I've looked at a lot of forums, and I've noticed (in most forums) a certain sub-forum in which people were leading serious (real life) discussions. These sub-forums were, most of the time, my favorite aspect of the forums. I think implanting such a sub-forum would be great, because it'd leave the General discussion sub-forum to the everyday life discussions. In such a sub-forum we'd lead dialogues about the most recent news, science, and if we wanted a thread to be taken seriously, we'd post it in here. There would be one major rule: be serious in your posts. No joking, as it would ruin the feel of the sub-forum. I am sure there's a lot of other users that agree with me that this would be a great aspect to this website. Thank you in advance.
Should we have an Off-Topic sub-forum as well? Just explicitly for non-pony related things? (Or does that go with the General Discussion Section?) We should have another sub-forum, it would keep the General Discussion sub-forum a bit more... organized?
The question has been raised before. Let me find the thread, As I recall, The consensus was no, Due to the grim and monotonous nature of Politics and ethical issues that Often ensue from serious discussions. EDIT: Here it is. http://www.everypony.com/forums/showthread.php?2438-Serious-Discussion-Forum
It would be a forum for those who intend to discuss serious topics. It would swipe clean the general discussion forum of all political discussion, which would actually render that forum to be less grim. I am sure there are enough people out there that like discussing such a thing, which is why i suggested it in the first place. If people didn't want a serious discussion (one that would even give you a bit of a grimy feeling) then they could always pass by that forum and just go to the General discussion forum. This is a pony forum and all bla bla, but that doesn't mean that we aren't human; we strive to find similarities in our theories and opinions, but also strive to hear other people's ones.
I gave the same argument for a serious discussion forum and the the suggestion itself turned into a debate about how a lot of people are not mature enough to just pass it by apparently. I still think it'd be a great idea...
Why not make it exclusive then? That meaning that you need to get an admin to approve you and give you a membership - approving that you are a serious and reasonable enough user to use such a forum? It's not impossible. Or at least render it impossible for people under 18 years to enter it. If people got grimed by it, they could always request their membership to be cancelled.
I like this idea, but I'm slightly skeptical. While we are a caring and accepting community, heated arguments usually get the best of people and could lead into fights and such. I would hate for that to happen to anyone here. So for now, I think the General Discussion is enough. Plus I like to come here to relax and escape from the world of politics, news and corruption, and I'm sure many people here feel the same way. Now of course some would say "then don't go to the sub forum", but that's not the point. The point I am making is that: Say person A and person B argue and become mad at each other. Now an argument could spark in any forum between the two if opinions are shared. It becomes a hostile environment for these 2 people, which can become hostile for everyone.
This issue has already been addressed and afaik, the staff standing hasn't changed. If you wish to discuss such topics, keep it civil and keep it in general discussion - the presence of a dedicated 'serious' forum would most likely prompt discussion of things, we'd be better off without. ~ Closed
