I think the best way to contain the problems of talking politics is not to encourage it.

Who wants to talk politics in a dedicated thread? Is this just a NIMBY thing?

The only people I can remember wanting to post in this thread last time we talked was Gar and Jen K.

Who wants to talk politics in a dedicated thread? Is this just a NIMBY thing?

I'll play Hellboy's advocate: There's always a lot of it around, and it might be nice to keep it all in one place so it's avoidable, and so the discussers can not feel like they're annoying the nonpolitical.

There's always a lot of it around, and it might be nice to keep it all in one place so it's avoidable, and so the discussers can not feel like they're annoying the nonpolitical.

This is Shawn's point though. It's not about a thread that people want because they're very interested in talking politics. It seems to be a thread people want to keep Politics from polluting the other threads.

Alla you kids get offa my lawn.

It's not about a thread that people want because they're very interested in talking politics. It seems to be a thread people want to keep Politics from polluting the other threads.

I think it's both, defintely more of the latter.

I see it as a sort of spoiler thread. Some people are spoiler whores, some people don't even watch the "Next week on....". It's a matter of personal choice. I see this thread as that. Some people want to debate and discuss, some don't care.

I do remember from the TT that politics was the most flame-baity acrimonious, troll-filled section of the board.

I don't know that we would automatically replicate that here. Whatever complaints people may have Buffistaville.

I don't have an opinion on whether to have a new thread or not, and will probably end up voting "present" or whatever we call it to help make up the quorum, but not affect the outcome.

Iif there is a politics thread, I think the culture would quickly evolve. I'm pretty sure anyone posted anything other than a real quick passing comment on politics someone would tell them to take it to the politics thread. Maybe an exception would be made if really related directly to the thread topic (such as Tim making Moon is a Harsh Mistress). Maybe it woulldn't.

That in fact is a good question; clearly Iraq War discussions would be moved to politics. What about discussions about libertarinism and Ayne Rand in Minearverse since Tim is making MIAHM? Would those wanting the politics thread want that moved to politics as well? I'm not asking what would be required. I'm asking what would be the hoped for result?

If there was a politics thread I would post there. Am I the only one?

I might, depending.

But for me, that goes for any and all threads. If the mood strikes, I go. If not, I don't.

Susan would. If she has time, that is.

And if it is divisive and flamebaity there, it'll be divisive and flamebaity anywhere. Better to have a concrete bunker for such things than an unsuspecting front parlor.

I don't totally agree with this. Not every political discussion here has turned acrimonious. I can remember quite a few that haven't, and I think that the ones we remember as flamey are the exceptions, rather than the rule. But I think that one thing that's kept some discussions from turning into flame wars is that they're in the natter thread or other threads, mixed in with other stuff.

To go with your "front parlor" metaphor, a debate in the front parlor will be kept more civil than one in a boxing ring, because the people are aware of all the nice breakable things around, and there are people walking through to use the door, and maybe someone coming around with tea. All this stuff keeps it from exploding. My fear is that an all-politics, all-the-time thread will turn much more firey very quickly, because there is no cooling-off period where talk shifts to other things and the people involved can have time to cool off and then come back when they're a bit calmer.

I like discussing politics. I like debating things. I would almost definitely avoid a politics thread.

And also, I think that tensions in one thread do spill over to the rest of the board. I don't see how they couldn't. I know that, for me, if I'm reading a thread where people are saying things that are pissing me off, then I go over to another thread, I'll still be pissed off and much more likely to get annoyed at somethiing that I otherwise would have let slide.