Rational limits and gentle reminders.

[sabro]

I have counted among my good friends here Mars Man and Tsuyoiko (and Thomas, now de-activated), who even when we disagreed were dead on when critical of my conduct. I enjoyed and respected the advice they have given me. I look forward to their advice and counsel in the future. I hope I can continue to count on them.

I enjoy some conflict and controversy. I enjoy discussing religion and issues of faith. I enjoy discussing matters of race, culture and politics. It's about mixing it up and exploring the limits, finding the edges and discovering the core at what people of differing opinions believe. I love the diversity of expression, especially from distant corners of the globe I may never visit. I for one would like to see a return of serious discussion and controversial topics. I think this could work under the right moderation.

 

[Goldiegirl]

I still consider myself new on JREF so I am sure that what I say won't hold as much weight as others who will reply, but this is how I feel about serious discussions...I think it's interesting to read other people views on the world and lively debate can be fun, but sometimes I really believe that when people are arguing that are from different countries (or cultures too) it's less of a debate and more about my country is better than yours and your country should follow what my country does. My country is the most free, green, politically correct, peace loving, patriotic, culturally accepting, free of crime and your country isn't. Every country is different and we are all raised different. No one here is better or worse than anybody else. I do think that good moderation could help get the nation bashing out of what the actual topic of debate is truly about.....

 

[Davey]

I understand what you mean Sabro, and I do also love this conversations from time to time.

But, as I have said many times before, this website is about Japan, so it should have a minimum of non-Japan related posts on this website, and that is the Chit-chat section. So I myself do not see the need of returning this topics on this website, besides the a little bit in the Chit chat section or Chat box.

 

[Elizabeth]

I have counted among my good friends here Mars Man and Tsuyoiko (and Thomas, now de-activated), who even when we disagreed were dead on when critical of my conduct. I enjoyed and respected the advice they have given me. I look forward to their advice and counsel in the future. I hope I can continue to count on them.

I hasten to guess that these two members are more preoccupied with personal than forum matters at the moment so you may want to take your friendship offline. About Religious Discussions, I would recommend beginning with a heavily Japanese centered topic in Chit Chat and moving slowly outwards as interest in these areas either picks up or not as everyone feels overwhelmed with them again.

 

[sabro]

I read many of the Japanese related threads... especially history and culture. But I rarely have anything to add. Although my mother is Japanese American, my knowlege really does not often lend itself to comment.

 

[Duo]

Heh, I know what you mean....that's I also just stick around posting to non japan related sub-fora ....ignorant in the other areas.

 

[sabro]

I don't do the J-Pop/Music/Entertainment thing... it is all totally unfamiliar,

Perhaps more posts on food? Or on the Martial Arts?

The point is that we have used to have a serious discussion subfora that disappeared unceremoniously. Stolen away like credit card numbers. I enjoyed that little corner of J-Ref, especially during the American Elections.

 

[Mikawa Ossan]

I still consider myself new on JREF so I am sure that what I say won't hold as much weight as others who will reply, but this is how I feel about serious discussions...I think it's interesting to read other people views on the world and lively debate can be fun, but sometimes I really believe that when people are arguing that are from different countries (or cultures too) it's less of a debate and more about my country is better than yours and your country should follow what my country does. My country is the most free, green, politically correct, peace loving, patriotic, culturally accepting, free of crime and your country isn't. Every country is different and we are all raised different. No one here is better or worse than anybody else. I do think that good moderation could help get the nation bashing out of what the actual topic of debate is truly about.....

Still, it's a great opportunity to learn where people from various places are coming from and learn about their thinking processes.

 

[Kinsao]

I also enjoyed the 'serious discussion' section... as I don't have much knowledge about Japan... only some music and a bit of language studying I am doing >.<... but these discussions can still happen in the chit chat section yes? but one time there was talk of changing the title of 'chit chat' to 'general discussion' (or maybe 'offtopic discussion'?) so that perhaps people wouldn't feel offput from posting 'serious' topics in the section, since currently it has 'chit chat', a kind of throwaway non-serious title :?

 

[sabro]

That sounds brilliant. Kinsao, I believe that would work.

 

[Mars Man]

A very thoughtful, reflective thread here; and it was enjoyable to read--bringing back some good ole active moments and very satisfiying ones as well.


I can say that I see both sides of the matter--'to have or not to have'. The argument for a 'Japan ONLY' site has its good points and advantages as well as bad points and a downside. The case for having something like a fora where anything else can be discussed is just the same; as far as I have reasoned. To say which would be better, which would be more appropriate, is surely a pure value judgment, and thus pivots on 'the mover'.


In a final analysis of the present state of JREF, I would tend to agree with the concept that Kinsao has highlighted. At the same time, however, I would never guess that what had at one time been as acceptable a fora on JREF as any other, would ever be a part of it again. The historically correct understanding of the demise of that board can be easily traced to the protection of extremism--and while that is, long-gone history, least it not be forgotten that it may happen again, on any other fora here on JREF.


JREF is as much a matter of my personal life as any other element of my personal life. As we all may well experience from time to time, however, pressures of priorities do arise which effectively cause a juggling of those priorites. There will always be times when I will not be as active as at other times. . . but I will most likely (to the degree that I do have control over the matter) always be here. I will always stand up for a very transparent, more democratic way of operation--as I have in the past, as some of you know (and may dislike).


For now, my JREF friends, I simply posit that the title of the this thread speaks as loud as almost any reminder can. . . Rational limits and gentle reminders. As many of those than can, let's adhere to that concept--and may those that feel otherwise, at least give room for the very plausible surperlativeness of the attitude.


And now...back to my string mirrow projecting unit. Not quite fixed yet, but almost there !!

 

[sabro]

Serious discussion requires some serious restraint. There are rules to every contest and discussion, debate, and flat out argument should follow some type of order. I believe we have always had some sense of it-- the right rules and the right idea that correctly balanced the building of a community with the desire for healthy and rigorous debate. It does seem however that the rules were capriciously applied and began to be more about regulating point of view than behavior.

We have the opportunity to affect the kind of community that we would like to be. Mutual respect. Courtesy. A bit of kindness and compassion. This requires objective moderation, someone that can correct all bad behavior, even when they like the person or perspective of the one misbehaving, and respect all perspectives even when they disagree with them...

 

[Mars Man]

That was well put, I do believe. It's something I can agree to. MM

 

[sabro]

Anyway, time permitting Thomas did promise a constitution of sorts. I am excited about the prospect.

 

[Elizabeth]

Anyway, time permitting Thomas did promise a constitution of sorts. I am excited about the prospect.

I'm glad to see he's finally in control of his own site, but things fortunately
seem to have quieted down and to be going along quite well in the status quo.

 

[sabro]

We have passed into a new era. I hope it is characterized by the nature of discussions that have occurred recently and the lack of bitterness that I have seen. Perhaps we can encourage some previous members who were driven off to return?

Is Thomas around? What is his new handle?

Is this new constitution somewhere to be found?

 

[Elizabeth]

Is Thomas around? What is his new handle?

Only a non-posting member in the incarnation of Admin1. I also hope some of the oldbies will eventually catch wind of the changes and let us know they're still alive with an occasional return.