Members i want to take a moment and explain something to you please take a moment to read this and understand.....

We are a community and as such all members should feel comfortable and be willing to express their opinion. if a thread makes you uncomfortable and has a questionable topic or images please let one of the moderators or myself know right away (via PM, report button or post in the thread)

We would never leave up anything that will make member uncomfortable or concerned .

if however you have a topic you wish to post that is questionable under the topic title please add the line "images may be disturbing to some viewers" this gives everyone a heads up BUT even then we can remove the topic if you so desire (or make edits to accommodate your concerns).


Over the last few months we have grown considerably and at times the moderators or I may miss one so please help us out by bringing these to our attention.

Also note that i have not pointed out any threads, topics, or members and would ask that you do not either in your replies should you chose to chime in on this topic.

I have been here for about one month now and there have been threads that could be considered uncomfortable to some.

Comfort is a two way street just as is trust. If someone posts something and DOES provide a warning on the title line, then any person that enters that thread does so being warned, much like the line used by the TV news when discussing crime scene footage. Yes we need to take the comfort of others into consideration when submitting posts (I have had to do that on a number of occasions), but at the same time others need to understand that comfort levels are different for all.

We are a multi-country board. As such what is considered commonplace in one country could be uncomfortable, if not illegal in another. This leads to a question, do we exclusively subvert our comfort levels for the benefit of others, or do we do the exact opposite and require them to do similiar. We need to find the happy medium where all can be free to post, say what they feel, and yet still respect the sensitivities of other members.

Warning on a title are one method. There have to be others.

hmm you make a lot of valid points i had thought of but not really formulated ... thank you.. i have used the warning my self (German thread) but should we make the warning specific? for example

"warning - images may have adult content" if there is nudity
"warning - images may depict violence" if there is a war theme etc.


what do you (and others) feel on this ?

Problem is Bear, that we can get into hair splitting here. Perfect example is as to the adult content. I know in Canada (well at least Ontario) going topless for women is perfectly legal. In the US it could lead to a public indecency charge. In Britain even more is legal than that. Levels of undress are one of those cultural things that changes from country to country as well as how we were raised.

As to warnings, what requires a warning? I can understand a general warning on some themes, but specific, I would feel we would begin to need a rating committee here within the board, and that would be against all this board is for IMHO.

you sir are 100% correct.

censorship is a major issue for me and i am not a fan .. i guess the mixed feelings on the issue stems from wanting to accommodate all and that may simply not be doable.

i am not about to create or become a rating committee

and i also agree that the idea here is to be comfortable.

so a middle ground must be found.

i will wait for more input but i have a potential solution.

IMO if you don't like the content in a topic, you do not have to continue. Just exit the topic and go to another. Just like a TV program, change the channel

great point. how do you feel about a warning or heads up in the title? so far on PM and email (yes even non-members are weighing in!!) the warning seems logical and simple .. mods can add one if if the poster forgets and we dont need a rating system just simple stuff like

"nudity"
"war images"

etc...

Greetings Mr. Bear
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I figure if it's on a postage stamp it's fair game for discussion. A slight warning for delicate eyes is also fair.
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(I hope it wasn't something I said, dagnabit!)
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Respectfully,

Gordon Lee

thank you for your input.

as i stated earlier i am not opening this discussion to pin anything on any one nor to start a wild fire.. in the end i can simply refer to the forum rules that were outlined when the forum was established and leave it at that. Forum Rules

i am attempting to be a little flexible on some of those rules since we have such a great group of members (as you can see from the banner at the top of the home page LOL).....


perhaps the simple solution is a small head up in the title. as suggested and let members chose for them selves.

art is art
stamps are stamps
and the world is a wonderful mix of varying opinions.

lets put this to rest in the next 24 hours so we can just get back to stamps!!!!

Just throwing a thought out. How about a sub category where readers can make a decision to stay completely clear of any uncomfortable topics or media. Then if something does get posted that is questionable, it can be moved to said sub category.

that is very subjective to culture and opinion as we stated above.

i think that would make things harder ...

It depends on what the post is, I cannot imagine that anything printed on a stamp would be disturbing to any adult member.

However, if we are worried about what a younger person might/might not see; then a warning would be close to useless (it may even have the opposite effect and act as an advertising beacon).

I think the decision whether the material is suitable should be left up to the admin (including mods), anyone who is disturbed has the freedom to view other posts.

cheers

If it is on a stamp it is meant for public viewing and any discussion evolving from them should be within the realms of public decency I would imagine. I see no need to worry about anything, last time I checked there weren't too many kids popping on here with us anyways? I in fact go on the record saying that occasional accidental juvenile mammary exposure (O.A.J.M.E for short) and M*A*S*H watching with my dad helped make me the stalwart I am today. (<-----------Good one eh Perfs!

Hot Tip ~ AD-348i-2.0.v

If you have grandkids or kids that want to hang around while you are online, or could nosily pop into your personal space, don;t click on the naked girl thread.

We are all respectful adults with common sense so there should be no need for any warnings or whatever.

Oh, and here is a personal guarantee...... put a warning on it and everyone will look at it. Does anyone actually think that some kid is going to say to themselves " Oh Dear Johnny, there is a warning on that thread, I shouldn't look!"

Just my two centarinos, have a good one,

Skilo54