Leo/Mods please stop locking threads.

[Truth Addict]

I agree with some what @FoxFoxFox said earlier in his 'locked by now' thread:

In my opinion:

1) Some threads are clearly trolling.

2) Some people could be facing serious emotional issues.

3) Some locked threads are just simple questions from beginners.

4) Some threads are clearly useless to most members.

In the case of trolling, yes, I think locking, warning, and banning are good to consider, because trolling causes more harm than good.

BUT, in all the other cases, I think it's better to give space for people to express themselves where they can, because they are going to be repressed otherwise. Repression is the reason why they came here in the first place, because their societies had kept repressing them for their ideas. I think we need to appreciate and respect that.

Now, Leo said that he wants to raise the quality of his forum. And I like the idea. But I have something to say though:

The other members of the forum (not the posters of threads) determine the quality of the threads with the quality of their responses.

The original posts themselves are mostly spontaneous and in many cases neutral in my opinion, which gives them the potential for creating growth and bringing positive results. Locking such threads is the online equivalent of laughing at students for their honest questions/opinions, which I don't see is helpful/healthy by any means.

I think harmless threads, no matter how naive and silly they may seem, shouldn't be locked.

Because if they're truly naive/silly/useless, then other members will see that and respond accordingly. And if other members don't see it, that's also fine, because that means that they're at the same level with the poster, and the discussion can help them all.

I think we need to be able to see through the posters and what they need to hear before we jump to conclusions, because after all, we are here to help and get help.

I hope this thread won't get locked up as well. It's not a questioning of anyone's level of consciousness, or ability to judge fairly. It's just a discussion for making this place a better place.

Edited June 18, 2019 by Truth Addict

[Leo Gura]

We lock very few threads. This forum will moderate low quality posts and posters.

You don't appreciate how bad this place would be without moderation.

This place is not 4chan, where you get to post any random nonsense. If you want that, go to 4chan. Experience what that is like.

[Truth Addict]

@Leo Gura

Could you please elaborate on the low quality thing? Because I think even the most developed of us can find value in anything they read.

I think if a thread doesn't contradict the guidelines of the forum, then it should be allowed.

[tedens]

@Truth Addict It's all just perpectives.

[Leo Gura]

32 minutes ago, Truth Addict said:

Could you please elaborate on the low quality thing?

It cannot be easily formalized. Low quality is a nebulous thing. When I see it, I will moderate it.

The Mods are mostly enforcing standard forum guidelines.

The purpose of locking low quality threads is reduce distraction. It's all too easy for people to come here and become keyboard jockeys, wasting their own time and those of the Mods, myself, and all of you guys. No serious spiritual school would allow such distractions. This forum needs to maintain a certain focus and quality level.

Otherwise I would rather just shut the whole thing down.

[Truth Addict]

@Leo Gura

Of course you know better than I do. I have no experience in moderating. I was just giving an opinion because I noticed more excessiveness lately.

Still, real-life school rules cannot be applied online mainly because here there is no fixed system that anyone is required to follow.

I really appreciate everything you do. I hope sometime in the future you will create a real-life society and a real-life spiritual school ?

Edited June 18, 2019 by Truth Addict

[Sempiternity]

25 minutes ago, Leo Gura said:

Otherwise I would rather just shut the whole thing down.

In other words, please quit fucking with the Forum or you'll loose it. I know it's human nature to keep pushing things till it gets destroyed. But I personally would like to see this forum prosper. By continually fighting against the way you think it *should* be run, you are making it worse. Do you want to see the forum shut down? Keep on pushing and it will eventually happen. 

*Speaking to everyone arguing about moderation. 

Edited June 18, 2019 by Jed Vassallo

[Truth Addict]

@Jed Vassallo

We're not "fighting". We're just contributing with our voices, just like you did.

[Leo Gura]

We have a few new Mods who came online recently and they are still learning the ropes. Being a Mod is not easy, it requires a light touch, and I am working with our new Mods to make sure they understand this.

Sometimes they may step over the line because there are no clear lines within reality. This is the nature of the game. But overall I think we'll be good.

Policing people is never easy because they take it so personally. No one ever wants to admit they are in the wrong because from their POV they never are. Relativity 101.

[Truth Addict]

 

8 minutes ago, Leo Gura said:

Policing people is never easy because they take it so personally. No one ever wants to admit they are in the wrong.

Yes, for the average person.

But some people can be mentally unstable. I think those can be an exception, and should be treated more gently. Some cases can be easy to spot and some can be hard to.

Edited June 18, 2019 by Truth Addict

[Leo Gura]

We cannot allow mentally unstable people to run loose on this forum.

The Mods are not therapists.

[Truth Addict]

@Leo Gura

More compassion does no harm.

Edited June 18, 2019 by Truth Addict

[Joseph Maynor]

When people are having awakenings they tend to go a little crazy though.  You don't wanna treat people like assholes when they're going through awakenings.

Edited June 18, 2019 by Joseph Maynor

[DrewNows]

You can’t know what someone is actually experiencing, the mods are humans like us and they do their best like Leo.

We also can’t know what’s going through their heads either ?

The real question is why do you feel overly concerned? Maybe you haven’t taken into account, enough perspectives, or maybe hold bias 

[Bill W]

I agree with how many threads get locked. They get locked because the Mods or Leo think they need to be locked.

I think Mods should carry on as they are. If less threads now get locked it will be a shame, as I think they have the balance right.

I just hope they don't lock less threads because of threads like this. 

 

[Sempiternity]

11 minutes ago, Bill W said:

I think Mods should carry on as they are. If less threads now get locked it will be a shame, as I think they have the balance right.

I just hope they don't lock less threads because of threads like this. 

 

I highly agree. 

[Bill W]

6 minutes ago, Jed Vassallo said:

I highly agree. 

Yeh and I was thinking, if members get threads locked and they need support they can use PM facility surely to strike up some conversation? Admittedly that leaves them with less input but it's better than nothing. 

Also, members can start another thread that meets expectations as the Mod or Leo usually give a reason for locking a thread. 

[DrewNows]

I remember the first thread I posted and it got locked immediately, and I was given 3 points of ⚠️ 

I was baffled at the time but let it go relatively easily. The thread was for discussion on the topic of a YouTube video about male genital mutilation or circumcision 

the mod saw it to be pornographic material ?

[Bill W]

@DrewNows  That's devilry 

[Truth Addict]

3 hours ago, Joseph Maynor said:

When people are having awakenings they tend to go a little crazy though.  You don't wanna treat people like assholes when they're going through awakenings.

I agree. People need special care during awakenings. Emotions tend to get really unstable when huge paradigm shifts occur.

2 hours ago, DrewNows said:

You can’t know what someone is actually experiencing, the mods are humans like us and they do their best like Leo.

We also can’t know what’s going through their heads either ?

We don't need a absolute certainty here. In my opinion, assumptions can be enough. I personally can assume with a success rate of 70-80% the place someone is coming from and respond accordingly. Some cases are pretty much obvious.

2 hours ago, DrewNows said:

The real question is why do you feel overly concerned?

Because I care for other people. Imagine someone with suicidal thoughts getting rejected and repressed even here.

2 hours ago, Bill W said:

Yeh and I was thinking, if members get threads locked and they need support they can use PM facility surely to strike up some conversation? Admittedly that leaves them with less input but it's better than nothing. 

Also, members can start another thread that meets expectations as the Mod or Leo usually give a reason for locking a thread. 

These are some great suggestions. I second them. Thank you.

Edited June 18, 2019 by Truth Addict