Hoping for something different.

Hello everyone!

I have been lurking the A+ forums for the past couple of weeks and have found the propensity for dismissing (or outright banning) anyone who didn't completely tow the line rather disappointing. Once I saw this I was excited that I too could discus issues of inequality without the fear of my opinions being marginalized because I am unskilled at the art of "checking my privilege."

In general I'm more skeptical of the social sciences than the people on the other forum, as I view them as too un-quantifiable and open to interpretation (unknown unknowns), at least relative to the "hard" sciences. I don't think that my opinions would be considered valid there, or worse yet considered a violation of the safe space that the members there deserve.

Anyways I'm looking forward to learning more and participating in more conversations on the state of equality in society today, especially in an atmosphere where I can be more unabashed in communicating my views without offending a group (or whole groups) of people.

Welcome, Youthinasia! You should find that you can speak your mind here.

(I was going to act all offended and argumentative, but perhaps we should get to know each other first, before joking around like that!)

Skep tickle wrote:Welcome, Youthinasia! You should find that you can speak your mind here.

(I was going to act all offended and argumentative, but perhaps we should get to know each other first, before joking around like that!)

Thanks skep, the debacle with your banning (and the whole Dillahunty thing) was actually an eye-opener to how a "safe space" can quickly devolve into a space that is unsafe for diversity of opinion. So I think this forum was an excellent idea for those of us who want to participate but were turned off by the "atmosphere" of the moderation at the other forums.

Hey, Youthinasia and welcome.

I think the only group which you were at risk of actually offending was one who are just as privileged as you, but more arrogant in that they believe they can speak on behalf of those they consider inferior.

Can you tell us how you found out this forum existed ?

Also, is it your perception that people over there know about this forum or it's a dirty secret ?

Cheers

piginthecity wrote:Also, is it your perception that people over there know about this forum or it's a dirty secret ?

Re: Are a Safe Space and Activism compatible on one site?

Setar wrote: » Fri Oct 26, 2012 6:11 am

Sun Countess wrote:

ceepolk wrote:
I expect that people who get told to go to the unrestricted A+ site will take offense at being directed elsewhere, because it's this specific forum they want to take over and make just like everywhere else on the internet.

just getting it out there in print so I can say "In before 'but I want to participate HERE!'"

Right now, it seems to be mostly people who were banned from this forum, talking about how much this forum sucks, because it's promoting a culture of victimhood, and how much feminism sucks, and how concepts like privilege and SR aren't based on fact, but based on anecdotal emotion and paranoia, blah blah blah MRA talking points. I just don't see any connection right now to the core values of atheism+. How can you talk about promoting social justice when you don't recognize the concept of privilege?

And people say that the moderation we have is a bad thing. Seriously. That sort of shit running rampant is good? HOW?!

They really just don't get it.

No they don't get it. And, no, I was never banned. I joined for 24 hours coincidentally the day before the whole Dillahunty debacle and requested deregistration the following day. I didn't even given them a "why you suck speech" nor a flounce.

piginthecity wrote:Hey, Youthinasia and welcome.

I think the only group which you were at risk of actually offending was one who are just as privileged as you, but more arrogant in that they believe they can speak on behalf of those they consider inferior.

Can you tell us how you found out this forum existed ?

Also, is it your perception that people over there know about this forum or it's a dirty secret ?

Cheers

Yes the dogmatic arrogance was a huge turn off, so when I saw the thread about this forum and some people were bashing it I instantly knew that it was a place for open and honest discussion where people wouldn't be chastised for believing something slightly off color from the established doctrine.

There seemed to be approval and disapproval at the other site, mostly people saying that this is a place for banned members who didn't really get it anyways. Which to me means a place for people who have their own opinions.

As much as I am for equality and progress, I hadn't realized how many people hold social justice up as a religion and social science theories as established truths, from which any deviation can be tantamount to sin.