To the Moderator This may get me Banned for suggesting it

[BarryS]

If we aren't supposed to discuss topics un related to Bikes that may be political or religious then that should be implemented and adhered to the Letter. Otherwise Judging by Your Photo You are 1/2 the age of the average Forum User.
We grew up in an era where name calling or arguing was just who we were . Everyone freely expressed opinions. Plus the vast majority of us are MEN in this Forum. We could come to blows and 1/2 an hour later shake hands As a rule we don't get hurt feelings or Hold Grudges

I'm having trouble understanding why you keep closing threads . I see strong disagreements . But don't see lives threatened or anything remotely close

We are a bunch of OLD Farts With Thick Skins
You seem to be treating us like we are children who can't handle or cope with Strongly worded disagreements . Resulting the need of a safe space to hide .

So please either draw a line in the sand and don't permit off E-bike or related to topics . Or just let us Go. I don't think anyone is getting overly upset in the threads you close .

Besides it's not like we can reach thru the screen an punch someone . Thanks Sorry for making Your Job so hard . I'm sure you are trying to be fair . I just think you don't understand the generation of comments is who we are .

It's what we'd say at the coffee Shop that's closed down or Out of Business

So maybe you should just ban us for these types of discussions . Good Luck

 

[Handlebars]

The reason discussing current events among people in a forum such as this is important, is because we know the people either a bit or a lot, from the bike discussions. It is like the coffee shop in that way.
It does pose some extra problems, but I think it's being handled well.
We know that among the normies here there are some who wish genocide and some who are for humanity and freedom. Otherwise we might not even believe these people actually exist. It's important to see that now some of the normies among us even state the enjoyment they have of wishing incidental genocide by covid on political opponents.
Not sure how that fits with the forum health, but it sure is good to be able to see where we are at. If the discussion was turning ugly or completely off topic, but not too extreme, it's only a locked thread.
I give the moderation top marks. Excellence in practice.

 

[Haystacks]

This isn't a real forum. It's astroturfing. It is bought and paid for by the industry, same as certain youtube channels that are often proffered as being at the cutting edge of emtb, all they are at the cutting edge of is marketing. Notice the admins dont look like they have ever ridden a bike or written any code but they do look like administrators or accountants at multinationals. Also note the gatekeepers; They are the ones that keep people focused on brands and steer folks away from 'DIY' to the brands that they are paid to promote.

Astroturfing is the practice of masking the sponsors of a message or organization (e.g., political, advertising, religious or public relations) to make it appear as though it originates from and is supported by grassroots participants. It is a practice intended to give the statements or organizations credibility by withholding information about the source's financial connection

 

[BarryS]

The reason discussing current events among people in a forum such as this is important, is because we know the people either a bit or a lot, from the bike discussions. It is like the coffee shop in that way.
It does pose some extra problems, but I think it's being handled well.
We know that among the normies here there are some who wish genocide and some who are for humanity and freedom. Otherwise we might not even believe these people actually exist. It's important to see that now some of the normies among us even state the enjoyment they have of wishing incidental genocide by covid on political opponents.
Not sure how that fits with the forum health, but it sure is good to be able to see where we are at. If the discussion was turning ugly or completely off topic, but not too extreme, it's only a locked thread.
I give the moderation top marks. Excellence in practice.

I respectfully disagree : The thread was closed right after POTUS was brought up. We are all just typing words personally I think the forum shouldn't allow these types of discussions here . As you can see it creates a nightmare for mods. WHo can't win regardless of their position . After all if they leave this off topic wide open . In 2 months tops will be talking about creatures from under the Ocean and in Outer Space. Our Govt decided to introduce us to. It's inevitable SERIOUSLY

 

[AHicks]

As I generally stay away from the "off-topic", I think the mods are doing a great job.

It's a private web site. You are here as a guest. In my experience, as long as you act like a guest, you'll be fine.

 

[J.R.]

There are plenty of places to argue politics. This site can be an escape from all that. EBR is a work product and hopefully a money maker for Court and company. Good for them! It sure has been good for us.

Don't sh¡t in the sandbox. There are others that want to play here.

 

[BarryS]

I forgot its you, and nuance is pointless. This is a storefront not a place for open discussion.

lol I understood i didn't get your point in this application We aren't talking brand . I do realize Social Media is Controlled by what Big Corp wants . After all Social Media ? When there's nothing Social usually allow to Surface . Information and Freedom of thought is being guided for the masses : Saying so gets you shut down

 

[Handlebars]

This isn't a real forum. It's astroturfing. It is bought and paid for by the industry, same as certain youtube channels that are often proffered as being at the cutting edge of emtb, all they are at the cutting edge of is marketing. Notice the admins dont look like they have ever ridden a bike or written any code but they do look like administrators or accountants at multinationals. Also note the gatekeepers; They are the ones that keep people focused on brands and steer folks away from 'DIY' to the brands that they are paid to promote.

Care to name a real forum as an example? It sounds like conspiracy ideation, but that doesn't mean it isn't real.

 

[pxpaulx]

This isn't a real forum. It's astroturfing. It is bought and paid for by the industry, same as certain youtube channels that are often proffered as being at the cutting edge of emtb, all they are at the cutting edge of is marketing. Notice the admins dont look like they have ever ridden a bike or written any code but they do look like administrators or accountants at multinationals. Also note the gatekeepers; They are the ones that keep people focused on brands and steer folks away from 'DIY' to the brands that they are paid to promote.

As someone who has been a member of this forum for more than 6 years I believe you could not be more wrong in your assessment. By its nature, this forum is and always has been primarily about electric bike BRAND discussion. If you want to talk DIY, you'll find much more fruitful conversation over at endless sphere - believe me, I've never ended up going the DIY/kit route, but have read through my fair share of discussions about using laptop batteries for true at-home DIY builds.

The industry has grown substantially since I joined, but I do know that @Court has always been passionate about the work he has done and continues to do with this site. The evolved, more corporate oriented site you find yourself on (as a member for 6ish months?) is solely a product of an industry that has grown significantly in the last half dozen+ years, skyrocketing from the pandemic - that doesn't make it any less the result of passioned work.

I'll leave you with this number. 1,533. The number of videos on the EBR Youtube page, over 8 years. Every one of them shot, prepped, edited and uploaded by @Court. That is a video Every Other Day.

 

[Tars Tarkas]

If we aren't supposed to discuss topics un related to Bikes that may be political or religious then that should be implemented and adhered to the Letter. Otherwise Judging by Your Photo You are 1/2 the age of the average Forum User.
We grew up in an era where name calling or arguing was just who we were . Everyone freely expressed opinions. Plus the vast majority of us are MEN in this Forum. We could come to blows and 1/2 an hour later shake hands As a rule we don't get hurt feelings or Hold Grudges

I certainly fit the demographic you describe. I used to be about as ornery as anyone on USENET. But this isn't USENET and not everyone is in our demographic, the Mod, for just one example.. Just because you think other people don't, or shouldn't, get their feelings hurt or hold grudges, doesn't mean everyone here thinks Wild West behavior should be tolerated.

I don't think moderators ought to be quick to jump on every imagined infraction but I like this forum's reputation for helpfulness and friendliness. I don't think the Off-Topic forum should be an exception to that. As someone else said, there are a zillion places on the internet to act like a jerk. There's no need for this being another one.

My opinion.

TT

 

[Taylor57]

thanks for that insightful Input

Barry, no disrespect, but I am just curious as to your use of punctuation-you seem to captialize random words. Is there any rhyme or reason?

 

[ebikemom]

The head mod follows Court’s instructions to promote civility, to keep this a safe space. If you want something else, there are plenty of forums full of folks who pick fights without restriction. I think Angela does a great job. Let’s hear it for @Angela M.!!

 

[BarryS]

The head mod follows Court’s instructions to promote civility, to keep this a safe space. If you want something else, there are plenty of forums full of folks who pick fights without restriction. I think Angela does a great job. Let’s hear it for @Angela M.!!

totally not my point . My point is regardless of the threads . Whether they are off topic or E-bike related . I don't see anywhere that anyone including Myself has gotten Vulgar or threatening towards anyone else. We are all adults that don't agree most of the time. Some of us are even more arrogant and bold then we'd be in person . So why close a thread ? That's all

 

[BarryS]

Barry, no disrespect, but I am just curious as to your use of punctuation-you seem to captialize random words. Is there any rhyme or reason?

Yeah I do it subconsciously I guess. Like adding to words to express myself. Sometimes it's just by accident as I am old school henpecker . Does it bother you? It Must huh?

 

[Mulezen]

Relax Barry...talk about your eBike

 

[Mr. Coffee]

Liberal use of the "block user" function is very effective in promoting civility. Try it, you'll like it and EBR even better!

 

[BarryS]

I certainly fit the demographic you describe. I used to be about as ornery as anyone on USENET. But this isn't USENET and not everyone is in our demographic, the Mod, for just one example.. Just because you think other people don't, or shouldn't, get their feelings hurt or hold grudges, doesn't mean everyone here thinks Wild West behavior should be tolerated.

I don't think moderators ought to be quick to jump on every imagined infraction but I like this forum's reputation for helpfulness and friendliness. I don't think the Off-Topic forum should be an exception to that. As someone else said, there are a zillion places on the internet to act like a jerk. There's no need for this being another one.

My opinion.

TT

What Wild Wild West Behavior ? Not following you . Nobody is getting out of hand with the word choices used . Are they? I'm not talking about calling you an idiot for example . I'm talking about disputing your idea of what you think truth is . If that hurts your feelings I think it's supposed to. A very old saying is that Lies are always comforting . While Truth is usually offensive . Therefore Truth is offensive when someone is being comforted by lies .

 

[AHicks]

As exciting and informative as it's been to watch, this morning I've decided to use my God given logic and built in truth meter, to "unwatch" this thread as I don't see it going anywhere constructive. Bye!

 

[Angela M.]

@BarryS Disagreements are one thing but when people cannot constructively disagree or debate and result in name-calling, downgrading, and just unkind behavior in general, that's where it stops. You and others may be that way, but EBR is not. I have referenced the EBR Rules and Etiquette thread multiple times. That is what this board stands for and what information is not allowed. If some find it difficult to abide by the rules of the forum, their content will be edited, deleted, and/or eventually be banned. I am actually older than you likely believe, however, that's irrelevant. I was hired to do a job - moderate and keep the peace EBR is known for.

 

[Taylor57]

Yeah I do it subconsciously I guess. Like adding to words to express myself. Sometimes it's just by accident as I am old school henpecker . Does it bother you? It Must huh?

Maybe subconsciously!