Son of Simon
04-09-2006, 04:05 PM
Hello Idol Faithful,
One thing I love about American Idol is how passionate the fans are. I appreciate the fact that people feel so strongly about contestants, jedges, and the show to an extent that they are moved to write about it. And what I especially ike is that IdolMe forums is a place where I can see some of that passion and emotion firsthand.
That said, the job of the moderators and administrators here is to protect the well-being of the site, and that directly translates to protecting the membership and status of the posters here on the site. We wanna hear what you have to say about American Idol and its contestants, but not at the expense of other members who are willing to do the same.
It is completely unrealistic(not to mention boring) to think that all members will have nothing but positive things to say about the contestants. This is fine. Where the line is crossed, and where moderation has to take place, is where posters become so embroiled in debate or opinion that they instead go after one another instead of the ideas and opinions expressed. This is flaming, and it is not acceptable on the IdolMe forums. Let's walk through an example to give you a better idea.
- Poster 1 has a negative comment about Idol Contestant X.
- Poster 2 LOVES contestant X, and replies with, "That was a really rude comment, and one I don't appreciate." Notice we're still in-bounds here.
- But then another Poster 3 steps in and says, "Poster 1, you are a real SMEGHED for saying such CHUMLEY things."
Now we're in the realm of Flaming. What purpose does flaming serve?
1. It makes poster 3 feel better for trying to defend a contestant.
2. It incites Poster 1 and maybe other posters to go after poster 3.
3. It de-rails the topic at hand.
Flaming is unproductive. Once we've entered the realm of flaming, the conversation is no longer about American Idol, its contestants, or our opinions of such. It is now about Poster 1 vs. Poster 3. Feelings are hurt, character is questioned, and depending on the severity of the incident one or more members face penalization for comments made. Those who wanted to read or partake in a conversation about American Idol can no longer do so without risking being attacked by other members. So really, no one wins in a flame-fest, EVER.
But SoS, why aren't contestants protected in the same manner that members are? Aren't these posters just flaming contestants in forum where contestants cannot defend themselves?
Unfortunately, contestants are not subject to the same rules and protections that members are because 1) they are not members, and 2) the forums are about them- "they" being in the public eye and so subject to the same level of scrutiny that anyone else in the public eye is. We cannot restrict opinions posted on this site by posters because that is what the site is all about, good or bad.
Do you hate what a member has said about a contestant? Disapprove of his/her post. Don't go after their personal character, their family, or anything that has to do with them. It won't get you anywhere other than in trouble with the mods and admins here.
Remember- it's okay to attack the opinion or idea itself. But that's where the discussion needs to stay. Don't be a Smeghed for letting someone else's offensive opinion about a show or its contestants prevent you from posting your own opinions. Attacking other posters is just a surefire way of getting you into trouble.
Thanks.
SoS
One thing I love about American Idol is how passionate the fans are. I appreciate the fact that people feel so strongly about contestants, jedges, and the show to an extent that they are moved to write about it. And what I especially ike is that IdolMe forums is a place where I can see some of that passion and emotion firsthand.
That said, the job of the moderators and administrators here is to protect the well-being of the site, and that directly translates to protecting the membership and status of the posters here on the site. We wanna hear what you have to say about American Idol and its contestants, but not at the expense of other members who are willing to do the same.
It is completely unrealistic(not to mention boring) to think that all members will have nothing but positive things to say about the contestants. This is fine. Where the line is crossed, and where moderation has to take place, is where posters become so embroiled in debate or opinion that they instead go after one another instead of the ideas and opinions expressed. This is flaming, and it is not acceptable on the IdolMe forums. Let's walk through an example to give you a better idea.
- Poster 1 has a negative comment about Idol Contestant X.
- Poster 2 LOVES contestant X, and replies with, "That was a really rude comment, and one I don't appreciate." Notice we're still in-bounds here.
- But then another Poster 3 steps in and says, "Poster 1, you are a real SMEGHED for saying such CHUMLEY things."
Now we're in the realm of Flaming. What purpose does flaming serve?
1. It makes poster 3 feel better for trying to defend a contestant.
2. It incites Poster 1 and maybe other posters to go after poster 3.
3. It de-rails the topic at hand.
Flaming is unproductive. Once we've entered the realm of flaming, the conversation is no longer about American Idol, its contestants, or our opinions of such. It is now about Poster 1 vs. Poster 3. Feelings are hurt, character is questioned, and depending on the severity of the incident one or more members face penalization for comments made. Those who wanted to read or partake in a conversation about American Idol can no longer do so without risking being attacked by other members. So really, no one wins in a flame-fest, EVER.
But SoS, why aren't contestants protected in the same manner that members are? Aren't these posters just flaming contestants in forum where contestants cannot defend themselves?
Unfortunately, contestants are not subject to the same rules and protections that members are because 1) they are not members, and 2) the forums are about them- "they" being in the public eye and so subject to the same level of scrutiny that anyone else in the public eye is. We cannot restrict opinions posted on this site by posters because that is what the site is all about, good or bad.
Do you hate what a member has said about a contestant? Disapprove of his/her post. Don't go after their personal character, their family, or anything that has to do with them. It won't get you anywhere other than in trouble with the mods and admins here.
Remember- it's okay to attack the opinion or idea itself. But that's where the discussion needs to stay. Don't be a Smeghed for letting someone else's offensive opinion about a show or its contestants prevent you from posting your own opinions. Attacking other posters is just a surefire way of getting you into trouble.
Thanks.
SoS