Should we get rid of the Off Topic section altogether?

[JBen]

Curious.

Seems to be a pretty contentious issue. A wide and diverse range of options about things. Including what’s “right” or “wrong”

Oddly.
No tit for tat. Or flames. What’s missing
?

[impact]

Exactly my thoughts Werner. I pushed to dump the "Off Topics" for years, but it seems the traffic it causes is good for numbers.

It is also hidden offline from the general population. You need to be a member and logged in to view it. Small audience really. Not so for the other topics of discussion. Visible on the WWW.

[Deer Hunter]

Saw this once and kept a copy:

“The problem with today’s world is that everyone believes they have the right to express their opinion AND have others listen to it.
The correct statement of individual rights is that everyone has the right to an opinion, but crucially, that opinion can be roundly ignored and even made fun of, particularly if it is demonstrably nonsense!”
― Brian Cox

Yes in most case that works, doesn’t seem to work for a few individuals on here. Sadly in certain cases authorities (moderators) have to step in, that’s just the way it is.

[Deer Hunter]

So you don't like the Charter of Rights and Freedoms ... sad to see how many are like our current gov't. By the way what and who defines this "correct think" and speak definition that isn't already in the current rules?
.

I have no problem with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
If you think what was going on here is acceptable then I’m sorry, there’s nothing I can add.

[mosquito]

I have no problem with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
If you think what was going on here is acceptable then I’m sorry, there’s nothing I can add.

It is only acceptable in the respect to the alternatives of banning, silencing and censoring .... a rude jerk sucks .... the alternative is a black hole crushing and killing.

Hence Judges idea of limiting the posts per thread or I would add per day in a thread sound good to me. The petty juvenile back and forth insults with no thought just intended to insult or annoy would be mostly eliminated putting a cap (per thread or per day) on the posts.

[Deer Hunter]

It is only acceptable in the respect to the alternatives of banning, silencing and censoring .... a rude jerk sucks .... the alternative is a black hole crushing and killing.

Hence Judges idea of limiting the posts per thread or I would add per day in a thread sound good to me. The petty juvenile back and forth insults with no thought just intended to insult or annoy would be mostly eliminated putting a cap (per thread or per day) on the posts.

Then you are censoring, silencing the rest of the forum members so a few shint disturbers can keep on going. IMO you give them a fair warning and if they don’t want to play nice then you ban them. Problem solved and we have a healthy forum.

[Sharon]

I am a moderator on another forum - mostly American; we average 200 member/guests per day. If there was going to be lots of political talk it would be there , considering how much American political turmoil there has been. However, we do not have an Off Topic section for politics. It does not appear in other threads either. The subjects are more narrow than here as it is ONLY about gundogs/hunting , but we find lots to say about the topic we love.
OOD is nothing like what it used to be. The Off topic section ( and members who are only here to talk about politics) has ruined it imo. I think that if you got rid of that section, there would be a time of transition , but we would get back to what we were- hunting/fishing etc..

[Badenoch]

The Charter of Rights and Freedom is not a consideration here. The people who own and operate this forum get to decide what is acceptable comment and what isn't. Those of us participating asked to be included and agreed to follow the rules. Either one abides by the rules or risks censure or being banned.

[TroutSlayer]

The Charter of Rights and Freedom is not a consideration here. The people who own and operate this forum get to decide what is acceptable comment and what isn't. Those of us participating asked to be included and agreed to follow the rules. Either one abides by the rules or risks censure or being banned.

Exactly, free speach is available on the corner of King and Main. Have at it!

[TroutSlayer]

I am a moderator on another forum - mostly American; we average 200 member/guests per day. If there was going to be lots of political talk it would be there , considering how much American political turmoil there has been. However, we do not have an Off Topic section for politics. It does not appear in other threads either. The subjects are more narrow than here as it is ONLY about gundogs/hunting , but we find lots to say about the topic we love.
OOD is nothing like what it used to be. The Off topic section ( and members who are only here to talk about politics) has ruined it imo. I think that if you got rid of that section, there would be a time of transition , but we would get back to what we were- hunting/fishing etc..

I agree Sharon, like you, I have been here for decades and have seen the changes and the reasons.