where to ?

[caesar44]

discussing the factions struggle in Athens and Rome belong to the Monastery , what about factions struggle in , let say , Iraq ? the struggle began in the 1920' and continues until now ? so ? Monastery or Backroom ?

[edyzmedieval]

Well, if we talk only about the struggle and no politics, it would be here....

If we talk politics, than it's the Backroom....

[King of Atlantis]

If you want to get attacked 50 times for your opinion i suggest putting it in the Colosseum

[Gregoshi]

caesar44, good question.


According to the discussion in the Watchtower several months ago as to what is "history", a topic such as the one you propose about Iraq could be discussed here. If you stick to the historical and not the political as edyz said, then we will be okay. However, this can be a fine line. What I look for is the emotional tone of the discussion. Topics which have ties to current event that affect people's daily lives. This usually increases their emotional stake in the discussion and can cause their politics and emotions to adversely influence the content of their posts. The thread is then heading into Backroom territory. Patrons regain control of the thread by ignoring the political/emotional aspects of such a post and stick to the historical. If the emotional part of a post involves flaming another patron, then you simply need to use the "report this post" link to notify me and I'll handle that part of the issue.

Does that help or confuse the issue?

[Geoffrey S]

Isn't it possible if the line between history/politics blurs to just start a new topic in the relevant forum and provide a link? It'd allow the people who purely want to discuss history to do so, and people who want to discuss the relevant politics can do so seperately.

[edyzmedieval]

Gregoshi said everything that is needed to say....

[Gregoshi]

Geoffrey, that could be done and has been done. However, it is difficult for some/most people to pick up and move their discussion to another thread because you lose the continuity by doing so. But, yes, starting a new thread in the appropriate forum is the ideal solution.

[caesar44]

caesar44, good question.


According to the discussion in the Watchtower several months ago as to what is "history", a topic such as the one you propose about Iraq could be discussed here. If you stick to the historical and not the political as edyz said, then we will be okay. However, this can be a fine line. What I look for is the emotional tone of the discussion. Topics which have ties to current event that affect people's daily lives. This usually increases their emotional stake in the discussion and can cause their politics and emotions to adversely influence the content of their posts. The thread is then heading into Backroom territory. Patrons regain control of the thread by ignoring the political/emotional aspects of such a post and stick to the historical. If the emotional part of a post involves flaming another patron, then you simply need to use the "report this post" link to notify me and I'll handle that part of the issue.

Does that help or confuse the issue?

OK , but there is , still , some ambiguousness about the issue .
People become emotional also in a pure historical debate .

[Gregoshi]

True caesar44, it is ambiguous at times and people do get emotional over historical debate. Often when it happens in historical debates it is because the historical ramifications are still felt in today's politics. It is a fine line to walk sometimes.

[Kagemusha]

True caesar44, it is ambiguous at times and people do get emotional over historical debate. Often when it happens in historical debates it is because the historical ramifications are still felt in today's politics. It is a fine line to walk sometimes.

Could the line be drawn to that.That we dont debate about conflicts that are still ongoing, here in Monastery?

[Gregoshi]

kagemusha, I'm not sure it is that simple. In some cases, there may not be any active conflict between two peoples, but looooong memories of past incidents keep anger and hatred alive in today's world. We've had some rather "passionately" composed posts in the past month or so as examples of this.

[Kagemusha]

kagemusha, I'm not sure it is that simple. In some cases, there may not be any active conflict between two peoples, but looooong memories of past incidents keep anger and hatred alive in today's world. We've had some rather "passionately" composed posts in the past month or so as examples of this.

You are right.You have hard job keeping these conversations under control.But we all admire you for doing that.

[edyzmedieval]

You are right.You have hard job keeping these conversations under control.But we all admire you for doing that.

I second that

[caesar44]

Indeed .

[Byzantine Prince]

Glad to see you guys are all on topic...