A few words from your new moderator

[Faisal]

Re: A few words from your new moderator

@Fraudz

I suggest that we have a moderated discussion on some topics but have specific goals for teh discussion, we seem to have the same dozen discussions that everyone spins their wheels in and then people give up.

problem is topics become too broad, no one knows what is going on, trouble makers jump in, discussion just disintegrates.

maybe a couple of topics per week or fortnight, with specific questions and specific goals, maybe one of the goals is that the group comes up with the next set of questions to discuss and address over the next week/fortnight.

Good ideas.

I think as a start we need a critical mass of members who share the vision that we can make this a great place for discussion. I call them 'facilitators'. They facilitate good discussions. These people may not agree on issues, but as long as they can debate in an educated manner, that will improve the quality of discussions manifold and also teach other members the etiquettes of online discussion. Also, once we have a core team of facilitators on hand, implementation of all such good ideas will then become easier.

Also, while I hope we have more productive discussions on topics, I am looking forward to some people to step-up and initiate more interesting debates. We need to get over the same old shia-sunni-wahabi arguments. For some it may be adding a lot of value, but for most, these are now just repetitive.

Moderated discussions on some select topics may be one way of bringing some 'method to the madness' (figuratively speaking only) on sensitive issues, though it hinders free flow of ideas. Not entirely a bad thing, of course. Unless someone decides to sue us for infringing upon their First Amendment rights. :)