(07 Oct 2015, 6:58 pm)Adrian wrote [ -> ]@andreos1 - I don't disagree with anything you've said really, aside from the comment around empire building.
Your final point is perhaps the most important. Because to get and maintain an active membership, we need flowing discussion and positive contributions. On top of that though, I'll always encourage positive debate, because I think it's important we get a range of views on a particular topic, right across the spectrum.
And I think that point, is possibly where the forum is going wrong.
Granted the flowing debate isn't for everyone. But I think we ALL (going back to my point about everyone taking responsibility), need to hold our hands up and say as individuals; we have stifled debate, not encouraged debate, held back from debate or not given a toss about debate.
I think we all know there is a massive difference between the short, sharp posts we have seen fairly recently, compared to some of the longer posts questioning, putting forward points of view etc., seen in the past.
I know which I prefer and I think I know which one encourages the forum to develop and grow.
As a suggestion, why not create two tiers to the forum?
Those wanting debate, can discuss to their hearts content - without the stifling of opinion.
Those wanting to have the sort of discussion that involves the short, sharp posts - that doesn't leave people fed up and not bothering with the site.
No idea how this would be done or if it would be possible, but it would certainly show survival of the fittest! Or, assuming those who don't want debate - don't like what they see when there is the flowing debate, they move on and go elsewhere.
If the forum continues down the vein it has done for the last however many months - without changes/improvements being made, by both members and the admin team, then the situation (and the opinion a lot of members hold) isn't going to change.
I totally appreciate that members will come and go over the life of any forum. I appreciate that not everyone likes each other or appreciates the posts that every member makes.
However, I am not sure there we have seen the level of discontent (?) and apathy that is displayed currently.