The Town Hall Archives

Samwise · Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2003 9:27 pm Post subject: Replacement of ToO

Now that Arthur Dent won the election and ToO is closing, what is going to replace ToO?

I mean there has to be something.

I do like the idea of putting up a political forum instead.

Respectahobbit · Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2003 9:32 pm Post subject:

And that also means that Arthur Dent won't be mod.

butterflygirl · Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2003 9:51 pm Post subject:

well, he could be, right? I like the idea of a debate, i think. (as i said somewhere else around here, somewhere...)

blah blah blah... Embarassed

Respectahobbit · Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2003 9:58 pm Post subject:

I don't completely like the idea... I mean, I'm not against Politics 101 or stuff like that, what I feel *uneasy* about is the debates... I've heard too many, experianced too many, not in this board though, but oh well. Very Happy

Jared · Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2003 10:16 pm Post subject:

On the contrary, debates are important by helping to shape us both on the issues and on communication skills. Our debates should, of course, remain civil, and I am sure that the moderators, Xhan and I will be sure to keep any that way, just as we do throughout the entire forum.

Debates aren't new to this board, after all. Some of them just may find a new location.

Ferder- · Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2003 10:56 am Post subject:

How 'bout just a general debate board. With debates on any topic, not just politics.

Coralfish · Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2003 1:17 pm Post subject:

I would tend to disagree. From what I have seen, when you let a forum have free reign as to it's debate topics, more often than not the debates center around such things as various foods, socks, and perhaps even ducks. Not that this is entirely without merit, but those things are such that the offtopic forum will suffice. Wink

Something structured seems to be in order, encompassing politics and perhaps, as mentioned, news, economics and related debates and discussions. Other topics may be reserved for the offtopic forum thus those who wish to avoid said issues may do so. It seems a mutually beneficial thing to me. Anyhow, I have said it a few times, but I am in complete support of such a new endeavor.

That said, Jared- will you be, ahem, needing any moderaters? (kidding, kidding...I'm supposed to be studying anyhow.)

E87M2 · Senior Member Joined: 11 Jan 2003 Posts: 1106

I have stated my opinion in the matter on another thread... I don't think that this new board will end up being strictly debates, as I have a feeling that we will be able to agree on several things and just want to discuss them. I feel like a worldview type board will be a great asset to this forum as we could discuss a variety of subjects. Offtopic will still be greatly appreciated for the lighter note debates and discussions (note what it says under "Offtopic" in the forum index... Enter with trepidation. Razz

) Anyway, that's my two cents to this matter.

Jared · Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2003 3:19 pm Post subject:

If one must enter Offtopic with trepidation, one must enter this new board with the Laffer Curve scribbled on a notepad, Free to Choose in hand (for those gasping at that... it's about economics, not abortion), a voting trend analysis report on the desk and other sundry items, correct? Smile

I agree that it should not be a debate board, per sae, because that then opens it up to debates of a silly nature, which would be counterproductive, in my opinion. Which is not to say that there can't be any light discussion in the board related to the topics at hand or that all who post there must have the Harkin Energy Policy committed to memory. Still, one should enter assuming that we will be discussing more weighty topics than socks. (And please don't suggest that lead-coated socks would be weighty... Mad

)

My vision for the new board would be one where news, religion and politics - you know, the stuff they say (whoever "they" are) that should never be discussed in polite company (does that mean that our board could almost be called "Impolite Company"?) - can be discussed and debated.

Are we all agreed?

(Or at least most of us?)

Amadeo · Senior Member Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Posts: 1207

This topic is of interest to me so I will briefly state my opinion.

It does not appear much will be lost with the closure of the Town of Odyssey. If people want to have fun and be silly, there is always the Offtopic board. In fact, each board on forums should serve some distinct purpose. Here, you have The Entrance for people to introduce themselves, The Town Hall for people to discuss Adventure in Odyssey, and the Offtopic board for people to discuss everything else. (I will not comment on the last two boards) The Town of Odyssey seemed a bit redundant, and rather unnecessary.

Now the Offtopic board has its share of interesting and informative threads. But as Coralfish pointed out, it is combined with discussions on ducks, food, and socks. I am not saying that such topics should be forbidden, but it does seem odd to have those serious threads mixed in with the more lighthearted topics. Not only that, but some threads start out with a decent topic and degenerate into plain silliness. Others start out jokingly, and turn into a real discussion. Either way, it makes them difficult to wade through.

The thought of another board being added to discuss news, politics, theology, and the like thrills me. I see there are people here who are willing to discuss some of the more serious issues, and I believe that a board devoted to the discussion of the aforementioned topics will foster more intelligent and informative threads.

There is a time and place for everything, and I would prefer to see a place set aside for any debates/discussions/newsworthy posts people may have. That being said: Wouldn’t lead-coated socks be a weighty discussion?