posted February 28, 2013 05:26 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by 7thGuardian:
(YTA - are this type of discussion appropriate for teenagers like your son?).

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My views are unimportant and don't matter.

posted February 28, 2013 05:31 PM            

There is smut there and it cheapens us, I also don't think Linda Goodman would approve.

LL has become a learning website, which means that there are a lot of young (minors) students here looking for astro answers.
What do you think an impressionable mind would think about sharing an aspect with with a masochist? They might get the wrong idea and think that, that single aspect applies to all Masochists which could send them down the wrong road both in life and with their Astro Knowledge.

I don't know about getting rid of it, but some of the posters are too explicit and I see them testing limits with their words which to me is offensive.

In this case, one bad apple can ruin it for everyone.

posted February 28, 2013 06:49 PM            

Even if teenagers do find the forum....wouldn't you rather they come across intelligent (assuming ) adults having upfront serious conversations about sex, death, mental illness, etc etc? This is not the time to be censoring, the rest of the internet sure isn't - and these are the issues that need to be discussed, kids need to be informed. I mean really with all the stuff out there on the internet, i would be proud if teenagers were reading the forums and getting informed by our discussions. I would rather be a role model for young ones reading on here than leave them to their own devices considering how much garbage there is out there. Plus, I think it's healthy to discuss these things, why would we want to purposely repress these issues within a community and teach by example the same thing.

Even if it does start arguments, it's these confrontations that help people question their own understandings and opinions about the world. Confrontations can be positive people. Forums are for sharing and discussing ideas, I think Sweet Peas should be kept, but yes maaybe perhaps moderated more or have a disclaimer that takes you to a new page and makes you agree to abide by the rules (ex. don't post any gross pictures, etc. etc.)

I'm not really into censorship of almost any kind, I think we should be up-front about these discussions and be open about discussing every single nasty detail of life (sexual and not). People need to know what's out there and I believe no discussion of any kind can ever be completely negative when it's two people sharing their ideas and together both growing increasingly critical of the world. Where's the scorpio energy at, I'm shocked there's so many that would be into deleting all the taboo subjects, let's unearth it all.

posted February 28, 2013 07:00 PM            

Keep it: 10 users
Moderate it better/want their old threads: 7 users
Close it, but didn't go there much any ways/were generally ambivalent: 2 users
Close it: 4 users

posted February 28, 2013 07:11 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Got Gemini??:
I'm with you there. I steer completely clear of global unity.

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Yeah same..

I mean just my personal opinion but I think if LL is re-naming forums based on their content, that one should probably be addressed too because I don't think the description could be any less accurate lol

posted February 28, 2013 07:38 PM            

But like many have stated, revise it and update the rules a bit.

lala

I hesitate to post to others who don't seem to really get what many others are saying. It's not about people not wanting to discuss taboo or "dark" subject matter. It really is not. But anyway....I'm not wasting my time on it anymore. if some people have healed greatly thru that one forum then it might be best to keep it and just make some changes to it.

posted February 28, 2013 08:10 PM            

I have seen threads that crossed the line for a bunch of titillation and flirting (I suppose they might just see it as being silly), but I've found it easy to ignore...basically the only time it annoys me is when an otherwise decent thread gets hijacked for that (sometimes several pages in a few hours of flirting and double entendres) though even then I tend to skim & skip over it until the thread is relevant again.

Sometimes it's gets real iffy, like about S&M or choking or age-related...being a strong air sign I'm generally comfortable with open straight talk (as long as it's meant to be informative/questioning rather than like "flashing" us so to speak, like when one started a thread on a type of anime porn, I KNOW that wasn't innocent and just trying to shock or upset us or at least test the limits since a few people are wired to show that you can't tell them what they can or cannot do and thus test all imposed limits), but sometimes I can't help but wonder if they're not trying to start some drama for their own entertainment rather than sincerely trying to gain a better understanding of the topic, so maybe tightening down the "sex talk" is in order...keep it more about relationships and deep personal issues (maybe a general "trigger warning" on the forum itself, too, letting people know it can enter into some stormy waters sometimes) that is given more leeway when it comes to sex entering the topic but scrutinized closely and made sure it's incidental to the topic rather than the topic itself...kinda like how personal attacks are much more tolerated in Global Unity, though people aren't supposed to actually start attack threads (granted, I've seen some inflammatory titles before).

posted February 28, 2013 10:45 PM            

Which is actually mostly where I was to begin with. ....well, neutral & leaning towards: 'Go ahead and close the effer up". (was that an option? lol )

But since I know it doesnt really matter anyway and the votes don't really matter..... I stay neutral. Can take it or leave it myself.

posted February 28, 2013 11:03 PM            

Very well put.

posted March 01, 2013 06:59 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Venus:
i'll say again that i want it back, just because a few users went out of hand shouldn't mean we should delete all the lovely conversations about love and grief that were shared there.

bring it back please.

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posted March 01, 2013 08:27 AM            

The longer it's gone, the more I am missing it.

posted March 01, 2013 09:14 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Lexxigramer:
Keep it if we are allowed to enforce the rules.
Otherwise ditch it.
I have gotten too much grief from people because I "police" them and warn them and close threads; or move them to the appropriate forums.
However some mods have re-opened threads I closed
and or gotten in my face about it, sticking up for their buddies,
even when rules were definitely broken.
Often I can do nothing because it is another mod breaking the rules.
Or it is in a forum I do not moderate directly at.
People say we need to be stricter,
but most of the time my doing my moderator duties to the letter has resulted in even a couple moderators being upset with me or worse.
I do my best to follow and enforce the rules of LL.
If anyone does not like that,
then take it up with Randall.
Being a moderator is work, and I do not appreciate getting stomped on just for doing my best per the rules of LL.

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Ask Randall's opinion, when you are unsure.

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Passion, Lust, Desire. Check out my journal

posted March 01, 2013 12:06 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by lalalinda:

What do you think an impressionable mind would think about sharing an aspect with with a masochist? They might get the wrong idea and think that, that single aspect applies to all Masochists which could send them down the wrong road both in life and with their Astro Knowledge.

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How do you think young impressionable minds feel to share aspects with, for example, Luka Magnotta, who's chart was amply discussed in Astro 2.0, NOT in Sweet Peas? He is not the only violent criminal who was analyzed in our community. We've had very interesting discussions over the years on forensic astrology, as well as topics about sexual orientation or gender identity in a chart, that haven't been an issue before. Some of the most exquisite quality astro work was done in those threads.

I particularly consider that being narrow minded, judgmental and dogmatic cheapens us much more than discussing controversial subjects in an objective astrological manner. It is certainly not a message I would want delivered to young impressionable minds.

posted March 01, 2013 12:43 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Ami Anne:
Ask Randall's opinion, when you are unsure.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Randall:
LEXX expressed her concern to me. I agreed, and I told her she could delete it. I deleted the moved version in Astrology 2.0 myself. The subject matter went way over the edge of good taste and definitely crossed the line. But it was ultimately my decision to close them both.

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posted March 01, 2013 12:57 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Hera:
Personally, I think Sweet Peas does have a place in Lindaland. Being able to discuss controversial topics openly has been of great help to many, myself included. It wasn't just an emotional support forum, it was much more than that. Violence, abuse, sex or criminal activity happen around us because they are a part of life, for whatever reason that may be, and are all over the news and the Internet. 50 shades of Grey was discussed at the 5 o'clock news in my country. I do not think pretending these topics don't exist helps us in any way, except to promote more fear, shame and judgment that are already associated with them. On the contrary, as others have said, I would prefer that impressionable minds gather their information in Sweet Peas where they can also get support and help for what they are dealing with, be it depression, abuse, loss, intimacy, eating disorders or sexual orientation. These things are part of life. I do agree, however, that such topics should be discussed in a tasteful manner and that Sweet Peas shouldn't be a sex or flirting forum.

My vote goes to keeping it under stricter moderation.

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Randall;
having a bad time in my offline life;
Sorry I have not written to you on this issue.
This issue is keeping me from having time to take care of other forums.