If an option did exist for this group to Opt-Out of being listed in the latest pages

[Lucinda]

Last edited Tue Dec 13, 2011, 05:50 PM - Edit history (1)

would you want to be removed?

You may have seen this post today:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1220439

The groups statement of purpose is:
Positively explore issues having to do with Astrology, metaphysics & spirituality, homeopathy/alternative medicine and healing, Ascension, and other subjects having to do with holistic physical and spiritual growth & traditions.

"Positively" is pretty specific.

The problem is that some posters may not even realize they are in a spirituality based group until they find themselves chided for rudeness. I am happy to see new faces, and discuss what I believe in with people who are respectful, but I do understand ASAH is also safe haven.

So, I'll ask the admins about the option, and wanted to ask everyone what they think about this.

Lucinda

I came back in to say that I have every faith that we could handle these situations without too much fuss if it turns out that we need to due to an inability to Opt-Out, or if the majority wants to encourage new visitors. I'll post as soon as I get an answer.

[LiberalEsto]

1. Good idea

I agree with you

[Missy Vixen]

2. Yes, please

Other groups lock out those who disagree with them. ASAH is a great and mutually supportive environment. It would be nice to keep it this way, IMHO.

[Lucinda]

4. We do currently have the option to block disruptive posters

but we may not have the option to not be listed in latest threads. I'm still waiting for an answer.

[Matariki]

3. Yes. Please.

The topics we discuss here are way too likely to be ridiculed and misunderstood. I think if too many people accidentally end up here via the Latest to do nothing more than deride our posts, it will have a negative effect on this forum.

[Lucinda]

5. You and OGR handled it beautifully earlier and the jury hid the really bad post

So until the block option comes into play for our hosts, we have some options. I think the poster in that thread realized they were posting improperly and just left it alone. In the future a host could also just ask them to delete it, if the jury hadn't already stepped in.

I'm still waiting to hear from the admins.

[Matariki]

6. Thanks Lucinda

This was an issue in DU2 as well. We had to ask to have new posts not be included on the latest page. The results of people mistakenly posting in the forum was the same.

To me it feels like a privacy thing. While I'm not ashamed of my interests and beliefs, I realize that the larger DU community doesn't understand them or out and out ridicules them. I think we can all post more freely if we know our threads don't get as much general exposure.

Thanks for your efforts and good job at hosting this forum

[Lucinda]

7. Thank you. We aren't a group that needs hosts, until we do.

Everyone is really very kind, so I know we can handle this if we have to, and I also wonder who might find new purpose from wandering in here, but it's a tricky situation.

[kimmerspixelated]

8. Yes, earlier, I was wondering about that.

Looks like you guys did the right thing.

[Lucinda]

9. I really think the person that responded just had no idea where they were

but it is good that it has come up now, so we can see what our options are and decide what we want to do.

[MorningGlow]

10. I would vote to opt out if it turns out that it's an option

Disruptors have always found ASAH, but they used to have to work a whole lot harder to do so. For some, when we're "right up front" like that, it's way too tempting a target, and I'm afraid that the amount of disruption will rise dramatically.

I have to admit that just knowing a new topic will appear in the Latest list has already caused me to rethink creating an OP. I hate to self-censor like that, but knowing that everyone can see our new threads is always at the back of my mind, and I don't like knowing that before an OP falls off the bottom of the list, everyone can see it and follow the link.

As I said in FL's thread after the "lost" person voiced her opinion, I am all for new open-minded people to join us, but those who can benefit from ASAH will find it anyway--by being led or being invited.

[Why Syzygy]

11. I don't involve

myself in the logistics here. So, no opinion. I do have an observation. I've seen more sincere posts than any kind of disruption. They were made by new DUer's and members who do not have a star. If the posting privilege in the groups no longer demands a donation, some of the many many lurkers may feel like making contributions. Of course there's a good chance I'm not privy to all the happenings here. This is just what I've witnessed.

[Lucinda]

12. I agree as a rule. I appreciate you speaking up. Some people do respond quite negatively to the

subject matter of ASAH posts when they show up in latest threads. They don't always realize the post isn't in GD or a main forum when they just read the thread title, and those people often respond with the typical snarky tone you'd see in other areas of the website when dealing with spirituality. I think that is the cause for concern in this case.

One of my favorite things about DU3 is the fact that you don't have to have a star to post, or host in a group. I am really happy about new people joining in the the groups I participate in.

[Celebration]

13. Unless it turns out to be a huge problem

It seems a bit too reclusive to opt out of being in the latest. But that's just my perspective. I am hoping this new format attracts even more cool people here.

We also probably aren't so sensitive that we can't ignore/get rid of disruptive posts.

[Lucinda]

14. I agree with you even though I do understand the concerns being aired

It's great to be able to discuss it, and then see what we can do, and want to do, once we know what options we have.

Many people are in a protective phase where they want to explore safely.

In my case I really run too much from conflict and need to explore how to keep my center, and still deal with people who are a little disruptive. I have run away from DU more times than I care to mention, because of the negativity in other areas, so there are times I would have voted to Opt Out myself. For me, now, I want to figure out how to be in my world, and the greater world at the same time. Hosting, even in a safe place is letting me work that out.

As it is I'm happy to go with what the consensus thinks. We can always try one path and then another.

[GardeningGal]

15. I like the idea of opting out....

However, if the admin is against it for any reason then I would at least ask them to bold the group the thread belongs to make it easier for people to read. When I first logged into DU3, I wasn't paying attention to the group/forum either. It wasn't until I saw some strange threads that I realized I was seeing new threads from groups I'd never noticed before.

I agree that it makes you think twice about posting a thread here. I get enough backlash from my family for my beliefs, I don't need to feel it here too.

[magical thyme]

16. it's been handled beautifully so far

but I can see where it could become tiresome, disruptive and cause group members to be hesitant to post. So I'm inclined to agree with morning glow on this. It may be best to opt off the latest if possible. People who are interested and/or ready can find their here in other ways.

[rosesaylavee]

17. I am all for opting out.

Disruptors will find this group no matter what but why make it easy? I know I won't post any OPs in here until we're taken off the latest thread list.

[OneGrassRoot]

18. I vote to opt out...

for the many reasons expressed above.

We're accustomed to confrontation to varying degrees in nearly every other aspect of our lives -- and learning to find our center with that, as you so eloquently stated, Lucinda -- but this space, for most of us, is meant to be a sanctuary, not a space of debate and confrontation.

Discussion, yes; disagreements, sure; debate (with the intent to prove someone is right and another wrong) and dissension, no.

That's my opinion.

[FirstLight]

19. yes, no question

I will NOT post another OP in this group until I know it is a safe place. I did not know this was going to be the intention of DU3, and I have said before that many of us come here specifically because we feel a community cohesiveness and safety here....very unsettling. This is why asked a month ago for us to figure out some contingency plans for our little 'family' - because if we didn't have that regular connection and safety, then we will have to find another place to "meet"

Honestly, all groups should have the option to opt out of the Latest list....and i wish i could hide threads in my latest list as well, i have no need to see all the lounge or cooking or other threads either... so i guess i'll have to take that one up with Admins in the meta-thread...

[Lucinda]

20. I haven't received an answer from an admin yet, but please feel free to follow up too

I'll try pming EarlG.
Edited to say I sent a direct message to him.

[Matariki]

22. It used to be this way on DU2 as well, until we asked for it to be changed

I'm confident that it was an oversight and we can ask for that change again.

[Lucinda]

24. I hope so. I have asked and am still waiting, but the admins are crazy busy.

[Fire Walk With Me]

21. Yes.

[Digit]

23. My vote is to opt out

If we have the ability of course.

[libodem]

25. I wouldn't mind

At all.

[hermetic]

26. I vote for opt out

I spent too many years walking on eggshells and I will not subject myself to that ever again. Thank you, Lucinda, for doing such a great job so far, but it could become very burdensome. I've already avoided posting about something interesting that is going on. It's on David Wilcock's site, Divine Cosmos, dated Dec. 12. I shudder to think of the derision that would bring in if it showed up on the main page.

[sandyshoes17]

27. I vote to opt out

For all of the reasons above.

[PADemD]

28. I vote for opt out.

[japple]

29. Yes, opt out.

[Howler]

30. I vote with the majority here.

And it looks like that is a vote for opting out.
I don't like it that alot of our regular members are feelin threatened enough to not even post OPs.
If opting out will make EVERVYBODY feel more confidant and comfortable enough that they arent censoring themselves lets just go ahead and do it!

[Lucinda]

31. Thanks for speaking up everyone!

If we have the option, the group choice is clear.

I'll post again when I get an answer. The admins have been busy working on tweaks to the latest page, training the MIR Team, and getting our email archives available to us, but I hope they will get to some of the group issues soon.

[NuttyFluffers]

32. opt out.

the closer things go back to old DU the better. there's no viper pit to release the steam, so there'll be casualties all over from bad behavior. no need to draw attention to ourselves in this 'brave new world.'

[Ricochet21]

33. I want to shut off my link

to other social media sites.

[MorningGlow]

34. Go to "My Account"

The last option listed under Preferences is to have the social media links on or off. I did it and now all I see in all the OPs are DU recs.

[Lucinda]

36. Editing because it's already been answered.

[Sanity Claws]

35. Yes to Opt-out

Unfortunately DU has a lot of rude overbearing people. Some of them are trolls, some are regulars. Listing ASAH topics on the latest just invites them in. I really can't stand the acrimony and pure hatred some of these people spew.

[get the red out]

37. I vote "opt out"

I believe our topics could seriously frustrate many DU members when they find them poping up in the "latest" and cause them quite a bit of concern and worry.

[RainbowSuperfund]

38. I'd vote to opt out too.

I like the conversational, less combative forum. I'm not a frequent poster, but this is my favorite forum.<3 to you all.

[freeplessinseattle]

40. Same here. I don't post much, but it's my sanctuary n/t

[RKP5637]

39. Yes for me. I don't think the group should appear in latest pages. Many people

just do not understand what this is about and/or they have very closed minds to begin with ...

[Lucinda]

41. I've yet to get an answer on the full opt-out, but I will keep asking.

[BlueToTheBone]

42. Let's opt out if we can!

THanks Lucinda.

[Melissa G]

43. opt out ASAH

but more exposure for election reform. Funny how i want more exposure for one group that used to be a forum and less for another place on DU.

I agree with what has been said up thread.

[Tumbulu]

44. opt out if possible

thanks for asking.