I see the SecondLife Thought Police have arrived.

[Arielle Popstar]

17 minutes ago, Scylla Rhiadra said:

He was a pluralist, and he believed in a pluralist culture. (As do I.)

As a first generation Canadian, I'm not really big on the cultural pluralism. It might sound good for the immigrants  but not so great for their children born and raised in the culture of the country they came to. 

[Luna Bliss]

2 minutes ago, Persephone Emerald said:

9 minutes ago, Luna Bliss said:

Perhaps LL wants to get away from anything real now, and be 'just a game'.  I don't think that's a good move.

Given the state of the RL world, it might but many people want now though.

It would depend on the topic, I imagine. I don't see the extreme of cancelling all of RL here as the solution, however.

[skepwith]

FWIW, the way to win any argument on the internet is to just walk away, even though it seems pretty counter-intuitive. No one ever changes their mind as a result of an argument they've had; I think most changes of mind start as changes of heart. At best, you might persuade an uncertain bystander, but even then I'd say that people who don't have a definite position on a topic aren't interested in it enough to sit through a long argument thread.

The first person to walk away is the one who first realized that the discussion has become a waste of time. Winner. The person who got the last word is the one who never realized what a useless endeavor it was and was left shouting at empty air. Loser.

[Wulfie Reanimator]

THE SKY IS FALLING

SECOND LIFE IS DYING

THE FORUMS ARE CRYING

And why? Because every section got some nice, uniform stickies..? Literally nothing has changed, the rules explained in the new stickies have always been the rules.

Edited July 30, 2022 by Wulfie Reanimator

[Arielle Popstar]

1 minute ago, skepwith said:

FWIW, the way to win any argument on the internet is to just walk away, even though it seems pretty counter-intuitive. No one ever changes their mind as a result of an argument they've had; I think most changes of mind start as changes of heart. At best, you might persuade an uncertain bystander, but even then I'd say that people who don't have a definite position on a topic aren't interested in it enough to sit through a long argument thread.

The first person to walk away is the one who first realized that the discussion has become a waste of time. Winner. The person who got the last word is the one who never realized what a useless endeavor it was and was left shouting at empty air. Loser.

The point though of a public debate vs a private one is that others do see it and maybe more open to the viewpoint then the one who walked away. The written words will find a reader and have some affect whether positive or negative and therefore of value.

[Sprout Evergarden]

Finally, if you go to any other Game's website WoW, GW2 ect they have the same rules in there forums it will be refreshing to read the forums without the constant politicking. As i stated in another thread and basically was drummed out I just Simply Don't care These are endless arguments that will never have a resolution.

 

Edited July 30, 2022 by Vanessa Amethyst

[Luna Bliss]

4 minutes ago, skepwith said:

FWIW, the way to win any argument on the internet is to just walk away, even though it seems pretty counter-intuitive. No one ever changes their mind as a result of an argument they've had; I think most changes of mind start as changes of heart.

I think that's often true. But it does depend on the venue. Many have an emotional connection here and this makes a difference -- sometimes we are more open to people we know better. It's not at all like shouting into Twitter.

And so there is the greater possibility of change in a true participant of a forum, one who is more emotionally engaged.  I've seen change happen here.

[Luna Bliss]

3 minutes ago, Arielle Popstar said:

The point though of a public debate vs a private one is that others do see it and maybe more open to the viewpoint then the one who walked away.

Indeed -- it's about more than the two people debating. Others are watching and thinking too.

[Kathlen Onyx]

Isn't this whole thread discussing moderation, which as far as I know is against forum rules? I would imagine that this thread should be deleted.

[Luna Bliss]

7 minutes ago, Vanessa Amethyst said:

Finally, if you go to any other Game's website WoW, GW2 ect they have the same rules in there forums it will be refreshing to read the forums without the constant politicking. As i stated in another thread and basically was drummed out I just Simply Don't care These are endless arguments that will never have a resolution. and utopian thinking only leads to totalitarianism

SL has all too often looked "out there" and tried to change to fit into what they think is fashionable.  So they are becoming like other game forums, you say? 

One day they might pay attention to the residents and strive to become who they are instead of looking to others games, but I'm afraid my hope is diminishing with each passing year.

It's silencing that leads to totalitarianism, btw, not utopian thinking.

Edited July 30, 2022 by Luna Bliss

[Persephone Emerald]

6 minutes ago, Vanessa Amethyst said:

Finally, if you go to any other Game's website WoW, GW2 ect they have the same rules in there forums it will be refreshing to read the forums without the constant politicking. As i stated in another thread and basically was drummed out I just Simply Don't care These are endless arguments that will never have a resolution.

Yes. I can see a point to keeping "politics" (whatever that word really means) out of the forum, but pictures of our pets? or pet peeves? Why should these topics be forbidden too?

[Luna Bliss]

5 minutes ago, Sam1 Bellisserian said:

Isn't this whole thread discussing moderation, which as far as I know is against forum rules? I would imagine that this thread should be deleted.

People are adjusting to the changes, and I'm sure they'll quiet down after awhile. In fact, my lunch is calling...

Edited July 30, 2022 by Luna Bliss

[blissfulbreeze]

  🚀🤘 Here is an idea.. .meet at the Forum Cartel for soapbox discussions. This way, LL does not have to intervene.. well, errr hopefully no abuse reports happen LOL.

 

 

[Arielle Popstar]

5 minutes ago, Sam1 Bellisserian said:

Isn't this whole thread discussing moderation, which as far as I know is against forum rules? I would imagine that this thread should be deleted.

To the degree we are discussing the Moderation, it is in general and in regard to the new policies, not a specific moderation action.

[Love Zhaoying]

Anyone keeping Flounce Counts?

[belindacarson]

only peopl that actually have to worry on here are the usual collection of spammers/keyboard warriors

[Love Zhaoying]

19 minutes ago, Wulfie Reanimator said:

THE SKY IS FALLING

SECOND LIFE IS DYING

THE FORUMS ARE CRYING

And why? Because every section got some nice, uniform stickies..? Literally nothing has changed, the rules explained in the new stickies have always been the rules.

And they're "leaving"..but are they giving up their cookie-cutter Belli homes?

[Sprout Evergarden]

12 minutes ago, Luna Bliss said:

It's silencing that leads to totalitarianism, btw, not utopian thinking.

Every totalitarian Regime in human history has gotten in power by promising utopia, the silencing came later after the people figured out they were sold a bill of goods.  If you want to debate this in private feel free to IM i have not been able to use my History Qualifications seance i retired from teaching. 

 

Ultimately SL is a private platform like Twitter and they can host what they want .

Edited July 30, 2022 by Vanessa Amethyst

[Brightstar7777]

1 hour ago, Innula Zenovka said:

We're not going to change each others' views, so I don't see any point in debating them.   

I don't want to visit a forum that's supposed to be about a particular shared interest and find it full of acrimonious arguments about things that I don't consider up for discussion and which have nothing to do with the forum itself.    If I want an online debate about abortion, same sex marriage or whatever, there's hardly a shortage of places I'll find people who are ready and willing to participate, so I see no need to have such discussions here. 

There shouldn't be a debate at all. Someone who steps up and starts arrogantly judging people,  reframing the lives of others with lead-sweetened contempt to denigrate them, or bullying them for non-conformity simply because of their gender or spirituality, the implications of these, or other intrinsic qualities-- such trolls should be escorted away from the party so that people do not feel as if they are embattled and besieged and intimidated. And so there shouldn't be a debate in the first place. Such a debate is a breakdown of kind order even when not staged loudly in the midst of such populations for which Second Life has always been ground zero on the Internet.

The idea that moderation's purpose is to protect and equivocate equality-debating griefers with the artful free spirits, the ones they would trample, is beyond a distortion; it seems to me a wild contortion of what a liberal society is and how it should function. Such moderation would be like a pacemaker that fibrillates a heart rather than strengthens its pulse. We as a society must stand in a unified front against the barbarians and stop normalizing or accommodating their cultural genocide online. We certainly expect the  service providers that we pay to maintain basic decorum of a civilization and keep these barbarians outside the gates such that we are free to not only discuss these topics but be a stronghold on the Internet for their living spirits.

Edited July 30, 2022 by Brightstar7777

[Persephone Emerald]

4 minutes ago, Love Zhaoying said:

And they're "leaving"..but are they giving up their cookie-cutter Belli homes?

I love my gingerbread cookie houses.

(Ok, this looks like Verne, not Shelley, but close enough.)

[Garnet Psaltery]

1 hour ago, Arielle Popstar said:

If one is intolerant of the intolerant, where is the win? One has only justified intolerance by example. Doesn't it say somewhere that by loving the enemy, one pours hot coals upon their heads (meant figurative)? Loving the enemy regardless of their hate, goes some way to make that one question their own intolerance when they see you at peace and disaffected by their tirade.

Proverbs 25: 21-22.  If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals [of shame] on his head, and the Lord will reward you.

[blissfulbreeze]

*Tosses confetti all over the forums, in every nook and cranny* . Gives everyone a soft pillow and their choice of beverage.

No one will win. Might as well celebrate instead!

[Kathlen Onyx]

30 minutes ago, Luna Bliss said:

People are adjusting to the changes, and I'm sure they'll quiet down after awhile. In fact, my lunch is calling...

WHAT changes? Just do what you should have been doing in the first place. 

[Rowan Amore]

8 minutes ago, Sam1 Bellisserian said:

WHAT changes? Just do what you should have been doing in the first place. 

The General Discussions forum was allowed more leeway in regards to Non-SL content.  From their sticky post, that is no longer allowed.  

17 hours ago, Arielle Popstar said:

When I read the the language contained in the two different Community Guideline posts, I see a definite stricter interpretation in the newest one. Any non-sl related posts are subject to mod action now whereas before they were allowed as long as it adhered to the other limitations like Politics, Promotion etc.

Old Guideline:

New Guideline:

Contrary to both yours and @Solar Legionassertions that this is just a same ol', same ol', this is clearly a new and stricter guideline as to what may or may not be posted in the General Discussion section. If it isn't followed up with actually doing so, then what is the point? 

More to Report until there is even a smaller percentage of residents who bother to visit the "Community" forums.

 

16 hours ago, Arielle Popstar said:

Here you go:

No Discussions Not Directly Related to Second Life: Please keep all threads relevant and directly related to Second Life and Linden Lab. Anything unrelated to Second Life is subject to moderation. This includes, but is not limited to, politics, social issues, current events, and Non-SL discussion posts (Examples such as tell me a joke, make me laugh, etc). If the thread could exist on a non-Second Life Forum, that is probably a good sign it doesn’t belong here.

Note: Posts made before 7/29/2022 will be left open unless policy violations cause them to be closed.

https://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Linden_Lab_Official:Forum_Participation_Guidelines

 

[CaithLynnSayes]

7 hours ago, bigmoe Whitfield said:

Companies as you already possibly know do not fall under the free speech item since they are privately owned and can do as they wish on their own forums.

I seriously disagree with that statement. It is way too often (ab)used by entities such as Twitter, facebook, etc. Granted, SL and its forums can't be compared to those Social Media giant but SL is in the same sector. Having said that. We all know where Linden Labs is located and... Well, i can't say more, now can I?  

My point is, Social Media companies should not protect themselves behind the notion "we're a private company, we make the rules". SL doesn't make as much of an impact, if at all when it comes to global communicatie and connecting people but other tech giants do, and they abuse the hell out of it to "steer people" in a specific direction.

So as for the SL forums. I may want to change thing things i post in the "Make Us Laugh" thread. Other then that, meh...?