Political Hotwire's ills: Scroll Down for the Question

The_Bear · 09-11-2007, 09:02 PM

If you know me, I am big into theory. Everything happens for a reason; much of the bad things that have happened can be explained by theory.

Everything needs to have a strong philosophical basis for it to be legitimate in the realm of politics and political relationships. In this case, we are talking about people here; for it is people that come together over the internet and talk about politics. Therefore, talkig about people first is key.

The key part I wish to talk about here is context. What does it mean to understand context? If you understand a phenomena, or how something is the way that it is, without the context, you understand absolutely nothing. Because you do not know 'why' it is the way that it is. You do not understand that the person who is always going out to parties does so sometimes because they feel they can be comfortable only at parties, nor do you understand why inkslinger always slings ink at things. (Or maybe you do).

So when you come together to create a nice place for people to talk about politics, inevitably if you want to, you will create this place. Then there will be this wonderful establishment, which we have all come to know as Political Hotwire. The people there are very similar in their beliefs, but more importantly, in their shared context. Context trumps belief wherever they conflict.

There proceeds to be an establishment, enshrined within the natural law of the land. Political Hotwire soon becomes an entity unto itself - it becomes the natural extension of those 'founding' people; much as, to John Locke (the philosopher not the former MOD), property is the natural extension of people in the physical world, Political Hotwire was the natural extension of those original people.

But nothing breeds success like success. People soon got wind of this success, or got wind of it on google, and found this site. People kept coming for whatever reason they have; perhaps some people were refugees from oppressive forums looking for a new start, perhaps they decided to just join us one day, wahtever. Perhaps they were looking for influence, to spread their ideaology; perhaps they were looking to make some economic conntections. Who knows what people came here for.

After people started coming, they inevitably changed the culture of what was Political Hotwire. People came who were not accustomed to Political Hotwire's way of doing things; and they decided to do things their own way. They did not feel like there was any uniquely 'political hotrwire' way of doing things, so they did not mind acting their own way.

This, to those people that founded Political Hotwire, was wrong; PH was supposed to be fun, where people debated over legitimate topics - this wasn't supposed to be a forum for trolls - whatever ideals they were striving for, this was not it.

Yet, there must be a recognization that things will never be the same as it was. It will not be because the people who come here to not share that common context that the original people have. So even if you prune some of the new members, you cannot really get them all; and if you do, that stifles innovation - people who continually argue the same things with the same people fail to increase in whatever area they want to.

Therefore, we need to enshrine somehow in the 'establishment', that this is supposed to be a place of fun and serious debate, or whatever it is supposed to be. And anyone who deviates too far from this acceptable norm gets punishment - perhaps a ban, perhaps a lock, i don't know.

Thus, my question is as follows:

What should the goal of Political Hotwire be?

In my opinion, political hotwire should strive to increase the argumentative capability of its people, to disseminate good information among its members, and for people to have a good time online.
It should be a place where I can laugh about random things; I remember so many times laughing at Robodoon's posts. And perhaps, make some connections that may serve me in the future.

namvet69 · 09-11-2007, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Bear

If you know me, I am big into theory. Everything happens for a reason; much of the bad things that have happened can be explained by theory.

Everything needs to have a strong philosophical basis for it to be legitimate in the realm of politics and political relationships. In this case, we are talking about people here; for it is people that come together over the internet and talk about politics. Therefore, talkig about people first is key.

The key part I wish to talk about here is context. What does it mean to understand context? If you understand a phenomena, or how something is the way that it is, without the context, you understand absolutely nothing. Because you do not know 'why' it is the way that it is. You do not understand that the person who is always going out to parties does so sometimes because they feel they can be comfortable only at parties, nor do you understand why inkslinger always slings ink at things. (Or maybe you do).

So when you come together to create a nice place for people to talk about politics, inevitably if you want to, you will create this place. Then there will be this wonderful establishment, which we have all come to know as Political Hotwire. The people there are very similar in their beliefs, but more importantly, in their shared context. Context trumps belief wherever they conflict.

There proceeds to be an establishment, enshrined within the natural law of the land. Political Hotwire soon becomes an entity unto itself - it becomes the natural extension of those 'founding' people; much as, to John Locke (the philosopher not the former MOD), property is the natural extension of people in the physical world, Political Hotwire was the natural extension of those original people.

But nothing breeds success like success. People soon got wind of this success, or got wind of it on google, and found this site. People kept coming for whatever reason they have; perhaps some people were refugees from oppressive forums looking for a new start, perhaps they decided to just join us one day, wahtever. Perhaps they were looking for influence, to spread their ideaology; perhaps they were looking to make some economic conntections. Who knows what people came here for.

After people started coming, they inevitably changed the culture of what was Political Hotwire. People came who were not accustomed to Political Hotwire's way of doing things; and they decided to do things their own way. They did not feel like there was any uniquely 'political hotrwire' way of doing things, so they did not mind acting their own way.

This, to those people that founded Political Hotwire, was wrong; PH was supposed to be fun, where people debated over legitimate topics - this wasn't supposed to be a forum for trolls - whatever ideals they were striving for, this was not it.

Yet, there must be a recognization that things will never be the same as it was. It will not be because the people who come here to not share that common context that the original people have. So even if you prune some of the new members, you cannot really get them all; and if you do, that stifles innovation - people who continually argue the same things with the same people fail to increase in whatever area they want to.

Therefore, we need to enshrine somehow in the 'establishment', that this is supposed to be a place of fun and serious debate, or whatever it is supposed to be. And anyone who deviates too far from this acceptable norm gets punishment - perhaps a ban, perhaps a lock, i don't know.

Thus, my question is as follows:

What should the goal of Political Hotwire be?

In my opinion, political hotwire should strive to increase the argumentative capability of its people, to disseminate good information among its members, and for people to have a good time online.
It should be a place where I can laugh about random things; I remember so many times laughing at Robodoon's posts. And perhaps, make some connections that may serve me in the future.

Ahh!! Shaddupp!!

The_Bear · 09-11-2007, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by namvet69

Ahh!! Shaddupp!!

you are a

johnflesh · 09-11-2007, 09:11 PM

It is different for everyone, the goal. I come here to see what people think about certain situations, issues, news, etc. So its part gaining perspective for me. I read way more than I type here and I did so long before I was even a member. Aside from a few people who go a bit too far its really the same ol place its always been.

sparky · 09-11-2007, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Bear

What should the goal of Political Hotwire be?

Whatever Marixtu and mdvaldosta want it to be.

conservative · 09-11-2007, 10:01 PM

I have been witness to the destructiveness that new members can have...in churches. You get people who come to a church having left theirs because they arn't happy with their old church. They immediately go about trying to change the church into what they want it to be..rather than acclimating to the current members and adding their personality to the mix. Instead the try to infiltrate, pit persons against persons, undermine through gossip and eventually they either take over or leave...leaving behind destruction and broken people.

On a smaller scale....this is happening here. Rather than acclimating and adding their personality to PH...they are hellbent on making into what they want by driving off old members.

Sad but it can and will happen.

namvet69 · 09-11-2007, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by conservative

I have been witness to the destructiveness that new members can have...in churches. You get people who come to a church having left theirs because they arn't happy with their old church. They immediately go about trying to change the church into what they want it to be..rather than acclimating to the current members and adding their personality to the mix. Instead the try to infiltrate, pit persons against persons, undermine through gossip and eventually they either take over or leave...leaving behind destruction and broken people.

On a smaller scale....this is happening here. Rather than acclimating and adding their personality to PH...they are hellbent on making into what they want by driving off old members.

Sad but it can and will happen.

Well, Con, then don't let them win by pulling a namvet disappearing act. Stick around and help us ignore these flamers like they deserve to be ignored. We can do it by keeping in touch and putting these clowns on our collective ignore list. Band together for the good of our little gang of crazies.

conservative · 09-12-2007, 06:10 AM

I will for now...but I am looking at other forums.

Dr.Knuckles · 09-13-2007, 12:21 AM

We'll all just follow you there.... and embarrass you in front of your new friends.

Every time you try to get out we PULL YOU BACK IN!!!!!!!!

Zarathustra · 09-13-2007, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Bear

If you know me, I am big into theory. Everything happens for a reason; much of the bad things that have happened can be explained by theory.

Everything needs to have a strong philosophical basis for it to be legitimate in the realm of politics and political relationships. In this case, we are talking about people here; for it is people that come together over the internet and talk about politics. Therefore, talkig about people first is key.

The key part I wish to talk about here is context. What does it mean to understand context? If you understand a phenomena, or how something is the way that it is, without the context, you understand absolutely nothing. Because you do not know 'why' it is the way that it is. You do not understand that the person who is always going out to parties does so sometimes because they feel they can be comfortable only at parties, nor do you understand why inkslinger always slings ink at things. (Or maybe you do).

So when you come together to create a nice place for people to talk about politics, inevitably if you want to, you will create this place. Then there will be this wonderful establishment, which we have all come to know as Political Hotwire. The people there are very similar in their beliefs, but more importantly, in their shared context. Context trumps belief wherever they conflict.

There proceeds to be an establishment, enshrined within the natural law of the land. Political Hotwire soon becomes an entity unto itself - it becomes the natural extension of those 'founding' people; much as, to John Locke (the philosopher not the former MOD), property is the natural extension of people in the physical world, Political Hotwire was the natural extension of those original people.

But nothing breeds success like success. People soon got wind of this success, or got wind of it on google, and found this site. People kept coming for whatever reason they have; perhaps some people were refugees from oppressive forums looking for a new start, perhaps they decided to just join us one day, wahtever. Perhaps they were looking for influence, to spread their ideaology; perhaps they were looking to make some economic conntections. Who knows what people came here for.

After people started coming, they inevitably changed the culture of what was Political Hotwire. People came who were not accustomed to Political Hotwire's way of doing things; and they decided to do things their own way. They did not feel like there was any uniquely 'political hotrwire' way of doing things, so they did not mind acting their own way.

This, to those people that founded Political Hotwire, was wrong; PH was supposed to be fun, where people debated over legitimate topics - this wasn't supposed to be a forum for trolls - whatever ideals they were striving for, this was not it.

Yet, there must be a recognization that things will never be the same as it was. It will not be because the people who come here to not share that common context that the original people have. So even if you prune some of the new members, you cannot really get them all; and if you do, that stifles innovation - people who continually argue the same things with the same people fail to increase in whatever area they want to.

Therefore, we need to enshrine somehow in the 'establishment', that this is supposed to be a place of fun and serious debate, or whatever it is supposed to be. And anyone who deviates too far from this acceptable norm gets punishment - perhaps a ban, perhaps a lock, i don't know.

Thus, my question is as follows:

What should the goal of Political Hotwire be?

In my opinion, political hotwire should strive to increase the argumentative capability of its people, to disseminate good information among its members, and for people to have a good time online.
It should be a place where I can laugh about random things; I remember so many times laughing at Robodoon's posts. And perhaps, make some connections that may serve me in the future.

The goal? The goal should be to ban bad members of this forum, mostly the new ones. ViolaLee for starters. She seems like someone who specifically looks for a fight, does not really want to debate but wants conflict. Zaragrundugdeyon can stay because he serves as comic releif, as does Robodoon. But ViolaLee is a hateful person and that hate manifests itself on this site as a cancer, and it grows and grows and infects, with people responding to her insults in kind. Overall, people like her degrade this site to a base level of squabling that I don't even see in high school.