As I stated above, Adam Dunn is a touchy subject because we've sat and watched the very mention of his name elicit nastiness from both camps. Rarely did it promote intelligent, civil discussion - more often than not, it was 'I'm right you're wrong'. Now that he's no longer truly relevant to the team this site exists to discuss, I do not see a continued need to rehash these arguments in otherwise unrelated threads.
You could total all the threads in this site's history that discussed Austin Kearns, Dmitri Young and Josh Hamilton and it wouldn't scratch the surface on the number of the same Adam Dunn debates we've already had that soon turned nasty. This is not an issue because he's an ex-Red - it's an issue because the topic has been sufficiently beaten to death and it's in the best interests of the site to move on now that he no longer plays for the Reds.Originally Posted by savafan
Compare this site to any other of its size and I can pretty much guarantee you we have equal or lesser moderation - relatively speaking. That being said, if you want to go somewhere where you can say whatever it is you want to say, regardless of the rules of the site, this is not the place for you.Originally Posted by savafan
What is there to discuss that hasn't already been said since he became a Red in 2001? Since this site's inception, the very topic has easily been the most divisive subject because people feel so passionately (in a positive or negative way) about his game that it often leads towards not being respectful of others that don't share the same opinions. I distinctly got the impression that some people came here more to argue with others that they don't agree with more so than they do to civilly discuss the game of baseball and those days are over.Originally Posted by savafan
Because these people have voluntarily agreed to offer their free time to help enforce the rules of the board and keep the site running? That seems like a pretty good reason to me.Originally Posted by savafan
That's not why this is an issue. Look, if you want to go somewhere to discuss political or religious threads or to say whatever's on your mind without any repercussions, we have a link to such a site in the forum listing. But this site was not founded upon those ideals - it was, however, founded upon being respectful to others, and this topic has caused far more problems than it's solved. I do not see the value in continuing to allow that to happen now that the topic is no longer relevant to the Reds.Originally Posted by savafan
See my responses above. Unfortunately, sites with 2,300 active members need some form of moderation or you have a different problem altogether.Originally Posted by savafan
If the past Adam Dunn discussions were examples of what you quoted, we'd have no problem allowing them. Unfortunately, that's not been the case.Originally Posted by savafan
I agree 100%.
The new censorship policy really cheapens the website. How is anyone supposed to take a Reds fansite seriously if you can't discuss the team's best player of the last decade?
If there is a problem with people being rude and nasty then those people should be censored -- not the entire topic.
I think the draconian policy has really stifled conversation on the ORG. Interesting threads have been few and far between for a long time now.
We went through the same thing with SABR vs. traditional stats, The Trade, steroids, etc., yet we never put the kibosh on those discussions.
You're talking about Reds fans here, these people don't know how to move on. We're still living in 1975-1976 and 1990, with passionate adoration for Pete Rose.Originally Posted by Boss-Hog
We have one more moderator and many more locked threads than nyyfans.com, and they have 18,000 more members than us...and a political discussion forum.Originally Posted by Boss-Hog
Then wouldn't the act of the moderators be to deal with those specific posters that get out of hand? Locking everything before, and in case, it goes down a nasty road isn't moderation, it's censorship of people's ideas and passions, and passion is something that's been sorely lacking around this team for far too long. It's akin to forbidding a man to have a steak just because a baby can't chew it.Originally Posted by Boss-Hog
I know moderating and administrating an internet message board is a thankless task, but the rest of us also give of our free time to make the board what it is with the discussion we provide. I understand that this is Boss and GIK's board, but if no one came to it to post, it would still be Boss and GIK's board. We are a community, respectful of one another, free to debate one another, and if that gets out of control then we take care of it from there. Look, I know I'm just one poster, but 7 years and 14,000+ posts, presenting the name of the Old Red Guard forum, sharing my thoughts on baseball and a variety of other subjects with people who've shared with me as well...I feel that I also have an investment of my time and loyalty here, which is why I feel so passionate.Originally Posted by Boss-Hog
I'm not trying to cause problems, or attack any one person or body of people by bringing this subject up, I'm just sharing how I feel...and I know I'm not the only one. I'm trying to present the argument without being argumentative. This sub-forum is for feedback, and that's what I'm providing. I'm not going to let my feelings about this carry over into the other areas of the board.
My dad got to enjoy 3 Reds World Championships by the time he was my age. So far, I've only gotten to enjoy one. Step it up Redlegs!
I agree that the individuals responsible should be held accountable for beating dead horses. Unfortunately, that requires more moderation, but on the bright side, I think the current moderators could handle it. When it comes to Adam Dunn, for example, I think we should be allowed to discuss him as long as it's objective.
Yeah, savafan, I just think you should know that I am tremendously thankful for how you have responded in this thread. I think I can speak for several others who believe you represented our beliefs in an intelligent and respectful manner and what you have said is exactly how I feel. Well done!
AtomicDumpling's HR thread for Dunn for one. Each new HR for Dunn was new, unchartered territory and he (Dumpling) provided us with a background and perspective for just what Dunn was accomplishing. Cheated is the wrong word, but I feel I've been deprived of a certain appreciation for what an (now) ex-Red has done in his career.
IMO, closing it was a mistake, and it should be reopened as of Opening Day. Will it cause a little more moderation? Maybe. Check that - probably. But that's what they signed up for. While I appreciate all that the mods and the admins do for this site, I honestly don't feel bad to ask them to make sure one of the best threads the ORG had going can stay alive. Basically all it asks is for Atomic Dumpling to keep doing a freakin phenomenal job, keeping the rest of us well informed of the history - and the present effect - of the game.
Last edited by Screwball; 03-26-2009 at 07:20 AM.
I'd like to thank everyone who has made a respectful post regarding this issue. We'll let you all know as soon as possible.
Since some are seemingly so oblivious to what was wrong, I'll hold up this thread as an example:
http://www.redszone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74136
It took all of three posts for one side of the Dunn/SABR discussion to begin baiting the other side and taking shots. The six posts that followed were nothing of substance, just more of the same jabs. Is this what we're so anxious to get back to?
Although I can't speak to the original poster's intent in that thread, it was apparent that the comments that followed served no other purpose than to promote an agenda.
Well, that is a violation of rule #5 and those posters should should have been dealt with accordingly. All you need to do is set a precedent for how these things get handled and people will shape up. If they understand that there are consequences then I highly doubt the activity will continue...
Thanks for your supportive comments Screwball. I appreciate it. I was extremely discouraged when the thread was locked.
I have received many encouraging PMs and posts over the past two years about the home run tracker threads. Those messages really inspired me to continue putting in the hundreds of hours of research and writing that went into that project. There were several other posters (especially Big Klu) that made valuable contributions to the thread as well. One of the things I was most proud of about that thread was that it never devolved into a debate.
If anybody has never viewed the thread you can see it here:
http://www.redszone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=68235
Unfortunately many of the photos have expired. It gets better as it goes along.
A couple people have suggested I continue the Dunn Home Run Tracker project on a blog since it is no longer welcome on Redszone. I thought that was a great idea and I am strongly leaning towards doing it. The blog would also make a nice home for some other projects I am considering.
Last edited by AtomicDumpling; 03-26-2009 at 05:43 PM.
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