any opinion?
By sophiecheer
@sophiecheer (931)
Philippines
May 29, 2011 1:02am CST
I've stumbled upon a newsletter about how to have an effective forum. Among the other pointers, this particular advice caught my attention: "An administrator who will allow all opinions."
It states there that no matter how controversial the opinion, it should be allowed/ posted. It got me to thinking about mylot's strict restriction. You think it could have been better if everyone can freely discussed their opinion about something without fear of getting "banned"?
It makes sense to point that people flock a certain forum because they are allowed to freely speak their mind about certain topics. Anyhow, it is understood that a forum is designed to showcase all member's diverse opinions about diverse topics.
Make sense, right?
2 people like this
8 responses
@hot_legs15 (132)
• Philippines
30 May 11
Censorship is anathema to freedom of speech, however, reasonable censorship is indispensable to maintain a harmonious community. This principle applies everywhere, even in mylot.
The reasonableness of the censorship greatly depends on the basis of the imposed rules. Why did such rule is imposed? What is the underlying reason of the rules? If the basis is justifiable, then of course, the censorship is not repugnant to freedom of speech.More, the guidelines must be clear, unequivocal, and free from any ambiguity.
Here, the guidelines in mylot are clear and reasonable, so I have no problem about it.
However, reasonableness of the censorship is not enough. How these guidelines are implemented, also plays a vital role for freedom of speech. The guidelines must be implemented fairly. At least, due process or the opportunity to explain must be afforded to the user, before his or her article or account is deleted.
In my humble opinion, and I hope I will not offend the administrators of mylot or other lotters, this is where this site lacks. Some mylotters are surprised that their article or account was deleted. The site will just inform them of the supposed violation, however it did not give them opportunity to explain. Did they?
If the guidelines are reasonable, then, there's no violation to speak of. The guidelines must be unequivocal and free from any ambiguity. It .
1 person likes this
@sophiecheer (931)
• Philippines
30 May 11
This is a pretty risky comment but I am willing to walk in the "thin ice" with you here. Thank you Hotlegs for this wonderful insight! I agree with you in all the points that you've laid down. 
There is no debate as to the relevance of setting a guideline. I had already established my claim that having a free forum for all is not something that we should undertake if we want the site to prosper.
The deletions of the comments, however, is something that our beloved admin might wan to re-consider. Like in our government institution, there is the so-called court of appeals. This institution will be the avenue wherein mylotters- whose comments were deleted, can "appeal" to the admin. A chance that they can share and justify their comments before the admin will decide whether to delete or allow the said comment.
I hope the admin can re-evaluate this. After all, we all want mylot to be the best forum site ever in the global market.
There is no debate as to the relevance of setting a guideline. I had already established my claim that having a free forum for all is not something that we should undertake if we want the site to prosper.
The deletions of the comments, however, is something that our beloved admin might wan to re-consider. Like in our government institution, there is the so-called court of appeals. This institution will be the avenue wherein mylotters- whose comments were deleted, can "appeal" to the admin. A chance that they can share and justify their comments before the admin will decide whether to delete or allow the said comment.
I hope the admin can re-evaluate this. After all, we all want mylot to be the best forum site ever in the global market.
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
29 May 11
hi sophiecheer hi again. i think really we have very few restrictions as to what we can post. its just that we should not be flaming or insulting people in our free discussions. thats just good common sense as nobody likes to be insulted or flamed either.I was in a diabetes forum that had no restrictions at all and one nutcase who claimed to be a heart 
doctor at this prestigious hear clinic. some of my fellow users at the diabetes forum phoned that clinic and the nutty doctor was not a resident there at all.He began getting very personal with each of us. Too personal to the point of calling us who had diabetes evil and that our diabetes was retribution for our being so evil. when we protested this he need made a blacklist of all our names and said he was setting the devil on us sinners,. ofcourse most of us wrote him off as a nutcase but he got to writing nasty emails to anyone he found an email address for so I just g ave up on that formum as nobody seemed to care for propriety at all and there was no admins whatsoever there.
doctor at this prestigious hear clinic. some of my fellow users at the diabetes forum phoned that clinic and the nutty doctor was not a resident there at all.He began getting very personal with each of us. Too personal to the point of calling us who had diabetes evil and that our diabetes was retribution for our being so evil. when we protested this he need made a blacklist of all our names and said he was setting the devil on us sinners,. ofcourse most of us wrote him off as a nutcase but he got to writing nasty emails to anyone he found an email address for so I just g ave up on that formum as nobody seemed to care for propriety at all and there was no admins whatsoever there. 1 person likes this
@AKRao24 (27424)
• India
30 May 11
Hello Dear Hatley! This is a perfect example you have quoted here , which clearly explains how things can go unruly in absence of Guide lines and the admin. In the name of freedom of expression without interference of admin. the person was taking too much of advantage of the situation and he was subjecting all you people to more of stress which was not good for health , especially for the people suffering from Diabetes! Thanks for quoting a perfect first hand incidence to highlight the nuisances which can happen in absence of an admin.
By the way this Avatar is very attractive one! Please don't change is too soon, like you did it with your last one!
By the way this Avatar is very attractive one! Please don't change is too soon, like you did it with your last one! @sophiecheer (931)
• Philippines
30 May 11
Thank you for sharing your experience Hatley! It sure shed some light as to how it is when an admin is too lenient with its forum members. Truly it is imperative that guidelines be implemented else the site end up a CIRCUS or worst a BATTLEFIELD.
Truly it is imperative that guidelines be implemented else the site end up a CIRCUS or worst a BATTLEFIELD.
@mysdianait (66009)
• Italy
29 May 11
You are suggesting that we cannot state our opinions freely here on myLot?
Why do you think this?
As long as we stay within the Guidelines and respect others without flaming or using abusive language and thoughts, then we are allowed to express our opinions on everything.
What makes you think it is not the case here on myLot? 
@sophiecheer (931)
• Philippines
29 May 11
I've read a lot of mylotters having their responses deleted on the grounds of violation in the guidelines. Honestly I do not know. I just felt like mylot could be too strict with their guidelines to a point wherein some are getting discouraged.
just a general observation.
@mysdianait (66009)
• Italy
29 May 11
Have you seen the Guidelines'
If we post a responses which violates them then it will be removed.
Many users think that they can come here and post their referral links, They can't so they lose their response when they do so.
Many think that they can add a link to their blog. They can't so they lose their response then too.
Many think that they can tell us that they are celebrating their bithday, anniversary or whatever else but they can't and they lose that too.
These are just a few basic examples and there is a reason for each one of the Guidelines but none of them tell us that we cannot talk about this, that or the other.
Indeed if you go through the tabs above you will see discussions with the most varying opinions by people from all over the world who are having their say about many topics
@sophiecheer (931)
• Philippines
29 May 11
Honestly I started the discussion because of the newsletter that I received and that it somehow related to mylot-being a site forum that is. And fairly enough, I read some discussions wherein a lot of posts where deleted. On the basis of the raised post that some mylotters comments were deleted, I presumed that mylot is too strict with the guidelines.
It seemed like I raised some kind of ruckus here. I don't mean to step on anybody's toes by starting this discussion.
I sure will have to review the guidelines. Thanks for pointing that out.
Peace y'all! 
It seemed like I raised some kind of ruckus here. I don't mean to step on anybody's toes by starting this discussion.
I sure will have to review the guidelines. Thanks for pointing that out.
Peace y'all! 
@SpikeTheLobster (6403)
•
29 May 11
MyLot does NOT allow complete freedom of expression. Let's make that very clear from the outset. You only have to read the policies to understand: if complete freedom were allowed, there would be no policies!
I used to moderate a forum with greater freedom and it was a nightmare. The first thing you have to understand about online forums and the people who frequent them is that they're not all the sane, smart, interesting folks we meet in places like MyLot. 
The forum I moderated was part of a larger site forum and had only TWO rules. No bigotry and no spam. That was it. And I still had to ban people. You'd be quite nastily surprised by the sort of folks there are out there in the world: trolls, bigots, racists, extremists, haters, religious freaks and people who are just downright mean, nasty scum. A free-for-all forum attracts them all.
In short, a decision to "allow all opinions" is an extremely bad idea. Set your policies and don't call them guidelines, since those are suggestions rather than rules. Make sure people abide by them. You can make them flexible and allow a great deal of freedom, but do NOT allow an "anything goes" attitude. Your ISP would close you down in a matter of days.
The forum I moderated was part of a larger site forum and had only TWO rules. No bigotry and no spam. That was it. And I still had to ban people. You'd be quite nastily surprised by the sort of folks there are out there in the world: trolls, bigots, racists, extremists, haters, religious freaks and people who are just downright mean, nasty scum. A free-for-all forum attracts them all.
In short, a decision to "allow all opinions" is an extremely bad idea. Set your policies and don't call them guidelines, since those are suggestions rather than rules. Make sure people abide by them. You can make them flexible and allow a great deal of freedom, but do NOT allow an "anything goes" attitude. Your ISP would close you down in a matter of days.@mysdianait (66009)
• Italy
29 May 11
I just knew that sooner or later someone would come and say "MyLot does NOT allow complete freedom of expression" and I was wondering who it would be 
Do we have absolute complete freedom of speech anywhere in the world nowadays and should there be? Is it correct to be allowed to spout of at someone just because their idea/opinion opposes your own?
MyLot, within their TermsofUse, allows freedom of speech but it would not be here now if there was absolute freedom to say absolutely anything, especially as it is an international site with differente cultures and religions.
Do we have absolute complete freedom of speech anywhere in the world nowadays and should there be? Is it correct to be allowed to spout of at someone just because their idea/opinion opposes your own?
MyLot, within their TermsofUse, allows freedom of speech but it would not be here now if there was absolute freedom to say absolutely anything, especially as it is an international site with differente cultures and religions.1 person likes this
@mysdianait (66009)
• Italy
29 May 11
Objection!
In our own home if we are alone! 
In our head if we forget what we were told when growing up 
Therefore, in conclusion, you also agree that myLot admin does allow freedom of speech here as long as it is within the myLot terms of use
In our head if we forget what we were told when growing up
Therefore, in conclusion, you also agree that myLot admin does allow freedom of speech here as long as it is within the myLot terms of use 1 person likes this
@SpikeTheLobster (6403)
•
29 May 11
Irrelevant. The discussion was about "An administrator who will allow all opinions". My note that MyLot doesn't allow them was purely an example.
Even though it's irrelevant, we DO have complete freedom of speech in one place: our own home. Well, two places: in our head as well!
In fact, no forum admin can allow complete freedom of speech/opinion, as they will be limited by the terms of their ISP. 
In fact, no forum admin can allow complete freedom of speech/opinion, as they will be limited by the terms of their ISP. 
@Zhaoxin123 (10)
• China
29 May 11
Yes, in my opinion,mylot is really a forum, on the one thing,it can help me study my English and on the other thing,it can help me make money even though little.
I am very agreet with your opinion,and I am honored join the mylot,I believe our choice is right!
1 person likes this
@sophiecheer (931)
• Philippines
29 May 11
Hello Zhao!
Like you, my main reason for joining mylot is to improve my english. The pay was a nice bonus but the participation had appealed to me more.
I've always been opinionated and I do tend to speak my mind about anything that interests me. Expressing it via english had made participating even more appealing for me.
Welcome to mylot!
I've always been opinionated and I do tend to speak my mind about anything that interests me. Expressing it via english had made participating even more appealing for me.
Welcome to mylot!1 person likes this
@AKRao24 (27424)
• India
29 May 11
Hello Dear SpYkzzzz! You are right! There is no problem in expressing the opinions on any topic , but while doing so one has to stick to Guide lines which after ask us to be polite, considerate and follow minimum mannerisms on this forum! That is all!In the fit of emotions using violent language or abusive language, informal crude language can spoil the things and such discussions or responses are liable to be deleted! So as described by one of our friend in one of the response, be polite and treat every one with respect yo have a nice time on this forum!
1 person likes this
@AKRao24 (27424)
• India
29 May 11
Dear Sophiecheer! The highlight of this forum is the freedom of expression! We can start discussion on this site on any topic on the surface of earth with out any hitch and we can participate in any one's discussion and express our opinion without any fear! 
The only thing what we need to take care of is usage of the language! Abusive language, unparliamentary language, insulting language etc will not be tolerated here on this forum! There are set guide lines where from we can have a fair idea about the forum. There is a FAQ section and Some Dos and Don'ts given which will help us a lot regarding the discussions and responses to be posted on this forum!
So long you are using a polite language, your intentions are not to hurt any one personally, you can post your opinion on this site without any hitch and it will be always be welcomed by the members with lot of responses to discuss the pros and cons of the topic! So be rest assured and post your opinions freely on this forum , while sticking to the guidelines and have a fun here! All the best! Thanks for the discussion initiated!
The only thing what we need to take care of is usage of the language! Abusive language, unparliamentary language, insulting language etc will not be tolerated here on this forum! There are set guide lines where from we can have a fair idea about the forum. There is a FAQ section and Some Dos and Don'ts given which will help us a lot regarding the discussions and responses to be posted on this forum!
So long you are using a polite language, your intentions are not to hurt any one personally, you can post your opinion on this site without any hitch and it will be always be welcomed by the members with lot of responses to discuss the pros and cons of the topic! So be rest assured and post your opinions freely on this forum , while sticking to the guidelines and have a fun here! All the best! Thanks for the discussion initiated!@AKRao24 (27424)
• India
29 May 11
Dear Sophiecheer! I think you are getting confused with the guide lines and freedom of expression! Please try to understand, you are free to express your opinions on this site! But while expressing the opinions you are expected to follow some guide lines to maintain the decency of this forum.
There are no guide lines where we are asked to stay away from a particular type of topic. But then it is understood that the topics pertaining to Racism, religion, politics etc are very sensitive and while discussing these topics we need to exercise bit more precaution not to hurt any one! So long we are expressing our opinion in a polite way, by using parliamentary language or by avoiding abusing language and by not making any personal attacks, I think it is perfectly OK!
The moment the opinion expressed crosses the limits of decency and when it becomes a abusive in nature then the admin intervenes in between! That too , as I have seen personally GAA is seen asking two members to stop using abusive language a particular topic in one of the discussion in the recent past! Here the discussion was not deleted but the members were asked to be decent! So please try to understand the difference between the expression of the opinion and the way of expressing it! Thanks !
There are no guide lines where we are asked to stay away from a particular type of topic. But then it is understood that the topics pertaining to Racism, religion, politics etc are very sensitive and while discussing these topics we need to exercise bit more precaution not to hurt any one! So long we are expressing our opinion in a polite way, by using parliamentary language or by avoiding abusing language and by not making any personal attacks, I think it is perfectly OK!
The moment the opinion expressed crosses the limits of decency and when it becomes a abusive in nature then the admin intervenes in between! That too , as I have seen personally GAA is seen asking two members to stop using abusive language a particular topic in one of the discussion in the recent past! Here the discussion was not deleted but the members were asked to be decent! So please try to understand the difference between the expression of the opinion and the way of expressing it! Thanks !1 person likes this
@sophiecheer (931)
• Philippines
29 May 11
I agree but technically my discussion falls on the pointer stated in the newsletter that I've received. To wit, "An administrator that allows all opinions". Considering that mylot had its set of rules and regulations, your comment "freedom of expression" is highly deemed "arguable".
Saying that you can start and express your opinion without having the fear of getting banned BUT we need to take care of SOME things, is very much inconsistent. How can we freely express our opinions if we have to mind the guidelines, excuse me, policies of the admins? Isnt it inconsistent with the highlight of this forum-which is "freedom of expression"?
Isnt it inconsistent with the highlight of this forum-which is "freedom of expression"?@sophiecheer (931)
• Philippines
30 May 11
I realized that.
I'm sorry but I would have to argue that "freedom of expression" is not freedom at all if your expression must be in accordance to any guidelines. Notwithstanding the reason of the guidelines, "freedom of expression" is LIMITED, considering we are to MIND the guidelines-which and I reiterate, will inhibit us from freely expressing our thoughts in a manner that we choose. If we express our anger, in freedom-we sometimes expressed it with expletives but in a restricted environment such as mylot you need to express your anger in a manner that excludes expletives.
I understand the relevance of setting the guidelines. That is why I concur that the pointer "Administrator who allows ALL opinions" is not a good advice at all.
Really..its all about technicality. I understand your point that expressing our thoughts must be in compliance to the site's guidelines. And I say that as members, WE SHOULD. It is all but logical to always have a set of policies in any community. It is the only way for us to co-exist peacefully.
Have a good day.
Have a good day. 
@visavis (5934)
• Philippines
29 May 11
My Friend, we are freely here to express our opinion and views about topic, friends, experiences, problems but there are guidelines to protect the site, the smooth functions, you can see that even with guidelines there are many un-resolve issues here much more if no guidelines... see you around
