Positive/Negative influences derived from this forum

Zeb Jackson · Post by **Zeb Jackson** » 12 Mar 2008 13:56

Okay, so many people think that modified is going down the crap hole (which it's not). People who keep saying it is are bogging the forum down.

Positive:
- this forum has many things going for it, it has advice from some of the worlds best, it has a trick tips section, it has a competition in it, (something that should be welcoming new users in the forum, and making it feel as though they are welcomed, and won't have to worry about seeing random sexist/racist/perverted/immature things)

- it has a lot of good members, and a good portion of the people who play footbag also use/read this forum.

Negative:

- what if younger members were to join, and then see topics like "ZOMG I LIKE SECKS LOL" you think that they will think this is an appropriate forum to post on, do you think that there parents will agree with what they're looking at? Do you think that, that will have a negative influence?

- people posting random derragatory posts, is'nt helping the forum

what do you guys think?

do you think the mods arent doing enough?
do you think there needs to be some (atleast) basic guidlines for using this forum?
should there be some sort of punishment system put in place for people who keep posting these?
do we need MORE mods?
do we need less mods?
do the mods need to be more unbiased?

this forum was basically the reason i got/stayed in footbag, and seeing it go in the direction its going, makes me want to post on it less, same goes for a lot of other members im sure. I think we can bring this forum back to the helpful/fun community it once was (not that im saying its not fun now.)

anyway post your opinion here.

Zeb Jackson · Post by **Zeb Jackson** » 12 Mar 2008 13:59

a second look at this thread, and this topic is really redundant >.<
i should've just not posted at all

shredzilla · Post by **shredzilla** » 12 Mar 2008 20:55

Eh, I don't think it's too redundant. Those are pertinent questions. The reason why surveys are done is to find out what people think. If everyone filled out a survey with the questions you mentioned, even users who may not even care about these discussions, then we'd at least have an IDEA of where to go.

As it is, we're constantly swimming in a pool of unorganized thoughts and discussions that often lead to a softening of moderation rather than a simple set of regs, complimented by common sense moderation. I honestly felt that the moderation team before this one showed very poor judgment in a majority of cases.

mc · Post by mc » 12 Mar 2008 21:13

I love that all the bullshit going on right now is stemming frank discussions about our values and needs as online footbag community members.

Zeb asked:
"what if younger members were to join, and then see topics like "ZOMG I LIKE SECKS LOL" you think that they will think this is an appropriate forum to post on, do you think that there parents will agree (**did you mean "approve"? I'm going to assume you did.**) with what they're looking at? Do you think that, that will have a negative influence?"

As younger members go, no, I don't think that's appropriate for them, and their parents should monitor what is influencing them on the internet. I shouldn't have to babysit myself because of an imaginary person that may or may not be reading the forum.

Well, on second thought, this person is not so imaginary... it's pretty guaranteed that younger people will read this forum and things will come up that are not appropriate for their age.

However, as I said, it's a parent's job to parent, and it's my job as an offensive, good for nothing youth to be offensive and good for nothing. I think the "questionable" stuff that goes on on modified is very indicative of the kind of questionable stuff that's discussed and done at footbag tournaments.

A footbag tournament and the events there surrounding are not the place for unsupervised people who need supervision (ie: young teens who need positive guidance, not bad influences like me), just like a casino or a strip club. it should just be assumed that things go on there that are not appropriate for young unsupervised kids, and as such, that kind of person exists here at his or her own risk.

The same goes for a footbag forum, IM(not-so)HO (what would my opinion be if it was humble? <[rhetorical] I'd have nothing!).

Zeb-
"do you think the mods aren't doing enough?"
Yes, although I think they're doing ALMOST enough. I was psyched when Colin put his foot down about a thread that was obviously a degrading flame war. I'd like to see the mods have more implied power to use their better judgement to give slightly harsher punishments. IE: I wish week-long bannings were SLIGHTLY more frequently used.

I'm glad there's no action being taken against the oral sex thread. It has not as of this point degraded into a flame war, and doesn't seem to be moving in that direction. Some people are protesting, others are for it, and even fewer than either of those are participating in the discussion

So, I think adult topics should be discussable as long as they don't spiral into obnoxious insult throwing that. I think that policy is good for ANY topic, just not controversial ones.

Zeb-
"do you think there needs to be some (atleast) basic guidlines for using this forum? "

yeah, basic ones... but not many. I like the rules currently in place, they just need to be enforced more aggressively.

Zeb-
"should there be some sort of punishment system put in place for people who keep posting these?"

no, the mods should use their best judgement, and give small punishments and warnings for small offenses, big punishments for big offenses, and increasing punishments for an increasing number of offenses.

"do we need MORE mods?
do we need less mods?
do the mods need to be more unbiased?"

no no no

The mods need to use their judgement. that's why we've got mods. They are chosen by the more mature and responsible members of the forum, or at least who the previous adminsters felt were mature and responsible enough to take care of business, and we have to trust that they're not idiots or vindictive pricks (as if it's hard to tell that).

For the record:

I don't want to have excessive offensive stuff on modified (in regards to the environment and how good it is for younger players), but at the same time, I don't want to have to stifle my humor or my discussions because I'm suddenly expected to maintain a demeanor that's associated with a well-behaved high schooler.

Zeb Jackson · Post by **Zeb Jackson** » 12 Mar 2008 21:20

I see where your coming from Matt, thanks for the time you took to post that.

shredzilla · Post by **shredzilla** » 12 Mar 2008 21:24

Matt Cross wrote:that's why we've got mods. They are chosen by the more mature and responsible members of the forum

LOL!

mc · Post by mc » 12 Mar 2008 21:33

I knew you'd like that line, that's why I followed it up with a qualifier.

In my opinion, they're more mature and responsible than the average user, and certainly out to help, and not volunteering their time to make this a less pleasant place to be.

I agree with what you said about rules and mods' judgement being used in conjunction, but, as you know, we disagree on the sex issue for reasons I posted in your thread.

Jeez zeb, I wish you'd just asked these questions in chris's thread.

Now I have to read like 4 threads to keep up with who pulled what bullshit, who thinks what about said bullshit, what the mods are going to do about the bullshit, and what everyone thinks the mods should do about it.

mc · Post by mc » 12 Mar 2008 21:34

ps: modified HAS clear cut rules and guidelines, period. the mods don't enforce them enough, in my opinion. and also, in my opinion, we don't need more rules.

Zeb Jackson · Post by **Zeb Jackson** » 12 Mar 2008 21:36

haha I agree Matt, thats why i said i shouldnt have posted this earlier in the thread, actually it was like 5 minutes after i posted the original.

Mods feel free to either merge this topic with a diffrent one, or lock/delete it.

Guest_1 · Post by **Guest_1** » 12 Mar 2008 22:53

I personally hate rules, but some people just can't seem to find their good judgement...

Switch Kicker · Post by **Switch Kicker** » 14 Mar 2008 21:47

MarvlMan wrote:I personally hate rules, but some people just can't seem to find their good judgement...

Good judgement is made up of many shades of gray.

Switch Kicker · Post by **Switch Kicker** » 14 Mar 2008 21:52

*sigh* They really need to put an "edit" option in the "Discussion" forum...

Zeb Jackson wrote:- what if younger members were to join, and then see topics like "ZOMG I LIKE SECKS LOL" you think that they will think this is an appropriate forum to post on, do you think that there parents will agree with what they're looking at? Do you think that, that will have a negative influence?

There first needs to be a topic such as the one you mentioned above. I've yet to see such a topic on Modified in the few years I've been here.

Can I have an example?

Zeb Jackson · Post by **Zeb Jackson** » 14 Mar 2008 22:05

"ZOMG MODIFIED FACISM"

like i was talking about random immaturities not really meaning to point directly the the oral thread. Just in threads in general of people being mindless.

Switch Kicker · Post by **Switch Kicker** » 14 Mar 2008 22:27

Zeb Jackson wrote:"ZOMG MODIFIED FACISM"

like i was talking about random immaturities not really meaning to point directly the the oral thread. Just in threads in general of people being mindless.

Agreed to an extent. Might explain that extent tomorrow, as I can barely comprehend the text on the screen atm... I'm exhausted. Damn you 60 hours a week... damn you to hell...

G'night.

Blue_turnip · Post by **Blue_turnip** » 15 Mar 2008 00:24

Matt Cross wrote: However, as I said, it's a parent's job to parent, and it's my job as an offensive, good for nothing youth to be offensive and good for nothing.

Legendary sentence!

calemccoy · Post by **calemccoy** » 16 Mar 2008 22:43

Matt Cross wrote: A footbag tournament and the events there surrounding are not the place for unsupervised people who need supervision (ie: young teens who need positive guidance, not bad influences like me), just like a casino or a strip club. it should just be assumed that things go on there that are not appropriate for young unsupervised kids, and as such, that kind of person exists here at his or her own risk.

.

then i guess i dont belong at footbag tournaments matt... i think its pathetic that a footbag tournament should be compared to a strip club... why should it be assumed that bad things happen at footbag tournaments? for a young, realtively innocent person like myself who goes to tournaments to enjoy footbag, and not participate in inappropriate/illegal behavior, hearing something like that form someone i look up to is disapointing.

i honestly think there should be a sub-area of the forum, as mentioned in other forums under the name "PlayPen" or "Jailhouse", etc. this part WOULD be anything goes, as is basically the entire modified community right now. this area could be viewed by anyone, as an OPTION with initial profile setup. basically, you could choose to go there, but it would be blocked until you decided to view there. this way, visitors like the so called "innocent 14 year olds", or innocent passersby would not even have the opportunity to view said inappropriate/controversial topics until they knew the inner workings of the site or made a profile, preventing any first timers seeing threads like "oral vs. penetration". and, all the nasty people who wish to post such things can, and wont have to worry about censoring for people they dont know. the default-visisble area could comprise only of the main topics in the top section of the website.(ex. getting started, shred symposium,general, online comps, videos,trick tips, B & E, H & I, journies n tournies, footblogs, challenges, for sale, and foursquare) basically, that little box that is seperate from footbag at the bottom of the homepage, IE "NOT FOOTBAG" topics, like discussion, arts and leisure, kicking circle would be invisible until chosen otherwise, although i think homework help could be added to the "general public-ly appropriate) what do you all think? i think that would literally make EVERYONE happy.

LEGOMAN · Post by **LEGOMAN** » 17 Mar 2008 09:29

Zeb Jackson wrote:"ZOMG MODIFIED FACISM"

like i was talking about random immaturities not really meaning to point directly the the oral thread. Just in threads in general of people being mindless.

it was "OMG MODIFIED FACISM"

matt had a good talk with me about how i was acting on the forum. so im not going to be a huge douche bag that makes stupid topics and posts.

i would post like that again if there was a place for it though. just a stupid subsection on nonsence that isnt modded and has to be check in your profile to be accessed. (not the playpen, just a sub forum with a really stupid name and can be filled with the bullshit i make alot)

mc · Post by mc » 17 Mar 2008 10:18

calemccoy wrote:then i guess i dont belong at footbag tournaments matt... i think its pathetic that a footbag tournament should be compared to a strip club... why should it be assumed that bad things happen at footbag tournaments? for a young, realtively innocent person like myself who goes to tournaments to enjoy footbag, and not participate in inappropriate/illegal behavior, hearing something like that form someone i look up to is disapointing.

Hey cale,

just because it's pathetic and disappointing to you doesn't mean there's no truth to it.

it's not "assumed that bad things happen at footbag tournaments". I'm telling you FOR A FACT that there's all sorts of stuff that happens at footbag tournaments that are not appropriate for a young kid to participate in. There's no assumption about it.

now, cale, you're not the average younger footbagger. you have strong morals and personal guidelines. You're not just a crowd-follower, and I think you're better off at footbag tournaments than the average younger footbagger.

I think it's better to be realistic (and therefor prepared for reality) and disappointed, than it is to be unrealistic (and not prepared for reality) and blindly happy or satisfied with the situation, don't you?

Also, as Jorden says, Be the change you want to see in your sport. Abstain from the things at tournaments that conflict with your morals, and make sure that other players with the same feelings and morals as you know that they can count on you to be strong and abstain with them.

also, I'm only comparing a footbag tournament to a strip club in the sense that it's a place where it would be unreasonable to expect people to be acting in a way that is suitable for the presence of younger people like kids and younger teens. just because I compared the two doesn't mean there's not LOTS of differences

especially in regards to the amount of women.

just some thoughts.

mc · Post by mc » 17 Mar 2008 10:19

ps: thanks for that honest and thoughtful response, cale.

calemccoy · Post by **calemccoy** » 17 Mar 2008 14:23

you too matt. i suppose you are right. i am somewhat of an idealist.. i jhust wish that there wasnt things like that going on at tournes... but i suppose i cant really stop it, so ill just choose not too and like you said, confide in others who dont either.

your always so gracious with people in your responses matt, even when its somewhat lashing like my prior statement. i think thats why i respect and appreciate you, despite what you do or dont do at tourneys. thanks for keepin' the peace.