can customise your feed. 

 

But by the same token, I see lots of posts I don't want to see, agree with or whatever but either ignore or scroll by. 

 

I don't get the need to engage (by post or make a reaction as many did with the removed threads - yourself included), to something that you don't like. 

 

First word, and days until Christmas are 2 such waste of space threads I ignore instead of engage with.

[mandp]

1 hour ago, gadgetman said:

You can customise your feed. 

 

But by the same token, I see lots of posts I don't want to see, agree with or whatever but either ignore or scroll by. 

 

I don't get the need to engage (by post or make a reaction as many did with the removed threads - yourself included), to something that you don't like. 

 

First word, and days until Christmas are 2 such waste of space threads I ignore instead of engage with.

I've run out of `likes`, but I do so agree with that last sentence.

[john999boy]

41 minutes ago, mandp said:

I've run out of `likes`,

Revisit the post in 24 hours. 

[skomaz]

3 hours ago, gadgetman said:

First word, and days until Christmas are 2 such waste of space threads I ignore instead of engage with.

 

The difference is they do not have the level of 'animosity' that the 'hidden' threads did...

[gadgetman]

29 minutes ago, skomaz said:

 

The difference is they do not have the level of 'animosity' that the 'hidden' threads did...

The point I was making is many feel certain threads/topics shouldn't be on the site. 

 

They're 2 examples I think shouldn't be on here, but I ignore them. Most others do 

 

So why don't those who disliked these threads do the same? There was no gun to anyones head to read/open/post/like or whatever.

 

People chose to engage, and still had issues with them. 

 

I'm not keen on marmite, but I don't buy a jar because I see it in Tesco, then also get home, shove a spoonful in my mouth just to confirm I don't like it; then complain to tesco for selling it. 

 

No difference to ANY post/topic anywhere. 

 

Maybe for some the temptation is just too great which is why Colin has done what he has. 

 

Edited 11 March, 2021 by gadgetman

[J.R.]

4 hours ago, gadgetman said:

You can customise your feed. 

 

But by the same token, I see lots of posts I don't want to see, agree with or whatever but either ignore or scroll by. 

 

I don't get the need to engage (by post or make a reaction as many did with the removed threads - yourself included), to something that you don't like. 

 

First word, and days until Christmas are 2 such waste of space threads I ignore instead of engage with.

 

Are you saying that I can customise my feed so that when I visit the site on the "all activity" page I will not see the plethora of new postings on those 2 threads?

 

If so then please explain how, I am all ears,  the first word thread postings are equally invasive and unwanted by me.