Public Forums General Discussion
GD Guidelines and Questions for the Moderators
Hmm....the thing that most of the deleted posts are about. 
Drama is fun for everyone!
The Braingle Soap Opera!
Well then.
Drama is fun for everyone!The Braingle Soap Opera!
Well then.
Can we have a list of commonly done topics that always get locked in either the first post or the new people forum? Or both(even better...)? A lot of topics tend to pop up and get locked over and over.
Well then.
Well then.
I'm wondering why certain topics such as the "**** you" topic, among others, are allowed, but some less offensive ones, such as the prostitution one in debate, are locked.
Cause i was under the impression that the prostitution topic was going fine, with no offensive posts AT ALL, or not that I saw anyway.
I mean, either lock them all, or let them all be, and if someone finds them offensive, then they just shouldnt go in there.
So, maybe we need to redefine the guidelines?
Just love each other
Cause i was under the impression that the prostitution topic was going fine, with no offensive posts AT ALL, or not that I saw anyway.
I mean, either lock them all, or let them all be, and if someone finds them offensive, then they just shouldnt go in there.
So, maybe we need to redefine the guidelines?
Just love each other
The following, in bold, should answer your question. As far as I am aware, Prostitution is still an illegal activity. I hope this helps.
General Braingle Rules
While debating and discussion is fine, we will not tolerate rudeness, insulting posts, personal attacks or purposeless inflammatory posts.
Discussions about illegal activities such as music piracy, drugs, or hacking are not allowed.
Please refrain from posting meaningless threads, one word replies, non-sense posts, or the such.
Multiple posting, repeat posting or meaningless posts just to increase your post count are not allowed.
No cross posting. Post your message once, to the appropriate topic and nowhere else.
Please try to stay on topic. Start a new topic if you have something else to say.
Use a title that describes the content of your post.
Don't use all caps or special characters to draw attention. Don't use excessive amounts of smilies.
When replying to a comment, quote the minimum amount of text necessary for context. Often, no quote is needed.
Before posting a question, please read the FAQ and search the forums for an answer.
Before posting, please reread your post for spelling and grammar mistakes.
If you are posting a picture, please make sure it is of a reasonable size (under 500 pixels per side is a good rule of thumb).
Do not impersonate a moderator or editor.
If you notice a problem that needs to be addressed, please PM a moderator.
If a moderator posts specific rules for a forum or topic, they must be obeyed.
Multiple accounts are not allowed.
---This message was edited on 05:48PM Aug 16, 2011---
Take all sorrow out of life and you take away all richness, and depth, and tenderness. The capacity of sorrow belongs to our grandeur. It is the furnace that melts hearts together in love.
General Braingle Rules
While debating and discussion is fine, we will not tolerate rudeness, insulting posts, personal attacks or purposeless inflammatory posts.
Discussions about illegal activities such as music piracy, drugs, or hacking are not allowed.
Please refrain from posting meaningless threads, one word replies, non-sense posts, or the such.
Multiple posting, repeat posting or meaningless posts just to increase your post count are not allowed.
No cross posting. Post your message once, to the appropriate topic and nowhere else.
Please try to stay on topic. Start a new topic if you have something else to say.
Use a title that describes the content of your post.
Don't use all caps or special characters to draw attention. Don't use excessive amounts of smilies.
When replying to a comment, quote the minimum amount of text necessary for context. Often, no quote is needed.
Before posting a question, please read the FAQ and search the forums for an answer.
Before posting, please reread your post for spelling and grammar mistakes.
If you are posting a picture, please make sure it is of a reasonable size (under 500 pixels per side is a good rule of thumb).
Do not impersonate a moderator or editor.
If you notice a problem that needs to be addressed, please PM a moderator.
If a moderator posts specific rules for a forum or topic, they must be obeyed.
Multiple accounts are not allowed.
---This message was edited on 05:48PM Aug 16, 2011---
Take all sorrow out of life and you take away all richness, and depth, and tenderness. The capacity of sorrow belongs to our grandeur. It is the furnace that melts hearts together in love.
So, we can no longer even debate whether something should be legal or not?
Its not like we were recommending it or anything.
And what about the hacking topic, has that been locked? (EDIT: Nevermind, i see it was.)
And why was the prostitution topic accepted at first, and then locked. Personally i dont feel there was anything wrong with the topic or posts, and im sure most everybody will agree.
But then, I guess it's your job, not mine, to decide what's appropriate and whats not.
---This message was edited on 07:17PM Aug 16, 2011---
Just love each other
Its not like we were recommending it or anything.
And what about the hacking topic, has that been locked? (EDIT: Nevermind, i see it was.)
And why was the prostitution topic accepted at first, and then locked. Personally i dont feel there was anything wrong with the topic or posts, and im sure most everybody will agree.
But then, I guess it's your job, not mine, to decide what's appropriate and whats not.
---This message was edited on 07:17PM Aug 16, 2011---
Just love each other
Many things have to be considered when a questionable topic is at hand. Although the topic was being discussed/debated in a respectable manner, we have to consider that this IS a family site, and this is why braingle does not allow discussions/debates of illegal activities. This subject can easily be debated or discussed in a talk box, for those interested.
Take all sorrow out of life and you take away all richness, and depth, and tenderness. The capacity of sorrow belongs to our grandeur. It is the furnace that melts hearts together in love.
Take all sorrow out of life and you take away all richness, and depth, and tenderness. The capacity of sorrow belongs to our grandeur. It is the furnace that melts hearts together in love.
Since the Grownup's Forum is filled with adults who are (theoretically) worldly and mature, are we allowed to post things that are not "PG" in there? I know that the general consensus is "there are kids in here" and we should of course shield kids from the sex, drugs, etc. threads that have been arising... but since there are no children in the Grownup's Forum and it is full of adults who talk about fornication already--"Is Wanting Children A Bad Thing?"--I was wondering if we could take our discussions over there. If the consensus is that No, Everything Not-PG Should Not Be Allowed, I'm wondering what the purpose of the Grownup's Forum is at all... {All of the topics in there could be moved to GD without anyone causing a stir, I know it; the topics are about What You Had For Dinner and College.} Maybe it would be advisable that all of the topics that are getting locked due to being not-PG (that is, by definition not suitable for anyone under the age of eight) should be moved to the Grownup's Forum where they can be discussed.
---This message was edited on 10:58PM Aug 17, 2011---
the air is full of dust
---This message was edited on 10:58PM Aug 17, 2011---
the air is full of dust
Did anyone else notice my two posts above were made exactly a year apart? 
Well then.
Well then.
iforgotbraingle wrote:
I did. I was very confused.
And, I totally agree wish Sasha
Did anyone else notice my two posts above were made exactly a year apart?
I did. I was very confused.
And, I totally agree wish Sasha
Sorry if I rock the boat a little, guys. I generally try not to. But I'd like to voice my opinion on this one. I'm sure the mods are trying the best they can to comply with objectors, but at some point I think there's a line where rules come before complaints. I personally didn't read much of the topic myself while it was open, but now that I have I do not see why IFB's "Experiences in LGBT communities" was locked, nor why it should be deleted. I'd understand if, like the other locked topics, it had violated the rules by suggesting obscene or illegal activities, but all I see is a relatively tame discussion of experiences shared by those with a different sexual orientation than the norm. Nothing was sexually explicit, and I did not detect discrimination. The following was stated as the reason:
While I understand how it can be difficult to get complaints, if the topic does not break any rules, I do not see why it cannot continue as it had been. Just because a few members feel uncomfortable doesn't warrant the stiffing of others' harmless discussion. Now if it was deemed as harassment or explicit, then it might be said to violate the idea that this site is a "family site". But as it was, I saw no problems. Is it fine to stifle someone else's topic simply because it disagrees with your beliefs?
I personally do not feel comfortable when religious tales are spammed across the site because I personally do not like religious preaching. Yet I do not try to get it taken down. If someone wants to say what they believe in, as long as it doesn't harm or insult others, then I have no right to stifle them. As long as it does not break the rules or become explicit, I see no reason not to discuss a topic. The one thing that might cause a problem is that because the idea of sexual orientation can involve a non-PG act or two, it might not be family friendly. But since sexual orientation can simply mean what gender a person loves (nothing R-rated there) and since the topic did not involve graphic details, I would say that that complaint cannot be used either.
Sorry if I step on an toes. I clearly hold different views and beliefs than many members here. I certainly don't intend to impose my own beliefs onto others. I simply hope that we can each be tolerant of one another. If the problem with that topic was anything other than a lack of tolerance on the complainers' side, then I rescind my rant and apologise for supposing such an idea. In that case I would please ask for the real reason the topic was closed down, which I would hope would be reasonable.
Thank you mods. I'm sure the job can be quite difficult at times. I'm sorry to have to make it more so.
Why didn't the Libertarian cross the road?
Ifb, the Moderators have been receiving numerous complaints from members of the site who feel very uncomfortable with this topic/discussion. Therefore, I am locking it until tomorrow afternoon at which time I will delete the entire topic.
While I understand how it can be difficult to get complaints, if the topic does not break any rules, I do not see why it cannot continue as it had been. Just because a few members feel uncomfortable doesn't warrant the stiffing of others' harmless discussion. Now if it was deemed as harassment or explicit, then it might be said to violate the idea that this site is a "family site". But as it was, I saw no problems. Is it fine to stifle someone else's topic simply because it disagrees with your beliefs?
I personally do not feel comfortable when religious tales are spammed across the site because I personally do not like religious preaching. Yet I do not try to get it taken down. If someone wants to say what they believe in, as long as it doesn't harm or insult others, then I have no right to stifle them. As long as it does not break the rules or become explicit, I see no reason not to discuss a topic. The one thing that might cause a problem is that because the idea of sexual orientation can involve a non-PG act or two, it might not be family friendly. But since sexual orientation can simply mean what gender a person loves (nothing R-rated there) and since the topic did not involve graphic details, I would say that that complaint cannot be used either.
Sorry if I step on an toes. I clearly hold different views and beliefs than many members here. I certainly don't intend to impose my own beliefs onto others. I simply hope that we can each be tolerant of one another. If the problem with that topic was anything other than a lack of tolerance on the complainers' side, then I rescind my rant and apologise for supposing such an idea. In that case I would please ask for the real reason the topic was closed down, which I would hope would be reasonable.
Thank you mods. I'm sure the job can be quite difficult at times. I'm sorry to have to make it more so.
Why didn't the Libertarian cross the road?
I basically said the same thing as LR, in the Braingle Family Room. I made sure my post was reasonable, and it didn't say anything that anyone could have a problem with, yet my post was just deleted. Here's what I remember I said.
Sure, maybe some things could have been stated better, but I see no reason why the post should have been deleted.
But I'm not writing this to discuss a deleted post. I'm doing it because I'm wondering the same thing LR is wondering, mainly, what made them so uncomfortable, and why does something now have to be locked if its perfectly within the rules and not offensive, yet some people may not like it.
Is homophobia something we should be accepting?
Thanks for listening. I know I've challenged the mod's authority a lot recently, but I assure you I do it with the site's best interests in mind.
Just love each other
From the LBGT topic:
Sorry if human nature makes you uncomfortable. If I made a topic about african-americans, or another majority, and someone said that it made them uncomfortable, would it be locked too? Isn't that discrimination?
BTW I see no reason why this post should be edited.
the Moderators have been receiving numerous complaints from members of the site who feel very uncomfortable with this topic/discussion.
Sorry if human nature makes you uncomfortable. If I made a topic about african-americans, or another majority, and someone said that it made them uncomfortable, would it be locked too? Isn't that discrimination?
BTW I see no reason why this post should be edited.
Sure, maybe some things could have been stated better, but I see no reason why the post should have been deleted.
But I'm not writing this to discuss a deleted post. I'm doing it because I'm wondering the same thing LR is wondering, mainly, what made them so uncomfortable, and why does something now have to be locked if its perfectly within the rules and not offensive, yet some people may not like it.
Is homophobia something we should be accepting?
Thanks for listening. I know I've challenged the mod's authority a lot recently, but I assure you I do it with the site's best interests in mind.
Just love each other
Roger and Rolu just hit the nail on the head. I totally agree with both of them. I could rant and rant and just say the same exact things they said in a different post. So, yeah, what they said.
Guys, if you want to talk/debate about these things, bring them into my new TB (Ads section), where you can talk forever without any topics being locked. 
Parents are supposed to "protect" their kids, but there's a real distinction between protection and unrealistically keeping children away from reality. - Life_Sucks --- One of my teasers was featured as the Teaser of the Day! :D Sept. 18 2011 :D YAY!
Parents are supposed to "protect" their kids, but there's a real distinction between protection and unrealistically keeping children away from reality. - Life_Sucks --- One of my teasers was featured as the Teaser of the Day! :D Sept. 18 2011 :D YAY!
Thanks Math, but that's not really the point. The problem is that we don't feel that topic should have been locked at all and would like the situation to be addressed so that similar mistakes may not be made in the future. While it might be nice to discuss issues in your talkbox freely, it would hardly solve the problem here.
By the way, if any mod out there is reading this, I would still like an appropriate response to my inquiry about the topic. Thanks.
---This message was edited on 12:01PM Aug 22, 2011---
Why didn't the Libertarian cross the road?
By the way, if any mod out there is reading this, I would still like an appropriate response to my inquiry about the topic. Thanks.
---This message was edited on 12:01PM Aug 22, 2011---
Why didn't the Libertarian cross the road?
LogicalRoger wrote:
the air is full of dust
By the way, if any mod out there is reading this, I would still like an appropriate response to my inquiry about the topic. Thanks.
I'm with Rog on his points, but I would appreciate a response to my post too.
the air is full of dust
Now, I know the mods have been reading our posts, and the posts in the LGBT topic, and many other posts, and I know they're discussing these posts, coming up with a solution, and thinking of a suitable response to our posts. I mean, I'm sure they're very busy doing all this, which is why they haven't responded in the last 5 days since we started discussing this, nor in the last two when we mentioned we were waiting for a response.
Still, as busy as they must be, I'm sure we would all feel a lot better if someone could at least acknowledge our posts and maybe give us an update or an estimate as to how long before they reach a conclusion, just to confirm that this is being discussed, though I haven't the slightest doubt that it is indeed.
So, if a mod happens to be reading this, could we please get some sort of response? In the meantime we'll just wait patiently.
Thanks in advance
Just love each other
Still, as busy as they must be, I'm sure we would all feel a lot better if someone could at least acknowledge our posts and maybe give us an update or an estimate as to how long before they reach a conclusion, just to confirm that this is being discussed, though I haven't the slightest doubt that it is indeed.
So, if a mod happens to be reading this, could we please get some sort of response? In the meantime we'll just wait patiently.
Thanks in advance
Just love each other
Ok, first, I'm not a GD Moderator, so I don't know all the details. I see that you have mentioned froggy locking a certain topic that you felt was "ok". I can assure you, she would never lock, delete or edit a topic, unless she felt it was in the best interest of braingle, as a whole. Also, there were a few topics locked that some felt were "ok" enough for braingle. For us to determine this for ourselves, we have to consider a couple things - how many complaints we've received and does it fit within the guidelines of Braingles General Rules. As to the certain topic you have mentioned here, and forgive me if there were more than this, although the discussions were respectful, "PG", etc. it did involve the discussion of ones sexuality. Whether a persons sexuality is one or the other, etc. doesn't really matter. What I'm sure froggy did consider, was whether ones sexuality at all, should even be discussed on a family site. And this was happening, with more than 1 member sharing what their sexual lifestyle was. Yes, the discussion was mild, there were no explicit language involved, but, at one point, froggy must have felt the need to lock it. And please remember, she has to consider the complaints made against this topic as well.
Also consider this - the more a topic or post is "reported", the better chance, the author of the said topic or post, has of receiving bad karma. We wish all our members the freedom to enjoy braingle the way it was meant to be, without the baggage of "bad karma" restricting their activities. I can assure you, a few members have had many posts "reported". So, should we leave a questionable post or topic and allow it to be reported repeatedly, and while this is happening, receive multiple complaints through pm's from other members - knowing, bad karma is more than likely going to effect the members responsible for these posts and topics? We do make mistakes in judgement, but overall, we try to protect all members, not to mention, our first priority is to uphold the Rules of Braingle, that were put in place by the owner.
Please read the following. It is a small section of the General Braingle Rules that Jake instilled, at the time the site was created. I hope you will consider that the moderators of braingle, are only trying to keep braingle a family friendly site, while serving its members with their best interest at heart.
I apologize if this does not satisfy all that may read this, but this is all I can contribute to the situation at hand.
Other Rules
It is impossible and impractical to list every rule possible, so use common sense. If asked by a moderator to stop or change a behavior or action, you should do so. You cannot claim that it was not stated in the rules. Moderators give their own time to keep the boards running smoothly. It is their job to keep the forums clean, so don't think that they're "out to get you". Additionally, an attack on a moderator or editor shows a particular lack of regard for the rules, and will get you banned rather quickly. Users will find their time on the board much more enjoyable when they follow the rules and address the moderators and all users politely.
Take all sorrow out of life and you take away all richness, and depth, and tenderness. The capacity of sorrow belongs to our grandeur. It is the furnace that melts hearts together in love.
Also consider this - the more a topic or post is "reported", the better chance, the author of the said topic or post, has of receiving bad karma. We wish all our members the freedom to enjoy braingle the way it was meant to be, without the baggage of "bad karma" restricting their activities. I can assure you, a few members have had many posts "reported". So, should we leave a questionable post or topic and allow it to be reported repeatedly, and while this is happening, receive multiple complaints through pm's from other members - knowing, bad karma is more than likely going to effect the members responsible for these posts and topics? We do make mistakes in judgement, but overall, we try to protect all members, not to mention, our first priority is to uphold the Rules of Braingle, that were put in place by the owner.
Please read the following. It is a small section of the General Braingle Rules that Jake instilled, at the time the site was created. I hope you will consider that the moderators of braingle, are only trying to keep braingle a family friendly site, while serving its members with their best interest at heart.
I apologize if this does not satisfy all that may read this, but this is all I can contribute to the situation at hand.
Other Rules
It is impossible and impractical to list every rule possible, so use common sense. If asked by a moderator to stop or change a behavior or action, you should do so. You cannot claim that it was not stated in the rules. Moderators give their own time to keep the boards running smoothly. It is their job to keep the forums clean, so don't think that they're "out to get you". Additionally, an attack on a moderator or editor shows a particular lack of regard for the rules, and will get you banned rather quickly. Users will find their time on the board much more enjoyable when they follow the rules and address the moderators and all users politely.
Take all sorrow out of life and you take away all richness, and depth, and tenderness. The capacity of sorrow belongs to our grandeur. It is the furnace that melts hearts together in love.
Thanks for your answer snowmonster, I'm sure such a long, well thought-out post took some time to write, and I appreciate your answering so quickly.
Still, I want to make something clear, we are no longer allowed to have any discussion about anything illegal, in whatever country, nor about anything related to love? Because I mean, a person's sexuality is nothing more than the gender they will love. And if homosexual love discussions are not allowed, neither are heterosexual ones either, right?
I don't want to argue, but I do think we need to be clear on this, and define it. I don't know if it's right to take up so many posts in here though, so, after this, if the mods want to move this to another topic made specifically for this purpose, or maybe to PMs (though that wouldnt allow everyone to voice their opinion), please let me know.
Just love each other
Still, I want to make something clear, we are no longer allowed to have any discussion about anything illegal, in whatever country, nor about anything related to love? Because I mean, a person's sexuality is nothing more than the gender they will love. And if homosexual love discussions are not allowed, neither are heterosexual ones either, right?
I don't want to argue, but I do think we need to be clear on this, and define it. I don't know if it's right to take up so many posts in here though, so, after this, if the mods want to move this to another topic made specifically for this purpose, or maybe to PMs (though that wouldnt allow everyone to voice their opinion), please let me know.
Just love each other
Again, there are several reasons to consider, when deleting, editing, etc. a topic or post. I'm really not the one to discuss this further, considering I'm not a moderator of GD. I do hope, you and others realize, that we are doing the best we can, and our goal is to keep braingle an inviting site for all walks of life, all the while keeping it a family friendly site. We cannot please everyone - and obviously, there are going to be times, when you, and others will not agree with a decision that was made, but has to accept that decision.
I cannot comment on this any further, simply because I don't think I will say anything that will help you understand our position.
Take all sorrow out of life and you take away all richness, and depth, and tenderness. The capacity of sorrow belongs to our grandeur. It is the furnace that melts hearts together in love.
I cannot comment on this any further, simply because I don't think I will say anything that will help you understand our position.
Take all sorrow out of life and you take away all richness, and depth, and tenderness. The capacity of sorrow belongs to our grandeur. It is the furnace that melts hearts together in love.
I understand your position... but it's one that obviously discriminates against people under the guise of being "family friendly". Plenty of topics and posts here have been dedicated to romantic relationships, people soliciting advice about them, giving details, etc. - all of which were left alone when they were concerning heterosexual relationships.
I'm sorry but that's not fair and equal treatment, no matter how you try to justify it. Common sense would dictate that the rules would apply equally to everyone.
And while we're quoting the rules:
Yet, those reporting clearly did it out of a conflict of personal belief. This violates one of the basic agreements of participating in the forums - which the mods seem to be supporting by enforcing it. You can say the "number of complaints" is what was the deciding factor, yet many of the active members of the forum here are complaining with no result. The only explanation is that the mods must have some prejudice in the matter.
And really - the last thing we need to do is discourage useful, thought-provoking, and interesting discussion from the Braingle forums which are already on life-support.
I hope one of the GD mods has a response to these blatant issues.
---This message was edited on 08:14AM Aug 25, 2011---
Index for WW/WTB databases - https://ksteven.github.io/playground/ (Data refreshed: 2021-12-07)
I'm sorry but that's not fair and equal treatment, no matter how you try to justify it. Common sense would dictate that the rules would apply equally to everyone.
And while we're quoting the rules:
Tolerance
Braingle recognizes and accepts all religious, political or other beliefs. We think that everyone deserves to be treated with respect, regardless of their personal beliefs. By participating in these forums, you agree to be tolerant of other people's beliefs, even if they differ from your own, and you agree to treat everyone with the same kindness and respect that you would want them to give to you.
Braingle recognizes and accepts all religious, political or other beliefs. We think that everyone deserves to be treated with respect, regardless of their personal beliefs. By participating in these forums, you agree to be tolerant of other people's beliefs, even if they differ from your own, and you agree to treat everyone with the same kindness and respect that you would want them to give to you.
Yet, those reporting clearly did it out of a conflict of personal belief. This violates one of the basic agreements of participating in the forums - which the mods seem to be supporting by enforcing it. You can say the "number of complaints" is what was the deciding factor, yet many of the active members of the forum here are complaining with no result. The only explanation is that the mods must have some prejudice in the matter.
And really - the last thing we need to do is discourage useful, thought-provoking, and interesting discussion from the Braingle forums which are already on life-support.
I hope one of the GD mods has a response to these blatant issues.
---This message was edited on 08:14AM Aug 25, 2011---
Index for WW/WTB databases - https://ksteven.github.io/playground/ (Data refreshed: 2021-12-07)
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