Can we have a restricted section?

[Wintruz]

I'm usually bemused when I see accounts that have been open for two days welcoming others on the introductions forum. I've been here a few months and I still think of myself as a new account, so forgive me if asking for this is out of turn...

Even if the recent bout of the terminally posting newcomer subsides, it's only a matter of time before another one comes along. This is probably not a bad thing. Sometimes good questions can be asked and perspectives changed by those looking at things with fresh eyes. However, it would be nice to be able to write in a thread that isn't going to be waylaid by this kind of thing. So...

Would there be any support for a section where posting is by invitation only (the posts themselves could still be read by any visitor to the site) and those invitations are given only to those who have proven themselves over a few months to be sane, stable and serious? Obviously it could encompass mature people of any paths; it's the seriousness that's the criteria rather than adherence to one paradigm or another. Thoughts?

 

[SkullTraill]

Normally I would counter by saying a private section (for occult discussion) goes against the values of the forum, but sounds like you have thought of that and suggested that it be viewable by all, but invite-only posting.

Some time ago, I would still have declined this, but contemporary activities on this website have me ready to cave in to this suggestion.

I will think on it, and in the meantime, welcome further discourse on this subject.

 

[DiLoco_DelEted]

Perhaps one where it's for the mentally ill and or therapists (licensed) where it's a free area to sound batshit insane or not quite stable in speech? Where those aren't judged or insulted?

 

[ghoulish]

Despite being an extremely new account, I'm inclined to agree with the original sentiment. It's kind of disappointing when interesting threads get completely derailed.

 

[Wintruz]

Perhaps one where it's for the mentally ill and or therapists (licensed) where it's a free area to sound batshit insane or not quite stable in speech? Where those aren't judged or insulted?

This psych-ward approach has been the entire website for over a week. Before then, there were many other instances of refusing to exercise wisdom and self-discipline.

When that spills into my line of sight, I reserve the right to judge and share my judgements.

 

[Yazata]

This psych-ward approach has been the entire website for over a week. Before then, there were many other instances of refusing to exercise wisdom and self-discipline.

When that spills into my line of sight, I reserve the right to judge and share my judgements.

The profile updates have been used like this, and even a journal seems like a good way. But then you'd only get 1 mention of yourself on the frontpage and that's not enough for some..

 

[Wintruz]

But then you'd only get 1 mention of yourself on the frontpage and that's not enough for some..

This is exactly right. There's a regrettable desire to steal others' energy in the form of attention. I wouldn't mind, I'm willing to share mine (if only they knew what it's laced with!), but those who most want to take are the least able to manage the energy they've already got and, rather than fix that, it's easier to take more from others into their bottomless pit. I imagine the idea of there being a corner of the site where they can't do that will be upsetting.

Despite being an extremely new account, I'm inclined to agree with the original sentiment. It's kind of disappointing when interesting threads get completely derailed.

Good evening Ghoulish; our first contact with each other but I've found your witchcraft posts intriguing and well-presented. If someone derails a thread, do report it. I've started doing that more recently too after initially emphasising the free flow of conversation. Unfortunately, free flow only works when there's mutual respect and contemplation between members.

I have to wonder whether some of the more recent derailers have been conjured by someone on the staff here to prove a point to the rest of us...

 

[Taudefindi]

I have to wonder whether some of the more recent derailers have been conjured by someone on the staff here to prove a point to the rest of us...

 

[DurumKebab]

This is what happens when you respect others' opinions too much and let anyone say anything just because they have the “right to”

Allowing people to spout nonsense and negatively impact the forum can’t be justified by the freedom of speech criteria. If you restrict the forum, then certain categories may suffer a decline in quality and frequency of content, potentially leading to its demise. It's simpler to restructure the forum's principles.

In this case, it was just one or two individuals who were given too much attention, which is exactly what they wanted. Wildchildx11 doesn't want a solution; she wants attention. She won’t do the work, but definitely read hundreds of posts and random pages of books, she won’t see anything as positive as everything she does is running away from, sorry to be this blunt, a sense of worthlessness. She’s irrational and will justify everything for her greed, look at what she said about the babies, etc.etc.etc. This is a metapattern, and most of you aren’t like this as this depends on age and gender, and most of you are 30+

Just a matter of revisiting the forum’s principles

 

[Yazata]

This is what happens when you respect others' opinions too much and let anyone say anything just because they have the “right to”

Allowing people to spout nonsense and negatively impact the forum can’t be justified by the freedom of speech criteria. If you restrict the forum, then certain categories may suffer a decline in quality and frequency of content, potentially leading to its demise. It's simpler to restructure the forum's principles.

In this case, it was just one or two individuals who were given too much attention, which is exactly what they wanted. Wildchildx11 doesn't want a solution; she wants attention. She won’t do the work, but definitely read hundreds of posts and random pages of books, she won’t see anything as positive as everything she does is running away from, sorry to be this blunt, a sense of worthlessness. She’s irrational and will justify everything for her greed, look at what she said about the babies, etc.etc.etc. This is a metapattern, and most of you aren’t like this as this depends on age and gender, and most of you are 30+

Just a matter of revisiting the forum’s principles

No. Free speech is important. It's self-restraint that is lacking in both the poster and the ones who keep feeding their ego

 

[DurumKebab]

Perhaps one where it's for the mentally ill and or therapists (licensed) where it's a free area to sound batshit insane or not quite stable in speech? Where those aren't judged or insulted?

Then those people should pay for a psychologist themselves. If someone wants to say stupid things, they should go to 4chan or talk to their favorite demon about it, at least he doesn’t charge

Post automatically merged: May 14, 2024

No. Free speech is important. It's self-restraint that is lacking in both the poster and the ones who keep feeding their ego

Well, if people had self-control, they would have achieved everything they wanted. The staff decisions and criteria are crucial here; you're maybe the most important reason for the high quality of this website.

 

[Taudefindi]

if people had self-control, they would have achieved everything they wanted.

Not quite.
There are degrees of self-control and the harder something is, the more self-control you need.

For example, you exert self-control to respect the rules of your country, rather than do whatever you want.You exert self control to cut contact with someone rather than simply go hurt or kill them.You exert self-control when you decide to pick a healthier option of food one time, rather than the temptation that you know isn't healthy.

Having self-control for one thing doesn't mean that you'll have it for everything.

 

[Lazarus]

My proposed solution would be this:

Probationary period of [whatever is appropriate, 30 days, 90 days, etc.] where the member can only post a certain number of times a day.

Benefits of this solution:

• all areas of the site are still accessible
• Prevents someone from skeeting posts all over the place

a two week old account should not have almost 300 posts.

My concern with an invitation only to post forum is that it would just corral everyone into that section because the problem people can’t touch it.

Better to just ban the problem people than make everyone else go hide from them.

 

[SkullTraill]

Some thoughts:

• @DurumKebab - I completely understand your point, and would/have in the past implemented those principles, but when running smaller, more close-knit, closed type communities, like covens and working groups. Freedom of speech and information will always be core tenets of WF, because that is simply the type of community it was born to be. There is plenty of space out there for different communities with different values, but WF has it's own particular set.
• @Diluculo_DelFuego @Wintruz with that in mind, please understand that WF has been, and will be a large, organic structure, that heals. WF is not fragile, WF will not collapse after a week of manic pixie girl invasion. Let us all be more resilient and less sensitive to what amounts to an occasional week of frustration from time to time.
• I have said this before, but all freedom requires some sacrifice of comfort. It would be trivial to lock WF down in the name of high quality and get rid of anyone we deem disruptive. My ban gun is fully loaded, fully automatic, and has aimbot and wallhacks. What makes WF different from your average 100 member coven discord is that we practice restraint, and strive for balance.
• The way our setup works, is the trash always takes itself out, in time. We're better off that way. And it allows for reform and return.
• All that being said. I will look for a balanced approach to preserving peaceful, intellectual, serious discussion without devolving into an elitist, exclusionary echo chamber. It may take a while though. I don't want to haphazardly make a structural change that will end up being reversed at some point in the future.

 

[Lazarus]

The more I think about it, the more I like the probation solution.

New members: 30 days probation. This sets the precedent of quality content over quantity for future participation.

You can also use it as part of the warning system. Put a member on 30 day probation if necessary.

If someone on probation only gets 3 posts a day, maybe they’ll focus on making the post count?

I know it’s my idea, but I like it!

 

[HoldAll]

The more I think about it, the more I like the probation solution.

New members: 30 days probation. This sets the precedent of quality content over quantity for future participation.

You can also use it as part of the warning system. Put a member on 30 day probation if necessary.

If someone on probation only gets 3 posts a day, maybe they’ll focus on making the post count?

I know it’s my idea, but I like it!

I can just imagine the dreaded regularly-scheduled monthly staff sessions in which we'd have to discuss and assess the quality of +200 newbies and their posts... I'm gonna have nightmares tonight, I can already feel it.

 

[Wintruz]

without devolving into an elitist, exclusionary echo chamber

 

[DiLoco_DelEted]

Well, what determines quality? We have a tutorial section for a reason. So a bunch of blowhards can verbally suck off occult authors? Just saying, perhaps myself as well as others should actually read (know) and dare to work the Suggested reading list (which should be pinned IMHO).

 

[Lazarus]

I can just imagine the dreaded regularly-scheduled monthly staff sessions in which we'd have to discuss and assess the quality of +200 newbies and their posts... I'm gonna have nightmares tonight, I can already feel it.

God no. No reviews.

All new members would have a mandatory probation period (sake of argument, let’s say 30 days). After 30 days it’s automatically lifted.
— unless a post from their limited posts are flagged or stand out in some way.

On an as-needed basis, whenever someone is issued a warning, perhaps the second time, their account is put on probation. (Which would function the same way).

There should be very little need for a tedious review of posts. And even if that should be the case, this method reduces the possible number of posts called into question

 

[8Lou1]

sorry, but to me these things sound like when you are getting a warning or a ban for a certain period. i know i have tendency to think many options, due to translating english into dutch, so i could totally read it wrong and misunderstand.

for me a forum is what it says:

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

i like that they have a special internet meaning.

i also think that when a topic is derailed (is that how its called?) OP, especially, but also others should use the report button more often. it would then be more clear to users why it is wrong. if i remember correctly it is written in the reported post, but i could be wrong.