Consider banning politics

[bwv 1080]

I find this place has become toxic with the political flame wars dominating any musical discussion.  Went over to talk classical, where I will be spending my time now, and the ban on politics and religion really seems to facilitate a much better experience.  Not that I will be missed, but I doubt I'm the only one that feels this way.

[amw]

Most of the politics are confined to a handful of clearly marked threads which you can just avoid reading if you don't want to see them.

[Biffo]

I find this place has become toxic with the political flame wars dominating any musical discussion.  Went over to talk classical, where I will be spending my time now, and the ban on politics and religion really seems to facilitate a much better experience.  Not that I will be missed, but I doubt I'm the only one that feels this way.

As suggested above just ignore the overtly political threads. I have more or less given up on Talk Classical as I find many of the musical threads to be toxic. This forum isn't perfect but there is plenty of civilised conversation to be had.

[Ghost of Baron Scarpia]

I agree with Biffo, having tested the waters at TalkClassical, the musical threads there can be toxic, with people going on about how music they don't like or understand is inferior. I've stopped participating there, although my account is still active.

The political threads here are mostly toxic, but compartmentalized so I can avoid that content without difficulty.

In any case, I hope you'll reconsider.

[Karl Henning]

I find this place has become toxic with the political flame wars dominating any musical discussion.  Went over to talk classical, where I will be spending my time now, and the ban on politics and religion really seems to facilitate a much better experience.  Not that I will be missed, but I doubt I'm the only one that feels this way.

On the contrary, I should miss you.

[71 dB]

I have zero understanding of why people are obsessed with discussing politics and religion, all I know is I do not want to have anything to do with a discussion of either topic.

Maybe people are obsessed with discussing politics and religion because those are things that affect people's lives, perhaps much more than classical music?

[71 dB]

The political threads here are mostly toxic, but compartmentalized so I can avoid that content without difficulty.

Blame the establishment for that! They have divided us so they can keep screwing us up!

[Ken B]

Most of the politics are confined to a handful of clearly marked threads which you can just avoid reading if you don't want to see them.

If only that were true, but you in particular inject political unpleasantness into all sort of threads.

[Ghost of Baron Scarpia]

If only that were true, but you in particular inject political unpleasantness into all sort of threads.

That's not fair. I find many of amw's political views nuts, but I do not recall 'unpleasantness' or a tendency toward unpleasant politics on non-political threads. And talk about the pot calling the kettle black, as evidenced by this unnecessarily argumentative and 'unpleasant' post.

[arpeggio]

I agree with Biffo, having tested the waters at TalkClassical, the musical threads there can be toxic, with people going on about how music they don't like or understand is inferior. I've stopped participating there, although my account is still active.

The political threads here are mostly toxic, but compartmentalized so I can avoid that content without difficulty.

In any case, I hope you'll reconsider.

I agree with you about the political threads. Just ignore them.

As a refugee from Talk Classical I agree.  There are a few threads that I follow but I rarely participate anymore. 

[Ken B]

That's not fair. I find many of amw's political views nuts, but I do not recall 'unpleasantness' or a tendency toward unpleasant politics on non-political threads. And talk about the pot calling the kettle black, as evidenced by this unnecessarily argumentative and 'unpleasant' post.

It's more than fair. Take a look at the recent American music thread for instance.

It's hypocritical or disingenuous to tell people the politics is confined to a few clearly defined threads whilst injecting it into others. I think the original poster was bothered at least in part because such discussions are not in fact quarantined.

[Brian]

It's more than fair. Take a look at the recent American music thread for instance.

That was a good, civil, interesting discussion. Thanks for recommending it.

Oh wait, you didn't like it? huh

[Ghost of Baron Scarpia]

That was a good, civil, interesting discussion. Thanks for recommending it.

Oh wait, you didn't like it? huh

Where is this thread?

[Ken B]

Where is this thread?

You were part of it! I think it was 10 favorite American composers.
It was indeed a civil discussion, San Antone's posts in particular being good.  But it was also an example of a (failed) attempt to inject political trolling. There are other examples, but that was a recent thread where I saw it.

[Ghost of Baron Scarpia]

You were part of it! I think it was 10 favorite American composers.
It was indeed a civil discussion, San Antone's posts in particular being good.  But it was also an example of a (failed) attempt to inject political trolling. There are other examples, but that was a recent thread where I saw it.

Yes, I vaguely remember it, I looked for it, didn't find it, and wondered if it was deleted for some reason.

[amw]

That was a good, civil, interesting discussion. Thanks for recommending it.

Also credit for starting it should be owed to San Antone, not me! (And not really a political discussion either)

Ken seems to be projecting....

[Brian]

Ken seems to be projecting....

I didn't want to be the one to say it 

(While I oppose a ban on politics for the reasons stated above - it's very easy to avoid; the only time I see political posts are when I do my weekly read-throughs of Todd's and amw's post histories - I think Ken's intervention here is a good example of why some people might support it.)

[Ken B]

I didn't want to be the one to say it 

(While I oppose a ban on politics for the reasons stated above - it's very easy to avoid; the only time I see political posts are when I do my weekly read-throughs of Todd's and amw's post histories - I think Ken's intervention here is a good example of why some people might support it.)

I for one oppose such a ban. But I do think it's best kept quarantined. That requires a little self discipline, sometimes A bit lacking.

Your comment vindicates my earlier claim.

[Mirror Image]

As long as a member doesn't get on the grandstand on say the 'listening' thread or a composer thread, then I see no reason why political threads should be banned, especially if the threads and the posts are designated to the right part of the forum. Personally, I never understood why anyone would want to discuss politics on a music forum to begin with, but that's really out of my control and makes no difference in the threads that I like to post in.

[JBS]

I oppose the ban. I will not that compared to social media and overtly political websites, GMG discussions are generally respectful, better informed, and more tolerant of opposing views.