Adult content in threads..

It's still going to be a public forum, with many different people expressing many different opinions. There is no way to have a community feeling in this place, and prevent the FREE exchange of ideas. Along with that freedom comes differences of opinion.

There are going to people that do not see eye to eye, no matter how intense or mundane the topic may be. People can't even agree on things as simple as motley and stripe being co-dominant or not, how can we expect them to agree on the position of [insert religious/political topic of choice here]?

I think the most important thing for everyone to remember is that we are all people...human beings. We all have feelings, we all have responsibilities, we all have families, we all have issues and problems in our lives, and we all have opinions. At the very least, if something is slightly more "controversial" or "adult oriented"(and I am NOT referring to pornographic stuff when I use the term adult...I'm referring to topics involving religion, politics, and a whole slew of other topics that WILL invoke strong personal feelings), at least there is a place specifically designated FOR these topics. Anyone unwilling to respect different opinions and debate these topics in a respectable manner...never has to go in there.

The people that want the forum to be strictly about cornsnakes, with a few good pictures of other snakes in the general chit-chat area, never have to even open up a single thread in the "other" forum. They don't have to worry about being "surprised" by a topic, because they never even have to enter that forum, let alone the thread. If these sorts of topics are really that uninteresting to anyone...they will never have to see it. If anyone is aware that these topics will be too controversial to maintain respect and "friendly" debate tactics...they don't go in there. It seems to be as close to "perfect" as this situation is going to get.

Yes...someone, at some time, is going to go into the "other" forum, and read a topic that they feel does not belong there. Yes...someone at some time is going to go into the "other" forum and find a picture or a comment that will offend them. Yes...someone at some time is going to go into the other forum and find a reason to be angry about what is in there. It really is inevitable. Spend enough time looking for something, and you are bound to find it. But at least it will be out of the "general population" of topics, and anyone entering the "other" forum, will be well aware of what they can expect to find "in there".

With that being said...I think that in all fairness to Dean, Susan, and Mike...it might be a good idea to have a different moderating staff in the "other" forum. They have an incredibly difficult job just maintaining the general forum boards. I think a "dedicated" moderating staff for the adult forum would help to relieve the pressure from them, while maintaining the feeling of respect found everywhere. But...just my opinion...for whatever it might be worth to anyone...

Originally Posted by TandJ

I have considered just walking away from this site, and I do know some folks would applaud.. Quite frankly, I see a double standard, within parts of the community which has really made this place uninviting to me for quite a long time, well over a year.. I think there is going to be another split coming here, which to some would be quite welcoming and others would be quite saddening.

Regards.. Tim of T and J

This would make me sad, Tim. You've been one of my favorite posters since I joined this site and to lose someone like you would be devastating, imo. I hope you stick around...

Originally Posted by Tyflier

With that being said...I think that in all fairness to Dean, Susan, and Mike...it might be a good idea to have a different moderating staff in the "other" forum. They have an incredibly difficult job just maintaining the general forum boards. I think a "dedicated" moderating staff for the adult forum would help to relieve the pressure from them, while maintaining the feeling of respect found everywhere. But...just my opinion...for whatever it might be worth to anyone...

I quoted Chris because I agree with this idea. The Terrific Trio already have their hands full moderating the other threads. Having a headache like an Adult Off-Topic forum is just asking for un-do stress.

I fully support the idea of said Adult Off-Topic forum and fully support the idea that it needs to be moderated to a certain degree. My idea of a perfect adult OT area would be between beardeddragon.org's AOT and Fauna's "Hell". Those two are on the extremes and one in the middle would be great. Access to it should be by request, as that way some of the more sensitive adults on here could choose NOT to read what was going on in there, if they so choose.

I love General Chat too and I'm confident it would remain VERY active even with an AOT forum. Afterall, the "other breeds" of snakes would keep it hopping even if those were the only threads posted there.

Originally Posted by tyflier

With that being said...I think that in all fairness to Dean, Susan, and Mike...it might be a good idea to have a different moderating staff in the "other" forum. They have an incredibly difficult job just maintaining the general forum boards. I think a "dedicated" moderating staff for the adult forum would help to relieve the pressure from them, while maintaining the feeling of respect found everywhere. But...just my opinion...for whatever it might be worth to anyone...

I know where you're coming from Chris, but aren't we just talking about a single new sub-forum-- kind of a Gen Chit-Chat II? I wouldn't advocate bringing in new mods for the sole purpose of policing a single sub-forum. I guess I'd rather see another mod added to the team than see this option implemented, although I'm not even sure that that's necessary. In addition, if we were going to partition the board for mod coverage, why would we give new, inexperienced mods the toughest sub-forum to moderate? But as I said, I don't support the partitioning idea anyway.

If we start this new sub-forum, it should be on a trial basis. If it works, we keep it-- if it doesn't, we ditch it. Mod burdens could be assessed during the trial period as well.

Someone PM'd me with a comment related to this thread, and it got me thinking. Will ALL adult discussions and photos be permitted in the new sub-forum? If not, where will the NEW lines be drawn? There are sexual acts, even lawful ones (U.S.), that probably disgust 99% of the population. Will practitioners of these acts be allowed to post photos of some of these acts? Will genital piercings, general nudity, and human excreta photos be permitted. If not, why not? I'm not sure I like the idea of this adult sub-forum. I'm certainly not looking forward to it. Maybe that's because this is a corn snake site and I don't see the need for it to expand into all areas of adult interest. There are so many other places where these interests can be indulged...

I don't see any reason why the status quo can't continue with a hammer being put down on unacceptable language/references. I personally trust Dean, Susan and Mike to do their "job" and do it well, and I trust their judgement.

Personally, I started to cringe when sexual references were made towards other members pictures and "nice rack" crossed the line for me. There's no reason those pictures can't be shared. Those types of comments are things that just don't need to be said, or can be said in private . . . period.

As to political, religious and lifestyle discussions . . . I know my opinions and choose to stay out of those discussions. What better way to NOT be offended!! Regardless of the topic, someone's going to be offended. I'll be honest, I'm personally offended each and every time someone points to an odd looking Amel and calls it a creamsicle!!

D80

Originally Posted by Drizzt80

I'll be honest, I'm personally offended each and every time someone points to an odd looking Amel and calls it a creamsicle!!

Now that he's brought it up, stick-on thermometers disgust me. I move that they should result in a 3-day ban!

Originally Posted by Roy Munson

Someone PM'd me with a comment related to this thread, and it got me thinking. Will ALL adult discussions and photos be permitted in the new sub-forum? If not, where will the NEW lines be drawn? There are sexual acts, even lawful ones (U.S.), that probably disgust 99% of the population. Will practitioners of these acts be allowed to post photos of some of these acts? Will genital piercings, general nudity, and human excreta photos be permitted. If not, why not? I'm not sure I like the idea of this adult sub-forum. I'm certainly not looking forward to it. Maybe that's because this is a corn snake site and I don't see the need for it to expand into all areas of adult interest. There are so many other places where these interests can be indulged...

I think there's a line between what is an interest, and what is a discussion. I hoping, if this happens, threads will be clearly labeled so I can avoid the ones that I really do not want to read. I think that even though this section would be for more adult content, it's not a free for all. Discussions of sexuality and gender roles: Fine. A detailed novel about your most recent encounter with your SO: Not fine. What's your favorite alcoholic drink?: Fine. Post pictures of *all* your piercings: Not fine.

Granted, it seems very simple and easy-to-follow while we're talking about it. In a perfect world, everyone would be on the same page. This is not a perfect world. I think if this subforum is put into action, there's going to be a lot of "hammering out the status quo" while everyone adjusts.

I move that anyone who suggests that someone be banned for any reason should be banned permanently.

Which, given the previous sentence, paradoxically includes me.

If we're going to add an "adult swim" forum, certainly, there should be "rules" stickied to it.

But Sweet Jeebus, all the hypotheticals are getting ridiculous. I don't think ANYONE wants to see posts or photos of someone's creative romancing of barnyard animals.

As Stephanie mentioned, it would simply be a place for those who wish to respectfully discuss "adult" subjects - or should I say "adult civil subjects" - such as religion, politics, etc...without fear of reproach or scorn. It's NOT a venue for "cybering", "show me your primary and/or secondary sexual organs", "rate my poo", and so on.

I see it as a place for getting to know the breadth of opinions and interests of a group of people who already have one common, passionate, and consuming interest in corn snakes.


regards,
jazz

Originally Posted by jazzgeek

But Sweet Jeebus, all the hypotheticals are getting ridiculous. I don't think ANYONE wants to see posts or photos of someone's creative romancing of barnyard animals.

Maybe. Maybe not. I'd like to think that you're right, but I don't know. I wouldn't ever underestimate the general population's capacity for mischief-making. I also wouldn't make any assumptions about the self-control of all members, especially when someone wants to make a point.

It is not easy to offend me, especially if that is not the actual intent of the poster. Although I don't care to see photos of ALL of the body parts possible to pierce, and I don't think it would be appropriate to post them on the adult forum here, I don't think I would shrivel up and die if I did happen upon such photos, either.

But I do find it stimulating to be exposed to other points of view on controversial subjects such as politics and religion, as long as the discussion remains civil, and people are able to post logical, interesting reasons for their point of view. If I only discuss topics with those who agree with me, it will be soothing, but I will never learn anything. Who knows - I may even change my belief occasionally. But that would only be in response to well thought out arguments, not diatribe and unsupported rhetoric. I would find angry, disrespectful posts more offensive than the hypothetical nude piercing photos. But that is just me - I would just choose to not participate rather than waste any brain cells over getting angry. And if a particular member (or members) insisted on that kind of behavior, I would soon begin to ignore their posts and lower my opinion of their thinking processes.

However, I do realize that some people hold their beliefs very dear, and do not want to participate in controversial discussions. They will not be forced to take part in this forum and can avoid these debates very easily.

I am not positive how the new adult chit chat would be moderated. But I think the MAJORITY of readers of that forum would not participate in threads of really bad taste. I guess we will have to work it out as we go. But at least we won't have to worry about contributing to the delinquency of minors.