Managing forum toxicity and negativity

[thaibeachlovers]

Just now, george said:

 

"Misinformation" has no place on this forum. Misinformation will be removed.

 

More info about that in the Community guidelines:

https://aseannow.com/terms/

I don't think he was talking about "wrong" information, but rather that calling a disliked post misinformation allowed it to be removed. That's when  a reason is given, as that doesn't always happen- some of my posts in the past just vanished.

[hotandsticky]

1 minute ago, Wobblybob said:

How would you know when you have so many posters on ignore. Why we have an ignore button in the first place is a mystery to me, if you want to ignore another member just ignore them, the ignore button is being used as a get out of jail for free card when posters have lost the argument. It is childish!

 

 

Part of the issue is in the wording of your post...kinda sets the tone...... "when posters have lost the argument" ......there shouldn't be arguments; discussions/debates for sure but people shouldn't be looking for arguments (they are). This is a community internet forum - not a court of law.

[tgw]

1 minute ago, hotandsticky said:

Part of the issue is in the wording of your post...kinda sets the tone...... "when posters have lost the argument" ......there shouldn't be arguments; discussions/debates for sure but people shouldn't be looking for arguments (they are). This is a community internet forum - not a court of law.

 

Ignorance is not an opinion and deserves no respect other than being corrected politely.

[Wobblybob]

Just now, hotandsticky said:

 

 

Part of the issue is in the wording of your post...kinda sets the tone...... "when posters have lost the argument" ......there shouldn't be arguments; discussions/debates for sure but people shouldn't be looking for arguments (they are). This is a community internet forum - not a court of law.

Being a bit pedantic there h&s, if you don't mind me saying, don't take everything too literally.🥳

[MrPancake]

9 hours ago, Mike Lister said:

I disagree, politeness and civility cost nothing. If posters can't express themselves without resorting to vulgarity they shouldn't be published in public forums.

 

Hygienist take on the "problem". As long as you don't insult people, you should be able to express yourself as you see fit. What matters is the protection of individuals' dignity.

[Thailand]

1 minute ago, george said:

 

Use the report button and put people you don't like on ignore, like in Real Life, and Mods take care of the rest.

Only ever put one person on ignore In 21 years. I don't need a button to ignore the few usual suspects that I will not waste my time on.

Those to simply ignore are also well known to most of the members as well I would think?

[hotandsticky]

3 minutes ago, Wobblybob said:

Being a bit pedantic there h&s, if you don't mind me saying, don't take everything too literally.🥳

 

 

I normally don't....indeed I don't....just highlighting how these words that are in our subconscious are casually used...

[thaibeachlovers]

27 minutes ago, sipi said:

If I could sum up my opinion of the forum in one word, it would be....

Boring..

I just find myself scrolling through page after page of threads that just don't interest me.

And when I do finally find a thread that interests me, I find myself scrolling through page after page of posts that don't interest me.

I'd like you see a but more context.

If someone starts a thread "I got drunk last night", is it because he ran into a bunch of Danish backpackers on a train, went to the father in law's funeral, celebrated a birthday.....

Or did they just get drunk last night and they feel the need to tell everyone.

I agree. I used, about 10 years and longer ago, spend hours on the forum, but then it got boring and I'd spend very little time on it for some years. The Pub used to be full of interesting posts to respond to, but perhaps the interesting posters died or left, and it was about where to find a pizza etc.

Since the Gaza sub forum started It's got interesting again though. Before October 7 the very very few threads about israel got zero or hardly any  posts, perhaps because the reaction from a certain poster made it not worth posting on them.

I did post on the Ukraine subforum at the start, but the abuse became too much to bother with so I stopped. The abuse still happens but as I put them on ignore now I don't see it any more.

[Goat]

53 minutes ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

You are correct - where do you get your info - sounds exactly like what happened to me.

There probably a single person more connected than the Goat. i know about your story and who caused it. Very unfair.

 

If there is anything you need to know feel free to ask me.

[Wobblybob]

Just now, hotandsticky said:

 

 

I normally don't....indeed I don't....just highlighting how these words that are in our subconscious are casually used...

Good to hear now we can both get on with our lives.🥴

[Lee65]

2 hours ago, Lee65 said:

How about a better way for users to vote on a thread (or individual posts)?  For example Thumbs Up or Down - as with YouTube before it also became too controlling.  The ratio between these can be useful in deciding whether to bother with a thread or post.  Useful feedback also for those posting.

 

Actually, this voting idea is no good.  I take it back.

 

The Total Votes would be too low to yield a useful score.  (Which is also a reason the current 5-Star scheme is worthless.  Readers have no idea the number of votes counted and, anyway, that number would be too low to be meaningful.)

 

[Goat]

22 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

Interesting we have a thread on moderation, when I thought discussion of the topic was against forum rules.

New rules Lassy.

Who is your favorite mod?

Whatever happened to Darksidedog?

[it is what it is]

10 hours ago, mstevens said:

I think the owners of the forum need to decide what sort of forum they wish to operate. Some of the sub-forums on ASEAN Now are well-run, others are a free for all where anything goes. If you want this forum to be a place where people goof around and where topics with inane discussions are allowed, then keep doing what you're doing. If you want something a bit more serious, I really think the moderators need to be a bit more firm. Too many clowns dominate the forum these days, lowering the tone and ruining many threads.

 

too much moderation inconsistency, some get suspended for mentioning grammar mistakes, others not. a friend was suspended for writing 'plus ca change' because it's not english language, despite being a french phrase commonly used by native english speakers, as are many latin phrases, so the rule makes little sense.

 

this though is small fry compared to the proliferation of bigoted, sexist, homophobic, transphobic language and comments that are allowed here seemingly with immunity.

[sipi]

And comparing apples to apples. (If we're allowed)

There are a few other Thai forums that are still running, just.

Thailand24 is like 3 men chatting in a pub, the thaiger seems to have lost its wind, teak door is just pain difficult...

Probably more, I think Asean Now seems to be holding its head above water ok.

[thaibeachlovers]

5 minutes ago, MrPancake said:

 

Hygienist take on the "problem". As long as you don't insult people, you should be able to express yourself as you see fit. What matters is the protection of individuals' dignity.

Unfortunately, certain posters are unable to not insult posters they disagree with and just discuss the topic. Some don't even make a post with any relevance to the topic at all as happens frequently on posts about Trump- just insults about Trump, and then there are the posters that put Trump in posts on threads that don't even have him in the topic.

 

If I had one wish, it'd be that posters stop making posts about the person they are responding to, and discuss the topic instead, but some never discuss the topic and just abuse the poster they disagree with.

 

If I start talking about myself, then respond in kind, but if I haven't personal comments are not welcome, and that's even in the forum rules.

[cdemundo]

This is a good forum when you need information.

There are a lot of well-informed people on here.

 

Discussions I often find show me posters who only serve as a bad example.

I mean that seriously, sometimes I remind my self I don't was to be like Mr. XYZ, I prefer to be positive when I can.

 

I have half a dozen posters on ignore as I have found they have nothing useful or positive to say.

I have 1600 posts over several years, I feel that if always asked myself "does this need to be said" (as I usually do now) I would have half as many.

 

I have to admit I occasionally post just to return fire at someone who annoys me.

 

I feel that it is safe to say if a person is topping 40 posts a day and they are not on house arrest, they need to get a life.

 

Have I made any body mad?

Probably, sometimes you can't avoid it.

 

 

 

 

 

[Lacessit]

6 minutes ago, Goat said:

New rules Lassy.

Who is your favorite mod?

Whatever happened to Darksidedog?

Sheryl and Crossy, easily. UbonJoe was a living treasure, RIP.

I don't know what happened to DSD

[thaibeachlovers]

5 minutes ago, it is what it is said:

 

too much moderation inconsistency, some get suspended for mentioning grammar mistakes, others not. a friend was suspended for writing 'plus ca change' because it's not english language, despite being a french phrase commonly used by native english speakers, as are many latin phrases, so the rule makes little sense.

 

this though is small fry compared to the proliferation of bigoted, sexist, homophobic, transphobic language and comments that are allowed here seemingly with immunity.

Just about any thread that is about Trump, and even some that are not are full of abuse and insults towards the man, usually without any discussion of the topic. If I were to report all the posters with absolutely vile language I'd get suspended for "abusing the report function". I did once report 3 for vile language and got suspended for "taking revenge". That particular mod seems to have departed though.

[Neeranam]

10 hours ago, flyingtlger said:

 

Yes, there are many clowns but some of the moderators are too strict and conservative….

Some will delete a post just because there was a meme or a giphy they didn’t understand.

 

 

Indeed, what's wrong with a meme?

 

No people younger than 50 will participate if there is a ban on memes.

 

 

[Lacessit]

2 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Just about any thread that is about Trump, and even some that are not are full of abuse and insults towards the man, usually without any discussion of the topic. If I were to report all the posters with absolutely vile language I'd get suspended for "abusing the report function". I did once report 3 for vile language and got suspended for "taking revenge". That particular mod seems to have departed though.

My standard response to Trump supporters is to ask whether they have donated to his campaign fund yet. You know, the funds he uses to pay the lawyers to defend himself from 91 indictments.

[thaibeachlovers]

5 minutes ago, cdemundo said:

I feel that it is safe to say if a person is topping 40 posts a day and they are not on house arrest, they need to get a life.

LOL. I used to do that during work time on the work computer, but I had to get cunning so the supervisor didn't notice.

 

I was doing a job that involved a lot of time waiting till something was needed ( I was a gofer ), so my work was not suffering. I just had to not get so engrossed in the topic that I didn't hear them telling me to go get something for them.

Actually that was when I spent most time on TVF. Outside work hours I was doing different stuff on my computer.

[thaibeachlovers]

3 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

My standard response to Trump supporters is to ask whether they have donated to his campaign fund yet. You know, the funds he uses to pay the lawyers to defend himself from 91 indictments.

I think you just proved the point i was making.

[Lee65]

46 minutes ago, John Drake said:

How is "misinformation" being judged now? Still getting suspensions and bans? A lot of things that were considered "misinformation" three or so years ago have turned out to be "informed" now. 

 

I gather "misinformation" is that which is outside the consensus reality.  Often, in some communities, a narrow definition which excludes many interesting, thought-provoking, leading edge ideas and info.

 

Edited November 10, 2023 by Lee65

[george]

7 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Just about any thread that is about Trump, and even some that are not are full of abuse and insults towards the man, usually without any discussion of the topic. If I were to report all the posters with absolutely vile language I'd get suspended for "abusing the report function". I did once report 3 for vile language and got suspended for "taking revenge". That particular mod seems to have departed though.

 

Yes,

A few "hard core" mods has indeed departed. The team is now acting with a new mindset. We did gaffes in the past, I agree, much less so now. You could always PM me if you want a "second opinion". I'm here for developing this community to be a better place.

[KhunLA]

38 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

It's equally annoying to be called a troll and stupid when one tries to introduce facts and data to solar and EV threads because supporters cannot countenance any negative information about their pet subject.

It's also dishonest ad hominem argument, attacking the poster instead of addressing the facts and data posted.

I'll discuss any topic with anyone.   But not repetitive false narratives.  Then you're simply trolling, and get ignored.   Since I read & replied to this, I reckon you haven't made it to that level yet 

[Gecko123]

To George: (for your kind consideration):

 

The newsfeed selection of news stories plays a decided role in encouraging toxicity, which works against your stated goal of expanding user numbers. The problem is twofold.

 

First, there are too many news reports which encourage disrespect for Thailand and Thai culture, i.e., a steady diet of stories about misbehaving monks, lottery numbers being chosen based on animist beliefs, child rape, incest, and sex crimes, assaults by ladyboys, rogue cops, and above all, any story which invites disparagement of Thai males. These stories invariably elicit Thai bashing which is probably the number one source of toxicity on the forum.

 

Secondly, news stories about foreigners who are not Caucasian are too often negative, pander to stereotypes, and encourage racial and ethnic bashing. Few non-Caucasian English speaking visitors to the site will stick around when they are subjected to this type of constant abuse. The changing demographics of the ex-pat and tourist populations need to be given far more weight if your goal is to expand the forum user base. 

 

What makes matters worse is that only the most egregious cases of Thai bashing and non-Caucasian bashing are ever proactively addressed. 

 

On another note, I don't think the "mindless banter" versus "thoughtful intelligent discourse" schism can simply be solved with judicious use of the "ignore" button. I think you are grossly underestimating how alienating and how much resentment is felt towards "mindless banter" posters who are perceived as clogging up and and sucking the oxygen out of so many threads, so as to make them unreadable. Also, please keep in mind that many people who browse this forum start out as non-members and remain non-members for a long time and are thus unaware of the ignored user function, and there are many joined members who would prefer to browse without logging in.

 

In terms of your efforts to rebuild the membership base of the forum, I would also like to point out that the amount of advertising on this forum plays a role in whether quality posters are attracted to the site. If the site is hopelessly clogged with advertisements and you end up with a stiff shoulder and wrist because you're constantly having to close pop-up ads, well.... you end up with a membership base who has nothing better to do with their time and are willing to put up with being bombarded with advertisements. What I'm saying is that the calculus about number of ads versus making the forum more user friendly may be playing a role in what types of posters are attracted to the website, and thus the level of toxicity on the website. I have described the level of ads on this forum as "sadistic" in the past, especially when you consider the age of many users. I'm just saying, if you want to expand the number of users, perhaps the user-friendliness of the website vis-a-vis the advertisements, needs to be looked at.

 

In terms of emojis, I think making these anonymous was a mistake. Anonymity short-circuits the sense of community and relationship building that liking one another's posts built, and also encourages the misuse of the "laugh" and "sad face" emojis.

[thaibeachlovers]

Just now, george said:

 

Yes,

A few "hard core" mods has indeed departed. The team is now acting with a new mindset. We did gaffes in the past, I agree, much less so now. You could always PM me if you want a "second opinion". I'm here for developing this community to be a better place.

Thank you.

 

I had wondered why I hadn't been suspended for a while. That explains it.

 

[scubascuba3]

32 minutes ago, Thailand said:

Only ever put one person on ignore In 21 years. I don't need a button to ignore the few usual suspects that I will not waste my time on.

Those to simply ignore are also well known to most of the members as well I would think?

Those characters make it slightly more interesting, I only put stalkers on ignore, shame you can't block like Facebook 

[herfiehandbag]

9 hours ago, Shop mak said:

Currently, a handful of members create new topics in the Pub that are constant drivel, all about nothing.

Clearly took less than 30 seconds to write.

Then follows hostile banter, personal attacks, page after page.

This has been going on for some time already, and many members has commented on this.

Surely, that is the whole point of the Pub!

 

Managed to post in 27 seconds!

[thaibeachlovers]

1 minute ago, KhunLA said:

I'll discuss any topic with anyone.   But not repetitive false narratives.  Then you're simply trolling, and get ignored.   Since I read & replied to this, I reckon you haven't made it to that level yet 

Ignoring a post one does not agree with is a better option than abusing the poster one disagrees with.

This is a social forum and not the united nations, and posters should remember that when posting. There is no rule that says other posters should agree with one's own opinions, and resorting to abuse is pathetic.

 

The other thing is that just repeating the same thing over and over does not prove one's case, and if one wants one's "facts" to be respected, one takes the time to support one's "facts" rather than ignoring requests to do so, or telling other people to do the research, or giving some smart a*** comment to avoid having to support one's opinion.