New Rules (as of 2/3/2017) PLEASE READ.

[Beet]

Hey guys, I've noticed that the quality of discussion has gone down since several years ago. There is a lot more 'this is my opinion', empty quoting, and snark, and a less actual engagement and debate. So I'm throwing out the idea of being more strict in moderation:

- All posts must present a question, an argument, or be a part of one.
- All posts must be a genuine attempt to present a new insight or idea interesting to others.
- Any other posts will be deleted if you report them or if I see them
- The policy will only be in place when I'm around to enforce it, which means it could last anywhere from days (if I get bored fast) to years

What are people's thoughts on this proposal?

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All right, I have read and considered all the comments. The poll has been going on for four (4) days and YES is winning 13-7.

Therefore, the rule has been imposed:

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[dead0man]

yes

[(Still) muted by Kalwejt until March 31]

No. Will reduce quantity of debate.

[Mr. Reactionary]

No. (Not a nazi fascist racist islamophobe).

[Frodo]

yes

[Enduro]

Bad idea, please don't.

[Blue3]

No. Posts being deleted is already rather too strict, and I still think locked or edited should be used over deleted which should hardly ever be used. Don't become a Nazi. Free flow of information is best.

Also, if you want to stop empty-quotes, then you should upgrade these boards at last and allow Likes. If you can't quote, can't say "I agree" because it's not insightful enough, and can't "like" then how are people supposed to voice their agreement with someone else? Copy/paste it without quoting them?

This subforum is already rather dead compared to Individual Politics or US General Discussion.

[Goldwater]

yes

Wouldn't your post be deleted under those standards?

[Leinad]

No, although we should probably do something to differentiate this from Individual Politics, or consider merging them.

[dead0man]

guys, he's not asking for a lot here.  Basically, "have a point and don't post sh**t just for the yuk yuks" right?  He didn't say you can't post sh**t for the yuk yuks elsewhere, he didn't say you can't quote people (pretty sure Beet doesn't have the power to change how the software works).  Just asking to not start threads that are just for the joke.  Like "where have you been in North Korea?", sure, nothing quite that silly in this forum, but the "argue the opposite" things are close.

[catscanjumphigh]

Strictly keeping discussion to policy for a while might help.  I just joined and it looks like all anyone wants to do is make fun of the other party and say mean things about each other.  If we try to discuss issues like education, healthcare, and jobs and agree to disagree at times it might be better.

[Mr. Reactionary]

I just joined and it looks like all anyone wants to do is make fun of the other party and say mean things about each other. 

Well yes this is a political website. You dont expect us to think do you?

[The_Doctor]

I think it's a little too onerous and I like the free flowing debate styles.