Instead of banning certain members...

[Angela M.]

Actually, this thread is a good example of what happens. The previous thread was shut down so this thread was created to ask why. Some members are answering your question but we now also have posts in this thread about what they think should happen in the war. This happens periodically whether intentional or not.

 

[theemartymac]

I appreciate the difficulty in moderating these things, and support the site ownerships decisions to strike the ugly ones. The last thing you want when trying to expand the user base is a bunch of nasty threads popping to the top of the 'newest posts' lists.

My counterpoint for consideration is also that sites like this create and support international relationships outside of the difficult threads, and that creates genuine interest and/or concern when things like conflict or disasters, or even just political shenanigans happen. There is always going to be an interest in off-topic conversations about those issues, and I think it can create a stronger user base when we provide a little leeway for those interactions. We don't always have other avenues to check in on people, so even a bike forum can become an extended emergency social network.

Thanks for putting the effort in at any ratel. Nobody said it would be easy! lol

 

[AlanDB]

I don't envy you in this "damned-if-you-do / damned-if-you-don't" role Angela M. Thanks for all your efforts in administering and moderating the forum.

 

[Cowlitz]

After listening to an interview with a journalist who is returning from Russia, I started thinking about the Far Side cartoon with mushroom clouds shown and the two guys fishing with the punchline something like, "Know what this means? No limits." I feel like going down and buying a box of donuts.

I will just say no to donuts....today.

 

[Cowlitz]

I don't envy you in this "damned-if-you-do / damned-if-you-don't" role Angela M. Thanks for all your efforts in administering and moderating the forum.

There's a Far Side cartoon about that also. I had it hanging above my desk at work for years.

 

[Angela M.]

My counterpoint for consideration is also that sites like this create and support international relationships outside of the difficult threads, and that creates genuine interest and/or concern when things like conflict or disasters, or even just political shenanigans happen. There is always going to be an interest in off-topic conversations about those issues, and I think it can create a stronger user base when we provide a little leeway for those interactions. We don't always have other avenues to check in on people, so even a bike forum can become an extended emergency social network.

I agree but everyone does not stay on topic and play nicely with others. We cannot all debate in a civil manner. I receive multiple reports about posts being made that are spreading disinformation, whether it's regarding politics, e-bike laws, vaccinations, etc. I am the only moderator here and I'm very part-time. My job is not to research and figure out the truth in what's posted, especially if it's not concerning e-bikes. If we all could openly converse without name-calling and feelings being hurt, we wouldn't have an issue. This does not happen.

 

[m@Robertson]

There's a Far Side cartoon about that also. I had it hanging above my desk at work for years.

"C'mon c'mon... its one or the other!"

I rememember it well

I agree but everyone does not stay on topic and play nicely with others. We cannot all debate in a civil manner. I receive multiple reports about posts being made that are spreading disinformation, whether it's regarding politics, e-bike laws, vaccinations, etc. I am the only moderator here and I'm very part-time. My job is not to research and figure out the truth in what's posted, especially if it's not concerning e-bikes. If we all could openly converse without name-calling and feelings being hurt, we wouldn't have an issue. This does not happen.

For many years I was an admin at one of the largest online automotive communities out there. We had an absolute prohibition on 'politics' and we painted with a broad brush for all the reasons you state... which sound verrrry familiar, unfortunately.
EDIT: We also cut out threads because if things got out of hand, stuff gets said that cannot be unsaid, and camaraderie that had been built up between a group of people would get burned away as a result. the community was permanently diminished by a little bit each time that happened. So we as staff took the heat for snipping the threads as it was the lesser of two evils.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Angela. This is the Third World War. Affecting you as well. There was a single offender in that thread. He has destroyed many threads. And he was not writing about e-bikes.

 

[Gionnirocket]

I agree but everyone does not stay on topic and play nicely with others. We cannot all debate in a civil manner. I receive multiple reports about posts being made that are spreading disinformation, whether it's regarding politics, e-bike laws, vaccinations, etc. I am the only moderator here and I'm very part-time. My job is not to research and figure out the truth in what's posted, especially if it's not concerning e-bikes. If we all could openly converse without name-calling and feelings being hurt, we wouldn't have an issue. This does not happen.

I've been uncharacteristically a good boy.... Just sayin'

 

[DavidRvR]

...yet another good thread went into the Outer Space.

What's that with the 1st Amendment? Are we rightful to discuss matters in the Off-Topic Non-Ebike subforum? Or, a kind of a censorship?

@Angela M.: The world is on a brink of a world war. Are the users allowed discuss it in the Off-Topic Non-Ebike Discussion? Possibly without the presence of the biggest troll in these Forums?

The main problem is some people hit the complaint button because it doesnt agree with their beliefs or motives or just hurts their las nerve and cant handle someone else's opinion.. They had a topic closed of mine which they didnt even post lol... they are to thin skinned for the forums or a honest discussion in general.

They act like small kids when they dont get their way or are told no.

 

[DavidRvR]

Anything regarding politics or religion is a highly controversial topic. The issue is that the threads do not stay on topic for long. It begins that way then one person makes responds with their opinion or beliefs, others chime in to refute that information and the thread begins to quickly go south. This forum was created to talk mainly about electric bikes. There are plenty of other forums and platforms to talk about politics. We do our best to keep EBR a safe place where the members treat each other with kindness and respect. When bringing up controversial topics members are passionate about their beliefs. The subject turns ugly quickly. That is not what we want from EBR. If a thread begins to require a ton of moderating where there are many posts deleted and the thread begins to not make sense, it is likely to be shut down. This doesn't happen often in general, as I try to be as lenient as possible while trying to keep the values of EBR, but threads that do get shut down are usually about politics, religion, or posts being exchanged between members who don't let up.

You do a great job by the way.. Its like herding cats..

 

[Gordon71]

Anything regarding politics or religion is a highly controversial topic. The issue is that the threads do not stay on topic for long. It begins that way then one person makes responds with their opinion or beliefs, others chime in to refute that information and the thread begins to quickly go south. This forum was created to talk mainly about electric bikes. There are plenty of other forums and platforms to talk about politics. We do our best to keep EBR a safe place where the members treat each other with kindness and respect. When bringing up controversial topics members are passionate about their beliefs. The subject turns ugly quickly. That is not what we want from EBR. If a thread begins to require a ton of moderating where there are many posts deleted and the thread begins to not make sense, it is likely to be shut down. This doesn't happen often in general, as I try to be as lenient as possible while trying to keep the values of EBR, but threads that do get shut down are usually about politics, religion, or posts being exchanged between members who don't let up.

Luckily this one is not politics. It's about how to stop a war criminal who's already murdered hundreds and maybe thousands of innocent people.

 

[DavidRvR]

I would suspect the thread was deleted because of some stinky content which was certainly not yours.
We know who the offender was in that thread....
I am all for free speech, but there is a complicated line when it goes overboard. So much damage has been done with despicable disinformation...

But if it was my site, I would ban the troll(s) not delete the thread

By definition of Free Speech .. this isnt it.

Disinformation? Kind of like Mom said that watermelon seeds would grow in our stomach ?

Or maybe the one if you swallow gum it never comes out... I get it..

Take what is said with a grain of salt then look into yourself.. Bias is always and issue.. Even with Blue checkers

 

[PatriciaK]

I've been uncharacteristically a good boy.... Just sayin'


View attachment 116391

That's one of my favorites!

 

[RandallS]

As many have brought up concepts about freedom of speech with a definitive USA slant, I figured I best check out where EBR is hosted.
Yup - tinsel town is where it's registered.

I wonder how many people block that guy?
We can look up all kind of metrics as to who has posted what, gotten what reactions etc.

It would be kind of interesting as to who is blocking who and if EBR would consider banning a member who achieves the distinction as the most ignored person in the forums.
I mean if 25% (???) of your members are banning a certain individual, what is that person really contributing?

Maybe 2 weeks in the penalty box/Sin Bin , and with 3 penalties/yellow cards you get and a Game Misconduct/Red Card (sorry - once a referee, always a referee).
But we all know people who would go out of their way to push on those boundaries, as they always do.
Plus they would probably just come back under a new alias anyways...it's in their nature. Deep sigh.

Play on... just an opinion.

 

[steve mercier]

Luckily this one is not politics. It's about how to stop a war criminal who's already murdered hundreds and maybe thousands of innocent people.

Luckily ? If it were not for bad luck I would have no luck at all. One pic is worth a thousand words...

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Is Court a Canadian? I thought there were many people of Ukrainian descent in Canada. Big number of EBR members are Canadian. Don't they have the right to talk about the war in Ukraine?

 

[steve mercier]

There are two sides to every story but sometimes only one side should count. Like the guy who bit off my thumb and ate it. To be fair he was hungry.

 

[theemartymac]

Is Court a Canadian? I thought there were many people of Ukrainian descent in Canada. Big number of EBR members are Canadian. Don't they have the right to talk about the war in Ukraine?

I'm not sure if he is Canadian born, but he is/was based in Vancouver. Not sure where the business and website is registered.

But yes, many Canadians of Ukrainian descent, and Canada has been a strong supporter of Ukraine since the USSR broke up. I think we were one of the first countries to officially recognize their independence on the world stage.

 

[PatriciaK]

I think there's a lot of misunderstanding about what our first amendment means. It means that the GOVERNMENT cannot interfere with free speech (or the exercise of religion, or the press, or the right to assemble, or the right to petition the government). Private businesses, organizations, and others, however, may place whatever restrictions on speech they wish. People have the right to say WHATEVER they want, but not WHEREVER (shouting "fire" - assuming there isn't one - in a crowded theater) or WHENEVER (disrupting a private event or meeting) they want.