Concerns over posts content

shorerider
shorerider Posts: 3,817 Member
edited September 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Gang,

I've really wrestled with rather to bring this up or how to address it; and I hope this is taken in the spirit that it is written and that it does not offend anyone.

I have noticed that lately there is a tendency in posts to diverge off into areas that are, shall we say, "adult content."

Now, I know we're all adults on here, and I know that many of y'all are just having fun and enjoying yourselves.

But I know that sometimes I have been reading a topic that started very innocent and then begin running across posts that degenerate into topics, innuendos, etc. that I would rather not read.

I do try to simply skip over posts like that but it's often hard to do when there are multiple pages of them that have do have some very pertinent and relevant posts interwoven.

When this type of posts begin popping up in the threads, I then have to choose rather to completely ignore that whole post in the future or risk coming across something that not only embarrasses me but that I have occasionally found offensive. Not to mention when pictures or graphics are included and then it is all but impossible to not see them when trying to browse a post.

Now, please keep in mind that while a Christian, I am not "church lady." Meaning that I'm not on a mission to 'clean up MFP." I'm not the site owner, so I don't have that authority anyway.

And, I'm not asking y'all to restrict yourself but to perhaps police yourself on occasion. I know that open sharing of my faith beliefs might be offensive to some, so I do not go there. In return, I am asking that we all realize that some on here do have different beliefs that might be offended by discussions that stray into 'gray areas."

Would it be at all possible in the future to restrict some comments to posts that are somehow marked as "more adult" or something? I know there used to be "gutter gangs" threads. So I'm not asking for a "clean" MFP but that a choice be available to those of us who may not wish to 'go there" in posts.

I'm simply trying to find a middle way, I guess, that we all can continue to seek support and none feel offended or feel that many posts have now become "no-go zones' because of their content. It's just becoming more difficult to read posts sometimes.

I may be speaking just for myself, as I don't know if anyone else feels like this or not. And, so I hope this is taken in the sense of MFP camaraderie in which it was written.
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Replies

  • shorerider
    shorerider Posts: 3,817 Member
    Gang,

    I've really wrestled with rather to bring this up or how to address it; and I hope this is taken in the spirit that it is written and that it does not offend anyone.

    I have noticed that lately there is a tendency in posts to diverge off into areas that are, shall we say, "adult content."

    Now, I know we're all adults on here, and I know that many of y'all are just having fun and enjoying yourselves.

    But I know that sometimes I have been reading a topic that started very innocent and then begin running across posts that degenerate into topics, innuendos, etc. that I would rather not read.

    I do try to simply skip over posts like that but it's often hard to do when there are multiple pages of them that have do have some very pertinent and relevant posts interwoven.

    When this type of posts begin popping up in the threads, I then have to choose rather to completely ignore that whole post in the future or risk coming across something that not only embarrasses me but that I have occasionally found offensive. Not to mention when pictures or graphics are included and then it is all but impossible to not see them when trying to browse a post.

    Now, please keep in mind that while a Christian, I am not "church lady." Meaning that I'm not on a mission to 'clean up MFP." I'm not the site owner, so I don't have that authority anyway.

    And, I'm not asking y'all to restrict yourself but to perhaps police yourself on occasion. I know that open sharing of my faith beliefs might be offensive to some, so I do not go there. In return, I am asking that we all realize that some on here do have different beliefs that might be offended by discussions that stray into 'gray areas."

    Would it be at all possible in the future to restrict some comments to posts that are somehow marked as "more adult" or something? I know there used to be "gutter gangs" threads. So I'm not asking for a "clean" MFP but that a choice be available to those of us who may not wish to 'go there" in posts.

    I'm simply trying to find a middle way, I guess, that we all can continue to seek support and none feel offended or feel that many posts have now become "no-go zones' because of their content. It's just becoming more difficult to read posts sometimes.

    I may be speaking just for myself, as I don't know if anyone else feels like this or not. And, so I hope this is taken in the sense of MFP camaraderie in which it was written.
  • Thank you....I agree!:wink:
  • I felt the same way & just clicked off and said Pshhhhhh. :yawn:
  • marskids
    marskids Posts: 296 Member
    I'm sorry if anything I ever said offended you or anyone else.
  • frithir
    frithir Posts: 179 Member
    I agree with you, Shorerider and appreciate you speaking up.
  • Cassia
    Cassia Posts: 467 Member
    I do too and thank you shorerider to have the courage to bring it up.
    I think if we could have a flag beside a post that has offensive content to a person and we could choose not to read it.
    I know that sometimes they don't START with "guttergang" stuff but it becomes that way, so if we could flag it after the fact...
  • elliott062907
    elliott062907 Posts: 1,508 Member
    Actually yes, I do agree as well. I was talking to hubby for the past two days about the site, at times, becoming a bash, *B**** and gripe, rant and rave, forum, instead of motivational.


    Come on guys, lets clean it up a bit.
  • Shannon023
    Shannon023 Posts: 14,529 Member
    As a resident Gutter Gang member, I apologize if anything I have ever said has been offensive to anyone. That is certainly not my intention. :flowerforyou:

    I gravitate to the more adult themes and wouldn't have any problem with a rating or warning label on those particular threads. This is Mike's forum and hopefully we haven't strayed from the PG-13 rating as he has stipulated.

    I hope this forum can continue to be fun/uplifting/motivational for all of us. :smile:
  • Phoenix_Rising
    Phoenix_Rising Posts: 11,417 Member
    I agree, Shore. I've stopped reading many threads lately because of this. Thanks for bringing this up publicly.
  • I totally agree with you. I joined recently and was reading most of the threads at first but have backed off for this very reason. I love the support here but don't want to read offensive comments. Thanks so much for bringing this up and I hope it helps.
  • mommared53
    mommared53 Posts: 9,543 Member
    Thank you Shore. I feel the same way and I appreciate it when someone posts something and includes a warning if it may be offensive to someone or if it's an adult themed joke or something. I simply don't read those posts. I love everyone on here and hope nobody feels they are being targeted. Hopefully we can come up with a solution that works for everyone.
  • paulamma1
    paulamma1 Posts: 544 Member
    Good for you!

    Thanks for having the guts to bring this up. I'm sure it wasn't easy.

    Oh, and I totally agree with you.
  • Eve23
    Eve23 Posts: 2,352 Member
    I have been here for a year. I love the site and the people there is no doubt. But I must admit I have backed away some on posting and the people over the lasst few months because it just does not have the same vibe that made this place so addictive. I miss it quite honestly and I don't think that keeping the conversations light and enjoyable for all is to difficult for any of us.

    I haven't been offended but I do have to agree with shorerider.
  • paulamma1
    paulamma1 Posts: 544 Member
    Bump
  • TamTastic
    TamTastic Posts: 19,224 Member
    Hey!

    Sorry if I have said anything to offend anyone. I get silly sometimes and figured the "general boards" were more for the weird or crazy kind of posts. Especially lately, with my friend in the hospital, etc.......I just do what I can to take my mind off of it, which might mean acting goofy!

    I don't intend to offend!

    -Tami
  • Manda86
    Manda86 Posts: 1,859 Member
    I think there have been quite a few that have backed off due to concerns over content (myself and Jeremy included).
    To be perfectly blunt, sometimes the overt sexuality is too much for me. The reason why we have been so quiet lately is in most respects to avoid making each other uncomfortable. I love all of you guys/gals, and I hope I don't hurt anyone's feelings by piping up, but we, too, would like to see more of the old MFP.

    :wink:


    *hugs*

    Manda & J
  • OomarianneoO
    OomarianneoO Posts: 689 Member
    Thank you Shore. I feel the same way and I appreciate it when someone posts something and includes a warning if it may be offensive to someone or if it's an adult themed joke or something. I simply don't read those posts. I love everyone on here and hope nobody feels they are being targeted. Hopefully we can come up with a solution that works for everyone.

    I haven't been offended. But then again, it takes a lot to offend me anyway. I do appreciate it when someone gives a little warning to a topic though (especially if I'm at work). I love everyone at MFP and love that all personality types in here. We should all strive to make sure MFP stays at a PG-13 ratiing. I think it's a great middle ground. Thanks everyone.
  • I agree and I hope I haven't offended anyone. I always try to keep it fairly clean, and try not to say anything that is to perverse. I have noticed a few other people who are not around as much as they once were and I haven't even been on here that long.

    I also agree with Mike when he locked the political thread. I am all for freedom of speech but I do think that this is a message board for fitness, health, and motivation, and I do see how some things can bring people down.

    I would also just like to say, that just about anyone can log into this site, so I wouldn't write anything that you wouldn't want your child to read.
  • TNTPete
    TNTPete Posts: 701 Member
    I would also just like to say, that just about anyone can log into this site, so I wouldn't write anything that you wouldn't want your child to read.

    I second this thought as there ARE children logging into this site --- nuff said.

    Someone mentioned pics and I will second that as well, I log from work as well and some pics I have to quickly click off and again, children use this site-- so, I have to agree with that comment.

    Shore good post -- needed to be said and no, personally, you didn't offend me :wink: but not much does.
  • Shore,
    I agree.
    I have children who can see (and love to read over my shoulder).
    At work, my screen is in sight of up 8 people.

    Coffee break appropriate is appreciated.
  • Fitness_Chick
    Fitness_Chick Posts: 6,648 Member
    Shore you brining up this topic...I think it'll be appreciated by many on this site. Thank you:flowerforyou:

    Only been here 2 weeks and couldn't stay offa the site the first week, then I saw a peek into a whole different MFP world than what I thought I had joined...after only my first week....

    SO I think I'll stick to tracking my foods/excercise and keeping it basic for awhile

    ....when I open a thread and read the start of it with interest...it's a bummer to find you've wasted some time only to find out it's no longer about the topic but ......well, it seems to change in many directioins.

    ....I think I just need to start being much more selective on how I spend my time regarding WHICH posts I open to read...

    Just my thoughts...
    But then again, I'm PMS'n so what do I know .......:huh:
  • Jackie_W
    Jackie_W Posts: 1,676 Member
    This is a good point to bring up, we are all different, but at the end of the day we are all here for the same reason - our health - right guys ???

    At the end of the day, I don't care what people post, some of it is quite humerous, ok, so some may go a bit OTT, but hey, its only a laugh, maybe we could have possible 'offensive' threads highlighted with a flag or something similar.

    Or, failing that, we could always have a completely seperate area for this kind of chit chat? Something off topic??

    Anyways, I love this site, I love you all, I'm sure something can be sorted out to accomodate all our differing needs :happy:

    Jackie xx
  • shorerider
    shorerider Posts: 3,817 Member
    Thanks, everyone, for understanding. As I said, I really wrestled with how or even if to bring it up. And I really hope no one got put off. I don't want people to stop posting or stop feeling like they're not free to post what they want. I'd just like a little warning on certain topics :flowerforyou:
  • GinaB30
    GinaB30 Posts: 725 Member
    I agree 100%
    I was so annoyed the other day when a very innocent religious topic was jumped upon immediately, but all the smutty posts are almost encouraged??
    =o/
  • jackeh
    jackeh Posts: 1,515 Member
    good for you for saying what you think is right :-)

    but yes probably if we could put a flag on a psot that might begin to get off topic wouold be a good idea... :heart:
    jackie
  • shorerider
    shorerider Posts: 3,817 Member
    I like the idea of a "flag" on posts that we could put ourselves--maybe Mike can incorporate that at some date.

    I really don't want to inhibit anyone! Please understand! I love the openness and camaraderie of this site and really hope my comment didn't make anyone feel limited in any way! THAT WAS NOT MY INTENT!

    I know people like to have fun, "get silly," banter, etc. I wasn't raised in a church or a convent, ok! I didn't become a Christian until I was 37, and I lived a pretty wild life at times. So, again, I'm not a prude an am very aware that many feel very comfortable with these types of conversations. Gessh, you're talking to someone who used to grab the PlayGirl off the stacks in the warehouse as soon as they were delivered, ok :tongue:

    There have even been Gutter Gang threads in the past there were lighthearted and fun and I posted in. So, it takes a bit to cause me to begin to skip a thread.

    BUT AGAIN, PLEASE! Don't feel that you have to limit yourselves because of my feelings on this! I'm afraid that I've given that impression.

    All I ask is a little understanding and a little warning.
  • jackeh
    jackeh Posts: 1,515 Member
    I dont think you have said anything wrong ... I agree we need to respect EVERYONES feelings on this site... i mean we are a family right? I wouldnt say some of the things i do say here to my grandma:huh: I think sometimes we all just get a little carried away.... I personally dont care whats in a post but there is more than one person here who does....

    a flag would be an awesome option... someone should suggest it to Mike....
  • thanks for bringing this up..i really wanted to ,the other day but didnt have the guts to do so..kudoos
  • Thanks for the post- I have just given up reading anything due to the content not being what I had signed up for! Too often things will settle to the lowest common denominator without uplifting words such as yours.
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