Should the politics forum exist on cc?

collegealum314 · 05-11-2009, 06:37 PM

I have been watching several incendiary threads grow in length on this subforum, and I have two questions:

1) What value does this subforum serve to the overall mission of cc, which presumably is to create an environment to foster the sharing of information on college? There are plenty of other places on the internet devoted to discussion of politics.

2) Why should a subforum exist that is virtually exempt from the TOS? If a discussion of politics is too incendiary to be moderated, then what is the point of moderation in the other forums? It seems a little like removing the bailiffs from divorce court because people shoot each other so often it's too difficult to control.

mini · 05-11-2009, 06:43 PM

It serves to keep these conversations from the rest of cc?

Mr Payne · 05-11-2009, 06:47 PM

The purpose of this website is to create money for the owners. Does a politics sub-forum help do that? Unknown.

littlegreenmom · 05-11-2009, 07:41 PM

We keep coming back here, whether to post on the college forums giving advice, or here to discuss politics. Since ads pop up, I assume that they don't care what we talk about, as long as we keep tuning in and presumably paying attention to their advertisers.

Perhaps they even get better rates because of so many "hits" to the sub-forums, like politics and elections.

Icarus · 05-11-2009, 08:10 PM

Quote:

1) What value does this subforum serve to the overall mission of cc, which presumably is to create an environment to foster the sharing of information on college? There are plenty of other places on the internet devoted to discussion of politics.

It accomplishes that first goal in part by having other areas devoted to other topics, which promotes people staying on the site. Too narrow a scope would kill the forums by limiting interest. Having lots of subforums and places for various topics entices people to stay and discuss other issues, and with people they may know from the college discussion section of the site.

Quote:

2) Why should a subforum exist that is virtually exempt from the TOS? If a discussion of politics is too incendiary to be moderated, then what is the point of moderation in the other forums?

You sort of answered your own question. It is just that - to give people a place to come and discuss things that may lead to.... passionate debate that otherwise wouldn't fly on other parts of the forums, and to keep that as a separate place so that only people who chose to come to the subforum are exposed to it.

I definitely commend CC for having a virtually unmoderated politics subforum. Its a great idea.

MGMT_Fan · 05-11-2009, 09:43 PM

No it shouldnt. This is a college forum, not a political one. There are plenty of other online forums where politics can find a home. The more subforums and forums there are on CC the less activity there will be on the forums.

fizix2 · 05-11-2009, 09:44 PM

to please the bored parents,
just like how hsl pleases bored high schoolers

i mean even google has a break room,
does the break room help crank out code?

Icarus · 05-11-2009, 10:47 PM

Quote:

The more subforums and forums there are on CC the less activity there will be on the forums.

That seems to be an illogical conclusion - care to explain this hypothesis?

stilettogirl · 05-11-2009, 10:47 PM

yes, i think it should exist. it's a really interesting perspective on things.

lindz126 · 05-11-2009, 10:51 PM

collegealum314---I have had similar questions about this issue. I have been surprised at how insulting and agressive some of the threads can be~little respect for differing viewpoints. We are launching our kids into a world with so much conflict, and division where violent solutions are all too often quickly sought. I would hope we could use cc to to promote a more respectful listening, and understanding. This is what I would like our kids to see us model and hopefully emulate.

thirdfloor · 05-11-2009, 11:06 PM

It's better than having the bile spill out into the rest of the CC forums. At least if it's (mostly) contained to the politics subforum, the rest of us can ignore it. Count me unimpressed with the lack of civility exhibited in it.

GeekNerd · 05-11-2009, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrPayne

The purpose of this website is to create money for the owners. Does a politics sub-forum help do that? Unknown.

I nearly stopped visiting altogether - to make "productive" school-related posts or for other purposes - when I perceived a fall in political threads in the (other) Cafe. It's not belligerence, but rather, habitual excitement. Just my $.02. I'm now very glad to find this sub-forum (I didn't know it existed).

siberian · 05-11-2009, 11:30 PM

In my understanding, politics is all about value judgment.
Is it OK colleges admit students in terms of legacy or not?
Is it OK colleges do the affirmative action admits?
Is it OK colleges do the income redistributions by the differential tuitions in the name of need blinds?
Is it OK colleges' admit students in a holistic approach rather than clear cut merit basis?
Is it OK colleges becoming a social club rather than an education and research entity?

Amadeuic · 05-12-2009, 12:48 AM

No, it should not.

This is College Confidential.

You can have an over-arching Off-Topic Forum, I suppose. But no need for an actual Political one.

astrophysicsmom · 05-12-2009, 01:17 AM

I'm with thirdfloor: "It's better than having the bile spill out into the rest of the CC forums. At least if it's (mostly) contained to the politics subforum, the rest of us can ignore it. Count me unimpressed with the lack of civility exhibited in it. "

Before the subforums were created, many of the parent forums degenerated quickly. There are some posters who generally just drive discussions there. I love having it separate.....much, much easier to avoid. Go there if you're interested; avoid it if you're not.

I do, however, agree that the TOS should still apply. The personal attacks there can be vicious.