Ok, so I just got back from the Florida Dive Show and I ran into a fellow scubaboarder..it was quite funny how we ran into each other, but I'll get to the point.
We discussed diving and then ofcourse this board got brought up. I was asked why I don't post as much anymore and I gave some various reasons, but as the conversation went along this person told me about how strict it has gotten around here. (examples were given) Which I noticed a long time ago, but it got me to thinking...
How far are we going to take this 'censorship' if you will. I realize 'free speech' does not apply to this board, but really..what is the target audience here at SB?
Is SB really trying to be soo politically correct that is caters to 8yr olds? Yes, the dive industry has a wide age range...however, the majority of users on SB and in the dive industry in general are all over 18yrs old.
So what about the 10 - 17yr old market which SB seems to cater too soo much?? I say that because what is allowed to be posted on here sometimes reflects that...
Is SB trying to shield the younger divers from adult conversations, humor, and language? If so, I ask WHY??? I need to know what plastic bubble the powers that be are living in and who set the O2 level to 12%.
Few points to make about this:
1) It is the parent(s) responsibility to monitor their childrens internet usage.
2) Any teenager who understands a sexual innuendo or other 'adult' references/language made within a post is probably going to appreciate it more than even I would. And that is saying alot. Do you really think that teenagers use the web only for homework? SB is not shielding them from the woes of the internet.
3) This board does not reflect the dive industry when it comes to moderation.
a) I was told of some thread about Hot Chick of the Week...or something like that...every Friday. Maybe somebody knows what I'm talking about..I never saw it. I guess it got pulled/stopped because women were in bikinis. So if I'm on a dive boat in Florida and some girl is in a bikini getting into her wetsuit does this mean it should be a over 18 boat trip? If it is offensive to women then start a Hot Guy of the Week thread and make it every Thursday...you can even include banana hammocks. Or better yet, just don't visit that thread. You can turn on the TV, drive down the street, flip through a magazine and see barely clothed people. Hmm, I think an advertiser on this board even shows people in bathing suits.
b) Any teenage diver who has ever stepped fin on a dive boat with adults has heard language/innuendos much worse than I would ever expect to be allowed on here. The point is...if they understand the innuendo then they are old enough to hear it. If they don't understand it...then they don't understand. No harm no foul. And don't even try to tell me that a teenager has not heard or used a cuss word before getting on a dive boat. While your at it, raise that O2 level up to maybe 17% now in that plastic bubble, and realize that SB is not the one stop shop for sources of information. If they don't read it here they are certainly going to get it at school, home, or friends.
So, there is alot to be said for loosening up the PC'ness around here. For one, adults can be adults and teenagers can be teenagers. It actually creates a much more productive environment where people can express themselves more freely. I'm not talking about having a free for all, I'll cover that in a second, I'm talking about an environment that is an extension of the dive industry as a whole. Right now, SB is not this example in some ways.
Now, ofcourse there are going to be certain members who like to push the limits on occasion (I've known one all my life)..but there is a very simple solution to this that I learned for another internet forum. This would bring the plastic bubble O2 level to 21%.
Create an area called The Wild West (possibly a sub-forum to The Surface Interval??)
A password-accessed place to discuss political, religious, and other topics that can turn into passionate discussions. This sub-forum is not moderated except for the most egregious offenses. Basically, no name-calling, derogatory comments, and no spam - other than that, anything goes). Do NOT enter here and then cry for help - you are on your own.
Ok, now for the fun part...this is my conclusion. My schooling has taught me to summarize my main points from above and tie them all together. I'm not in school anymore and if my English teacher ever sees this he will not be happy, which is fine because I didnt like him anyway.
This post was directed to the moderators/staff at SB. For whatever reasons somewhere along the line this board has tightened something fierce. I would like to know how much time is spent by you guys cleaning up threads? Doesn't that get old..don't you think time can be better spent?
Now, if you really want to impress me...now we are getting up to 32%, hell maybe even 36% Nitrox in that plastic bubble..so in order to get this high of O2 you need to pay special attention now or no C-card for you. Remember some people even feel better on this stuff.
Realize that SB should be an extension/reflective of the dive community. In many ways it fullfills this purpose, but in some ways it does not. It it just not fun having to worry about being moderated for something that can be seen/heard on any dive boat out there. Loosen up on the innuendos, the language, the images...you don't have to go to the other extreme, but atleast let some of that precious 36% Nitrox in the bubble.
jepuskar
We discussed diving and then ofcourse this board got brought up. I was asked why I don't post as much anymore and I gave some various reasons, but as the conversation went along this person told me about how strict it has gotten around here. (examples were given) Which I noticed a long time ago, but it got me to thinking...
How far are we going to take this 'censorship' if you will. I realize 'free speech' does not apply to this board, but really..what is the target audience here at SB?
Is SB really trying to be soo politically correct that is caters to 8yr olds? Yes, the dive industry has a wide age range...however, the majority of users on SB and in the dive industry in general are all over 18yrs old.
So what about the 10 - 17yr old market which SB seems to cater too soo much?? I say that because what is allowed to be posted on here sometimes reflects that...
Is SB trying to shield the younger divers from adult conversations, humor, and language? If so, I ask WHY??? I need to know what plastic bubble the powers that be are living in and who set the O2 level to 12%.
Few points to make about this:
1) It is the parent(s) responsibility to monitor their childrens internet usage.
2) Any teenager who understands a sexual innuendo or other 'adult' references/language made within a post is probably going to appreciate it more than even I would. And that is saying alot. Do you really think that teenagers use the web only for homework? SB is not shielding them from the woes of the internet.
3) This board does not reflect the dive industry when it comes to moderation.
a) I was told of some thread about Hot Chick of the Week...or something like that...every Friday. Maybe somebody knows what I'm talking about..I never saw it. I guess it got pulled/stopped because women were in bikinis. So if I'm on a dive boat in Florida and some girl is in a bikini getting into her wetsuit does this mean it should be a over 18 boat trip? If it is offensive to women then start a Hot Guy of the Week thread and make it every Thursday...you can even include banana hammocks. Or better yet, just don't visit that thread. You can turn on the TV, drive down the street, flip through a magazine and see barely clothed people. Hmm, I think an advertiser on this board even shows people in bathing suits.
b) Any teenage diver who has ever stepped fin on a dive boat with adults has heard language/innuendos much worse than I would ever expect to be allowed on here. The point is...if they understand the innuendo then they are old enough to hear it. If they don't understand it...then they don't understand. No harm no foul. And don't even try to tell me that a teenager has not heard or used a cuss word before getting on a dive boat. While your at it, raise that O2 level up to maybe 17% now in that plastic bubble, and realize that SB is not the one stop shop for sources of information. If they don't read it here they are certainly going to get it at school, home, or friends.
So, there is alot to be said for loosening up the PC'ness around here. For one, adults can be adults and teenagers can be teenagers. It actually creates a much more productive environment where people can express themselves more freely. I'm not talking about having a free for all, I'll cover that in a second, I'm talking about an environment that is an extension of the dive industry as a whole. Right now, SB is not this example in some ways.
Now, ofcourse there are going to be certain members who like to push the limits on occasion (I've known one all my life)..but there is a very simple solution to this that I learned for another internet forum. This would bring the plastic bubble O2 level to 21%.
Create an area called The Wild West (possibly a sub-forum to The Surface Interval??)
A password-accessed place to discuss political, religious, and other topics that can turn into passionate discussions. This sub-forum is not moderated except for the most egregious offenses. Basically, no name-calling, derogatory comments, and no spam - other than that, anything goes). Do NOT enter here and then cry for help - you are on your own.
Ok, now for the fun part...this is my conclusion. My schooling has taught me to summarize my main points from above and tie them all together. I'm not in school anymore and if my English teacher ever sees this he will not be happy, which is fine because I didnt like him anyway.
This post was directed to the moderators/staff at SB. For whatever reasons somewhere along the line this board has tightened something fierce. I would like to know how much time is spent by you guys cleaning up threads? Doesn't that get old..don't you think time can be better spent?
Now, if you really want to impress me...now we are getting up to 32%, hell maybe even 36% Nitrox in that plastic bubble..so in order to get this high of O2 you need to pay special attention now or no C-card for you. Remember some people even feel better on this stuff.
Realize that SB should be an extension/reflective of the dive community. In many ways it fullfills this purpose, but in some ways it does not. It it just not fun having to worry about being moderated for something that can be seen/heard on any dive boat out there. Loosen up on the innuendos, the language, the images...you don't have to go to the other extreme, but atleast let some of that precious 36% Nitrox in the bubble.
jepuskar