Armchair Commentators' schedule for 1/1/2003

Re: A Suggestion

I'm not one for chats, but from what I've read I have a suggestion: How about considering different "ratings" for chats based on those for films, ie, G, PG, and R (don't think we need MC-17:lol: ). I may be being a little facetious, but really, I'm serious. Some people enjoy an R-rated Fetal-type chat while others find it offensive. Some enjoy a G-rated GrGranny-type chat while others find it restrictive. The different chats could alternate nights or one could start early and the other later.

If the chat is based on watching an event, hmm, I don't know. I know that last year for Nationals, those of us in the east sort of volunteered/just ended up doing the play-by-play on a regular thread for the rest of the country since we were seeing it first. I thought it was more manageable than a chat since you didn't have several people talking about different things at once. It was competitive description and stayed pretty G-rated. The worst we got was during Euros talking about Ivan Dinev's "bra" costume.

Anyway, so what do people think of different ratings for chats? This way people who aren't interested can stay away from R-rated chats and vice versa. Perhaps someone should just be a moderator and not a participant in the chat for purposes of reminding people of the chat's "rating" if things get a little risqué in a G-rated chat or a little too X-rated in an R chat.

We will never be able to agree on what's appropriate for everyone in these chats. But people enjoy them on different levels. So what do people think? Comments? Other suggestions? Worth a try?
Rgirl

Re: A Suggestion

Up until this week I'd made a life long point of avoiding chat rooms and biker bars, so admittedly I don't have a big frame of reference. But just like previewing the menu on the sidewalk (do they have those at biker bars?) I like your idea, rgirl, of knowing maybe the general topics or tone before venturing in.

I enjoy the clever folks on this board, and my shock threshhold is relatively high, but if it means getting more stimulating conversations going and more folks participating, then I'm all for trying some sort of a system. Being new here, it seems an appealing way to learn more. That said,I would, however hate to see a completely moderated forum.

Maybe we could borrow from our Homeland Security folks M&M color coding to know when to 'duck and cover'?...

Re: A Suggestion

Rgirl, I had been thinking on the same line but figured it wouldn't do any good as those that want to make trouble would just go ahead and put in their naughty or put down posts. There is one problem with the chat, the fact that I'm not fast enough when I answer and so it looks like my answers are out of nowhere. I've gone on several times when there has been one or two there and say Hi and no one answers, so I am assuming that when I come on they don't want me there. I know I have a problem in that way, but that is the way I am and I am too old to think differently now.:lol:

Re: A Suggestion

Grgranny - maybe a chat session for the typing-impaired? I was answering comments about 6 posts past. I must've looked like the queen of non-sequiturs.

Re: A Suggestion

My typing is ok. It's my brain that's impaired. :lol:
It just takes too long for me to read and then get the post down.

Re: A Suggestion

Don't worry Granny, that's about the most common thing in a chat room. If you can think and connect the thoughts with all the crosstalk you are doing well. I'm sure quite a few of us would love to have your company. I don't understand when people aren't civil enough to just say "hello" maybe its a generational thing? As for being welcome, if the people there want to talk to me, great , if they don't they save me a whole bunch of time figuring out what's going on. I'd rather know that folks aren't interested in what I have to say than have them "humor me" I can waste my time in more enjoyable ways<img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/laugh.gif" /> Hope to see you in chat soon, sk8m8
P.S. You are only as old as you say you are<img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/wink.gif" />

Re: A Suggestion

Granny, come on visit the chat room. I can't spell worth a darn. But I enjoy talking with people who also enjoy talking about skating. Also I not into the R rate talk either.

Re: A Suggestion

Nothing offends people more than certain topics and how they're discussed. Sure, a person can cuss a lot, but without any concrete subject the person could easily be ignored. However, the ignore function doesn't cover the possibility that the entire room is discussing that topic in that special, offensive way. So I suggest a rating system for the offensiveness of a discussion regarding certain topics.

Offensiveness will be rated on a scale of 0 to 5:

0) No offense possible, as the subject won't be brought up at all
1) The subject will be brought up, but only in accordance with the current standards of political correctness, and will be discussed for no more than 20 words.
2) The subject will be brought up, and discussed at length. But only in feel good ways that even Ralph Nader and Ralph Reed can nod and smile to.
3) The subject will be brought up, and discussed in realistic ways that do not ignore the negative side while still treading as carefully as a Channel One reporter discussing teen pregnancy, meaning no stances are taken.
4) The subject will be brought up and discussed in ways that will offend people on one side of the issue.
5) The subject will be brought up and discussed in ways that will offend most people who are capable of being offended.

The topics (feel free to suggest more):

Homosexuality
Heterosexuality
Bestiality
Abortion
Democrats
Republicans
Communists
The Maine Secessionist Party
Christianity
Islam
Buddhism
Hinduism
Bahai
Unitarianism
Scientology
Mormonism
Racism
Canada
Russia
Ethiopia
Saturn
Timothy Goebel's posture
Fishing
Nascar
Golf
Curling
Quantum tunnelling
Pop music
Music older than 20 years
Rap's musical merit
Opera's musical merit
Who stole the cookie from the cookie jar?
How much wood can a woodchuck chuck?

I rate myself an unequivocal 5 on all of theses topics, except for Canada, where I deserve a 6 because I hate Canadians so very, very much.

Re: A Suggestion

Just spent a few min with Fetal and others in chat room. And it went really well.

Re: A Suggestion

That's really good news!! Maybe I'll drop in too then.

Re: A Suggestion

Hey, I'm all for the rating system!!!

One type for G-PG only

The other for G-XXX only. This would be a 'come here if you dare'.:smokin:

I can control my comments in a chat rated G-PG and I can go no holds barred in the 'uncensored' chat.

Honestly, Fetal means no harm and much of the time he is A. joking or B. preying upon your sensitivities. Sometimes I laugh so hard at his posts I'm doggone near in tears.:rollin:

Denise <===eating KFC in honor of Fetal's sporks.

Re: A Suggestion

I'm all for a heads-up on the sensitivity of the chat......my own vitriolic level depends a lot on the kind of day I've had, etc., and sometimes I just want straightforward informative dialogue, while other times I gleefully anticipate the 'open season' that occurs in live chat.

When we post, we keep it clean and relatively non-offensive; live chat (for me, anyway) is where I can really exercise my first amendment rights and say exactly what's on my mind. I'm not always evil; I just have my moments. It's also kind of nice to be able to put something out there that isn't warm and fuzzy and not be drawn and quartered for it, as is sometimes the case when posting on topic threads.

The times I have gone to chat, I have had a great time. I also check the tone of the chat, and if it doesn't mesh with my mood, I simply leave. It's that easy.

As for Fetal, he's an irreverent, equal opportunity offender, and that's alright in my book. A lot of what he posts is tongue in cheek, a lot is deliberate, and there is often a tough grain of truth to what he has to say; if someone is weak enough to be hooked by it and not take things in context or consider the source, should the rest of us be limited to that person's standards to keep the peace? We shouldn't have to be the keepers of other's hot buttons; we're [mostly] adult enough to realize our responsiblity for this should remain solely within ourselves.

Just my two cents.....

Re: A Suggestion

I'm personally amused by Fetal. I enjoy his sometimes warped sense of humor. No, I don't agree with all the anti-religious stuff, but opinions are opinions. It has the ability to put me in a better mood, which at the end of the day is not an easy task.
Laura

Re: A Suggestion

Well said, Cynic!
Rgirl