My post tweaking TJ’s comment is still there
Whilst you and TJ are big enough and bad enough to look after yourselves, if you think "tweaking" people on a forum, presumably to provoke a reaction, is big or clever, you might want to pause before pressing the submit button.
I should add that you are both a fair way down the list of pointless tweakers who spoil threads.
And my annoyance may be due to the fact that I misread it as "twerking" the first time, which was not a mental image I wanted.
You dont want to see me twerking in my too tight shorts?
There is a relatively small number of people who treat STW as a self appreciation society where people to the right are fascists, any one voted Brexit is a gammon, Labour can do no wrong, anyone voting Tory is stupid and should be banned from voting, Elon Musk is the devil but here’s an option on X that aligns to mine, list goes on.
Boris calls it out very well but it’s not abhorrent views that get called out, it’s any view that doesn’t adhere to the appreciation society’s view who constantly post again and again with the same old cliches.
There is a relatively small number of people who treat STW as a self appreciation society where people to the right are fascists, any one voted Brexit is a gammon, Labour can do no wrong, anyone voting Tory is stupid and should be banned from voting, Elon Musk is the devil but here’s an option on X that aligns to mine, list goes on.
Can't disagree with most of that.
if you think “tweaking” people on a forum, presumably to provoke a reaction, is big or clever,
I wasn't tweaking people, whatever that even means, I was tweaking a post. "FTFY" is hardly an uncommon comment on here.
And don’t forget that certain posters are STW royalty and appear to get away with saying anything they want, repeatedly, over and over again whilst claiming they could never have offended anyone.
You underestimate the moderators, and I were still one I'd find that accusation to be offensive.
Modding by stealth will always - always - fuel that impression. You never did and, whether I agreed with your decision or not, I always respected that you'd made one and were transparent about why.
Modding by stealth will always – always – fuel that impression. You never did and, whether I agreed with your decision or not, I always respected that you’d made one and were transparent about why.
Thank you, that's genuinely appreciated.
I always tried to be fair and transparent, and separate out "user" from "moderator" roles when posting. How successful I was in that I don't know, but I do know with absolute certainty that the remaining team and any new additions are doing their absolute best with what resources they have (time, etc). Bad calls happen, sure, but we'd all question any decisions which we weren't sure about and discuss it amongst the team. It's really not an easy gig to get right, it's a balancing act.
The moderators are volunteers and there is/was a small number of users who see them as sport. This is why some choose to remain anonymous.
The reason I stepped down after ten years was because I had to walk away for the sake of my mental health. That might be something to consider next time anyone is thinking of posting to rag on the moderation here. Drac et al could go "well **** it then" tomorrow and the place would be poorer for it.
In real life I’ve not heard anyone bring up Brexit since about 2021, yet it’s referenced daily on here!
Wheras for me and the circles i am in its still a daily topic.and will remain so.until we are back in.
It comes up fairly regularly in my circles, and it doesn't even affect me beyond making it a pain to visit/be visited by those still on the island... Those who tend to bring it up it affects even less.
You dont want to see me twerking in my too tight shorts?
Please do. I accept the ban in advance for provoking this.
And don’t forget that certain posters are STW royalty and appear to get away with saying anything they want, repeatedly, over and over again whilst claiming they could never have offended anyone.
That’s news to me. I’ve warned people I know personally on here for their behaviour, others have even had a ban. There is no favouritism at all, anyone who knows me will tell you I’m exactly the same off the forum. Act like a dick wether you’re a friend or not and I will tell you not to.
Please do. I accept the ban in advance for provoking this.
I still don't think it would be worth it.
I always find it interesting that those whose views lean to the right see the forum as left leaning, while I know some of the lefties feel a sizeable right-wing presence. Much like the BBC getting attacked by both sides, this probably means the forum is more balanced than either group feels it to be.
anyone who knows me will tell you I’m exactly the same off the forum.
I can confirm, Drac is also a git in real life. 😀
We never had favourites, the notion that anyone got preferential treatment is a myth. What would be the point? Admin (site owners) mostly defer to Moderators' judgement unless things look like going legal and the Moderators have nothing to gain from playing favourites, they're not on the payroll.
We did have least favourites, that was inevitable, "ban on sight" had to be a thing for a few people and even then we didn't just pull the trigger unless we were pretty confident who they were. Fortunately, most made the mistake of thinking we were stupid so it usually wasn't difficult.
Some of the abuse which was levelled at us behind the scenes from a handful of prolific Returning Banned members was literally unbelievable. Seriously, it was insane, you have no concept. I'm half tempted to post examples.
The moderation on here is really good, and the mods are all wonderful, kind, wise and beautiful human beings - whoever they may be.
It's people who use this place as an extension of X for angry political or "culture wars" arguing who let the place down, IMO.
... the alternative being personally biased censorship moderation.
I always find it interesting that those whose views lean to the right see the forum as left leaning, while I know some of the lefties feel a sizeable right-wing presence. Much like the BBC getting attacked by both sides, this probably means the forum is more balanced than either group feels it to be.
Actually as a "left leaning" reader I don't see a very big right-wing presence. The BBC on the other hand is right leaning by any objective measure.
Right wingers are definitely in the minority on here, but that's what you'd expect. The strongest predictor of political leaning is the level of education, with more highly educated people tending to be more liberal, and IIRC the average STWer is more highly educated than the general population.
Actually as a “left leaning” reader I don’t see a very big right-wing presence. The BBC on the other hand is right leaning by any objective measure.
My right wing parents will tell you that BBC is run by communists and will not be persuaded otherwise.
The BBC on the other hand is right leaning by any objective measure.
I'm not sure. I see the BBC as an extension of The Establishment. I guess that might be viewed as conservative (with a small."c") and hence there's a perception that they are also right leaning by default, but that probably only applies to politics. I don't think they are right leaning when it comes to, for instance, social issues. That's the problem when trying to place everything/everyone on a simple Left-Right axis.
Wheras for me and the circles i am in its still a daily topic
That must be a drag. You've just been on your holibobs to NZ, don't tell me it was the hot topic on everybody's lips down there as well.
You sure it's not the man in the mirror, ever thought of asking him to change his ways?
In real life I’ve not heard anyone bring up Brexit since about 2021, yet it’s referenced daily on here
Good for you I'm sure. We're the support office for the UK, EU and a few other spots. Brexit was a shit decision that makes us all poorer. I guess you have no involvement in foreign trade?
The BBC on the other hand is right leaning by any objective measure.
Perhaps you will provide a few of those many“objective measures” as evidence, because what I suspect you really mean is “ The BBC on the other hand is right leaning as an objective measure subjective opinion”
Brexit was a shit decision that makes us all poorer
Shit decision or not it never crops up as a topic of day-to-day conversation. If it did it would be met with groans, people changing the subject or moving away from the person bringing it up.
The only time it does is when a person steers the conversation in that direction.
I view the forum as right leaning becuse i put the politcal centre in a different place to many. Ie i see starmers labour as a centre right party.
There are a lot of folk on here who claim to be left leaning but imo are not. Its a function of how far rightwards all parties have moved in the uk in my lifetime. Id put Starmers la our to tje right of Heaths tories
On moderation. I think its pretty fair. I will and should always remain on a shoogly peg for past behaviour. I copped a ban a few months ago and i have no idea why.:
Shit decision or not it never crops up as a topic of day-to-day conversation.
Depends on your work, family & friends. If you’re working or living across borders it’s a daily pain, and a daily topic of conversion. If you can avoid all that, lucky you.
and a daily topic of conversion
Daily is it, is it really. I don't believe you, you are exaggerating.
and a daily topic of conversion
.....Daily is it, is it really. I don’t believe you, you are exaggerating
Agree - Jez is clearly quite an evangelist but I bet his hit rate isn't that good 😉
Maybe not every day but multiple times a week because it effects us constantly.
My family is split across the north sea as are several of my friends families.
Often i run into situations where brexit has made life more difficult
Living in Scotland it remains part of the politcal discourse as we still have pro europe parties.
Brexits pernicious effects are all around us.
Daily is it
for me yeah, during the week. A LOT of my customers have sites all over Europe, they all want IT shipping there.
Shit decision or not it never crops up as a topic of day-to-day conversation. If it did it would be met with groans, people changing the subject or moving away from the person bringing it up.
The only time it does is when a person steers the conversation in that direction.
i'm guessing the reason you didn't answer my question regarding having actual dealings across the EU is that you don't, and that the people who inhabit your social circles also don't? good for you. it affects our work on a daily basis. repairs come through our Munich office, so our customers have to ship to them, they complete customs paperwork to get kit over to us, we have to do the same to get it back. in the past we could ship directly directly between our offices and those of customers (excluding the Norwegians - note to those who advocate for their arrangements). if i go to germany to deliver two days training, it costs our office ~ 10% of what we charge the customer (the charge which includes expenses) to fulfill the necessary paperwork requirements such that i don't risk getting turned around at the border. i'm happy that you've been able to move on, and ignore the fact that the country is materially poorer every year this goes on but i find it difficult to. sorry about that.
I see the BBC as an extension of The Establishment. I guess that might be viewed as conservative (with a small.”c”) and hence there’s a perception that they are also right leaning by default, but that probably only applies to politics. I don’t think they are right leaning when it comes to, for instance, social issues. That’s the problem when trying to place everything/everyone on a simple Left-Right axis.
Now that I can see and agree with. I quite like that explanation.
Perhaps you will provide a few of those many“objective measures” as evidence
An obvious one, off the top of my head, is Question Time guest appearances.
@Del So work related and in particular shipping admin/costs. I can imagine the sparkling conversation at non-work social events, discussing the percentage differences and what goes on at your Munich office. I bet people are hanging off your every word.
Give us a flavour of the conversations with your clients...... actually don't! I wouldn't want you to repeat yourself for the millionth time. Must get tiresome having to discuss it over and over again at work, then being compelled to discuss it further with family, friends and anyone unfortunate enough to be in earshot.
not so much discussed but acknowledged from time to time with a bit a a wince - conversations this weekend with a nephew who's looking to buy a place in aturias with his (Dutch) girlfriend, another developing a place in poland, work academic stuff in relation to horizon europe, conversation on the train earlier with an acquaintance just back from a funeral in alecante. Off the top of my head conversations in the past 48v hrs. If you're not living in some small parochial bubble it's constantly just there.
And that's without talking about the news, responding to threats from the US, nato ukraine etc etc
@tomhoward Do you breakdown the price difference then in unison go grrrrr Brexit and move on or do you go off on one about it, admonishing the UK electorate for their lack of business acumen?
Some examples from me. Nephew lives in Amsterdam and is having his stag do in Scotland trekking in the highlands . Now his pals will require visas and cannot bring food. I will have to organise food supplies
He is getting married in France. Uk family will requre visas.
Lots of discussion around visas and stuff over a week or two
Xmas time we have all had to reassess pressies as stuff gets held up in customs.
Pals. Several times tecently attemting to get stuff sent from EU.
Discussions around folk needing care. Brexit has led to a shortage of staff
Discussing highland pubs and limited opening hours due to lack of staff
It must be nice to live in a world where Brexit has not effected your life. The reality is its actually shitified life for many of us and its effects are seen every day.
Enjoy your evening
Thanks you too.
Thread drift into Yet Another Brexit Thread is how threads get closed. Ironically.
An obvious one, off the top of my head, is Question Time guest appearances
You'll have to do way better than that, how many people on the left vs the right from the last 6, months for instance? The BBC website says last week (16th Jan) it was Chris Bryant, Nadine Dorries, Calum Miller, Baroness Hazarika, and Liam Halligan. So we have a Labour minister, a Labour peer, a Lib Dem, a Tory and a Telegraph journalist: two from the right, two from the left and one from a centrist smaller party.
I can see that somebody who self describes as "left leaning"will consider Lib Dems, and perhaps some of Labour, as all on the right, but that just demonstrates it is your subjective opinion, not at all the "objective measure" you claim.
Do you breakdown the price difference then in unison go grrrrr Brexit and move on or do you go off on one about it, admonishing the UK electorate for their lack of business acumen?
More often than not, the customer will have a rant. Wether I join depends on how much I want their business.
