Well, it seems to me that you misunderstand, Dio. Nobody is advocating a 'jokes' only style forum. What they ARE asking for is that insults and flames not be indulged in.
I read so called 'serious' threads and sometimes I choose to answer them. Am I somehow less of a person because I don't spend all my time debating and arguing? I don't think so. I happen to prefer not stressing myself to the max nearly everytime I interact with another human being, is all!
Segregating the 'serious discussions' has a plus side and a minus side. I've seen it mentioned that such threads can become totally disengaged from the rest of the forum, such that only a small handful of 'diehards' ever post there and new blood is rare. I've also seen the argument that if left in GD, at least some people like myself may choose to participate when they see a 'serious' thread of interest, because they are already in GD, thus adding a different perspective to the subject. I've noted in other forums that after a while some of the topics are so overworked and re-hashed that even the die-hards won't reopen them and sometimes no new activity takes place for days.
On the other hand, separating those 'discussions' out means that nobody will see them unless they go looking and anyone in the threads who wants to, can toss that at someone who objects to a post. I used to be one to say "if you don't like it, don't read it" and to a very large extent, that holds true. But if I DO read it, decide it bothered me enough to post about it, and get an 'in your face', "you shouldn't be here" reply, am I ever likely to WANT to participate again?! That would be enough to send me off and I daresay most new members as well. So ok, a plus is that it would certainly be clear that the topics were controversial. I don't know as it will stop flaming/insults but you'd know the subjects were 'heavy' ones and could not read them if you didn't feel in the mood to do so.
As for 'tempers and passions', I saw a lot of self-righteous and angry posts and some pretty personal digs. Making that out to be good is just something I don't understand. I also beg to disagree on the cause. I don't think it was people arriving late and asking for temperance that did it! It was individual posters who got too wrapped up in their rhetoric and had to hurt the others who disagreed in order to 'prove' a point. Not necessarily bad people, just members who forgot the 'respect' aspect of a community. Most realized it and apologized later. We ARE all on edge and I'll be happier when we have relaxed a little. I may even join the 'serious' discussions if I don't feel like I'm going to be ripped in half every time I enter them.
Politeness is not a disease, but rather a cure. We need to remember that.
Cloudy, stepping off that silly soap box again!
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Raindancer of the Laughing Hyenas Clan
CloudDragon of the OHF
Storm-Queen
Raven's Cloud
StormCloud of the Black Knight: Heart Mind Soul Forever
"To sleep, perchance to dream..."