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
My wife and I had the Bondi chat in about 5 minutes flat and got on with our lives. I'm not downplaying the tragedy as that's exactly what it was. But we've got lives to lead and can't dwell on every single negative that takes place in the world.
Some posters devote entire days (and I mean at regular intervals) commenting on these issues and for what purpose I'm not sure.
Everything in moderation, I'm not saying ban anything. I just agree with your earlier comment of self moderation (and control) is needed by all of us at times. As a community are we capable of this? Doubtful.
Well it's been tested and that's exactly why it died. Imagine if advertising only reached people who'd already brought the product. Do you know why people discuss politics ? Why don't you make the whole site in the cave ?
Because we’re a footy site, Mark. One-Eyed Eel.
Again, I genuinely enjoy the discussions, but the reality is most don’t. If you don’t want to take part because the other 5,000 members aren’t exposed to what you’re saying, that’s fair enough. It just isn’t for you. There are plenty of religious and political sites dedicated to that.
Personally, I’d still participate even if it were a group of 12, as long as there were genuinely varied perspectives. An echo chamber where everyone agrees with each other is pretty dull.
Think of it like this: imagine a town crier standing near your house every day with a megaphone, preaching “end of the world” stuff, singing rainbow songs, talking about a woke revolution and “time to take a stand" and save the world. You’re sick of hearing it, so are your neighbors, but his group insists it’s important and that you should have to listen. What would you do?
Yes, something like this has been tried before and it failed. But what was its purpose back then? It wasn’t designed to cater for all non-footy discussions, especially current affairs that could otherwise sit on the main site. I’m not claiming this will work. I’m saying the intent is different this time, and it’s worth giving it a go. If it fails, it fails. And then a decision can be made from there.
Mark, if it's just my personal bubble, I want them all discussed, preferably respectfully.
But it's about putting the needs of the many above the needs of the few, especially if it's an ego thing where we need everyone to be looking at us.
For me, I'd still participate, even if its a small group. Atm there are 100 members. Hopefully, some more will join up. We'll see.
It's hard to say politics is a no go zone, just about everything in life reverts back to politics somehow.
So if we ban political and religious discussions does that mean that sex, gay, soccer, union, cricket, LGBTQ, fishing, and illegal substance topics and camel 🐪 topics are still ok
Haaha, Cumberland Eel. Looking for loopholes and specifics. Smart. Basically, all non-footy discussions might end up in The Cave. But, if you want to add a blog on lawn bowls, cheese rolling, volcano surfing or a camel story, I doubt you'll get in trouble. It might end up in the cave if it involves Charlotte and Wilbur in the barn.
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