A couple of thought provoking threads

[Splitlip]

I have been following on Scubaboard. They are long, even after having been edited by the mods. Thought I should share.

Bahamas: Missing Female Diver - ScubaBoard

Almost died today--Any captains out there??? - ScubaBoard

Quite informative if you can read between the flames.

[Cheddarchick]

Unfortunately as happens at times, the threads fall apart with too many arguments and back biting....I have read both threads all the way thru, but get tired of the sniping....

[BubblesMcCoy]

This is precisely why I avoid the hostility of scuba board. I'm a relatively new diver so most, if not all, of my questions are probably offensively juvenile to experienced divers. But isn't that the point of a forum like this? Allowing inexperienced divers to get enough information to survive long enough to become experienced?

I think the mods on the ST board do a great job of promoting and enforcing an environment of civility and open mindedness. Just a thought.

[MSilvia]

Originally Posted by BubblesMcCoy

I'm a relatively new diver so most, if not all, of my questions are probably offensively juvenile to experienced divers.

Only to experienced divers who have no interest in being helpful.

Originally Posted by BubblesMcCoy

But isn't that the point of a forum like this? Allowing inexperienced divers to get enough information to survive long enough to become experienced?

Again, that depends on the forum and who's using it. For some of us, that's exactly the point. For others, it's a chance to be social and joke around. If you look around, you'll likely find others who have all sorts of other motivations too, ranging from selling services, to bolstering their egos, to "stirring the pot".

Originally Posted by BubblesMcCoy

I think the mods on the ST board do a great job of promoting and enforcing an environment of civility and open mindedness. Just a thought.

That's one way to look at it. Another would be that they often seem arbitrary, hypocritical, heavy-handed, and more concerned with "PG atmosphere" than with useful information. Fortunately, there are plenty of alternatives .

[wheelman]

Originally Posted by MSilvia

That's one way to look at it. Another would be that they often seem arbitrary, hypocritical, heavy-handed, and more concerned with "PG atmosphere" than with useful information. Fortunately, there are plenty of alternatives .

I would agree with this... I understand that there needs to be some level of civility but it doesn't have to be a big hand holding, love fest. It does curb the input of useful info... And honestly some people just need to get over it and thicken their skin a little.

[BubblesMcCoy]

Originally Posted by wheelman

I would agree with this... I understand that there needs to be some level of civility but it doesn't have to be a big hand holding, love fest. It does curb the input of useful info... And honestly some people just need to get over it and thicken their skin a little.

I don't disagree with you, but reading through that thread was a bit on the sad side. It was more pissing contest over who was "right" than any actual discussion of the issues. I just don't see how the self righteous nastiness benefits anyone.

What really draws me to the sport is not just the scuba, but its the way that divers look after each other. At least in the few places I've been, most divers are more than ready to help someone out with a spare o-ring, fin strap, or just some sage advice. Yet, read some of the comments from the dive "professionals" on that thread, do the comments seem professional to you?

My opinion is not meant as an indictment to the entire board, most comments were insightful and well spirited. But, even SB's moderators closed down one of the threads because of a few hotheaded exchanges. Diving is a noble pursuit, why should scuba chat boards be any different?

But to each his own...

[MSilvia]

Originally Posted by BubblesMcCoy

SB's moderators closed down one of the threads because of a few hotheaded exchanges.

That's what gets me. They're of course welcome to run the board as NetDoc sees fit, but I've always thought it unfortunate when threads full of useful information get pull entirely because of a few bad posts. I think combing through to remove the problems and leave the content is well worth the effort.

[Sansho]

Moderating is walking a fine line ... I'm a moderator on another non-Scuba board, where you have to make judgements between where you delete some idiot(s) post(s) versus removing the entire thread versus just closing the thread versus moving it to another area, etc. Sometimes you get pulled into discussion pissing matches at the end of the day, when you're brain dead, and the posts just get yanked.

[navyhmc]

I do some moderating for a local board. I will admit I have to think carefully before I intervene. Usually, it's a case of starting by making a friendly PM to the person or persons that are out of line. If that doesn't work, I will go to other extremes.

I have found that when I have shut down a thread for very incredibly obvious reasons, I have been accused of being a member of the nazi party and infringing on free speech. But the TOS needs to be followed. Usually the things that get hit are the way off decent posts and personal attacks that go too far.

[mrmccoy]

firearm forums are about the same way! Some people just like to stir the pot and others agree to disagree about everything. I'm glad I found this board before any other scuba forums. This is a great bunch of guys n gals!