Comment Policy Changes

Submitted by Scott on Thu, 2008-01-03 01:00

The MANN comment sections have been buzzing a lot lately. Unfortunately a lot of this buzz has been the result of many personal attacks and unproductive anger.

We've seen this problem come and go in cycles in the past, but this time it seems to have become especially bad. The administrators of MANN have become concerned about this and feel it's become necessary to take a more proactive stance to try to bring the MANN comment boards out of this rut. We can't simply sit by and watch the site become little more than a place for individuals to flame and entertain each other by trying to write shock-entertainment posts. Mensactivism.org was created to be more than that, and we need to return to a reasonable level of decorum. Read More to continue...

Not only is this trend counter-productive, but it is discouraging genuinely interested parties from taking the site seriously as well as discouraging actual, substantive debate. When debates that are basically about ideas degenerate regularly and quickly into name-calling and over-use of profanity, especially targeted specifically to other posters, the value of any site is damaged.

The 'A' in MANN stands for something that is intended to be our primary goal - Activism. While we are willing to accept a certain amount of venting and frustration, the point of this site is to create a space where people can come to the realization that we can make gains for men's rights and support each other to that end.

Of the solutions we have looked into, we feel that a new policy regarding comment moderation needs to be established. From now on, new users registering with the site will be placed on moderated status, and their comment posts will need to be manually approved by a site administrator. Once a new user has demonstrated with a few posts that they are here to contribute constructively, not destructively, to the community, their account will become unmoderated.

As for existing users, we will start by warning people via email when a specific posting crosses the line in this way. You have the responsibility to check the email account you registered with on a regular basis, and if the situation doesn't improve, your account will be put into moderated status.

To date the administrators of this site have taken a very laissez-faire approach to user comments, whether they're on- or off-topic. This hasn't been working so well lately, so we've been willing to re-evaluate this policy. Likewise, if things cool down and the signal to noise ratio improves, we are willing to re-evaluate the need for this policy.

And please, let's not have any finger-pointing or accusations about "who started what" - in the end it's really irrelevant. With this post, let's start with a clean slate and get back to productive discussion and debate.

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Comments

I remember you mentioning your band "Aftermath". My favorite is "Beggars Banquet" Than again, any Stones album is good. I thought I'd leave you with a Stones classic: "Stupid Girl". Curiosity: Whats your opinion on the WHO and Pink Floyd?

Stupid Girl (Mick Jagger / Keith Richards)

I'm not talking about the kind of clothes she wears
Look at that stupid girl
I'm not talkin' about the way she combs her hair
Look at that stupid girl
The way she powders her nose
Her vanity shows and it shows
She's the worst thing in this world
Well, look at that stupid girl

I'm not talkin' about the way she digs for gold
Look at that stupid girl
Well, I'm a-talkin' about the way she grabs and holds
Look at that stupid girl
The way she talks about someone else
That she don't even know herself
She's the sickest thing in this world
Well, look at that stupid girl

Well, I'm sick and tired and I really have my doubts
I've tried and tried but it never really works out

Like a lady-in-waiting to a virgin queen
Look at that stupid girl
She bitches about things that she's never seen
Look at that stupid girl
It doesn't matter if she dyes her hair
Or the colors of the shoes she wears
She's the worst thing in this world
Well, look at that stupid girl

Like a lady-in-waiting to a virgin queen
Look at that stupid girl
She bitches about things that she's never seen
Look at that stupid girl
She purrs like a pussycat
Then she turns around and hisses back
She's the sickest thing in this world
Look at that stupid girl

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Submitted by anthony on Thu, 2008-01-03 03:39

I think this policy helps the entire community. Thanks Scott for making this move. As in mythology, the King stewards the space for all, and for the good of the Kingdom.

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Submitted by Tom on Thu, 2008-01-03 13:37

Always a good idea, I typically don't engage people, but it happens.

I do agree that more solutions should be offered up with comments, otherwise it's nothing more than a place to bitch.

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Submitted by Dutch269 on Thu, 2008-01-03 16:59

I admit I was probably part of the inspiration behind these new rules. After all, I'm a new member; I just joined a couple weeks ago, and I must admit I have gotten a little out of hand profanity wise in some of my posts. I'll tone it down. I apologize if I've offended anybody or if I've in any way harmed our cause.

Evan AKA X-TRNL
Real Men Don't Take Abuse!

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Submitted by xtrnl on Fri, 2008-01-04 04:31

Well, anthony...

I would look at what Mick has shelled out over forty-plus years in child support and alimony and quiet out-of-court settlements -

and then I would compare that with his genius as a song-writer.

My favorite commercially released Stones' album is also Beggar's Banquet, if only because that band could never recapture the biting licks of Brian Jones.

My actual favorite is a bootleg master soundboard CD "More Stripped." Unfortunately the FBI put that Italian company out of business right after I bought their product over the Internet.

In the spirit of "Stupid Girl," the MANN mods are well within their jurisdiction to seek to redirect the dialogue and bounce the rabble.

Problem is, sometimes the rabble are the most important voices to hear.

And BTW anthony, after the "Aftermath" album, the Stones sold out their blues roots.

Recall a silly pop quartet called the Beatles?

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Submitted by Roy on Sat, 2008-01-05 01:30

During the period from 1968 to 1972 no band has ever equalled the brilliance of the Rolling Stones. The Stones ability to combine Rock/Country and Delta Blues is a true testament to raw talent. Many feel the Stones created some of the most unique and influential music during just a short period of time. I recommend the four classics:

1968: Beggars Banquet

1969: Let it Bleed

1971: Sticky Fingers

1972: Exile on Main Street

As for the Beatles, heres list of bands I feel are superior from that era:

*The Who

*Rolling Stones

*The Animals

*The Kinks

*The Velvet Underground

*Frank Zappa

*Small Faces

*Pink Floyd

*Bob Dylan

*The Yardbirds

During college I was bombarded with Rap/Hip Hop. I had to hear Eminem and Puff Daddy every time I walked into a bar. This is why I embrace the classics. Modern music is more about image than talent. I do appreciate some Heavy Metal. The Norwegians have some brilliant bands. Intense music [Emperor, Immortal and Dimmu Borgir]

I Type these words with Skinny Puppy blasting from the stereo. Industrial legends.

Anthony

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Submitted by anthony on Sat, 2008-01-05 04:37

One of the few benefits that I enjoy, being a middle-aged old fart with a lifetime of musical experience, is getting to introduce my daughters to the still-living legends.

In the past couple years, I've treated my girls to concerts including -
* Robert Plant
* Bob Dylan
* Neil Young
* Eric Clapton
* Steve Winwood
* Jeff Beck
* Buddy Guy

I always tell them that they are seeing the "second string team," because they were born too late to see Robert Johnson, Howlin' Wolf, John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, and all the other real masters that created rock 'n roll.

If you can find it, check out a 2003 DVD titled "Muddy Waters: Can't Be Satisfied."

It has some hilarious interviews with Keith Richards lying through his teeth about how he first met Muddy at Chess Records in Chicago. As well as some comments by Bill Wyman about how the early Stone's entire schtick was just to speed up the blues.

I also recommend Eric Clapton's just-published autobiography for an interesting account of blues influence on R&R....

So, anthony -- what new alternative bands would you say have any street cred with their knowledge of the classics? My daughters are big into Kings of Leon, who we've seen twice opening for Dylan ...

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Submitted by Roy on Sat, 2008-01-05 16:58

I would recommend the White Stripes. Best album is "Elephant". They have some great riffs that reminds me of Zeppelin. I think you'll enjoy the record as much as your kids.

Another personal favorite of mine are The Allman Brothers Band.

In an earlier post I mentioned The Stones put out some of the greatest albums from '68 to '72.

I did forget Bob Dylan's brilliance. He put out three incredible albums in a two year span. Pure genius!

* Bringing It All Back Home
* Highway 61 revisited
* Blonde on Blonde

My favorite Bob Dylan lyric is from Tombstone Blues. "The Sky Isn't Yellow, Its Chicken"

I also listen to some Prog. rock.

* Emerson Lake and Palmer

* Yes

* King Crimson

Anthony

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Submitted by anthony on Sun, 2008-01-06 00:42

Earlier you asked about THE WHO and PINK FLOYD.

Sadly, I never understood either of these bands.

They never expressed any real blues roots, and that for me was the test of credibility.

I did however love Keith Moon's drumming style, because as a teen-aged drummer I was always looking for more action between the lead guitar riffs. (I think Ginger Baker in CREAM was the real genius of percussion... a jazz drummer actually.)

My favorite Dylan lyric is - "I'm sick of love... wish I'd never met you."

MANN should investigate a way to categorize multiple threads by themes and/or topics and keep threads visible on the main page.

It would surely expand the site's traffic, and there are any number of excellent writers hereabouts who would participate in a more layered continuous dialogue.

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Submitted by Roy on Sun, 2008-01-06 02:30

This is a very intense board. We deal with important issues which we all have great passion towards. Sometimes battles can occur. [I've been guilty on occasion]

With that said, I think on occasion its beneficial to deviate from MRA issues and basically engage one another on a more personal level. Get to know what some of our interests are. If we find out we have similar interests, we'll see one another more as individuals.

I can talk about music all day. Roy has lived during the "golden" era of music. I appreciate the same music but I wish I had the opportunity to see these bands during their prime. For example: Watching Jimi Hendrix play the Star-Spangled Banner at Woodstock.

Kieth Moon: Brilliant drummer, but a life of tragedy because of alcoholism. Its a shame. If I could have a beer with any musician, it would be Kieth Moon.

Anthony

p.s.

Correction on Bob Dylan lyric. It should be "The Sun Isn't Yellow, Its Chicken".

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Submitted by anthony on Sun, 2008-01-06 20:16

I'm sure nobody in MANN's neighborhood wants to morph bandwidth into endless nostalgia about the golden age of rock 'n roll. (Not the mission, not the point...)

But when I read feminist sites -- and I read a lot of them in order to understand my enemy -- they do seem to have a more layered and dimensional web space that allows an individual sense of voice to be heard.

MRA sites tend to gravitate towards a "fight club" mentality -- which is fine, because the last thing men's advocates need to subscribe to is a faux-solidarity herd mentality.

But if I know that the dude I disagree with also listens to the same music that I do, well, I might be inclined to be more civil.

"Might" be...

Anyhow, I got suspended from school for skipping classes to go see The Stones Chicago '69 concert and it was one of the wisest investments I ever made in my informal education.

All the HS princesses thought I was a bad boy after that, and I tried not to let those stupid girls down! ;-)

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Submitted by Roy on Sun, 2008-01-06 21:55