Adult content in threads..

FWIW...I think that it is not unreasonable to expect people to be a little bit more respectful of themselves(in referance to pictures being posted), and to others(in referance to comments being made). Afterall...if the general majority IS truly adult...that shouldn't be difficult.

However, I also like the idea of having a place where we, AS adults, can discuss whatever we want, without having to be so careful as to what is being discussed. With that said, I would HATE to see it allowable for inflammatory responses, disrespect, name-calling, and endless arguing to take place. Perhaps "HELL" should be "differently moderated" where the content is not as strictly moderated, but the negative abuse of other members would still be moderated to prevent endless pissing matches and inflammatory name-calling.

But then you open the Pandora's Box of what needs to be moderated, and who is going to do it...

Ultimately, I am adult enough to modify my own behavior, and follow whatever decisions "the powers that be" make. I love this place and the people here, so...whatever is decided, I'll still be here...providing that ALL decisions made are across the board, and do not specifically single out any characteristic of any member as being inherantly wrong...and I do not mean that last statement to accuse or inflame...just a statement of personal opinion.

Originally Posted by Joejr14

Is everyone here really naive enough to think that 15 year old kids that visit the forum aren't talking to their friends about the same things?

Them doing it, and a community condoning it are two different things.

And 15 year old kids are getting pregnant. Should we set up a forum for discussions on that as well. Maybe a place for them to hook up? 15 year olds are using drugs. Does Rich need to set up a forum for buyers and sellers? Oh, but it's only swearing and sexual innuendo . . .

It's not about being PC. There's a time and a place for everything. "Adult" words and actions are NOT acceptable anywhere and everywhere. Just because it's the internet doesn't make it OK. I'm pretty sure most of the people here are "adult" enough to recognize that. (Especially those of us that are parents.)

D80

I've been watching these thread the last few days trying to decide if I wanted to reply or not. I personally am very offended by the sexual innuendos that take place in some of the threads, its not that I'm a tight butt prude but I don't want to read about that kind of thing on a reptile forum.
Sure, I could simple not read those thread and I usually don't once they take a turn for the worse but is it really fair to me or other member who might have liked to read the thread for what it was originally intended for ( I like to see what you all look like but I'm not wading through all the garbage for a few pictures).

Option #1 would be a good choice if ALL the members could agree and stick to it but I don't think they will, at least not for long.

Option #2 Thats basically whats happening now and its not working.

Option #3, I think this is a good option. I belong to another reptile forum that has a adult off topic forum that is accessible only to members who must apply and recieve access by the forum owner, non members can't even see the adult area on the forum index. Standard rules apply of course, no fighting, flaming or name calling and no pornography. Its simply a place were adults can let down their guard some.

I would like to see #1 happen but I do not think that would be possible. #2 is probably the best option, IMO, but I agree with Waldo when he said that it is not working right now. #3 would be a good idea but I am not an adult and I would feel very tempted to make a new user name and say I am an adult so I could see what is being said in that forum. (Even if it costs me money to get in). I guess that didn't acomplish anything.

I may just be nosy but I really would not want to be a part of a forum that has a place I can not go because of my age. That would always be what I would think of everytime I come on here.

Question for Rich or whoever knows the answer: On Fauna, do you have to be an adult to go in the HELL Forum or do you just have to pay the 10 dollars? Now I am not going to go in that because I don't participate on Fauna but I was wondering if people of any age could do that.

There are more adults here and that is why if we voted for what we want I am sure #3 would win...

Originally Posted by Dave123

I would like to see #1 happen but I do not think that would be possible. #2 is probably the best option, IMO, but I agree with Waldo when he said that it is not working right now. #3 would be a good idea but I am not an adult and I would feel very tempted to make a new user name and say I am an adult so I could see what is being said in that forum. (Even if it costs me money to get in). I guess that didn't acomplish anything.

I may just be nosy but I really would not want to be a part of a forum that has a place I can not go because of my age. That would always be what I would think of everytime I come on here.

Question for Rich or whoever knows the answer: On Fauna, do you have to be an adult to go in the HELL Forum or do you just have to pay the 10 dollars? Now I am not going to go in that because I don't participate on Fauna but I was wondering if people of any age could do that.

There are more adults here and that is why if we voted for what we want I am sure #3 would win...

I really don't want you to take offense to this, because I truly feel you are an outstanding member of this community, BUT...

You're 15. There are ALOT of things that you can't do, yet, because of your age. And there are alot of things you *shouldn't* know, yet, because of your age. It doesn't really matter to us, as a community, if you already do these things, or know these things, because that is not our responsibility. What IS our responsibility as a community is to do our very best to ensure that we, as a whole, do not contribute to your knowledge of these things.

Unfortunately, we can't(or rather Rich and the mods can't) decide on an individual level with a parent's permission slip who is and who isn't allowed to view or read certain material, and who is or isn't mature enough to participate in certain topics or subject matter. You have displayed an incredible level of maturity since I've been here...even more so than some of the "adults"...but that is neither here nor there. Rules need to based on a defineable criteria to work.

You cannot drive until you are 16, you cannot vote until you are 18, you cannot enter into a legally binding contract until you are 18, you cannot drink until you are 21, and your parents are still legally and financially responsible for you and your actions until the age of 21. That doesn't mean there aren't some kids younger than 16 that are mature enough to get their license, and that's not to say there are some kids that are NOT mature enough at 16 to get their license. It is a blanket regulation based on a majority display of maturity.

IF a place called "HELL" were opened for "Adults Only" in this forum, would not be specifically to exclude you or any other minor. It would simply be a place where "adults" could let down their guard a little bit, and participate in adult conversations with other adults. A place where a curseword isn't going to elicit a warning, or an off-color joke or innuendo isn't going to spark a 34 page debate. A place where a picture of a fat naked man sitting behind his computer posted AS a joke will be taken as such, and not be cause for parents to prevent their children from coming here to learn.

It's not a matter of EXclusion, but rather a matter of INclusion. By doing such a thing, it would prevent the need for moderate parental controls to block this site. It would prevent parents from minimizing the screen when their children walk in. And it would give people who simply do not want to participate in that sort of banter and exchange the option of simply not going there.

Believe me...I understand what you mean. But it isn't going to be some "Night Club" where only exclusive member can join because it is so much fun we would want to horde it to ourselves. It's merely a place where adults can act like adults around other adults without looking over our shoulders to make sure our children aren't watching. You wouldn't want to follow your parents out to a local bar for a few drinks with the neighbors, would you? Would you feel excluded because of your age?

I really wouldn't take it personally if it happens. You know what they say...once we are ALLOWED to do something, it becomes much less fun to do it...

No offense taken. As I read your post and then re-read my own, I realize how ignorant I sounded. I do understand that because I am a kid, I can't do everything and know everything I want to. It may not sound fair but it is definitely for the 'common good'. If all of the teens or children could do and see everything they wanted to, then everywhere would be hell.

I still would not like this forum to have a place that excludes children but I guess I can see where the adults are coming from. If that happens then you guys better not spend too much time in there.

Originally Posted by Dave123

No offense taken. As I read your post and then re-read my own, I realize how ignorant I sounded. I do understand that because I am a kid, I can't do everything and know everything I want to. It may not sound fair but it is definitely for the 'common good'. If all of the teens or children could do and see everything they wanted to, then everywhere would be hell.

I still would not like this forum to have a place that excludes children but I guess I can see where the adults are coming from. If that happens then you guys better not spend too much time in there.

I like you, Dave. I think you're a great person, not a kid. But trust me when I tell you that you WILL appreciate it a whole lot more if/when you are able to use such "adult places" yourself. The reason we adults want one will become soooooo much more clear when you are "looking over your shoulder" yourself. It will mean a lot to you, as an adult, to have a "safehaven" where you don't have to worry about who is reading what you are typing.

Until that time...have a rootbeer on me...

Originally Posted by tyflier

I like you, Dave. I think you're a great person, not a kid. But trust me when I tell you that you WILL appreciate it a whole lot more if/when you are able to use such "adult places" yourself. The reason we adults want one will become soooooo much more clear when you are "looking over your shoulder" yourself. It will mean a lot to you, as an adult, to have a "safehaven" where you don't have to worry about who is reading what you are typing.

Until that time...have a rootbeer on me...

I can't wait for that time to come. I bet it will come pretty fast and then I will miss being young again!

Thanks for the rootbeer!

Originally Posted by Dave123

Question for Rich or whoever knows the answer: On Fauna, do you have to be an adult to go in the HELL Forum or do you just have to pay the 10 dollars? Now I am not going to go in that because I don't participate on Fauna but I was wondering if people of any age could do that.

The presumption is made that only someone old enough to have a financial account (such as PayPal or a credit card) will have access to the forum. There is absolutely no REALISTIC way to verify with 100 percent certainty that someone is WHO they say they are much less the AGE they say they are. It would be much like saying you have developed the perfectly secure house that no one can defeat.

Actually, in thinking about it, the reason I went to a $10 membership for the HELL forum over on FaunaClassifieds was because I thought that would kill it and I could close it down and forget about it. That forum is a WHOLE LOT more wild and wooly than I would want to be here on this site. That one is COMPLETELY unmoderated with only two limitations: (1) No threads of physical violence will be tolerated, and (2) I will not allow bashing of myself for any reason from ANYONE on my own site. So yes, it can get pretty hairy over there. But thankfully the novelty has worn off for most people and it is finally winding down in participation.

Again, I am not recommending this option, just throwing it on the table for consideration. It all depends on what you all want, and what you think is best for this site in reference to allowing people to have what they want without negatively impacting other members. And as my experiences on FC has painfully shown me, some things you just won't know where they will go until you try them and then look at what has resulted..

Originally Posted by Dave123

I can't wait for that time to come. I bet it will come pretty fast and then I will miss being young again!

Thanks for the rootbeer!

Yeah..... One day you'll look in a mirror and think "How the HECK did my mind get into that old guy's body?"