I understand that there are instances where locking of topics is necessary.

But in the latest instance I think the wrong choice was made.

The first reason that was given for the closure was that it was causing arguments. Well if that's the case, let's be consistent. A LOT of topics on this site have people disagreeing with one another (Eg. seat harness vs waist harness, C kites vs bows etc). You'd better go lock them all too! If the arguments are turning into personal attacks then I can understand topic closure but if you can't have differences of opinion, you can't have a forum.

The second stated reason for closure was that it was not on the topic of windsurfing and should be discussed elsewhere. But seabreeze has become a community and as communities mature, they want to get to know each other better. In order to do that it is necessary to go beyond conversations of how windy it is. And when those conversations are conducted in a rational manner (or even when they're irrational but do not contain personal attacks ) They should be allowed. The community is what has made this site a success for members, sponsors and owners. But it's disappointing to realise how artificial it is. Big Brother is watching so make sure you don't go beyond small talk.

But the main thing that irks me about the closure of the topic in question is that a small group of members who were disinterested in the topic of conversation decided to fill it with spam and plead for it's closure. Why did they win? I'm totally disinterested in the GPS forum, I think it's irrelevant and "off topic" but if I went in there and spammed it and asked Laurie to close it, it would be my account that would be suspended, not the forum. If you're not interested in something that's posted on seabreeze, respect those that are and just don't read it. Don't spoil other people's fun just because it's not your thing. If you disagree with someone, post your reasons why, play fair and be nice. We can all get along without agreeing on everything.

Stop acting like a bunch of whingey primary school kids running to mummy. And "mummy", ignore the dobbers and let people get on with their conversations, please.

yeh dude, totally agree with that statement.

I think everyone needs to relax a little bit, and take it easy!

my mum always said "if your not going to say anything nice, dont say it at all"

NR said...

How windy is it ?

God only knows!

Actually, I totally concur with Leech's sentiments (even though I did request the thread to be locked)

Whilst people questioned why this was in the wavesailing forum, the most thoughtful answer came from Wave Knave
i'll just say God does work in mysterious waves.

In this age of repetitive threads it was good to have a decent adult discussion, with some good views from both sides and most likely a good outcome in that it makes either side consider the alternative on it's merits.

Aside from the useless crap that was posted (sorry elmo lost respect for you over that one) the thread didn't require moderating. To those with nothing better to do than go into a thread and whinge or if you may find the subject offensive... DON'T READ IT, stick to the millionth how to seperate a 2 piece mast thread or should I get sail A or sail B .

Surprisingly the SEARCH nazi's haven't taken off on this forum compared to others, it's only a matter of time with the stuff that gets churned over and over again.

At the end of the day there probably isn't one of the people who constructively contributed in that thread which wouldn't sit down, have a beer/whatever and a yarn after a good day's windsurfing which is what the community is all about.

I agree, mk7, I gained respect for every person who stood up and contributed thoughtfully, whether I agreed with them or not.

All in all, I think it was a good experience

Next time I'm in Qld I'll take u up on the offer for the post-sail yarn (I'll buy the beer).

I decided early on to not take part in any religious discussions if it seems that peoples personal beliefs are questioned. I did read the thread in discussion, and found it turn into more of an argument and personal belief bashing rather than an open-ended discussion.

The difference between a successful ethical, moral, political or religious thread, is to not directly state that another’s viewpoint is incorrect, rather suggest another viewpoint and pose a question that could deem their statement unethical. Etc.

I can say that the recent post Willy, Decrepit, Mark and I contributed to, could easily have ended in a ‘b!tch argument’, but it is all about accepting anothers opinion, reflecting and adding your viewpoint to theirs!

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=45933

Not blowing our own horn, but that is the most successful discussion I’ve ever had on SB!

leech said...
But in the latest instance I think the wrong choice was made.
...
Well if that's the case, let's be consistent. A LOT of topics on this site have people disagreeing with one another (Eg. seat harness vs waist harness, C kites vs bows etc). You'd better go lock them all too!

Sorry you feel let down leech, I do the best I can with what I have. As they say, "you can't please all the people, all the time".

I'd also like to suggest that debating religion is completely different from a seat -vs- waist harness debate.

Never in the history of these forums has a topic about religion ended peacefully, and that's why it was locked - before it got out of control - they all started off as fun banter.

leech said...if I went in there and spammed it and asked Laurie to close it, it would be my account that would be suspended...

But it's disappointing to realise how artificial it is. Big Brother is watching so make sure you don't go beyond small talk

Steady oh .. getting a bit carried away there. If you spam as in "Nokia phones for $85", yeah - your login will be suspended.

Me suspending your account for you asking me to close a topic? Drawing a long bow there.

If you want to go beyond the small talk (exlcluding religion/politics), you can do it here, or in General Discussion. If the topic sucks, the "community" will be all over it long before I am!

windwarning said...
I think seabreeze is a good site but with forums I think it is the most stricked site I have ever joined. One little thing wrong and your posts is locked.

10 locked out of 9640 topics over 5 years ... locked topics are pretty rare.

For everybody, this forum is great, and is one of the least administered out of all of the forums because everybody gets along great, and always has done, and I'm sure will continue to!

Let's live for today, for tonight we have to go to bed!*

Onwards & Upwards!


* individual experience may vary

I don't see the point in locking debates on religion....if you are offended, then simply do not post again or look in that thread. If you don't want to be questioned then don't read it.

I don't know, maybe I only see the glass half full. I didn't see any fighting or arguing going on in that topic. I did see healthy debate. I agree with Leech. The fact that there was so many views and so many contributors made it obviously an interesting read. It didn't need to be locked, just moved to the general forum imho.
Then only those interested in the topic would need to read it.
Elizabeth B made a good point here
"The difference between a successful ethical, moral, political or religious thread, is to not directly state that another’s viewpoint is incorrect, rather suggest another viewpoint and pose a question that could deem their statement unethical. Etc."
Questions are a good learning tool. We can all learn more. Every day. Otherwise we don't grow as human beings.

Cmon enough of this cotton wool world, people naturally attempt to prove others wrong or sway their opinion- that is life.

We're all adults and its an internet forum, people should know to agree to disagree.

I found the kidney debate a little hard to follow as there was no clearly opposed views, I didn't really apply the attention the thread probably deserved though.

Laurie in general great job, but unlike things such as the old fishing forum the nerds thread should have been left alone. There were minor instances where personal comments where made, or some took it personally but it went back on track rather quick and was only spoiled by those without constructive comments.

Successful discussion.......or a battle over trying to prove who is the more intellectual?

(sorry guys, but I was about 4 posts in on that thread and I couldn't hear from all the egos screaming!)

I read a fair bit of it after it was locked and got the same impression...

anyways, time to turn the lights off kids!

Exacerly, just like the other people who did the same but with different measures.

It's just I know how to effectively cut and paste on 2 posts.

You could always take up the debate at your next parent teacher night at your kids school if you wanted a more enthusiastic debate

lalalamort said...

I don't see the point in locking debates on religion....if you are offended, then simply do not post again or look in that thread. If you don't want to be questioned then don't read it.

If only it were so simple....

Leech said...


Next time I'm in Qld I'll take u up on the offer for the post-sail yarn (I'll buy the beer).

Thats cause you don't like queensland beer ay

Elmo no taking that debate to the school isn't necessary. I made a decision to give my kids what I believed is the best start in life, which unfortunately I feel is outside the ability of the public school system. I did actually make their principal aware that I felt that way in the application interview and that I was not pro-religion. It is up to them to make their own decision's whether they follow faith or not when they are old enough and wise enough to make an informed argument for or against.