Thread: Deleting profile to escape n get out of this place

Originally Posted by BRADS

Possibly so some stand back a bit and look how bad this place has got in the last year ?

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I think that the forum has improved. For a long time after I joined I found the forum a bit boring and limited with members posting dead animal photos to accumulate likes and popularity as the predominant activity. I didnt look often. Since the Mosque shooting the forum has matured into a place for open discussion on all matters by persons with a common interest and comradery. Someone might write in reply that the online scraps and personalised attacks are bad for the forum, and that is quite true, however I see that as a phase that will disappear once members learn how to disagree and debate online. I am grateful for the learning the forum has provided me.

Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

I think that the forum has improved. For a long time after I joined I found the forum a bit boring and limited with members posting dead animal photos to accumulate likes and popularity as the predominant activity. I didnt look often. Since the Mosque shooting the forum has matured into a place for open discussion on all matters by persons with a common interest and comradery. Someone might write in reply that the online scraps and personalised attacks are bad for the forum, and that is quite true, however I see that as a phase that will disappear once members learn how to disagree and debate online. I am grateful for the learning the forum has provided me.

It is comments like this (highlighted) that have killed the hunting reports and magazine section. That is a shame because for many that was the corner stone of the forum.
Since the "event" the forum (to me) has been populated by (some) people who only seem to have a passing interest in hunting and shooting but a particular interest in expressing their political discontent and resentment in most nasty and personalised ways, and/or wish to explore the fringe ends of topics that have nothing to do with the forum's (former) core purpose. That "common interest and camaraderie" might suit some, but not me.

Like everyone else you are entitled to your opinion.
But that is all it is.your opinion

Originally Posted by Tahr

It is comments like this (highlighted) that have killed the hunting reports and magazine section. That is a shame because for many that was the corner stone of the forum.
Since the "event" the forum (to me) has been populated by (some) people who only seem to have a passing interest in hunting and shooting but a particular interest in expressing their political discontent and resentment in most nasty and personalised ways, and/or wish to explore the fringe ends of topics that have nothing to do with the forum's (former) core purpose. That "common interest and camaraderie" might suit some, but not me.

Some may have considered the posting of dead animal photos in isolation 'the cornerstone of the forum'. But for me whilst I respect that, especially hard won trophies. I like to see that balanced with photos of meals prepared from these hunted wild foods and the sharing of recipe's, photos of kids out hunting, the birds of the forest, sunsets, the things that are the foundation of a happy well rounded existence and enjoyment of the wilds.
These things represent us as good and decent people, connected to the cycle of life on earth.
Tahr, the respect I have for you comes from your generosity in giving away meat to charity. I would like very much to see photos of that posted

Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

Some may have considered the posting of dead animal photos in isolation 'the cornerstone of the forum'. But for me whilst I respect that, especially hard won trophies. I like to see that balanced with photos of meals prepared from wild foods and the sharing of recipe's, photos of kids out hunting, the birds of the forest, sunsets, the things that are the foundation of a happy well rounded existence and enjoyment of the wilds.
These things represent us as good and decent people.

All of those topics do exist on this forum MH... Along with reviews of gear, reloading info etc.

Originally Posted by ebf

All of those topics do exist on this forum MH... Along with reviews of gear, reloading info etc.

Yes, absolutely they do exist on the forum. What I meant was that I admire posts where there are photos of the end use of the animal as well as the field action all on the same post. That is what I meant by 'photos of dead animals in isolation' where only a dead animal is shown in the post ( in isolation).
I am not intending to seem over sensitive about dead animal photos, just pragmatic about public perception of hunting sports. Look at how many Rodeos have been stopped by animal rights groups who think a bull is really harmed by being ridden.

Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

Some may have considered the posting of dead animal photos in isolation 'the cornerstone of the forum'. But for me whilst I respect that, especially hard won trophies. I like to see that balanced with photos of meals prepared from these hunted wild foods and the sharing of recipe's, photos of kids out hunting, the birds of the forest, sunsets, the things that are the foundation of a happy well rounded existence and enjoyment of the wilds.
These things represent us as good and decent people, connected to the cycle of life on earth.
Tahr, the respect I have for you comes from your generosity in giving away meat to charity. I would like very much to see photos of that posted

But here's the thing. For these things to flourish as you want, that ought to be where your energy goes. How often do you begin them? How often do you contribute to them? Compared to how often you dwell on Covid and towers??

I repeat, there is a segment on here that simply want to dwell on the negative, the unrelated and the bull shit. They make a fool of a very good hunting and shooting forum.

so when you go out to the pub for a beer , is beer all you talk about ?

when you go out for a hunt with mates , is hunting all you talk about ?

Originally Posted by Ftx325

so when you go out to the pub for a beer , is beer all you talk about ?

when you go out for a hunt with mates , is hunting all you talk about ?

The majority of non-hunting (political) discussions here are a case study in confirmation bias; angry people with a set opinion interested in "being right", not getting the right answer. There is little arguing in good faith or discovery through dialogue. Were a mate of mine to act such in real life, I would be happy to help them grow as a person but I'm not interested in running free online mentoring

This is besides the additional point that it isn't necessarily the discussions that are irritating the 95%, it is the tendency of some people to post in every single thread they can find about something political and unrelated. I get it, I don't like Jacinda or the government either (any flavour), I lost firearms at a loss in 2019 and I don't trust them or think they're telling the truth about everything. I also don't need to rant in every thread about it. It is what it is, focussing on the negatives all the time can be satisfying but leads to a feedback loop of negativity and bitterness. It's not good for your life.

There are 3 options as a moderator/admin of a forum where members are acting contrary to the way we would like members to act:
1: Do nothing. This is very easy but leads to echo chambers and bullying cliques.
2: Argue the point. This takes a lot of time and I personally don't receive a single cent for doing anything related to this forum, and I have much better things to do with my life, given the close-mindedness of those involved meaning that it is likely pointless - again, most involved say they are "seeking alternative information" or similar but are victims of confirmation bias.
3: Delete people and close threads if they don't follow the simple rules. This is what I am leaning towards at the moment as it is becoming very tiresome.

Originally Posted by gimp

.............There are 3 options as a moderator/admin of a forum where members are acting contrary to the way we would like members to act:..........

The "we" of course, being hopefully the same as the majority of the members. So, with those "3 options" being:

1: Do nothing. ...................
2: Argue the point. ...................................
3: Delete people and close threads if they don't follow the simple rules. This is what I am leaning towards at the moment as it is becoming very tiresome.”

Interesting options and here, unasked for, are my observations on your three options".

1...That seems to be the current par for the course.
2... “Argue.”? Is that your only response, why not comment on other’s views, or add your views?
3...”Delete people and close threads..” Surely that is the just one part of the role of an active website moderator ?

My queries.
Do you know what the readers want to read?
Agreed, there are complaints about “politics’ entering into threads, but I also see complaints that there are not enough desired threads being created on hunting and shooting matters. So just who is expected to create these desired threads?
Do you know how many members create posts as opposed to just those who reading?
Do the scope of subjects within the “desired threads” need to be expanded? Are reader’s views on what they are interested in, evolving with the interesting times we have?

coming at it from another direction:

When did those who make decisions on this site's directions last consider:
a...what readers want to read. In fact when did they last:
b...do a count of the numbers of readers who make posts.
c...Do a count of how many readers this site actually has?

The information on the last two should be easily gleaned from the systems databases and would be a starting point in deciding if you have enough posters to revert your site back to one with a good supply of fresh posts but only on “Hunting and Shooting” issues

OR

Consider some changes because reality changes.

One way to find an answer is to “Do it”. Delete those who breach the rules, (I anticipate being one of the first to be deleted,no problem) but remember the old saying, “be careful what you wish for” as there is a possibility the site content may be bit thin and stale if you try to "turn back time". and non conformers , once culled may neer be seen again.

Just saying.

Originally Posted by Tahr

But here's the thing. For these things to flourish as you want, that ought to be where your energy goes. How often do you begin them? How often do you contribute to them? Compared to how often you dwell on Covid and towers??

I repeat, there is a segment on here that simply want to dwell on the negative, the unrelated and the bull shit. They make a fool of a very good hunting and shooting forum.

I disagree with the assertion " there is a segment on here etc. and that they make a fool etc." I contend that it is the members that loose their tempers and attack the person and not the post that disrupt the forum. If we can accept that happening as normal in any group of people sharing their opinions, the forum becomes a great learning tool for those of us not well versed in online debate.
To control what topics are posted is an attack on free speech and freedom of expression. Would you have us give up those rights voluntarily to censorship?
As far as my own posting and thread starting have a look.

And my best wishes to the OP in their future path

Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

posting of dead animal photos in isolation . . ' I like to see that balanced with photos of meals prepared from these hunted wild foods and the sharing of recipe's, photos of kids out hunting, the birds of the forest, sunsets, the things that are the foundation of a happy well rounded existence and enjoyment of the wilds.
These things represent us as good and decent people, connected to the cycle of life on earth.

ramble alert . . so this morning i'm driving down a long winding down hill section with the road sparkling with frost in a heavy vehicle, the exhaust brake is on, i'm in the right gear, its just after 6.00am, i've got the road to myself and i am happy as a sandman.
and then i have a thought . . OMG ! when i did post pics of hunting it was all guns with dead animals
where were my pics of meals and recipe's
where were the kids
the tweety birds
the sunsets . . there was 1 but it had a rifle in the middle of it
the cycle of life stuff

and then i thouight, Fck Off ! that sounds like a Womens magazine

Originally Posted by rossi.45

ramble alert . . so this morning i'm driving down a long winding down hill section with the road sparkling with frost in a heavy vehicle, the exhaust brake is on, i'm in the right gear, its just after 6.00am, i've got the road to myself and i am happy as a sandman.
and then i have a thought . . OMG ! when i did post pics of hunting it was all guns with dead animals
where were my pics of meals and recipe's
where were the kids
the tweety birds
the sunsets . . there was 1 but it had a rifle in the middle of it
the cycle of life stuff

and then i thouight, Fck Off ! that sounds like a Womens magazine

What Bullshit Rossi, that thread you started about making Gin ( mothers ruin ) is just as much a womans weekly topic as anything I mentioned !

Originally Posted by Tahr

It is comments like this (highlighted) that have killed the hunting reports and magazine section. That is a shame because for many that was the corner stone of the forum.
Since the "event" the forum (to me) has been populated by (some) people who only seem to have a passing interest in hunting and shooting but a particular interest in expressing their political discontent and resentment in most nasty and personalised ways, and/or wish to explore the fringe ends of topics that have nothing to do with the forum's (former) core purpose. That "common interest and camaraderie" might suit some, but not me.

100% im on a hunting forum because hunting interests me and I like looking at pictures of dead deer .