What is the short term/long term future of a2k?

I certainly don't think this woman should have lost her job.

(In response to Chai)

Really? Really? It's not that difficult. I'm suggesting based on ... let's call it anecdotal evidence and a couple of whispers that Robert isn't trying to keep a2k from eventually shutting down completely.

I really don't understand how you think anything I wrote mentions making the site popular or ... um ... vital?? Bizarre choice of a word which is yours, not mine.

Asking about the worst-case scenario if the site is finally closed and what other sites would someone consider using as an alternative to a2k? If they would actively want to find a place to interact as a community if that happens? Or just move on with their virtual lives and not find an a2k replacement. I was trying to be a bit tactful as I don't have any hard evidence other than a turn of phrase dropped in another thread.

Just a thread based on relative morbid curiousity.

I post at Just Plain Politics.Com. It is much more than just politics and has almost no moderation at all. You can have your say in the way you feel most comfortable...and most people keep it reasonable. ("Reasonable" being a rather flexible concept.) Certainly no more gross and bottom -feeding in nature than regularly goes on here.

I was at Debate Politics.com for a while, but that is like a concentration camp with moderators on everyone's back for the most moderate of "infractions." They tend to think that they are the elite of the elite. But for those of you who like a forum with heavy moderation...it could a place you would enjoy.

To be honest, I totally believe the bulk of issues lies in the hands of a small handful of posters. You know, the one’s who walk into a group talking at a party, and instantly the vibe changes from just having a good time to feeling like you’d just rather go home.

Hump Volkswagen? Never heard this one before.

The way I see it, this board has never really decided whether it wants to be a forum for exchange of ideas (which implies a broad tent approach to membership) or a social media for making friends and maintaining those friendly relationships through chatter (which implies a narrow membership because you don’t want the average troll to ruin the party). It can’t really be both at the same time as the ethos is not the same (what you value in one case is not what you value in another).

Quote:

The way I see it, this board has never really decided whether it wants to be a forum for exchange of ideas (which implies a broad tent approach to membership) or a social media for making friends and maintaining those friendly relationships through chatter (which implies a narrow membership because you don’t want the average troll to ruin the party). It can’t really be both at the same time as the ethos is not the same (what you value in one case is not what you value in another).

In the open model, what is valued is a frank exchange of ideas, as well as the capacity to listen to other people's POV. So if a 'friend' (someone you often find yourself in agreement with, e.g. a fellow dem, or a fellow rep) says something you disagree with, and an 'enemy' says something you agree with, your duty in the open model is to side with your 'enemy' against your 'friend" and say what you think.



However, in the closed (frenemies) model, what matters most is the quality of the relationship you build with friends. So in the situation above, your duty is to side with your friend against your enemy. It doesn't matter that you secretly agree with your enemy. You'd be an asshole to say it out loud. So you will side with your friend, even if that creates an echo chamber.

And this is how a poster like Max, who loathes tribal allegiances and fixed ideological lines, can be simultaneously a good guy in the open model and a bad guy in the closed model. Your take on him depends on what you expect from a2k, what model you prefer. If you want a quiet chatter with friends, at the risk of verging on the self-congratulating echo chamber, then maybe don't invite him, but if all you want is a frank debate and don't care to make imaginary (sorry, virtual) friends too much, he's top...

One problem with A2K...as it was during the end days of Abuzz...is the clique aspect. There are some people who see themselves AS A2K...and see the rest as "others."

The quality of discourse here has been steadily in decline.

The future of A2K is not bright.

The future of many other institutions with which we've identified isn't very bright either. This is no time for rosy scenarios. I suggest we generally lower our expectations.