Sneer

It's not for lack of trying, the amount of decent music threads about is substantial, it just seems the site is swarmed with morons/ too many discussions on religion (just a SLIGHT case of flogging a dead horse?).

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Guybrush

Well, for the most part I think the discussions stay within their respective forums and I don't think a discussion on religion in a forum which is part dedicated to discussions on religion is much of a problem.

What annoys me is I feel there's generally a tendency where's there's a lack of effort. It seems many posters want to get their message across with as few words as possible and, preferably, without reading the other posts first. The random namedropping lists I complained about where people recommend artists and albums without writing anything about them is an obvious example.

Sorry for ripping on you 86 position, but here's another post of the sort I find annoying :

It's a recommendation of a mixed artists album called winter chill, please note the minimalistic style in which it has been written.

Should moderators be stricter and delete more posts?

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Sneer

My point about religious discussions was that people seem more intent on talking about god then they do music, so its inevitable the quality will lessen

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right-track

If we have forums that are dedicated to non music related topics, then we have to accept that while members aren't discussing music in the music related forums, then there will always be threads about whether God exists, conspiracy theories, politics etc.

I don't have a problem with the non music forums because I think they serve an important role in helping these boards become more of a community.
People don't just come here to talk about music, they also come here because they want to banter with other members they feel they've made a bond with.
Finding out more about anothers personality can be more interesting than what bands they listen to.

What really pisses me off are the members who post very little about music, other than to criticize others taste and then spend most of their time trolling the 'silly threads'.
They bring nothing of value here and show little interest in other members especially when the subjects are off topic.
I wish they'd just fuck off!

I think the answer is to delete more members.

lucifer_sam

http://www.musicbanter.com/current-e...e-not-god.html

http://www.musicbanter.com/current-e...ink-about.html

basically just an attempt to wax philosophical for an excuse to flex the limits of vocabulary and pretend to be intelligent.

if i wanted to hear an exercise in grandiloquence i'd read the fucking dictionary.

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first.am

right-track

Grandilowhat?

lucifer_sam

exactly.

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first.am

Sneer

I spose its because i've always seen musicbanter as an outlet to discuss music, that to me is what this site is about, so it frustrates me when i see the lounge heaving and decent music threads barren. I'm not bothered about a community as long as i can talk about music.

I do concur with the other point made though, people like that do my nut.

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Molecules

Stu's position I can relate to, also god knows when I post regularly I am not much of a thread starter (unless you count occasional band threads that sink without a trace)... perhaps a more concerted effort is required, because you can't rely on a constant influx of new blood =/
What disappoints me is that one-time regulars get disillusioned and keep a low profile or leave altogether, like loose_lips - I can assure you that your tastes are not unique on MB,

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[SIZE="1"]Eff em
tumble her

VEGANGELICA

As a new member, I'll give my perspective: I haven't seen any decrease in quality at MB over the last 5 months and, in fact, the longer I stay the more interesting I find the site, especially because through it I've met quite a few people whom I care about (such as AwwSugar, VeggieLover, kayleigh, Schizotypic and others). I admire the oldtimers, too, because I see how their friendships must have built up over the years. I hadn't expected to have meaningful personal connections via MB, and so that was a pleasant surprise.

I feel the lounge discussions add to the site because I view music as being, fundamentally, people's expressions of their reactions to life...and so the issues discussed in the lounge section are usually reflected somehow in music. I don't see a dichotomy there. I also like trying to get a broader picture of people by seeing their opinions both on music and anything else under the sun as we lounge in the lounge.

If I had more time, I would definitely dive into the music journals more often than I do, because they are a great way to learn about music and get ideas about songs to listen to...especially ones in genres that are new to me. I agree with those who recommend visiting the journals if ever they feel there is a lack of substantive commentary on music in the regular music board.

Now, I have never been accused of writing short posts (heh heh!), and I do try to put effort into them. I enjoy the debates, including and especially religious ones. In non-computer life, how often does one get to discuss religion in depth with those who have a very different perspective? Not often, in my case. I think the debates in an online community are an especially good way to learn about the opinions of (relatively well-off, English-speaking, computer-owning) people all over the world!

If I'm ever feeling that things look dull at MB, then I just go check out what boo boo, Tore, addidass, FD, Neapolitan, the vegetarians, and other favorites have last posted...and, of course, I comment on the writings of people in the songwriting section, my MB home.

I suppose the one part of MB that could be troubling to me is the occasional antagonism or maliciousness people show...but I understand people have their moments (days, months) of ill-humor, and sometimes people vent life frustrations here. I haven't noticed any increase in antagonism. There have only been 2 people whose posts during the last 5 months made me fear they might be psycho-murderers.

Also, to be honest, I miss the Unfan. His perma-banning, for me, was one change over the last 5 months that I view as a loss. I am sad that he can never visit my thread again and blast my vegan songs, then finally discuss with me exactly where he and I differed in our opinions, as we were doing shortly before his perma-banning. I wish he were allowed to come back. I wish there were a democratic, member-based way to veto a perma-banning, such as by posting a thread on behalf of a member whom moderators want to ban, and if enough people (a critical mass) say to keep the person in the community, then the permanent ban gets reduced to a temporary ban. I suppose it is a challenge when one individual is hurtful to some but not others, because of course one wants to respect and protect those who have been hurt (called mean names, etc.).

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