I'm proposing here a somewhat more rigid control of new threads on the specific subject of Israel and Palestine. The objectives would be to accommodate those who tire of the proliferation of threads on the subject, and also to better serve and encourage those who have been disappointed in the curtailment and disruption of discussion and debate surrounding Israeli/Palestinian issues.
I would like for us to consider implementing a thread in World Events as a que of current events in Israel/Palestine items. For the duration of the experiment (or policy should the experiment be received favorably) any new thread to appear involving current/recent events in Israel or Palestine would be merged into this catch-all discussion que. I would like to begin the thread with some representative highlights of similar threads that went before- with links to follow, where a few previous and representative discussions diverted... too many to a dead end. The format of the review would follow the same pattern as would any redirection of following discussions.
By this method, the most recent Israel/Palestine events may be discussed briefly in a catch-all thread, until discussion (as is typically the case) turns to revisiting an underlying issue. At that point, I (or another so-inclined fellow moderator) would direct us all to a more appropriate thread. I would not insist that all travelers turn off at the first exit- this would be a thoughtful highway, with multiple opportunities to go with the flow, and drive friendly, before a cop might pull a wayward traveler over to the side for some help with directions.
What I'm proposing is a more rigid control of new threads on the specific subject of Israel and Palestine. If we embark on this experiment, members may start threads at will, as always- but if I (or my fellow mods if they are inclined) receive a popular mandate to limit the number of threads on this specific topic, then any new associated thread will be subject to interdiction. This means that if you start a new thread involving the subject of Israel/Palestine, it would very likely get merged into an appropriate pre-existing thread, such as:
I would encourage your suggestions and input in selecting very few (just a handful, ultimately) additional general topics for directing our discussions relating to Israel and Palestine. Since there has been no other issue in the Politics forum that provides as much grist for expressions of differing opinion, I think it's a test opportunity, to see how we can raise the bar of discussion and debate here.
In addition to your patience with the redirection of new threads and posts, I would ask members to scrupulously avoid even the appearance of hateful posts on this general subject. It's a blurry line between being provocative and contributing to the derailment of a discussion- so the success of this initiative will also require redoubled attention to avoiding offense, by giving that fuzzy line a wide berth. I'm hoping to devote particular attention as a moderator to an area of discussion that is particularly prone to getting out of hand, and I'm hoping that with some attention to continuity of discussion, we'll create clearer paths to understanding for all sides. I have no desire to implement anything as a moderator that I would find unacceptable as a member. As a member, I am interested in seeing if less tangle of Israel/Palestine threads, along with more respectful debate, may offer something more stimulating and worthwhile here.
If this idea gains the support of fellow members and mods, then it may necessarily begin (on the visible stage) with some strong medicine: Locked threads pertaining to Israel/Palestine. Prior to that, I would work to compile a representative review of quality discussions on the general subject here at Sciforums, and use them to "seed" the new categorical threads. I would do my best, and enlist the input of others, to see that any excerpts of prior discussions are equally representative of the opposing viewpoints we've seen here.
Right now I am mostly interested in hearing your opinions, and especially those of members who frequent discussions about Israel and Palestine. I invite any further comments here, and I would especially appreciate the participation of those who have frequented our many threads involving Israel and Palestine. I'll take some initiative on this, and devote some serious personal effort in this regard, if this concept gains palpable support from my fellow members and moderators.
I would like for us to consider implementing a thread in World Events as a que of current events in Israel/Palestine items. For the duration of the experiment (or policy should the experiment be received favorably) any new thread to appear involving current/recent events in Israel or Palestine would be merged into this catch-all discussion que. I would like to begin the thread with some representative highlights of similar threads that went before- with links to follow, where a few previous and representative discussions diverted... too many to a dead end. The format of the review would follow the same pattern as would any redirection of following discussions.
By this method, the most recent Israel/Palestine events may be discussed briefly in a catch-all thread, until discussion (as is typically the case) turns to revisiting an underlying issue. At that point, I (or another so-inclined fellow moderator) would direct us all to a more appropriate thread. I would not insist that all travelers turn off at the first exit- this would be a thoughtful highway, with multiple opportunities to go with the flow, and drive friendly, before a cop might pull a wayward traveler over to the side for some help with directions.
What I'm proposing is a more rigid control of new threads on the specific subject of Israel and Palestine. If we embark on this experiment, members may start threads at will, as always- but if I (or my fellow mods if they are inclined) receive a popular mandate to limit the number of threads on this specific topic, then any new associated thread will be subject to interdiction. This means that if you start a new thread involving the subject of Israel/Palestine, it would very likely get merged into an appropriate pre-existing thread, such as:
- Human Rights in Israel & Palestine
- International Opinion/Support for Israeli Policy
I would encourage your suggestions and input in selecting very few (just a handful, ultimately) additional general topics for directing our discussions relating to Israel and Palestine. Since there has been no other issue in the Politics forum that provides as much grist for expressions of differing opinion, I think it's a test opportunity, to see how we can raise the bar of discussion and debate here.
In addition to your patience with the redirection of new threads and posts, I would ask members to scrupulously avoid even the appearance of hateful posts on this general subject. It's a blurry line between being provocative and contributing to the derailment of a discussion- so the success of this initiative will also require redoubled attention to avoiding offense, by giving that fuzzy line a wide berth. I'm hoping to devote particular attention as a moderator to an area of discussion that is particularly prone to getting out of hand, and I'm hoping that with some attention to continuity of discussion, we'll create clearer paths to understanding for all sides. I have no desire to implement anything as a moderator that I would find unacceptable as a member. As a member, I am interested in seeing if less tangle of Israel/Palestine threads, along with more respectful debate, may offer something more stimulating and worthwhile here.
If this idea gains the support of fellow members and mods, then it may necessarily begin (on the visible stage) with some strong medicine: Locked threads pertaining to Israel/Palestine. Prior to that, I would work to compile a representative review of quality discussions on the general subject here at Sciforums, and use them to "seed" the new categorical threads. I would do my best, and enlist the input of others, to see that any excerpts of prior discussions are equally representative of the opposing viewpoints we've seen here.
Right now I am mostly interested in hearing your opinions, and especially those of members who frequent discussions about Israel and Palestine. I invite any further comments here, and I would especially appreciate the participation of those who have frequented our many threads involving Israel and Palestine. I'll take some initiative on this, and devote some serious personal effort in this regard, if this concept gains palpable support from my fellow members and moderators.
Last edited:
