hijacking threads

[Peter]

I feel like I'm seeing an increasing number of threads being moved to the "free-for-all" forum. A mod has two choices: delete posts or move the thread. I think the intent of the OP should weigh heavily. If the OP wanted a free-for-all then he or she could have started the thread there. I am not interested in the type of conversation that is permitted there. I'm sure there are others who feel the same way. When you move a thread there, you take it away from me and those like me. If someone posts to a thread and that post is not appropriate for that forum, then delete the post. Don't let one person hijack a whole thread.

Thanks for listening.

[Ben]

Hi Peter
I'm not aware of any threads being moved. Are there any that concern you particularly?
Thanks

Ben

[Peter]

For example I recall "mahayana perspective" and "tolerance" being in other forums originally. I was participating in both threads until they were moved. Or maybe I'm misremembering. If you say things aren't being moved then maybe I'm just confused.

[Sanghamitta]

I am conscious that I was involved with both those threads. If in any way I hijacked them, I apologise.

[genkaku]

I learned a long time ago not to put topics in the forum I thought was most appropriate. Since Buddhism, for my money, is wide and alive and recognizes no stop signs, I like it when a topic kind of flows from point to point according to the poster: Some love quoting scripture, some will tell you about a ball game they went to, some will speak of meditation difficulties ... an endless link, one thing to the next. But this is just my taste and why, rather than ruffling anyone's Buddhist feathers, I always post in the least restrictive and defined forum. It's just my taste: Hijacking is what happens quite naturally.

Hijack away!

[Ben]

Hi Peter
I've searched the moderation log and the last thread moved into the Dhammic-free-for-all was "How are the views of Buddhadasa Bhikkhu regarded?" on 16th July. Since then, there have been a few other thread movements but they've typically been threads moved from 'Discovering Theravada' to 'Personal Experience' and 'Personal Experience' to 'Lounge' I've also searched the log to the 11th May and I couldn't find any evidence of those threads you enquired about being moved.
I'm happy to discuss if you have any further questions.
Kind regards

Ben

[tiltbillings]

I moved Should Buddhists be Tolerant of Other Religions? almost as soon as it was posted in the Lounge to the free-for-all section, because seemed to have more Dhammic issues than not, but it could have stayed where it was.

[Individual]

I feel like I'm seeing an increasing number of threads being moved to the "free-for-all" forum. A mod has two choices: delete posts or move the thread. I think the intent of the OP should weigh heavily. If the OP wanted a free-for-all then he or she could have started the thread there. I am not interested in the type of conversation that is permitted there. I'm sure there are others who feel the same way. When you move a thread there, you take it away from me and those like me. If someone posts to a thread and that post is not appropriate for that forum, then delete the post. Don't let one person hijack a whole thread.

Thanks for listening.

What is it specifically about the Dhammic Free-For-All forum that makes it impossible for you to read any threads that are moved there?

[mikenz66]

Hi Individual,

3. The "Free-for-all" forum may not be suitable for everyone

The purpose of this sub-forum is to openly permit important and challenging discussion on the Dhamma. By establishing a particular forum as a Free-For-All, albeit one where members must still be nice to each other, we aim to keep other areas of the site free from vociferous debate. We have attempted to establish an appropriate time and place for everything, with well established boundaries that will be enforced. Therefore, if you deem that vociferous debate is not conducive to your practice, you have the opportunity to fine tune your experience at Dhamma Wheel by sticking to forums better aligned with your practice that will be protected from such intense debate.

Clearly some people think that vociferous debate is not conducive to their practise. And/or they want to have a discussion about issues from a Theravada perspective without having to spend time debating issues that they feel should be taken as read.

In my experience, discussions focussed on particular technical issues (be they Buddhist or something else) are usually much more useful than wide-ranging ones.

Metta
Mike

[Peter]

Apparently it's my mistake then. Perhaps the tone of the thread changed and only then I noticed what forum it was in. In any case, it's apparently nothing you can do anything about.



I suppose what I'm seeing is an increased starting of threads in free-for-all, which speaks more towards the quality of the OPs than it does of the replies.

[Ben]

Hi Peter

If there is anything we can do, such as starting a parallel thread in the classical forum, please let us know.
Metta

Ben

[Individual]

I suppose what I'm seeing is an increased starting of threads in free-for-all

What do you expect? This is a discussion forum.

[Peter]

I suppose what I'm seeing is an increased starting of threads in free-for-all

What do you expect? This is a discussion forum.

This is a Buddhist discussion forum and I suppose I expect putthujanas to act like putthujanas. What I would hope is that most people who come to a Buddhism discussion forum would want to discuss Buddhism. That means seeking an answer consistent with the Buddhist tradition. Asking a question in free-for-all seems to me less about learning Buddhism and more about seeking debate and ego-gratification.

[Ben]

Hi Peter

I suppose what I'm seeing is an increased starting of threads in free-for-all

What do you expect? This is a discussion forum.

This is a Buddhist discussion forum and I suppose I expect putthujanas to act like putthujanas. What I would hope is that most people who come to a Buddhism discussion forum would want to discuss Buddhism. That means seeking an answer consistent with the Buddhist tradition. Asking a question in free-for-all seems to me less about learning Buddhism and more about seeking debate and ego-gratification.

For the most part, the free-for-all isn't my cup of tea for precisely the same reason it isn't yours. However, sometimes, it might be a useful exercise to consider the free-for-all as a venue for members to refute adhamma and that which is not consistent with the Buddhist tradition. Its something to think about.
Metta

Ben

[clw_uk]

It is a useful forum to have, without such room for debate conversation will tend to become quite rigid



Plus without challenges one never learns if there view/argument actually holds up


However it is good to have a classical section where traditions can be explained



just my two cents

metta

[Peter]

However, sometimes, it might be a useful exercise to consider the free-for-all as a venue for members to refute adhamma and that which is not consistent with the Buddhist tradition. Its something to think about.

The same points could be discussed in the other forums if the participants have enough humility and respect.

[Ben]

However, sometimes, it might be a useful exercise to consider the free-for-all as a venue for members to refute adhamma and that which is not consistent with the Buddhist tradition. Its something to think about.

The same points could be discussed in the other forums if the participants have enough humility and respect.

I couldn't agree more Peter. My motivation is when i engage in that forum is to try and refute an inconsistent or erroneous point of view for the benefit of those who may come along to seek clarification. But as I said earlier, I don't have the stomach for a lot of discussion that occurs in the free-for-all. sometimes its all I can do to go in that forum and moderate and ensure everyone's behaving themselves.
Kind regards

Ben

[Sanghamitta]

However, sometimes, it might be a useful exercise to consider the free-for-all as a venue for members to refute adhamma and that which is not consistent with the Buddhist tradition. Its something to think about.

The same points could be discussed in the other forums if the participants have enough humility and respect.

I couldn't agree more Peter. My motivation is when i engage in that forum is to try and refute an inconsistent or erroneous point of view for the benefit of those who may come along to seek clarification. But as I said earlier, I don't have the stomach for a lot of discussion that occurs in the free-for-all. sometimes its all I can do to go in that forum and moderate and ensure everyone's behaving themselves.
Kind regards

Ben

Having now got the lay of the land a little re Dhamma Wheel Forum I think it unlikely that I will be visiting the "Free For All " again. It seems there really may be people who roam Buddhist websites courting controversy. I find it astonishing.

[Ben]

Hi Sanghamitta

My advice to you is the same as my advice to Peter. So please feel free to contribute in that forum should you wish to do so.
Metta

Ben

[Sanghamitta]

Thanks Ben. I realise that any website needs a pressure cooker valve. Not my cup of tea though if you will excuse the mixed metaphor....