New Guidelines for 'Shipper Threads

[T'Bonz]

Posted by Blah:
I don't understand what's so wrong about having ONE thread on an entire message board be a "cheerleading" thread as you put it.

We do discuss the characters..but some people prefer not to have to defend the things they like. Being forced to defend what you like gets tiresome real quick. It also makes people snappy and defensive..which creates problems.

Well then quite frankly, they're on the wrong board. This is a discussion board and by its very nature, one would expect to have to defend one's positions on matters.

This isn't a site that is dedicated to one character, such as an actor's webpage that often had small forums.

As for preferring not to have to defend things one likes? Well hell, I'd prefer not to see what I consider stupid stuff all over the place, from politics, to pair-ups I find to be wrong, to someone liking Klingons when everyone knows that Romulans really rule ( ), to seeing folks prefer shows other than my favorite.

But this isn't the T'Bonz board. It's a DISCUSSION board. Half the fun of being here is having your perceptions/thoughts challenged. It makes you think about WHY you like so-and-so and such-and-such a show.

Anyone can gush about something. It takes more thought to actually discuss and defend.

To my knowledge both the A/Ters and T/Ters like the fact that they can discuss their couple in peace.

Then they'll have to get over it. If one is so damned fragile that one can't take it when someone disses a preferred couple (a FICTIONAL couple, for heaven's sake!) then one is in the wrong place. And I'll be honest, if you're (generic, not specific you) that thin-skinned, you must have a helluva time in real life.

It's not about being sensitive. It's human nature. When you like something and someone else comes along and says Well that totally sucks..you're gonna have a bit of a negative reaction at least.

No, it's about being sensitive. There is NO reason why a group must have their position protected from the evil assaults of others. By that logic, we would have a totally segregated, sterile, cheerleading board. It might be fun for those who can't venture outside of the safe confines of "same", but it's damned dull for everyone else.

That being said we obviously have no choice so ..bring on the free reign I guess

Unfortunately, some of you are the author of your own miseries. This had to be done.

But don't worry. This is NOT a license to troll. Anyone who has that idea in their heads and are sitting here smiling at the thought, get it out of your head. The 'shipper discussions are just coming in-line with the rest of the board. That does NOT mean it's "open season".

 

[Naraht]

Posted by Blah:
We do discuss the characters..but some people prefer not to have to defend the things they like. Being forced to defend what you like gets tiresome real quick. It also makes people snappy and defensive..which creates problems.

It probably isn't my place to comment on this issue, because I don't usually post in the Enterprise forum, so please feel free to disregard this...

My usual haunt is the TNG forum, where I enjoy starting threads where I can wax poetic about the lovely Beverly Crusher. Every so often the peace of my threads is shattered by someone coming and saying "Bev was a bitch. She should have been courtmartialled and shot out of an airlock." Do I feel like defending her against this sort of criticism? No. So what do I do? Nothing at all.

Seriously, I know it's been said before, but ignoring people who say things that you don't like can actually be really fulfilling. They want to get you upset. You don't let them. Hence you win.

Just food for thought...

 

[Kevin Thomas Riley]

Posted by Naraht:
Seriously, I know it's been said before, but ignoring people who say things that you don't like can actually be really fulfilling. They want to get you upset. You don't let them. Hence you win.

Just food for thought...

Excellent! This bears repeating.

Now I'm all for discussions and everything but I will not allow myself to discuss with flamers, baiters and trolls. And since I can smell them a mile away they're just as easy to IGNORE!

 

[Timofnine]

Posted by Kevin Thomas Riley:

Posted by Timofnine:
Please, keep shipper stuff contained to shipper threads. For example, when discussing spoilers for "Home" or episode 8 or whatever, other posters do not want to see it devolve into an argument about Trip/T'Pol vs. Archer/T'Pol. The detailed shipper stuff needs to be contained to the individual ship threads. As previously mentioned, everyone is entitled to his/her own opinion and those opinion should be respected.

I'm quoting Tim from the Enterprise forum decorum thread here because this need clarification.

Home does have strong 'shipper' aspects, but say for example in a review thread of the episode, we wouldn't want people devolving the thread and turning it in to a pure discussion about these 'ships' - if you want to go in to drawn out details about Trip/T'Pol in an episode such as Home, you should take it to a dedicated thread. Just don't expect everybody to agree with you, and don't be upset if they don't. Obviously if your reviewing the episode and decide to highlight the shipper points in your review (as well as other aspects), do so. Just don't let it take over the thread. Respect that the majority of posters don't want their threads over ran by shipper talk. It's a very 'clique' area of Trek fandom, quite daunting to some.

 

[I Grok Spock]

Could someone 'splain to me exactly what a " 'shipper " is?

 

[cubbie]

I have noticed that certain threads tend to get derailed when discussing certain of the characters, not the ships.

The latest example that I can think of is the recent "what do you think of season 4 Archer". It became derailed (in my opinion) in defense of Archer in seasons 1-3. In the end comments about clubbing seals was even mentioned?

Will the derailment of other threads be enforced? I ask because the shipper wars expanded into other threads in unusual ways.

 

[Kevin Thomas Riley]

Posted by Timofnine:
Home does have strong 'shipper' aspects, but say for example in a review thread of the episode, we wouldn't want people devolving the thread and turning it in to a pure discussion about these 'ships' - if you want to go in to drawn out details about Trip/T'Pol in an episode such as Home, you should take it to a dedicated thread.

Well, this is a bit vague but I guess it would be hard to say exactly where the line is drawn. Besides my reviews deals with a lot of aspects from different episodes. And I don't think we'll see such a shipper heavy episode as Home in a long time, if ever. But that's for the more general grading threads. And I interpret the last sentace above as that specific episode shippy threads - like the "Romeo and Juliet" ones are allowed.

Just don't expect everybody to agree with you, and don't be upset if they don't.

Oh, I'm way past caring about what "the other camp" thinks to get upset. No worries !

Obviously if your reviewing the episode and decide to highlight the shipper points in your review (as well as other aspects), do so. Just don't let it take over the thread. Respect that the majority of posters don't want their threads over ran by shipper talk. It's a very 'clique' area of Trek fandom, quite daunting to some.

See my response above. My reviews are general reviews and if grading threads were to be "taken over" by shipper stuff it won't be by me.

 

['Shippy]

Posted by Kevin Thomas Riley:

Posted by Naraht:
Seriously, I know it's been said before, but ignoring people who say things that you don't like can actually be really fulfilling. They want to get you upset. You don't let them. Hence you win.

Just food for thought...

Excellent! This bears repeating.

Now I'm all for discussions and everything but I will not allow myself to discuss with flamers, baiters and trolls. And since I can smell them a mile away they're just as easy to IGNORE!

Amen. That's my policy. If I think someone wants me to get upset, I don't. If I think I'm getting upset, I preview my post and read over it. It's saved my butt many times.

I'm a debate happy person. I love debating and discussing Trek and 'ship with people.

I like that ENT forum 'ships threads will be treated like 'ship threads are treated in the other forums.

 

[Timofnine]

Posted by cubbie866:
I have noticed that certain threads tend to get derailed when discussing certain of the characters, not the ships.
.

It depends on just how the thread gets derailed and to what extent. Obviously we are going to allow for a bit of breadth. We are cracking down on shipper derailment a lot more though - not because we are out to get you, but because you are a very vocal group and your 'shipper' talk does get absolutely everywhere, it's just not fair on people with no or little interest in Enterprise relationships. Perhaps in time if things do work out, we'll be able to ease off a bit. There are plenty of shipper and rage dedicated message boards out there, why not even use this as an opportunity to start your own if your not already a member of one? I'd be sure to join up!

 

[Jenna]

Guys, just let it be. This is the way things are going to be now, and we can handle it. The threads can still be about what we want. We can choose to ignore responses that upset us. We're just going to have to be a little more careful.

I don't plan to let anyone ruin MY fun.

 

[Timofnine]

Posted by Jenna:
Guys, just let it be. This is the way things are going to be now, and we can handle it. The threads can still be about what we want. We can choose to ignore responses that upset us. We're just going to have to be a little more careful.

I don't plan to let anyone ruin MY fun.

Yes you all can handle it, the majority of you are great posters. All that we are doing is bringing shipper and rage threads in to line with every other type of topic on the board.

A lot of you have shown very positive attitudes towards these changes, and for that we are thankfull.

 

[commodore64]

Thanks, Mods, for reviewing the procedures and not tossing us out on our keisters a long time ago. I don't think your expectations are beyond the norm. And I for one will try very, very hard to obey the rules and stay away from the notify mod button. (I know all of the above has to be annoying.)

 

[Timofnine]

Posted by commodore64:
Thanks, Mods, for reviewing the procedures and not tossing us out on our keisters a long time ago. I don't think your expectations are beyond the norm. And I for one will try very, very hard to obey the rules and stay away from the notify mod button. (I know all of the above has to be annoying.)

Thank you. All we want to do is be fair to everyone - especially the outsiders who inadvertently stumble in to a shipper thread and find themselves getting warned for what would be acceptable comments elsewhere on the board. You'll all be fine - a few days in and you'll wonder what all the fuss was about!

 

[Captain Intrepid]

Posted by Blah:

Posted by T'Bonz:
Um, is this is discussion board or a cheerleading forum?

We're here to DISCUSS the show and characters. No group should be "protected".

If you're too sensitive to accept criticism of your favorite pair-up, you need to log-off and go back to real life for a while.

I don't understand what's so wrong about having ONE thread on an entire message board be a "cheerleading" thread as you put it.

We do discuss the characters..but some people prefer not to have to defend the things they like. Being forced to defend what you like gets tiresome real quick. It also makes people snappy and defensive..which creates problems.

To my knowledge both the A/Ters and T/Ters like the fact that they can discuss their couple in peace.

It's not about being sensitive. It's human nature. When you like something and someone else comes along and says Well that totally sucks..you're gonna have a bit of a negative reaction at least.

You most likely have a scroll wheel on your mouse. Us it.

 

[mrcoaster]

Uhhh, not to be too demanding here...

...but is there any chance posters can earn gold stars for being good?

*loves gold stars!!*

Seriously, if most people can just let stuff they disagree with roll off their backs and not worry about it, there will be plenty of room for good discussion, debate and even to share the things you really like about the show with others. There's room for it all.

IDIC and all that (where have I heard that before?)

 

[SnuglyBag Of Mostly Water]

Good! I'm glad for this change. I mean, as Bonz says, this is a discussion board. I like a good debate. If others don't, just ignore those who are bothering you.

 

[jkladis]

We really did want that from the beginning. Attempting to accomodate shippers by helping them keep their threads separate obviously didn't work that well. In the end, we can't micro-manage them and their field of interest, and fundamental rules are really going to be the only way to go.

I don't see the big deal anyway. They're just discussions. And we're asking everyone to toughen up, contribute and then we can move on.

And there will be gold stars. Oh yes there will.

 

[mrcoaster]

*claps hands and giggles*

Let the discussion begin!

 

[indranee]

thanks for all your hard work, mods! boy this must have taken a lot discussion and heartache and I apologise for my part in making things hard for you all in the past.

I love debate and discussion and have always thought of this board was a discussion board. and in the last few days it got a little boring, if I may say so.

so I am happy to have the chatter back and I promise I'll be try to be "good".

 

[pookha]

Posted by jkladis:
We really did want that from the beginning. Attempting to accomodate shippers by helping them keep their threads separate obviously didn't work that well. In the end, we can't micro-manage them and their field of interest, and fundamental rules are really going to be the only way to go.

I don't see the big deal anyway. They're just discussions. And we're asking everyone to toughen up, contribute and then we can move on.

And there will be gold stars. Oh yes there will.

pooh on gold stars..


now if someone talks chocolate..



i think this can work if the basic rules are enforced and some teeth is given to friendlies.

if people wont take a time out as t'bonz suggested give them a small time out .
a sports board i post to gives out from hours to permanent bans.

sometimess a sense of humor helps.. even though it is hard at times.


hmm instead of gold stars can we whisper stuff about
t'bonz

<span class="spoiler"><font class="small">Spoiler:</font><hr /><span> such as the reason she says she dosnt like space seed now is to hide the childhood fan girl crush she had on khan. </span><hr /></span>