Activity – DanaThomas – The Giza Forum (Legacy)

DanaThomas posted an update 5 years, 2 months ago

Forum survey, “comments closed”. I tend to agree with Robert’s considerations. Factors like rampant trollism support the idea of a members-only area, where we will each use our own discernment and common sense before posting and linking. In the past, when membership was smaller. there was an interesting section divided into specific threads such as book reviews etc. but it is likely that Joseph and Daniel have their hands full as it is, so maybe it would be advisable to hold on the idea of reviving that format.
- FiatLux replied 5 years, 2 months ago
  I agree about a members-only area. Even as I say that, I feel funny about locking out those who aren’t trolling but perhaps can’t afford a membership at the moment. I realize there may be no practical way around that. Perhaps–if technically feasible–a members-only forum that would allow non-paying members in by invitation only?
  - dogsbreth replied 5 years, 2 months ago
    There’s nothing stopping people engaging in their own conversations using any number of platforms. I support the site holding the line on its membership area, its a commercial venture from which people make their living and they have a right to protect its integrity. I may want a mercedes, but I would need a lot more saving to afford it – doesn’t mean I should stop the sale of these cars until it suits me.
    - justawhoaman replied 5 years, 2 months ago
      
      I agree that it is often frustrating when people come onto the forum and do not scroll down several pages before posting some link to a story that might have already been discussed at length. Despite what some have thought, I disagree that this forum has become “Facebook-like” – (unless you include the “Hi” or “I just watched” with no contribution) I regrettably have to keep a presence there for advertising/selling horses, so I get the dislike for that format. However, the exchange of ideas here is unlike any other place in which I participate, and that includes some Patreon pages of fairly unique presenters. The caliber of JPF followers is generally exemplary (sans trolls which seem to be dealt with fairly well recently).
  - Kita replied 5 years, 2 months ago
    I also agree about members-only access. It’s the move Solari made years ago for comments after having things go downhill. I have been watching the tenor of this forum change, quickly too, and I’ve been concerned. It’s subtle now, for the most part, but shifting ever more in a negative (to me) direction and it feels like the community I’ve so enjoyed is being diffused and diluted – and not in a good way or direction. I wonder sometimes if this has been an intentional move against this website – there are whole departments and groups that do that sort of thing for a living: propagating “new-think” and destroying the “opposition”. Has been like that for a very long time and if you learn to look for it you see it everywhere.
- toddb replied 5 years, 2 months ago
  It’s a tough one – how to run a forum. As a general rule, I don’t like forums, but their importance can’t be overstated, especially now that the planet has been sentenced to our own home prisons. Forums usually start out great, but as word gets out, they tend to attract trolls and “me-too’s”. Things often get re-posted multiple times, even within the same web page. While many members do start their posts with what the post is about, some just post links without context (I usually don’t click those). It might be a good idea to have a subject line for each main post. As a side note, I’ve been on other membership-based websites where the forum is fully restricted to paying members only and the same stuff happens there. From what I’ve seen, forum access for paying members only does not solve the problem. So much to say, but I don’t want to turn this into a novel. In agreement with Dana, FiatLux, and the survey respondents so far. Condolences to Daniel and his family. Godspeed.
  - FiatLux replied 5 years, 2 months ago
    Yeah, I guess restricting access couldn’t hurt but wouldn’t be a cure-all either. I, too, generally don’t like forums but am feeling like they’re more important than before, at least for me, and the group of thinkers gathered at this site is probably unlike any other.
    
    By the way, if anyone has suggestions on other forums where there’s intelligent discussion among alternative thinkers on subjects more related to current events and navigating the future, I invite you to send them to me via direct message on here (via Howdy, [member name] > Messages > Compose). The only one I’m aware of so far is Solari.
  - DanaThomas replied 5 years, 2 months ago
    By members I meant “registered” and not necessarily “paying” members.