Ladies and Gentlemen,
This site has never been the most endearing to the club or even parts of our own fanbase. A common piece of feedback I receive privately is that some find it too negative or drama-filled, which is why many choose to stay away. At times we clash hard and put each other down, the club, the players, and even Super, who pays for this site out of his own pocket. Some of this could understandably offend players’ families. In conversations I’ve had with people within the club’s hierarchy, the club takes a fairly open-minded view and accepts that it can’t control what others say or think. That’s a mature approach.
That said, I believe the majority of us are good eggs, mean well, even if some are rough around the edges and a small minority hold more extreme views. Over the past decade, I’ve met many wonderful people through this site, some of whom I now count as close friends and have learned a great deal from. You’re a big reason I’m still here and why I care about this community.
If you’re willing, I’d appreciate your thoughts on the direction the site should take. Ultimately, Super will decide, but it’s helpful to understand how people feel, here or privately, on:
- Current affairs and political blogs: Even if personally enjoy them, these often become the most feral and attract extremist views, especially in challenging times. They can flood the site and turn off many who simply want to talk footy, the one thing we all share. Life has enough dramas.
- Moving these blogs to The Cave: Making them members-only may be a win-win, it allows discussions without overwhelming those who’d want to avoid it.
- Any other ideas for improving the site.
Please don’t comment on political, religious or current affairs issues in this blog. This is about improving the site, not saving the world from an apocalypse.
Replies
I enjoy the political discusions. It is a place that is really unique to have them. Social media is more or less anonymous so there is no accountability for your comments in many respects. Plus it is often an echo chamber as algorithims bunch people toghether with similar views. The only thing that people all have in common on here is their devotion to a football side, therefore it gathers people together from a diverse range of backgrounds and opinions. That makes for the best discusion.
I understand people may not want to see it in footy talk but put it in the social blogs or the 'cave', where ever that may be.
I think it needs to be a tad more respectful, people are quick to disrespect one another and I have at times been guilty, but only because of an insult thrown my way first.
The socio-demographic cross-section here is indeed unique. and I value it highly. Echo chambers are the worst and some of the piefights here like are different echos from outside bouncing off each other. Some folks that are used to only positive feedback seem shocked that other folks would kick back at their opinions.
I enjoyed getting into it with you.
Strange Eel, I hear you, mate. Well said. And we all get argy-bargy at times.
Like you, I do enjoy the banter of current affairs-political discussions, too, even if these uncomfortable discussions go in circles and end up slanging matches lol.
Would you accept a compromise: The Cave?
Yeah but I don't see 'The Cave', what is it?
On the footy side of things, the fact that it's raw and not full of unicorns is also what makes it appealing. I sometimes hope players and their families don't stumble across some posts , but that's how a lot of supportters truely are.
After a game and I go directly to my computer to be proud or more often vent, my miss has often said to me, that forum is a great thing, it's were you guys can all get together without having to meet up in a pub.
Strange Eel, I think you have to be a member to see them. It was started a long time ago, but never really amounted to much. But if enough people are interested, and join up, maybe it has a shot at working.
Maybe it's time to hide such discussions in the cave, if you want to partake you have to go looking for it.
Just don't allow this site to become a wishy washy love in for the club. There is already a site with that identity, and that's fine if you are into that.
I enjoy the fact we can be brutally critical of the club, players and staff even at times if it's over the top, fans are passionate and venting can help.
HFK, Can't disagree, mate. As much as some enjoy current affairs discussions (including myself), I feel the cave is better for the majority too. They're creating too much issues.
The only comment I would say on the balance of "positive" and "negative", is that "positive posters" are generally softer or gentler souls, for lack of better words. And many of those have been railroaded off the site by a small handful of tougher types who won't stand for their kind of "positivity". I don't feel that's a positive outcome either. You don't want this site to become one-sided. Just my personal view.
The site should purely relate to discussion on the Parramatta Eels, the broader NRL and 'outside' sports where they have a link to the Eels or NRL. e.g.: rugby union, R360 or NFL. I personally feel that no blogs should be on here that don't relate to any of those. There's plenty of other forums for that sort of discussion.
Thanks, Iamnot. Appreciate that, mate. So many posters feel the same way you do. I suspect the majority.
Randy mentioned it the other day, by the looks Wiz has packed his bags and gone. Shame, another good long term contributor on here has left. Anyway I guess we've all got our reasons for being here or not.
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