Crazy Question : Political Chat LS

[Gentoo]

Re: Crazy Question : Political Chat LS

It'd be much more productive to set this sort of discussion up as a forum, where people can take their time crafting answers instead of replying in the heat of the moment.
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I just think the idea of using a linkshell as a serious discussion area is just flawed from the start,

Not that I disagree with you Icemage, but flawed media or not, the notion of a LS dedicated to political discourse is engaging and in my opinion worth experimenting with. Whether in a BBS, chat, or e-mail list -- things are going to get messy.

The goal of this proposed LS is to "increase awareness," through "discussion and debate of issues, political science, and ideologies."

These kinds of discussions happen in tea/coffee houses around the world, without any moderation tools. When I read Olorin's message, this is the analogy I drew, and frankly it's quite appealing.

Now only if I were on Ramuh. I'd love to be part of this experiment.

[Icemage]

Re: Crazy Question : Political Chat LS

I don't think the relation between a coffeehouse discussion and a linkshell applies, though.

In a physical conversation, you have a lot of nuance in terms of body language, conventions of civility, and the controlling factor of a crowd of people around you to curtail excessive displays.

Within a linkshell, there are no rules except those set internally by its members, and when those members disagree, there is no guarantee of civility or respect, and without those, no communication is possible. I've been moderating forums for many years now and the difference between forums with strong moderation and weak moderation is huge (compare FFXIOnline to KillingIfrit for an extreme, but applicable, example).

Can such a linkshell work? Sure, if you can find enough people who can respect the ground rules and not "lose it" in the midst of a heated discussion. Unfortunately, I think that you'd discover that finding more than a handful of people who can do so and be online at the same time would be problematic at best.


Icemage

[Jocalynn]

Re: Crazy Question : Political Chat LS

You guys seem to forget that its not solely a debate LS its a place to talk about current events you've all just been focusing on the debate part you can also talk about whats going on in the world you don't necessarily have to debate the issues at hand.

[Murphie]

Re: Crazy Question : Political Chat LS

Personally, I enjoy my FFXI time to be about FFXI and my discussion/debate time to be separate. LS chat is not the most functional of systems. It's a non-saveable chat log that has a lot of stuff flying through it at any given time (filters permitting). Unless everyone just sits around in a zone somewhere specifically to chat, you'd be hard pressed to keep up with a discussion/debate and still focus on what you're doing in-game.

Forums, coffee-houses, even chat rooms are all better venues. I can't say that an LS devoted to chat/debate wouldn't work, because I'm sure someone could make it work, but I just can't see it being very successful.

[Olorin401]

Re: Crazy Question : Political Chat LS

Would I be run out of LS becuase of my socialist views on how government should be run? :p

Views woldn't be a reason to kick someone from the link.

And honestly.. socialism is a bit of an under-discussed ideology. It could use the exposure.