• Amity
    5k
    Re:
    https://thephilosophyforum.com/discussion/13340/how-to-cut-opinions-without-tears

    Ah, I wondered when it would get moved to the Lounge and by which mod...
    It's been 3 days since the conversation started.

    Any specific trigger?

    Please tell!
  • T Clark
    13.7k


    Whatever the reasons are, it has always bothered me that the OP would not be notified of the change and an explanation provided. I have been told in the past that there is no forum policy and it is left to the moderator making the change to decide whether to notify.
  • Amity
    5k
    Whatever the reasons are, it has always bothered me that the OP would not be notified of the change and an explanation provided. I have been told in the past that there is no forum policy and it is left to the moderator making the change to decide whether to notify.T Clark

    Thanks for your quick response; I'm grateful for the support.
    There are certainly areas which could be improved upon re the judgement calls of some mods.
    I agree it would be better to have a firm policy.

    I look forward to the mod's response as to the trigger...
  • universeness
    6.3k

    Welcome to the 'thread moved to the lounge category, with no notification,' club. I am also a member.
  • Michael
    15.4k
    I moved it because it didn’t seem to be philosophy. Not sure what it is.
  • T Clark
    13.7k
    For what it's worth, I have successfully lobbied in the past to have a thread moved back into the front page. That's another reason I think it makes sense to talk things over with the OP before that type of action is taken.
  • universeness
    6.3k
    I have been told in the past that there is no forum policy and it is left to the moderator making the change to decide whether to notify.T Clark

    I moved it because it didn’t seem to be philosophy. Not sure what it is.Michael

    Is this a shard of light peeking through to indicate that in the future, as a courtesy, a member will be informed if their post gets moved to the lounge and the reason given? Or is this just you being independently courteous
  • Michael
    15.4k
    It was suggested when the forum first started that we notify users each time a discussion or comment is moderated but we decided against that. More comments get moderated than most people are aware of so it would be a lot of extra work.

    But if you ask us either by PM or the feedback section we answer.
  • universeness
    6.3k
    It was suggested when the forum first started that we notify users each time a discussion or comment is moderatedMichael

    Well, I was not suggesting that as I can see how that would be a lot of work but how often do threads get moved to the lounge? Surely the member could be informed and told why then or even better could be told beforehand by PM and a quick exchange could occur. If there was impasse then surely an administrator could be the final arbiter. Would this honestly add too much burden on individual moderator workload?
  • Michael
    15.4k
    I'll put it to the team.
  • Amity
    5k
    For what it's worth, I have successfully lobbied in the past to have a thread moved back into the front page. That's another reason I think it makes sense to talk things over with the OP before that type of action is taken.T Clark

    Yes. I noticed that.
    However, when I first started the thread, I wondered whether it would meet the standard.
    I did consider entering it into the Lounge, such was my lack of confidence.
    But then...I thought to be brave. Wow.

    Let's look at the description of the Lounge as a category:

    1. 'Hang out. Have a blether. Talk about kittens.'

    Now:
    2. 'General Discussion':
    'It's philosophy but doesn't fit any of the specialisms'

    1. I thought my exploration deserved more attention.
    2. It depends on what you mean by 'philosophy'.

    I moved it because it didn’t seem to be philosophy. Not sure what it is.Michael

    From my point of view, amongst other things, philosophy is a way of thinking about certain subjects, like meaning and value.
    In this particular case, it was 'Opinion' and how it is expressed or 'cut'.
    I admit I didn't follow all the rules about writing an OP.
    The title a bit...er...creative...

    Do we always know, or need to know or show, where we are going at the start of a thinking process?
    It was a tentative exploration and a reflection.
    Mine and others' ideas about Opinion and how we value or show contempt for others.
    Does that help you understand better 'what it is'?

    As for threads on the Front Page which aren't philosophical.
    Will skip past the Shoutbox.

    Let's look at another, started by admin:
    https://thephilosophyforum.com/discussion/22/currently-reading

    Hmmm.
    Hang out. Have a blether. Talk about kittens books.
    Isn't that Lounge material?

    I think it would be an idea not to use The Lounge as a multi-purpose bin.

    If threads aren't considered 'philosophical' by some standard (whose?) then, if there has been the slightest effort made, over 3 days with several useful comments, can we not think of a better placement?

    I think my thread, despite my initial lack of confidence, deserves to be in 'General Discussion'.
    I hope I've said enough to convince but hey...what will be :cool:
  • Agent Smith
    9.5k
    I trust the mods, they know what they're doin'.
  • Baden
    16.3k


    The lounge definitely shouldn't be looked at as a "bin". Poor OPs just get deleted. The lounge is aimed at more lighthearted social discussions, which may have something philosophical in them but at least have a very casual or fun tone. I think your discussion fits well in that category. It is admittedly a disadvantage of the way the front page is set up that less serious or non-philosophical topics either tend to get too much space on what is supposed to be a predominantly philosophical discussion site or they get backgrounded altogether. I've had to mess around a lot with moving and rearranging things for the Short Story competition so that the stories neither dominated nor were forgotten about. And we've pinned the Shoutbox so we keep alive the social element. That's the compromise we've settled on, which isn't perfect, but about the best we can do for now.
  • Amity
    5k

    Thank you for that welcome feedback.
  • Amity
    5k
    @Michael
    Thank you too for further feedback, following PM conversation.

    I have edited the OP as follows:
    [ Edit: this OP might be re-written at some future point, given that it is not obviously philosophical and contains metaphors - the reason the thread was moved to The Lounge ]


    Also, removed the YouTube videos.

    I am grateful for all the positive, philosophical and constructive comments in the thread.
    You went with the creative, conversational flow :up:
    It's my fault that they are stuck in the Lounge.
    Unless I can re-write the OP to suit TPF requirements.

    Not sure how to do that as yet...or even if it is worth it.

    Now, moving on.
  • Ciceronianus
    3k
    Any specific trigger?Amity

    If it has nothing to do with Heidegger, or phenomenology, or antinatalism, or God, it's presumed not to be philosophy in this place. It's your burden to overcome the presumption.

    Forgot Nietzsche, dammit.
  • Amity
    5k
    I am grateful for all the positive, philosophical and constructive comments in the thread.
    You went with the creative, conversational flow :up:
    It's my fault that they are stuck in the Lounge.
    Unless I can re-write the OP to suit TPF requirements.

    Not sure how to do that as yet...or even if it is worth it.
    Amity

    @Baden and @Michael
    I have attempted an Edit of the OP which involved moving things around a bit.
    Had to delete some posts so hope the thread now makes sense.
    The philosophical content improved?

    Grateful for further feedback, thanks.
  • Baden
    16.3k


    I think it's vastly improved in terms of philosophical content. I'll leave the rest to @Michael. But well done!
  • Amity
    5k
    I think it's vastly improved in terms of philosophical content. I'll leave the rest to Michael. But well done!Baden

    Thank you.
    I appreciate the positive feedback...
  • Amity
    5k
    ... and the movement of 'Opinion' back to General Discussion.
    Thanks, Michael :up:
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