Off Topic Forum

[Oihan]

While we all come here to discuss Macross, other anime, and other science stuff...would it be too much to ask for a completely OT forum? I don't see how an Off Topic Forum would detract from Macross in the least. You guys can still moderate the hell out of it and delete all the spamming and trolling all you guys want...but it'd be nice for those who prefer to post on this message board (rather than others) to post some OT stuff that they think would interest the rest of MW.

I don't know about the rest of you, but this is the ONLY message board I truly enjoy coming to. It sucks seeing some of these topics, that interest other fellow MWers, getting locked. I'd rather discuss the World Cup with people on here than I would on any other crappy message board.

Thanks.

[UN Spacy]

I remember more than a few topics about an OT forum on the old boards. It went no where.

There are a few threads here about an OT forum. They also went no where.

http://www.macrossworld.com/mwf/index.php?showtopic=1357&hl=

http://www.macrossworld.com/mwf/index.php?showtopic=18747

[Roy Focker]

Maybe one day when the membership is mature enough.

[Mr March]

Oh please...

[Sumdumgai]

Things are fine the way they are now aren't they? We've got mods that aren't heavy on the hammer, a pretty wide range of freedom, the other anime and science fiction part of the forum, and a feedback section where we mostly piss and moan about wanting more.... It's not fair! Obi-wan is holding me back! It's worse he's overly critical and and...

My avatar has a serious case of red eye...

Besides you know people will start posting even more retarded topics like:

"Does this look infected?"

"Porn but not quite"

"The super official sports mega thread"

"Do you think I need to change my clothes?"

"Applying real physics to anime, don't argue with me you know jack you retard!"

"Do you jack off to watching mecha?"

etc...

[azrael]

Those topics would make this place sound like MySpace.....

[JB0]

Wait... FAQ & Feedback ISN'T the off-topic forum?

[Hurin]

I don't know about the rest of you, but this is the ONLY message board I truly enjoy coming to.

Well, I'd consider the possibility that this is the case for you because MW does not have an off-topic discussion area.

An off-topic forum may not seem like such a terrible idea at first blush. . . and short-term "damage" might be minimal. But over the long-term, off-topic forums often turn out to be poison to an online community.

I often venture briefly into the "lounge" or off-topic areas of some gaming forums I infrequenty visit. . . they are always mad houses. Egos clashing, political rants, random posts about crap that few people care about (but those that do are very "loud" about it). . . etc.

And, when you create an off-topic "catch-all" forum, how do you "moderate the hell out of" something that by its nature is supposed to be moderated less strictly? By and large, the MW community works because we keep it to a few, specific areas of interest. Do we really want people getting pissed at each other becaues they disagree over whether Law and Order has gotten too preachy. . . or pissed at the mods because their "Late Renaissance/Early Modern Literature" thread was deleted while someone else's "Geolical Trends on the Eastern Rim" thread is allowed to stay?

So, like you, MW is my primary forum and the place I visit most frequently. But, since I want to keep it that way, I'd be very wary of an off-topic area.

Best,

H

[Oihan]

Aren't the majority of us in our 20s or older? I'd to think we're all mature enough to not get out of control with posting something lame and getting in each other's faces. As far as being "too strict" and all that...aren't the moderators already strict enough as it is? I've seen some threads get locked when I really don't think they should have been. If anything, I believe they're too strict at times. But I think giving us a place to post about the World Cup and other sports, a place to post other MATURE things, would be nice to have. None of this "does this make me look fat?" crap kind of threads like you're insisting everyone will post, Sumdumgai. Hence this is where the moderating comes in.

Hurin, as far as all that political jazz goes, I think the Moderators do a fine enough job as it is to make sure that sh*t stays out of MW, why can't it be like that in the OT forum? As far as people getting all upset because "Law and Order has gotten too preachy"...don't we have something similar going on with Macross 7 and Macross II where people complain about "how much they both suck with this 'spiritua' crap and with MII being 'non-canon' and just a hash of DYRL??" Even then the Moderators interject to make sure things don't turn into a name calling fest.

With the way the current Moderators moderate these forums now, I honestly don't see how the OT forum could get out of hand. The Mods do a damn fine job (as it is) of keeping this place great. I think it'd be nice to post about things everyone cares about on a mature level (World Cup, NFL, NHL, movies that aren't Sci-Fi, to name a few poor examples while there are many other better examples).

[JsARCLIGHT]

In a nutshell what we already have is as close to an OT forum as I think we are going to get... I mean, when you think about it what we already have is an OT forum. Anything not strictly japanese Macross related is off topic and as such resides in the Other Anime section. The difference between a true OT section and our own Other Anime section is that the Other Anime section has the unspoken rule of "moderator's choice" in effect... meaning any topic deemed "not MW worthy" gets the boot while other seemingly pointless topics are deemed "MW worthy" and stay. Roy summed it up best a while back when he said "if the topic is 'in the theme' of Anime or another 'macho' subject that internet dorks like" then it has a good chance of staying around. Sports topics seem to bear the brunt of the "not MW worthy" wrath but when it comes to movies that are non-sci fi a lot of them do have threads and the threads to stick around for quite a while or until someone does something stupid to get them locked. So effectively, the only "legitimate" Other Anime subjects (ignoring the stupid "hey have you seen this video" threads or "look at my dog's butt" threads) that have a history of being locked are sports topics... and some of which never got locked, they just faded off the front page.

So it may just be me but I think the Other Anime section already is an OT section. And it's also my opinion that if we did get a OT section in name it would probably be policed just like the Other Anime section with mods ghosting topics that they felt did not fit the "vibe" or "fashion" of MW. In the end I guess I am saying the exact same thing I say every time someone has a complaint about why one topic was deleted or locked while another of similar status was not... it's a judgement call. Someone in command makes a judgement based on what they see as being "propper" for MW.

Now it could just be me but I see shades of Duke Togo's last thread on this subject (which UN Spacy linked to above) in this thread... which is the seeming prejudice against sports topics. If all people want is the ability to discuss a sports topic in Other Anime then perhaps that might be arranged with a single super thread on baseball, soccer, whatever ala the Car thread, guns thread, etc. Would that solve this problem for good?

[do not disturb]

i honestly don't see why the topic of having an off topic section comes up so often? if you have other interests outside of macross, go to the appropriate site, register, then post your thoughts on whatever your interest, its really not that hard.

i mean, why would anyone care how another macross fan feels about the outcome of american idol? or whatever off topic? and even if there was some interest, those people who are fans and want to discuss american idol would go that site and post their thoughts there.

i realize people would prefer to visit one site and discuss everything they want when they want, but MW isn't a one-stop messageboard for anything that may interest someone, its for macross fans discuss all things macross.

[Oihan]

i honestly don't see why the topic of having an off topic section comes up so often?  if you have other interests outside of macross, go to the appropriate site, register, then post your thoughts on whatever your interest, its really not that hard.

i mean, why would anyone care how another macross fan feels about the outcome of american idol? or whatever off topic?  and even if there was some interest, those people who are fans and want to discuss american idol would go that site and post their thoughts there.

i realize people would prefer to visit one site and discuss everything they want when they want, but MW isn't a one-stop messageboard for anything that may interest someone, its for macross fans discuss all things macross.

415237[/snapback]

Using your logic we should then get rid of the "Anime or Science Fiction" forum (thE most popular forum in MW). I hope I never see you post anything in that forum either, since you believe this should be a 'Macross only' message board. Otherwise you'll be a hypocrite and all respect would be lost for you. BUT, if you insist upon posting in that forum, then don't complain about this topic and retract your 'now moot' argument. I've heard this argument countless times "go to another forum, blah blah blah."

I have yet to come across a board that's anything close to being like this, I value the opinions of its members, hence why I'd rather discuss the World Cup on here than some place I rarely visit. I really only have one love/passion, and that's Macross, everything else comes second as far as materialistic things go. Despite that, I'd still wish to discuss such topics with the rest of the members here.

Edited July 11, 2006 by Oihan

[Oihan]

In a nutshell what we already have is as close to an OT forum as I think we are going to get... I mean, when you think about it what we already have is an OT forum. Anything not strictly japanese Macross related is off topic and as such resides in the Other Anime section. The difference between a true OT section and our own Other Anime section is that the Other Anime section has the unspoken rule of "moderator's choice" in effect... meaning any topic deemed "not MW worthy" gets the boot while other seemingly pointless topics are deemed "MW worthy" and stay. Roy summed it up best a while back when he said "if the topic is 'in the theme' of Anime or another 'macho' subject that internet dorks like" then it has a good chance of staying around. Sports topics seem to bear the brunt of the "not MW worthy" wrath but when it comes to movies that are non-sci fi a lot of them do have threads and the threads to stick around for quite a while or until someone does something stupid to get them locked. So effectively, the only "legitimate" Other Anime subjects (ignoring the stupid "hey have you seen this video" threads or "look at my dog's butt" threads) that have a history of being locked are sports topics... and some of which never got locked, they just faded off the front page.

So it may just be me but I think the Other Anime section already is an OT section. And it's also my opinion that if we did get a OT section in name it would probably be policed just like the Other Anime section with mods ghosting topics that they felt did not fit the "vibe" or "fashion" of MW. In the end I guess I am saying the exact same thing I say every time someone has a complaint about why one topic was deleted or locked while another of similar status was not... it's a judgement call. Someone in command makes a judgement based on what they see as being "propper" for MW.

Now it could just be me but I see shades of Duke Togo's last thread on this subject (which UN Spacy linked to above) in this thread... which is the seeming prejudice against sports topics. If all people want is the ability to discuss a sports topic in Other Anime then perhaps that might be arranged with a single super thread on baseball, soccer, whatever ala the Car thread, guns thread, etc. Would that solve this problem for good?

415235[/snapback]

Yes, "Anime or Science Fiction" is OT, but there isn't a place for those threads that do hold other's interests on this message board and that could be discussed maturely.

Edited July 11, 2006 by Oihan

[JsARCLIGHT]

Yes, "Anime or Science Fiction" is OT, but there isn't a place for those threads that do hold other's interests on this message board and that could be discussed maturely.

415246[/snapback]

Just answer me this: is this about sports topics?

I mean, everything else that falls into the "mature discussion" relm that does not violate the TOS exsists on this board or has exsisted in the past on this board in some capacity. The only topics that routinely get axed with any predictable predjudice are TOS violations, retarded threads like "I got a dog who looks like elvis", "who here shops at Target?" or "why is my computer hard drive buzzing?"... and of course the odd sports topics. But why does it seem to me like every time a sports topic gets locked or deleted we get a thread like this asking for a OT section? So I ask again, would large sports mega threads (like a dedicated Soccer thread, baseball thread or football thread) solve this problem? Or will it simply create more demand for more OT to be allowed? (I can already hear the cries for a Foosball thread)

[do not disturb]

i honestly don't see why the topic of having an off topic section comes up so often?  if you have other interests outside of macross, go to the appropriate site, register, then post your thoughts on whatever your interest, its really not that hard.

i mean, why would anyone care how another macross fan feels about the outcome of american idol? or whatever off topic?  and even if there was some interest, those people who are fans and want to discuss american idol would go that site and post their thoughts there.

i realize people would prefer to visit one site and discuss everything they want when they want, but MW isn't a one-stop messageboard for anything that may interest someone, its for macross fans discuss all things macross.

415237[/snapback]

Using your logic we should then get rid of the "Anime or Science Fiction" forum (thE most popular forum in MW). I hope I never see you post anything in that forum either, since you believe this should be a 'Macross only' message board. Otherwise you'll be a hypocrite and all respect would be lost for you. BUT, if you insist upon posting in that forum, then don't complain about this topic and retract your 'now moot' argument. I've heard this argument countless times "go to another forum, blah blah blah."

I have yet to come across a board that's anything close to being like this, I value the opinions of its members, hence why I'd rather discuss the World Cup on here than some place I rarely visit. I really only have one love/passion, and that's Macross, everything else comes second as far as materialistic things go. Despite that, I'd still wish to discuss such topics with the rest of the members here.

415245[/snapback]

first and foremost, please don't take my post as an attack against you.

unpopular opinion, yes i think the other anime and sci-fi section should get the boot. why? simply cause it will get rid of a lot of the folks who hang here all the time, yet never post anything pertaining to macross. don't get me wrong, its not like i hate anyone here in particular but i think its whack that people want to come here to discuss everything under the sun except macross. i realize people can get burnt out talking about the same thing over and over but thats why there are other messageboards out there. i.e. if i want to go somewhere a little more lax, the mods aren't as strict, where members can be more themselves, i go AP(animepunch). why? because for the most part, no one takes anything or anyone too seriously, therefore arguements rarely ensue and everyones cool, both the mods and members.

i used to post in the off topic section back in the days but i stopped cause people get a little too riled up over there. usually its pointless arguements that have absoluting nothing to do with nothing other than someone having a superiority complex and an uncontrolable need to be heard. if you see me posting there it will mostly likely be to ask a question about a non-macross toy(probably about something southern cross or mospeada related since they aren't technically macross).

its funny you keep bringing up the worldcup thread as i was following it myself. i didn't see anyone being an a-hole or arguing yet it got locked. it sucks when that happens but the worldcup is over and therefore a mod has no valid reason to keep it open. it was nice they let it go for the duration of the cup but you can't expect them to keep it open after its ended....even when theres still a bunch of fun to be had at zidane expense.

the only way to keep sports threads from being locked is to have a mod who used to be a jock but seeing as macross is predominantly a geek hobby, i doubt we'll find anyone here who fits the bill.

[Hurin]

As far as people getting all upset because "Law and Order has gotten too preachy"...don't we have something similar going on with Macross 7 and Macross II where people complain about "how much they both suck with this 'spiritua' crap and with MII being 'non-canon' and just a hash of DYRL??" Even then the Moderators interject to make sure things don't turn into a name calling fest.

Uh, you do realize that discussing M7 and MII constitutes discussing Macross, right? And, well. . . Law and Order isn't Macross. So. . . yeah, we have debates about Macross here. And we don't have debates about Law and Order. . . that's sorta the point.

I'll just sum up again: Part of the reason MW has developed a community that you like and respect so much is because the basis for discussion has been so narrow. By wanting to broaden things out and loosen up the boards, you're essentially advocating the removal of one of the key ingredients responsible for creating what you hope to improve.

Oddly, I have a passion for Roman history and Middle-earth. . . but I'm not desperate to discuss it with EXO or jsArclight.

H

[Oihan]

i honestly don't see why the topic of having an off topic section comes up so often?  if you have other interests outside of macross, go to the appropriate site, register, then post your thoughts on whatever your interest, its really not that hard.

i mean, why would anyone care how another macross fan feels about the outcome of american idol? or whatever off topic?  and even if there was some interest, those people who are fans and want to discuss american idol would go that site and post their thoughts there.

i realize people would prefer to visit one site and discuss everything they want when they want, but MW isn't a one-stop messageboard for anything that may interest someone, its for macross fans discuss all things macross.

415237[/snapback]

Using your logic we should then get rid of the "Anime or Science Fiction" forum (thE most popular forum in MW). I hope I never see you post anything in that forum either, since you believe this should be a 'Macross only' message board. Otherwise you'll be a hypocrite and all respect would be lost for you. BUT, if you insist upon posting in that forum, then don't complain about this topic and retract your 'now moot' argument. I've heard this argument countless times "go to another forum, blah blah blah."

I have yet to come across a board that's anything close to being like this, I value the opinions of its members, hence why I'd rather discuss the World Cup on here than some place I rarely visit. I really only have one love/passion, and that's Macross, everything else comes second as far as materialistic things go. Despite that, I'd still wish to discuss such topics with the rest of the members here.

415245[/snapback]

first and foremost, please don't take my post as an attack against you.

unpopular opinion, yes i think the other anime and sci-fi section should get the boot. why? simply cause it will get rid of a lot of the folks who hang here all the time, yet never post anything pertaining to macross. don't get me wrong, its not like i hate anyone here in particular but i think its whack that people want to come here to discuss everything under the sun except macross. i realize people can get burnt out talking about the same thing over and over but thats why there are other messageboards out there. i.e. if i want to go somewhere a little more lax, the mods aren't as strict, where members can be more themselves, i go AP(animepunch). why? because for the most part, no one takes anything or anyone too seriously, therefore arguements rarely ensue and everyones cool, both the mods and members.

i used to post in the off topic section back in the days but i stopped cause people get a little too riled up over there. usually its pointless arguements that have absoluting nothing to do with nothing other than someone having a superiority complex and an uncontrolable need to be heard. if you see me posting there it will mostly likely be to ask a question about a non-macross toy(probably about something southern cross or mospeada related since they aren't technically macross).

its funny you keep bringing up the worldcup thread as i was following it myself. i didn't see anyone being an a-hole or arguing yet it got locked. it sucks when that happens but the worldcup is over and therefore a mod has no valid reason to keep it open. it was nice they let it go for the duration of the cup but you can't expect them to keep it open after its ended....even when theres still a bunch of fun to be had at zidane expense.

the only way to keep sports threads from being locked is to have a mod who used to be a jock but seeing as macross is predominantly a geek hobby, i doubt we'll find anyone here who fits the bill.

415272[/snapback]

There can only be so much said about Macross...what hasn't already been said? Everytime I see a Macross thread pop up in the Macross forum I see complaints saying "This has already been discussed, lock please" or "Sigh, not this again." So if nothing new is happening or being discussed...then what? More flames for discussing old things. Look at the amount of activity in "Anime or Science Fiction" and then compare it to the other forums.

I keep mentioning the World Cup because I'm using it as an example. I've brought up the NFL as well and last years' season is over...but another one is starting shortly. How does me bringing up the World Cup any different?

[Mr March]

i honestly don't see why the topic of having an off topic section comes up so often?  if you have other interests outside of macross, go to the appropriate site, register, then post your thoughts on whatever your interest, its really not that hard.

i mean, why would anyone care how another macross fan feels about the outcome of american idol? or whatever off topic?  and even if there was some interest, those people who are fans and want to discuss american idol would go that site and post their thoughts there.

i realize people would prefer to visit one site and discuss everything they want when they want, but MW isn't a one-stop messageboard for anything that may interest someone, its for macross fans discuss all things macross.

415237[/snapback]

As much as it may alarm some people, there are those of us among the ranks here that actually respect what some of MacrossWorld has to say. Astonishing I'm sure

I'm not going to get into a discussion over this again, nor am I advocating change for MW. But I will say that the people here at MW are the reason I've stuck around.

Finding a good forum is tough work. Yes, literally hundreds of thousands of them exist, but that abundance of choice makes the job more difficult, not less so.

If people want to talk about more stuff here, I say cut them a little slack. It just means they like the place.

[Oihan]

As far as people getting all upset because "Law and Order has gotten too preachy"...don't we have something similar going on with Macross 7 and Macross II where people complain about "how much they both suck with this 'spiritua' crap and with MII being 'non-canon' and just a hash of DYRL??" Even then the Moderators interject to make sure things don't turn into a name calling fest.

Uh, you do realize that discussing M7 and MII constitutes discussing Macross, right? And, well. . . Law and Order isn't Macross. So. . . yeah, we have debates about Macross here. And we don't have debates about Law and Order. . . that's sorta the point.

I'll just sum up again: Part of the reason MW has developed a community that you like and respect so much is because the basis for discussion has been so narrow. By wanting to broaden things out and loosen up the boards, you're essentially advocating the removal of one of the key ingredients responsible for creating what you hope to improve.

Oddly, I have a passion for Roman history and Middle-earth. . . but I'm not desperate to discuss it with EXO or jsArclight.

H

415274[/snapback]

I never argued that discussing MII and M7 isn't a 'Macross discussion' or whatever it is your trying to point out. And you do realize there are other Anime/Sci-Fi threads that are being discussed on the "Anime or Science Fiction" forum, right? We do have debates about other such anime/sci-fi related things in the Anime or Science Fiction forum...that's the point of that forum. The point of that forum isn't to discuss things outside anime or Sci-Fi, hence the title of that forum. What I'm trying to get is another forum that allows us to discuss things other than anime and Sci-Fi. Who says I'm "desperate?"

My reason for liking MW so much has nothing to do with the fact that "the basis for discussion has been so narrow." Don't place assumptions upon me, please.

You may not be "desperate" to discuss Roman history and Middle-Earth with the rest of us, but you sure seem to want to discuss: Superman, Arnold Schwarzenegger, video games, worst actors of all time, game laws in California, James Doohan, relationships, military technology, calorie count in acoholic beverages, tax refunds, halloween, other anime...etc. What does any of that have to do with Macross? (Did a search in the OT forum with your name if that hasn't been made apparent.)

All I'd like is a forum for those threads, that other fellow MWers are intersted in, that end up being locked, so we may discuss something other than Macross when there is nothing to discuss about Macross that hasn't already been said about Macross.

Edited July 11, 2006 by Oihan

[do not disturb]

*SNIP*

There can only be so much said about Macross...what hasn't already been said?  Everytime I see a Macross thread pop up in the Macross forum I see complaints saying "This has already been discussed, lock please"  or "Sigh, not this again."  So if nothing new is happening or being discussed...then what?  More flames for discussing old things.  Look at the amount of activity in "Anime or Science Fiction" and then compare it to the other forums.

I keep mentioning the World Cup because I'm using it as an example.  I've brought up the NFL as well and last years' season is over...but another one is starting shortly.  How does me bringing up the World Cup any different?

415276[/snapback]

thats why i said, "i realize people can get burnt out talking about the same thing over and over but thats why there are other messageboards out there."

i feel you on the rudeness factor of some members....but thats forum nazis for you. i think its whack that members post those kind of responses(lock please, sigh this again, blah, etc) as if someone was putting them out for asking a question or info. it takes just as much effort if not more, to post a smartass response as it would to just answer the question or point someone in the right direction. i mean, if you're gonna help someone, just help them, its really not that hard. anyway man, i hear what you're saying as far as running out of things macross related to talk about, i actually avoid discussing macross shows, instead talk about the toys or customizing since its a broader topic with less room for arguing.

the world cup, NHL, NFL, NBA, PGL, none of it is really anime related. if they kept one thread open for the worldcup, i would imagine come superbowl time, the mods will keep at least one NFL thread open as well....but thats not my call. you're always welcome to PM a mod before starting a sports/off topic thread and get the go ahead. if you're polite about it, i can't see why they would deny it, especially if its the playoffs or something.

[Oihan]

*SNIP*

There can only be so much said about Macross...what hasn't already been said?  Everytime I see a Macross thread pop up in the Macross forum I see complaints saying "This has already been discussed, lock please"  or "Sigh, not this again."  So if nothing new is happening or being discussed...then what?  More flames for discussing old things.  Look at the amount of activity in "Anime or Science Fiction" and then compare it to the other forums.

I keep mentioning the World Cup because I'm using it as an example.  I've brought up the NFL as well and last years' season is over...but another one is starting shortly.  How does me bringing up the World Cup any different?

415276[/snapback]

thats why i said, "i realize people can get burnt out talking about the same thing over and over but thats why there are other messageboards out there."

i feel you on the rudeness factor of some members....but thats forum nazis for you. i think its whack that members post those kind of responses(lock please, sigh this again, blah, etc) as if someone was putting them out for asking a question or info. it takes just as much effort if not more, to post a smartass response as it would to just answer the question or point someone in the right direction. i mean, if you're gonna help someone, just help them, its really not that hard. anyway man, i hear what you're saying as far as running out of things macross related to talk about, i actually avoid discussing macross shows, instead talk about the toys or customizing since its a broader topic with less room for arguing.

the world cup, NHL, NFL, NBA, PGL, none of it is really anime related. if they kept one thread open for the worldcup, i would imagine come superbowl time, the mods will keep at least one NFL thread open as well....but thats not my call. you're always welcome to PM a mod before starting a sports/off topic thread and get the go ahead. if you're polite about it, i can't see why they would deny it, especially if its the playoffs or something.

415284[/snapback]

True, true.

[Hurin]

I never argued that discussing MII and M7 isn't a 'Macross discussion' or whatever it is your trying to point out. And you do realize there are other Anime/Sci-Fi threads that are being discussed on the "Anime or Science Fiction" forum, right? We do have debates about other such anime/sci-fi related things in the Anime or Science Fiction forum...that's the point of that forum. The point of that forum isn't to discuss things outside anime or Sci-Fi, hence the title of that forum. What I'm trying to get is another forum that allows us to discuss things other than anime and Sci-Fi. Who says I'm "desperate?"

It's generally understood that the anime and sci-fi forums are there for topics that have broad appeal among a large portion of MW members. This makes sense because Macross is both sci-fi and anime, so its fans can be safely anticipated to have interest in both. And, yes, exceptions are sometimes made for topics that are neither anime, nor sci-fi. But, the point is that they are the exception and not the rule. You are advocating a forum where the exceptions are the rules. . . and most feel that this is not a good idea for reason both above and below. . .

My reason for liking MW so much has nothing to do with the fact that "the basis for discussion has been so narrow."  Don't place assumptions upon me, please.

I don't think you are understanding my point. My point is that the community that you like so much was formed under a "narrow basis for discussion." I'm asserting that had that basis been more broad in the past, MW and its community would not be what it is today. And, it therefore follows: Altering it now would fundamentally alter MW and its community.

So, in effect, I'm arguing that you are (ironically) praising something while unwittingly arguing to undermine a pillar of its success.

You may not be "desperate" to discuss Roman history and Middle-Earth with the rest of us, but you sure seem to want to discuss: Superman, Arnold Schwarzenegger, video games, worst actors of all time, game laws in California, James Doohan, relationships, military technology, calorie count in acoholic beverages, tax refunds, halloween, other anime...etc.  What does any of that have to do with Macross?  (Did a search in the OT forum with your name if that hasn't been made apparent.)

I'm not really sure I understand what you hope to gain by all of that. You already attempted to preemptively call someone else a hypocrite in this thread. Now you seem to think that pointing out that I have posted occasionally in the Other Anime forum makes me one? That's just plain odd. I'm not sure how portraying people as hypocrites for making a quick comment in a thread about James Doohan somehow makes an off-topic forum a good idea. But if you think it does, feel free. In fact, I don't even remember posting in many of those threads, so I assume my involvement was minimal. . . but nevertheless, the threads are there, in the Sci-fi and Anime forum, so they belong (for reasons described above).

And, for the record, though I don't think I'm a hyporcite in this instance, being a hypocrite doesn't make a person wrong.

As for needing things to discuss when Macross news is slow. . . those that are interested in them discuss anime and sci-fi (and a few other topics that are allowed at the whim of the moderators) in the "Other" forum when Macross topic are not easy to come by. And, again, those are there because they have broad appeal among a very large proportion of the community.

The attitude of the "use the search function!" nazis is another topic altogether and not terribly relevant or compelling as a reason to have an off-topic forum. It's more appropriate for a discussion of a general board attitude towards noobies.

H

Edited July 11, 2006 by Hurin

[Oihan]

I never argued that discussing MII and M7 isn't a 'Macross discussion' or whatever it is your trying to point out. And you do realize there are other Anime/Sci-Fi threads that are being discussed on the "Anime or Science Fiction" forum, right? We do have debates about other such anime/sci-fi related things in the Anime or Science Fiction forum...that's the point of that forum. The point of that forum isn't to discuss things outside anime or Sci-Fi, hence the title of that forum. What I'm trying to get is another forum that allows us to discuss things other than anime and Sci-Fi. Who says I'm "desperate?"

It's generally understood that the anime and sci-fi forums are there for topics that have broad appeal among a large portion of MW members. This makes sense because Macross is both sci-fi and anime, so its fans can be safely anticipated to have interest in both. And, yes, exceptions are sometimes made for topics that are neither anime, nor sci-fi. But, the point is that they are the exception and not the rule. You are advocating a forum where the exceptions are the rules. . . and most feel that this is not a good idea for reason both above and below. . .

My reason for liking MW so much has nothing to do with the fact that "the basis for discussion has been so narrow."  Don't place assumptions upon me, please.

I don't think you are understanding my point. My point is that the community that you like so much was formed under a "narrow basis for discussion." I'm asserting that had that basis been more broad in the past, MW and its community would not be what it is today. And, it therefore follows: Altering it now would fundamentally alter MW and its community.

So, in effect, I'm arguing that you are (ironically) praising something while unwittingly arguing to undermine a pillar of its success.

You may not be "desperate" to discuss Roman history and Middle-Earth with the rest of us, but you sure seem to want to discuss: Superman, Arnold Schwarzenegger, video games, worst actors of all time, game laws in California, James Doohan, relationships, military technology, calorie count in acoholic beverages, tax refunds, halloween, other anime...etc.  What does any of that have to do with Macross?  (Did a search in the OT forum with your name if that hasn't been made apparent.)

I'm not really sure I understand what you hope to gain by all of that. You already attempted to preemptively call someone else a hypocrite in this thread. Now you seem to think that pointing out that I have posted occasionally in the Other Anime forum makes me one? That's just plain odd. I'm not sure how portraying people as hypocrites for making a quick comment in a thread about James Doohan somehow makes an off-topic forum a good idea. But if you think it does, feel free. In fact, I don't even remember posting in many of those threads, so I assume my involvement was minimal. . . but nevertheless, the threads are there, in the Sci-fi and Anime forum, so they belong (for reasons described above).

And, for the record, though I don't think I'm a hyporcite in this instance, being a hypocrite doesn't make a person wrong.

As for needing things to discuss when Macross news is slow. . . those that are interested in them discuss anime and sci-fi (and a few other topics that are allowed at the whim of the moderators) in the "Other" forum when Macross topic are not easy to come by. And, again, those are there because they have broad appeal among a very large proportion of the community.

The attitude of the "use the search function!" nazis is another topic altogether and not terribly relevant or compelling as a reason to have an off-topic forum. It's more appropriate for a discussion of a general board attitude towards noobies.

H

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I wasn't implying, in your case, that you're a hypocrite. You never said that you think there shouldn't be an "Anime and Science-Fiction" forum. I was just simply stating that you do post in OT threads that have OT topics, so why not an OT forum? That's the point I was trying to make. Wasn't a personal attack against you or anything.

As for the whole "being a hypcrite doesn't make a person wrong" statement. If you're saying one thing and doing another, I'd think that'd make you wrong for you're not doing what you're saying. It'd be like me saying I'm playing soccer when I'm really playing American Football. That's just wrong.

If there's one thing for sure, it's that the "Anime and Science-Fiction" forum is more popular than the Macross only forum. Take that away and I'm sure most of the people here who have nothing left to disscuss on Macross (unless something new comes about) will probably go elsewhere, decreasing the numbers of our members and the activity on this MB.

[Macross73]

my two cents :

if aint broke dont fix it.

yes i'm relatively new. and not partial to jumping in to something that I didnt start. however here i go. I like the fact that the focus of this forum is Macross in all its forms. and the occasional addition of other topics such as the the recent world cup was nice. I dont consider this forum a place to discuss world politics or the current fad or some other non-Macross related event to the exclusion of all things Macross. i realize your not asking that Macross play second fiddle by allowing an Off topic section. the Anime SCi fi section already is the Off-topic section to some degree so why add another. If you want to discuss the lates technology then theres a thread for that if want to talk about cars great go ahead if you want talk other mecha then excellent. if you want to discuss the global economy and how it relates to the production of macross toys by all means do so , moives great . Thats non-Macross related to some extent. I dont see the need to have another off topic section. This fourm works because of its focus on Macross.

And with that i'm out.

[Hurin]

As for the whole "being a hypcrite doesn't make a person wrong" statement.  If you're saying one thing and doing another, I'd think that'd make you wrong for you're not doing what you're saying.  It'd be like me saying I'm playing soccer when I'm really playing American Football.  That's just wrong.

Well, since this is winding down, we might as well go off-topic (heh). Since this is a rhetorical pet peeve of mine. . .

Saying you're playing soccer when you're really playing (American) football doesn't make you a hypocrite. . . it makes you either foolish, mistaken, or incorrect. . . but not a hypocrite.

There is a "fetish-ization" of exposing hypocrites these days as a way of winning arguments. Yet, showing that a person espouses certain views but doesn't actually live up to them doesn't necessarily render the "hypocrite's" views moot or invalid. . . it merely demonstrates that the "hypocrite" is human and prone to error like everyone else. Hypocrites may be distasteful an annoying, but that doesn't mean their views are "wrong."

Here's an example: Jim says that it is immoral and wrong to shoot puppies. Yet, a few weeks later, the sherrif arrests him for shooting puppies and he's caught on video tape doing so. He's been exposed as a hypocrite. Does that now make shooting puppies "right?"

He's a hypocrite, dishonest, and disgusting. . . but shooting puppies is still wrong.

Edited July 12, 2006 by Hurin

[EXO]

OMG!!! This is exactly why we dont have an off topic forum. Lemme just say that we discussed this at MWCon...

Lemme 'splain... No, there is too much. Let me sum up.

Just because we can doesnt mean we should,

Just because we should, doesn't mean we can.

Oh and another thing... after becomeing a mod I never knew there were so many things in MW that I was disinterested in reading but decided I would in the interest of duty. Adding an OT section would give me an overwhelming sense of apathy, as contradictory as that may sound.

Oh and ONE MORE thing... hehe. Go join animepunch... do you know how many MWers are already there discussing useless crap? Seriously, after you join just add it as a bookmark, it's exactly one button away from whatever section you are in at MW... its like if you never left.

Edited July 12, 2006 by >EXO<

[EXO]

Oddly, I have a passion for Roman history and Middle-earth. . . but I'm not desperate to discuss it with EXO or jsArclight. 

H

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Then why do you keep PMing me those nekkid galdiator pictures???