The situation here is a reflection of wider pressures. Walking away removes any opportunity to work for change to this down the line.
I will endeavour to abide by the restrictions whilst these are in place, but hope that "look away, don't say" comes to be seen as a whole new problem rather than an answer to ethical dilemmas across the wider net, enabling small spaces like this to allow reasonable debate without fear of backlash from those who seek to silence.
The problem is that if someone makes an allegation of racism or another illegal form of discrimination, there are procedures that GW staff have to follow and justifiable decisions that have to be made … it is not a matter of choice, as I understand it it’s a legal requirement.
These procedures take time … and moderating political discussions is not built into the budget and is nothing to do with the purpose of the magazine or website … and the staff have more than enough to do to keep them busy as it is.
As I see it, if moderating the forum takes up too much time GW will have choices to make …
1. Put up the price of the paper magazine to cover the cost of the forum … IMO that’s highly unlikely
2. Charge for access to the forum … again I’d have thought that was unlikely to be cost effective
3. Scrap the forum 😭
… then who will we blame … ?
Now please can we settle down and move on.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I do feel some people need to grow up and take a reasoned view of what this forum is, how it has evolved, how it will continue to grow - assuming GW/IM don't decide it's just too much bother.
There are plenty of other forums and websites out there for politics and prejudice where you can expound your views and hope (lessly) try to persuade others to your view, bearing in mind that others will be just as deaf to your opinion as you are to theirs. I don't see a problem with endorsing or deploring government policy with regards to relevant subjects such as garden chemicals, land management policy, climate change but, realisticly, this forum may inform and change one or two personal opinions and practices but is never going to affect political policies.
The Potting Shed is the place for off topic discussions so I see no reason why crafts, cooking, de-cluttering and other general chat should be curtailed. Most gardeners are crafty one way or another, many grow and cook their own fruit and veg and we most likely have corners of shame or garden sheds that need a good sorting.
People just need to remember the rules about politeness, veracity and not being gratuitously rude and offensive. There are some who seem utterly unaware of these board rules and break them almost daily.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Posts
The situation here is a reflection of wider pressures. Walking away removes any opportunity to work for change to this down the line.
1. Put up the price of the paper magazine to cover the cost of the forum … IMO that’s highly unlikely
2. Charge for access to the forum … again I’d have thought that was unlikely to be cost effective
3. Scrap the forum 😭
… then who will we blame … ?
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I do feel some people need to grow up and take a reasoned view of what this forum is, how it has evolved, how it will continue to grow - assuming GW/IM don't decide it's just too much bother.
There are plenty of other forums and websites out there for politics and prejudice where you can expound your views and hope (lessly) try to persuade others to your view, bearing in mind that others will be just as deaf to your opinion as you are to theirs. I don't see a problem with endorsing or deploring government policy with regards to relevant subjects such as garden chemicals, land management policy, climate change but, realisticly, this forum may inform and change one or two personal opinions and practices but is never going to affect political policies.
The Potting Shed is the place for off topic discussions so I see no reason why crafts, cooking, de-cluttering and other general chat should be curtailed. Most gardeners are crafty one way or another, many grow and cook their own fruit and veg and we most likely have corners of shame or garden sheds that need a good sorting.
People just need to remember the rules about politeness, veracity and not being gratuitously rude and offensive. There are some who seem utterly unaware of these board rules and break them almost daily.