Rhetoric and the art of Collaborative Discussion

[stillrobertpaulsen]

After being operational for roughly two weeks, Current Events already has 60 topics posted. IMO, having all those topics stickied above the other General Discussion topics would have the opposite effect intended with the creation of the new forum: clutter would be intensified. So I'm going to keep it the way it is.

[mentalgongfu2]

SRP - can't speak for Iam, but I was thinking of a subforum within GD for Current Events. Not putting 60 stickies above the existing topics in GD. Just a single sticky called "Current Events" that would open up the Current Events forum, just as it does now from the Board Index page.

Don't know if that's possible with this board - but something like that would have no effect on clutter whatsoever.

[Iamwhomiam]

Yes, exactly so, mentalgongfu2. No one has suggested posting some 60 or so threads as stickies, but they would be within the GD sub-forum entitled Current Events. With this clarification I should hope to change your opinion, stillrobertpaulsen, but I doubt you'll shift from your intransigent position. After all, if you would, some might see your cooperation as weakening your position of power. No harm in trying it out, though, now that you have sticky powers, and easy to reverse.

Perhaps you've misunderstood my request srp. Your response seems to me that may be. So there will be no misunderstanding of my request, here is what I've asked for:

A top of the list sticky subforum of General Discussion entitled Current Events, with all current event topics contained within that subforum, and none overflowing into any other General Discussion subforum topic.

No hard feelings one way or the other, but I thought it best to clarify my earlier comment after learning where this new Current Events sticky was located. I also allow that what I'm requesting might not be possible, I have no knowledge of the mechanics involved. Thank you for your response.

[stillrobertpaulsen]

Thank you for the clarifications, mentalgongfu2 and Iamwhomiam. Sorry if I seemed intransigent, I was confused, I thought you were asking me to change the Current Events forum itself that was just set up.

I can't create a sub-forum; that's an administrative change and I don't want to annoy Jeff anymore than I already have. What I can do here is either create a sticky with a link to Current Events or I could put it in the Announcements subforum here in General Discussion. I think it might look better that way; I'm not sure if I just did a sticky if it would be above or under this Rhetoric thread that I've currently stickied. What do you think?

[Iamwhomiam]

Thank you, Robert. I suppose the only way to find out would be to experiment a bit. All is reversible and any change can be as lasting as only few moments, long enough to see the result. If it works out, perhaps it could become a permanent change; if not, revert back to how it now is, as you initially established it to be.

I don't want you to waste your time or to cause you more work. I can live with it as you set it up. I really know little about the mechanics involved in such matters. Either way, change does not necessarily equate to being beneficial.

[stillrobertpaulsen]

OK, the link to Current Events is at the top of the Announcements subforum here in General Discussion. Give it a click!

[JackRiddler]

OK, the link to Current Events is at the top of the Announcements subforum here in General Discussion. Give it a click!

I don't get it. It's the top thing on Board Index anyway. Shouldn't there be a sticky link to GD at the top of CE?

[Iamwhomiam]

Change you can believe in!

Hah! A link? Ok. Sorry to trouble you.

I had imagined current events leading GD as a sticky above all other topics discussed in GD. A link was not at all suggested and provides no remedy. I'll not bother you about this again.

[Burnt Hill]

I don't get it. It's the top thing on Board Index anyway. Shouldn't there be a sticky link to GD at the top of CE?

In order to facilitate going back and forth from CE to GD. Considering CE does not focus on any one genre it makes sense. It has the potential to stimulate further discussion with a plethora of data points. Allows for dot connecting. Saves precious time.

[Burnt Hill]

Current events and general discussion are intrinsically linked, but of course distinct.

Logistically we may not have figured it out, but if we are on board with the process we should be okay.
Better than okay really because it also solves the prior complaints of board clutter and Trump fatigue, and can also help us get GD back to a stronger RI focus.

[JackRiddler]

This is totally going to break down the long-form thread tradition in which breaking stories went into a subject-related thread, but okayfine.

[mentalgongfu2]

This is totally going to break down the long-form thread tradition in which breaking stories went into a subject-related thread, but okayfine.

You're not alone in this view. But the decision has been made, and clearly, the moderation team is not inclined to reverse course at this point. My hope is that after a period of evaluation, they may reconsider if your prediction turns out to be correct.

[Burnt Hill]

This is totally going to break down the long-form thread tradition in which breaking stories went into a subject-related thread, but okayfine.

I think a major breaking story, while still a current event, should probably be posted straight to GD.
That is what I would do, anyway. When you know it will garner attention, post to GD.
But yes I have been waiting to see how it will shake out too!

[Wombaticus Rex]

This is totally going to break down the long-form thread tradition in which breaking stories went into a subject-related thread, but okayfine.

It may yet lead to those huge goldmine threads being clearly labeled, though. I'm curious!

The CE subforum seems to have done *a lot* of good here.

[82_28]

Honestly guys and gals, I have no idea how this will pan out. I won't announce the other "new mod" until Jeff makes the changes necessary. First thing's first, I am a huge pushover who actually really longs to get along with every single entity on Earth. I have said all along since becoming a moderator that I have been here long enough to see those here can basically moderate themselves. I have also expressed that I will moderate as though I were bartending. That means, I will listen, contribute, "collaborate" but won't put up with bullshit. It never feels good to suspend someone for a week (which I have yet to do) or 86 someone from a bar for a week. But I look at it the same. If it causes more commotion than respectful dialogue then, I or our new mystery mod will have to step in.