Why it's important to opt in to the politics and current affairs forum

[Deleted member 1258]

I'm not interested in political discussion or in politics in general.

 

[Mugshot]

They haven't got the foggiest on how, or slightest inclination, to debate.

It's a congregation of elderly bigots yelling at each other.

Maybe it needs more young master debaters like yourself in there then.

 

[nickyboy]

We've had this discussion before but perhaps it's worthwhile reiterating my position

I had a dabble in SC&P in the past. I'm not inclined to "opt in" for the following reasons

1) I didn't see any evidence of people willing to listen to points of view that differed from their own and maybe change their opinions on something. There is little point in discussion otherwise

2) I come to CC to enjoy myself. Unfortunately I was subjected to personal insults in SC&P and I don't need that

So whilst there are some topics in SC&P that I know a fair bit about, the fact that people choose to chuck around personal insults and that there was, in my opinion, no evidence of protagonists being willing to consider views that they didn't hold has meant that "I'm out"

 

[winjim]

I believe that the function of the politics forum is to keep all the nastiness and petty insults in one place where it can be kind of controlled and prevented from spilling out into the rest of the forum. Same with the H debate. Keep it all in one place, the rest of the forum remains nice and pleasant and we can all carry on happily talking bollocks about bikes.

 

[mjr]

I had a dabble in SC&P in the past. I'm not inclined to "opt in" for the following reasons

1) I didn't see any evidence of people willing to listen to points of view that differed from their own and maybe change their opinions on something. There is little point in discussion otherwise

2) I come to CC to enjoy myself. Unfortunately I was subjected to personal insults in SC&P and I don't need that

1) I'm not sure what evidence you're expecting to see. Even don't-knows start with some idea of what they think they might think (if you see what I mean). Spotting the occasional mild "my gosh, that's right and I'm probably wrong" does sneak under the radar a bit.

2) Yeah, that's junk. I hope the tighter moderation of P&CA compared to SC&P will reduce that. If you see any, hit the Report, the same as elsewhere on the forum. FWIW, I see far more personal insults on the rest of CC than in there, but I guess that's to be expected now most members are not in P&CA.

 

[User482]

I believe that the function of the politics forum is to keep all the nastiness and petty insults in one place where it can be kind of controlled and prevented from spilling out into the rest of the forum. Same with the H debate. Keep it all in one place, the rest of the forum remains nice and pleasant and we can all carry on happily talking bollocks about bikes.

The café is full of politics: the difference is that people like to pretend it isn't.

 

[S-Express]

I disagree - you need to respect the person, not their views... Views, beliefs and opinions are there to be challenged.

Just to clarify, the respect is owed for their right to express a view - nothing more. It's difficult to respect a person whose views you may find utterly reprehensible.

Otherwise, we'd have to respect Wilders, Bannon or Trump as people. Which would be absurd.

 

[nickyboy]

1) I'm not sure what evidence you're expecting to see. Even don't-knows start with some idea of what they think they might think (if you see what I mean). Spotting the occasional mild "my gosh, that's right and I'm probably wrong" does sneak under the radar a bit.

2) Yeah, that's junk. I hope the tighter moderation of P&CA compared to SC&P will reduce that. If you see any, hit the Report, the same as elsewhere on the forum. FWIW, I see far more personal insults on the rest of CC than in there, but I guess that's to be expected now most members are not in P&CA.

My meaning is that, by now, I know the positions that regular SC&P posters will adopt on pretty much every issue. Then I see the debate. After zillions of posts and the dust has settled I never got the feeling that anyone had changed their opinion at all.

I'm happy to discuss stuff that I know something about. But I go into it with an open mind willing to be persuaded that maybe I should change my opinion on something (there is actually an important cycling safety issue that I have changed my opinion on as a result of listening to what @User had to say on the subject). I don't see it in SC&P so it feels like a bit of a waste of my time TBH

 

[SteveF]

Would I want to have a beer with them?

It's one of the things that has put me off of SC&P, seeing some of the bullying and mobbing of posters in there has made me question whether I do want to socialise with people who undertake that behaviour. I've been on a few of the Fridays rides and enjoyed them but have now caught myself looking at some of the role calls for those and other rides and thinking... maybe the next one

 

[Inertia]

It's one of the things that has put me off of SC&P, seeing some of the bullying and mobbing of posters in there has made me question whether I do want to socialise with people who undertake that behaviour. I've been on a few of the Fridays rides and enjoyed them but have now caught myself looking at some of the role calls for those and other rides and thinking... maybe the next one

Thats a shame, Im betting most of those people on both sides of the debate are able to respect others even if they disagree on some things.

 

[Dec66]

I shan't be opting in for the following reasons;

(1) I am too old to be squabbling with with people about principles which I hold dear, and

(2) the headlong march back to the 1930's which we appear to have embarked upon depresses me.

I think I'd rather bicker about the number of teeth required on your biggest sprocket.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Why is 'opting in' even necessary?

You can opt-in any time you like, but you can never leave....

 

[Jody]

I'm happy to discuss stuff that I know something about. But I go into it with an open mind willing to be persuaded that maybe I should change my opinion on something (there is actually an important cycling safety issue that I have changed my opinion on as a result of listening to what @User had to say on the subject). I don't see it in SC&P so it feels like a bit of a waste of my time TBH

That's why I just lurk around in their reading instead of posting and getting wound up by the arguments. I know if my postion on a given subject is politcally left or right but am willing to listen to opposite views and have changed my postion.

 

[User482]

You can opt-in any time you like, but you can never leave....

 

[User482]

[QUOTE 4705916, member: 9609"]It is such a shame that the politics forum is ruined by a handful of contributors who's goal seems to be to attack bully and belittle others, the result being that anyone who does not conform is soon bullied out, which in itself devalues the entire point of its existence.

It can be such an interesting place as there are many contributors who make great points and have given me cause to rethink some of my long held points of view, and I have been most impressed with the skill and deeper thinking that they can bring to the table, some very clever people far cleverer than I will ever be.

But what really disappoints me most with the place, it is not the nasty bit of work who will dissect one of my posts, snip out something that I may not have worded to well, taken it all out of context and given me dogs abuse - it is then noticing the ones who I have a lot of respect for 'liking' that attack.[/QUOTE]

Alternatively...

It's such a shame that the politics forum is ruined by a handful of contributors whose goal seems to be to make unsubstantiated assertions, then cry "foul" as soon as those assertions are challenged, the result being that anyone who is politically conscious is now consigned to a ghetto.

(Though I'm in full agreement that abuse should not be tolerated)