Have Staff Mods destroyed the forums?

Someone in another topic asked about it. I think the statement that it could probably be done but I would have to see if I can find it.

Only post I can find of erik's is here...

https://www.chess.com/forum/view/off-topic/forum-posting-rules---be-nice--no-religious-or-political-debate

Where he clearly states that in the REGULAR FORUMS (including Off Topic), no religous or political discussion is allowed. 

What makes you think that wasn't done? Or that the answers made anything clearer?

Shoot, if the rules are super explicit and moderators are closing forums left and right and editing content a lot, people will be upset. If there is inconsistency, people get upset. If there is little moderation, people get upset.

From my understanding, the site has went through all those states and seem to be heading towards a little more moderation while trying to stay away from too much. You can't please all the people all the time and there is a balance. Add to that that some moderation is subjective.

But then there is post #2 here:

https://www.chess.com/forum/view/community/chesscom-posting-rules

which implies that some of that stuff might be allowed in Off-Topic. This discussion has taken place among the moderators and I'm not sure it really is much clearer than when it started. Though, that discussion is why some of the topics started getting closed, for what it is worth.

Its going back a couple of years VP. I think he did a few video tv sessions. My memory of it is not that great, but I do remember the idea was Off topic was going to be unmoderated.

Oh yeah, the chess.com/tv sessions about half a year ago...

don't have the link either...

It was in a post in which erik spoke of "resetting" the mood of the forums. He called for a year-zero type reboot. He also explained how forum rules would be loosened.

Well that may explain why I haven't seen anything about it. I have refreshed the discussion among the moderators and I'll see if we can't get something in writing and a modification of the posting rules within the forums, at least, modified or clarified to reflect current state. No promises though

Though, post #2 in the link I posted above is about the right timing and that isn't completely clear either (and was part of the moderator discussions).

Why all the circumnavigation? Just ask erik, for goodness sake!

Found it!

https://www.chess.com/forum/view/community/making-the-chesscom-forums-better

Note that near the bottom, erik talks of off topic becoming "mostly unmoderated".

erik (verbatim): "So that's what I've done - Off Topic is a side street that is mostly unmoderated. And if you don't like unmoderated discussion, don't go there!"

Is THAT clear enough for mods to understand?

The forum rules HAVE been made less stringent.   But there are still rules.  Nowhere on this site may you discuss weapons, violence, pornography, illegal drugs nor may you practice racism, sexism or spout xenophobic rhetoric (this doesn't mean we see everything, but we act accordingly when we do see these things). In the forums you do not have heavy political or religious discussion nor do you make threads with that intent.  There are places designed for that, so these things aren't banned from the site,  just the public forums.

The Brexit thread, for example, never should have been allowed in the first place, but since it was overlooked for so long and, I've been assured, has evolved into something worthwhile, I decided to let it continue.   So, the rules can be applied according to the situation.   I value consistency highly,  but I also value balance.  

If we are completely strict, we're fascists;  if we're flexible, then we're incompetent.  

Erik -very explicitly states in the pinned Off-Topic introductory thread:

No religious or political debate or commentary in the regular forums. Religion and politics are important and deeply personal, but Chess.com is a friendly community where we come together around a common love for chess and debating these two topics tend to pull people apart. If you would like to discuss religion or politics, you may want to join this group => Open Discussion Group.

Is that clear enough?

CrystalMoon and KAYNIGHT are aliens.

The nickname of CrystalMoon doesn't hide.

About Kaynight, the picture below explains everything.

That is why the thread below is correct.

https://www.chess.com/forum/view/community/have-aliens-destroyed-the-forums

Once again, erik (again, verbatim):

"

The Off-Topic category and all Group forums are not moderated except for reports of hate speech, threatening personal attacks, or obscenity. If you are found unable to follow these rules, you may have your posting abilities restricted. 

When you participate in our community please remember:

• be kind - treat others how you would like to be treated; they are human like you
• be helpful - build others up, don't tear them down; everyone has needs
• be forgiving - everyone has bad days and we aren't always on our best behavior; give everyone the patience and tolerance you would want
• be tolerant - other people have opinions"

Nowhere does it say that religion and politics are not allowed in Off Topic.

How old is that pinned thread? did you look?

Was it superseded by his later pronouncements?

Btw, I love your killer style when closing threads, finally I had a chance to say it. :)