Is Virgil's inferno worth it?

[Sunnyday]

So I haven't been hanging on these boards, and I see the addition of a new forum that is password protected. And asking for a password seems like a lot of work, is it worth my time? And how am I suppose to know if I can handle it? I love debating, fighting, etc but if it's all about killing puppies or something, I won't be so into it.
Can someone clue me in?

[ArchietheDragon]

it's not, not worth it.  Not much going on though.   It is not hard to get a password, just message a mod.   Members can not start new messages there so at the moment the two threads are related to abortions and fetus disposal.  Not the most uncontroversial topics, but not killing puppies, either.  




not. 

[happyhoix]

I haven't been over there, but I understand it's a forum to debate highly contentious topics like using fetal tissue for research and the whole Planned Parenthood flap.

Since the abortion and fetal research topics tend to be such combustive debates and often degenerate into name calling, a special board was established that requires passwords, so if someone gets too mean they can be ejected from that board, but only that board, by having their password revoked.

Personally, I try to avoid the abortion threads because, IMHO, people have made up their minds on that subject one way or another and further debate won't change anyone's mind, just irritate everyone in general, so I didn't join - maybe someone who did join can share whether they think it's worth it.

[NancysSummerSip]

The inferno might be worth it.

As for Virgil...meh, not so much.

[HoneyBBQ]

Dear God, no. Do you ever win on the internet?

[NancysSummerSip]

Aug 19, 2015 10:45:26 GMT -5 HoneyBBQ said:

Dear God, no. Do you ever win on the internet?

Sure you do. Just call someone a poopyhead and tell them you know for a fact that they are going to YM Hell if they don't drive their minivan 300,000 miles, use coupons for every single grocery item they buy and save money by re-homing their pets, eating their koi fish, using newspaper in place of TP and only having kids they can afford (oh, and sending those kids out to make their own living when they turn eight).

[cktc]

It needs more threads. Aren't there more controversial subjects to discuss? I checked out the two in there when I heard about it, then forgot the forum even existed.

[milee]

Aug 19, 2015 14:04:38 GMT -5 NancysSummerSip said:

Aug 19, 2015 10:45:26 GMT -5 HoneyBBQ said:

Dear God, no. Do you ever win on the internet?

Sure you do. Just call someone a poopyhead and tell them you know for a fact that they are going to YM Hell if they don't drive their minivan 300,000 miles, use coupons for every single grocery item they buy and save money by re-homing their pets, eating their koi fish, using newspaper in place of TP and only having kids they can afford (oh, and sending those kids out to make their own living when they turn eight).

Given the "moderator" and sole person who is able to start threads, etc. my guess is that in the inferno, the way to win is to state that your opinion is absolutely correct because it is what God has decreed.  And because you're a man made in the image of God, you are entrusted with letting the women, children and heathens know what is correct even on subjects for which you have no personal knowledge.  If there is disagreement, refer to point A and add in some contemptuous emoticons and language implying the other person is stupid and not worthy of respect. 

Edited to add: The first sentence in my post showed my ignorance of the fact that there is not just the one moderator. My comments were not meant for the other moderators. The first sentence should have removed the words "moderator and sole person" and substituted something like "Titular Namesake and one of the only 3 people"

[chiver78]

hey now. I can create a thread over there, just give me a topic/OP to post.

Sunnyday - if you want the password, shoot me a pm and I'll be happy to share.

[The Captain]

milee wow!    Not sure why you felt that was needed but whatever.

In fact - I would go so far as to say that if there were other topics posters wanted to add to that section, where more robust (yet respectful!) and contentious debate is desired, please ask.  That area was created with the specific intent of giving people more freedom to discuss items that tend to get heated.  We don't know what interest there is if no-one speaks up.  I can't make promises but it really is not fair to make such sweeping statements when someone took on additional moderation responsibility in order to allow more open discussion on certain topics.

Personally, I liked it when the boards had a bit more honest debate.  The problem is peeps got out of control and moderating and keeping things within the ToS got to be a bit much.  and, AND this was my observation before I became a mod.

[Green Eyed Lady]

I looked and read just a bit. But since saying something like, "If abortion were no longer legal, we wouldn't be having this discussion of what to do with baby body parts." isn't allowed (and for good reason because nothing good would result), I don't think it's, at this point, anything I want to read. I'll keep checking to see if new subjects are added. I don't, personally, see how those threads offer anymore "freedom", since you still can't post your real feelings, but I do kind of understand. Abortion is legal (whether I like it or not) and the issue of the baby body parts is real (whether I like it or not), so there really is no point in me adding a bunch of "ifs".  I don't have to like it, but I do have to follow the rules if I'm going to post there.

[NancysSummerSip]

I could also add, "And be prepared to face the fact that everything you believe in is wrong due to your love of snow leopards and American television. And your political system is like guano in the Bat Cave."

[milee]

Aug 19, 2015 14:27:15 GMT -5 The Captain said:

milee wow!    Not sure why you felt that was needed but whatever.

In fact - I would go so far as to say that if there were other topics posters wanted to add to that section, where more robust (yet respectful!) and contentious debate is desired, please ask. 

I'm sorry for my misunderstanding of the area; did not know that you or any other moderator was involved.

The comment was because I still don't understand why we allow people who are repeatedly disrespectful and misogynistic to moderate. And it's beyond me why anyone would want to go participate in an area like than named after (and presumably presided over by) a person who doesn't respect views other than his own, which are largely based in religion and lack of real world experience.

[Phoenix84]

Virgil is always worth it .

[zibazinski]

Sometimes Virgil is funny and has good points. Just like most posters. Hey, the old forum had someone who banned anyone that made her friends mad. It happens. He doesn't use his power for evil. He's led a charmed life it seems. I also thought he was old and was shocked to find out he wasn't. But this forum is made up of a lot of different people with different ideas. No, no one is going to change their minds about abortion or body parts. On the other hand, you can't discuss these subjects with your friends, usually, if you want to keep them as friends, so why not here? People need to vent. I'm not a huge fan of abortion either but I'll be damned before I let women go back to back alleys or have to be rich to obtain them. As far as the body parts? If something no one wanted can be of use to someone else, so what? If my kids wouldn't have a hissy, I'd donate my crusty old body to science for med students to use. When you're dead, you're dead. As it is, I'm an organ donor and all. Take anything you can use then turn me into a crispy critter. I hope some good comes out if my death, not that I'm planning on dying but shit happens.

[The Captain]

Aug 19, 2015 20:12:40 GMT -5 milee said:

Aug 19, 2015 14:27:15 GMT -5 The Captain said:

milee wow!    Not sure why you felt that was needed but whatever.

In fact - I would go so far as to say that if there were other topics posters wanted to add to that section, where more robust (yet respectful!) and contentious debate is desired, please ask. 

I'm sorry for my misunderstanding of the area; did not know that you or any other moderator was involved.

The comment was because I still don't understand why we allow people who are repeatedly disrespectful and misogynistic to moderate. And it's beyond me why anyone would want to go participate in an area like than named after (and presumably presided over by) a person who doesn't respect views other than his own, which are largely based in religion and lack of real world experience.

Milee - I'm a little late in getting back to this, was off yesterday for some Dr's appts.

There are several mods who volunteered to moderate that section knowing it would likely generate more reports, require more documentation, and take more time.  We are happy to do so since we want to encourage free discussion as much as possible without degenerating into an insult fest.  I am very pleased to say that hasn't happened so far.  Virgil has been very hands off in moderating that section, you will note, and I've probably put in more comments than anyone else (probably due to an overabundance of caution).

As far as your other comments, everyone has a different view which is based on their own perceptions.    There have been several threads where I've commented how interesting it is to note how two people can read the same story and have very different reads on it.

[Virgil Showlion]

The "inferno" was a combination of several posters' desire to discuss the Planned Parenthood scandal and my desire that the board be open to such discussion.

I didn't partake in any of the discussions, except to post a disclaimer and a link.

The topics ran their course over a few weeks. It makes sense to keep the board around in the event future sensitive topics crop up that we may want to keep segregated.

My thanks again to admin.

ETA: And to The Captain, for fielding questions and her work in the "inferno".

[The Captain]

Wait, what!  Did I just see both milee and Virgil Showlion like the same comment!

Eeeeee!  That must be one of the seven signs!



Group hug! 

[NancysSummerSip]

Aug 21, 2015 8:31:43 GMT -5 The Captain said:

Wait, what!  Did I just see both milee and Virgil Showlion like the same comment!

Eeeeee!  That must be one of the seven signs!



Group hug! 

Next thing you know, the two of them will mate and produce a litter of snow leopards who sing Kumbaya.

[zibazinski]

Well, let's not get carried away.

[Virgil Showlion]

Aug 21, 2015 8:31:43 GMT -5 The Captain said:

Wait, what!  Did I just see both milee and Virgil Showlion like the same comment!

Eeeeee!  That must be one of the seven signs!



Group hug! 

I hear your snowman likes it too.

What's his name again? Bigmacs? Beeswax?