Political views within the forums

Just wondering what the opinion is of political views within the forums.

I engage in model engineering and participate in these forums as an escape from the 'outside world' and don't expect to see (or want to see) what another member's political views are, regardless of whether I agree with them or not. If a thread has a title that makes it obvious that it contains politics, fair enough, I can ignore it & move on.

What bugs me is the type of thread about a subject that I'm interested in - I start reading it, and then suddenly I'm faced with unwanted politics. A classic example is the recently revived thread on air guns. Despite a contributor pleading for members not to start a rant about pros & cons of legislation, posts soon appeared doing exactly that!

I lurk in another forum (nothing to do with model engineering) that once had a sub-forum (a bit like the Tea Room) specifically for politics. Unfortunately the sub-forum had to be shut down as it got rather tempestuous and now comments on politics are banned totally. Excellent idea....

Thoughts?

Brian

My opinion, for what it is worth, is that this is NOT the place for politics. I don’t think that anyone’s political views have any relevance to the subject - what we all have in common is an interest in MODEL ENGINEERING!

If any political party likes to promise to introduce legislation especially favourable to model engineers then I may well change my alliegence..... however I’ve just glanced out of the window and seen a squadron of pigs fly past!

Norman

most of the stuff being objected to is paranoid conspiracy theory, let's have no more

I come on here to see and chat MODEL ENGINEERING, I dont want to see POLITICS, RELIGION and the like, this is not the place for it. I think any post that shows or states a persons Political or Religious views or leanings should be deleted.

Ron

...ditto...

George.

Politiks is a no-no in here

It would be fascinating, but too divisive

Politics and religion are two of the most emotive subjects which generate a great deal more heat than light.

Although people will fight over just about anything, I'd agree with those who say keep these subjects out, even from threads ostensibly about something else.

Edited By Mick B1 on 12/07/2018 14:52:54

I'm afraid I have to differ, but with a qualification.

There are instances where politics and model engineering intersect, in particular where legislation directly affects the hobby. In the UK this may shortly affect access to acids and may, for somebody with mobility issues such as myself, potentially make it very difficult to buy some tools. I am sure the same must apply in other countries, particularly where pressure vessel legislation is concerned.

Having said that, although the legislation that affects us may be in response to outside factors including terrorism, smuggling, violent crime, drugs etc. discussion of those areas, and of the policing and sentencing policies concerned with them seems to me to be completely outside the scope of model engineering.

As far as religious views are concerned, how strictly would moderators actually like to enforce a prohibition? Should a post that says for example "I pray he recovers soon" be deleted? How about references to "angels on a pinhead", Ockham's razor or just a quotation? (I am fond of Nietzsche's "There are no facts, only interpretations" - what does this say of my religious or non-religious views?)

Brian

Politics best avoided. I have a good friend. We get on really well, but he's still first up against the wall when I'm in charge...

Fair comment but I would add a qualification of my own. Rational discussion is one thing but I fail to see the need to use phrases like 'namby-pamby' & 'police state'. Unfortunately as soon as politics rears it's head, rationality usually goes out of the window.

Brian

To be honest Brian I was thinking more about discussion on how to work within legislation. Moans about it don't actually do any good (apart from letting the complainer let off steam), whilst discussion of alternatives, compliance schemes and similar is useful to us yet could potentially be banned under a blanket ban on "politics", especially where proposals have not yet become law.

An example of a subject I would personally like to see permitted is whether there will be time before March for agreement on mutual recognition of conformity assessment to be negotiated between the EU and UK or whether UK CE marking will become non-compliant. I imagine this may be relevant to any commercial boilermakers but it has not been mentioned so far in the national press.

Brian

Simple rule in our family, insisted upon by my grandfather: those who offended were barred from the family workshop for life. (he died in 1941) . Since most of the family worked/work in engineering this was/is a serious matter.

'Never discuss religion, politics or money"

I enjoy a political or religious debate but this is not the place for either. The tea room provides a space to discuss matters in a light hearted atmosphere but topics are usually but sometimes very tenuously hobby related. Many forums have threads that are well off the main subject of the forum. I look at forums as a bit like going down the pub, matters of interest are discussed and drift, you may start on football wander to cricket then a tv program then the state of youth today, thread drift is a fact of life and does annoy some people. Let's use the forum to pose questions related to the hobby, share information we think others may find useful and discuss hobby related topics. The forum has some threads that are barely hobby related like the Motorcycle and Aircraft threads but are very popular with the forum members.

Mike

Well, thinking about it, perhaps the key ought to be to use the grace and decency you'd use if you were talking at a club meeting, rather than necessarily restricting subject matter.

Arrogant and insulting expressions like 'namby-pamby' are always like to get an escalated response, and I'd suggest anyone comparing current UK to a 'Police State' obviously doesn't know what a real one is like.

The pub analogy might be a dodgy one - it depends on what the pubs you know are like!

No sex, politics or religion, please.

Discussion of legislation relevant to our hobby is not politics, as long as people discuss the facts of its impact or otherwise.

We have had plenty of past discussion of health and safety issues, CE marking and recently issues around the purchase of blades and battery acid.

As for Brexit, discussion of the rights and wrongs is out - it will just lead to argument. Sensible discussion of things like impacts on the cost of imports etc.

On this last subject, it's clear that all the EU regulations etc. currently in UK law will remain part of UK law following Brexit. Any future changes will depend on the nature of Brexit AND if where allows changes new legislation will still need to pass through parliament. Even though a no-deal Brexit would immediately affect our imports and exports (quite what the actual impact would be, I have no idea!) but there would be no overnight change in UK regulatory regime.

Neil

My thoughts exactly...

We should pay great attention to both politics and religion,so as to be able to exclude both from as many things as possible. This is not the place for either of them,the pub for one,the place of worship [of your choice ] for the other.

This place is for SWARF !!

Censorship of any topic is counterproductive.

How does one learn without discourse?

Seems silly to get uptight about discussing the things that can dominate life and you otherwise have little control over.

Martin.

Edited By blowlamp on 12/07/2018 20:12:51

There are plenty other forums, soap boxes, pubs and the like for political spouting, discussion and usually before too long, abuse so keep it clear of this forum.

Unlike politics, this forum interests me. Am I sad or what?