Should SailNet cover politics?

[OsmundL]

It was pure accident that I discovered SailNet’s “Politics/Religion” forum while looking at New Posts. To quote from Platoon, “I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”

I don’t believe that having such a non-sailing related and obviously controversial forum helps SailNet to reach sailors, least of all those from outside USA. Let me guess why it’s there: someone felt we could make SailNet more of a social network; someone thought it was a great way to let off steam; or someone thought it was a good way to idle away hours while not sailing?

This is what it did for me: I recognized member’s names, people who had made knowledgeable and useful contributions to the sailing forums. Now, they became pigeonholed and often revealed sides I didn’t need to see – bullying of other’s opinions, ideas set in concrete, conclusions based on scattered and half-analyzed facts – you get the picture. It makes no difference “which side” of politics the person is on, my point is that these often apoplectic outbursts will flavor your views of the person as an authority.

There is another problem: the “side of politics” on the forum is clearly restricted to a US internal perspective; it is all about Democrats and Republicans. Could a SailNet member from other countries care less about these quibbles?

I know the argument: “you don’t have to read those threads.” Yeah right, but that’s beside the point. Those who want to argue politics and religion have plenty of sites to use; who needs it on a sailing site? When I look for car reviews I don’t expect to stumble over an attack on Bush or a “save Israel” outburst, and frankly it offends me to have opinions pushed down my throat while I am on a different journey. Worse than that, if I read something particularly obnoxious I am tempted to respond, and whoops there you have me, pigeonholed with the rest.

In politics and religion we expect ramblings from the lunatic fringes, both left and right. As sailors, we are hopefully more practical; we seek information and reliable judgment. The contrast between this forum and the rest of SailNet is so glaring that on this measure alone it is a no-fit.

Don’t get me wrong. I am as interested in politics as the next man. When I debate, I seek out venues where one expects to find well-founded arguments. No offense, but I don’t go to a sailing site to find those, no more than I’d seek out the culinary section to debate taxes. Sailors can be as smart or dumb on the subject as anyone else, but it is hit and miss – and I don’t care a tinker’s cuss (look it up) what sailors think as a species. Or to be more precise, I enjoy the company of sailors and expect to get on with most, and knowing their politics ought have nothing to do with it.

As it stands, the forum comes across as an opportunity to throw dirt, as a soapbox for a few who exploit the fact that they have an audience, and as a gigantic diversion from the purposes of those who come to SailNet.

Do you get it? No matter what political flavor I am, seeing this forum will give me a bad taste in my mouth. As a Democrat I will take offense at some particularly obnoxious attack by a redneck; as a Republican I will tear my heart out at the naivety of some liberal softie; and as a non-US sailor I will roll my eyes at people chewing cud over issues the rest of us settled half a century ago, fighting last century’s battles and displaying total ignorance of the world outside. No matter who I am, something on the forum will annoy me. And to what end? It certainly does not add credibility. It does not make SailNet very interesting outside the US.

One of the fine things about sailing is “getting away from it all.” Isn’t that what most of us advocate? Even just reading about sailing is a form of yoga for me. Why drag the never-ending frustrations of everyday life into my sailing life? It seems like a particularly stupid interference.

There is a narrow spectrum of politics that would fit with SailNet: issues concerned with government regulations and the economics of sailing, marinas, services, qualifications and so forth. Lobbying for sailor’s interests would have a place. Could we not stick to that?

[AjariBonten]

so don't read them; I usually don't

[merlin2375]

These threads were put into their own section for the purpose of distinguishing them so that those who are uninterested can avoid it. Discussion and debate about past and present issues is part of what makes this the best country in the world.

If you're not interested in reading or participating in the discussion, you need not do so. No one is forcing your hand. It really is that simple.

[PBzeer]

I'd find it for you, but if you'll take a few moments away from worrying about what other people do with their time, you'll find a handy "get around" posted by another member that saves you from the agony of dealing with the parts of the community you don't approve of. Have a happy unoffended day

[camaraderie]

OsmundL...take a look at the daily post totals by forum. Politics and Off Topic posts exceed EVERY other topic...more page views and more participation.
Obviously a LOT of people don't share your views about what sailors are interested in on a sailing site.
Equally important...those page views help pay the rent with advertisers for Sailnet.

Yes...it is a USA bias...as this is a USA based SITE, and a USA based store and 90% of the membership is from the USA.
But here's a little secret....the "furriners" participate actively as well.
Here's another... the addition of those foreign perspectives is one of the things that makes off topic so enjoyable for us Americans. Talking with REAL Canucks about national health care there and how it works, or Aussies about global warming politics is a real eye opener and lots of fun.
Yeah...we attract both sides of the lunatic fringe (even fringier than me!) but somehow many of us get by all that and still manage to entertain and educate ourselves.

As others have said... you don't have to even see this section let alone jump into it. So...set your bookmark to "Avoid" and leave us to our fun.

[erps]

This is what it did for me: I recognized member’s names, people who had made knowledgeable and useful contributions to the sailing forums. Now, they became pigeonholed and often revealed sides I didn’t need to see – bullying of other’s opinions, ideas set in concrete, conclusions based on scattered and half-analyzed facts – you get the picture. It makes no difference “which side” of politics the person is on, my point is that these often apoplectic outbursts will flavor your views of the person as an authority.

I hear where you're coming from but there is not a single person on this earth that can conduct themselves in a manner that prevents you from pigeonholing them. I suppose it's human nature, but we can rise above it if we try.

[bubb2]

If you refer to the political party's as Tartan and C&C's and refer to anything you don't like about politics as a hull failures. you can get whole treads removed.

[sailaway21]

Someone who has a political opinion might be diminished in your eyes? As compared to the person whose never had a deeper thought than whether he prefers Ding-Dongs to Ho-Ho's? Just to set the record straight; I'm a right wing reactionary whom comports himself with known pinkos and leftists. I don't really care for their ideology but their women are hot, when they shave.

[Cruisingdad]

First of all, OsmundL, you have an outstanding vocabulary... better than even our friendly Portugese. In fact, it would easily be argued, better than a bunch of Americans! Are you an Ex-pat, by chance, or are you just extremely fluent? Congrats, no matter what.

You will find that I avoid this forum pretty much alltogether. THe other mods do too, for the most part. I am posting here because it came up in New Posts... not because I actively come here. Although I do tread in these waters periodically, it is more to make sure it does not get toooooo bad. Other than that I have no interest.

I, like you, have found that after reading some other sailors opinions, I become a little turned off by their sailing stuff. I found it was becoming a distraction for a site I enjoy. As such, I ventured away from these topics.

However, there are many members that really enjoy it. Let's face it, as Alex and I talked about not long ago, if this was strictly sailing related, we would have a tough time keeping the very active members we keep. I simply cannot talk sailing 24-7-364, etc. As such, I do actively participate in Off Topic. Many other members reached out to me with the very same comments as concerns that I share. As such, we moved this to its own little forum. It is, and will obviously remain, very active for those who enjoy it. And for them - great. I am glad they like it. As for the others that have found it, like you, a place of frustration and dissapointment, please try to avoid it.

All in all it appears everything has been a success. The complaints and frustrations shared by many new and old members seems to about have fallen to zero. Everyone seems moderately happy. I hope you will see that this was the best compromise we could reach.

See ya on the other other side,

Brian

[WouldaShoulda]

Originally Posted by sailaway21

Someone who has a political opinion might be diminished in your eyes? As compared to the person whose never had a deeper thought than whether he prefers Ding-Dongs to Ho-Ho's?

I resent that

I came here for the food!!

Oh, the answer is neither. I'm a Tasteycake man!!