Where have all the poster's gone?

[14BradfordRoad]

To get back to Eagle's original question, I suspect Tim has given up the forum for Lent.

The rest of us troublemakers are still here though!

Tim won't be far away!

[Mr_Sheen]

Perhaps the tendency for threads invariably getting steered towards benefits/immigrants/scroungers is putting people off.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[JulietP]

Exactly. The way this thread has gone is a perfect example of why I usually don't bother posting. I have better things to do that get involved in pointless circular arguments about public sector pensions, benefit recipients or even housing policy. Where are the threads about local issues: the closure of lewisham hospital, the see3 events this weekend etc.? Gah, I despair.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[Robin Orton]

Perhaps the tendency for threads invariably getting steered towards benefits/immigrants/scroungers is putting people off.

Where are the threads about local issues: the closure of lewisham hospital, the see3 events this weekend etc.?

Isn't the solution largely in your hands? (1) Open threads on topics of general interest. (2) Ignore us obsessives whenever we try to divert threads into interesting-to-us-but-boring-to-everybody-else directions.

[Eagle]

I agree 100% with Rod.

Quite correct there was many many posts about Lewisham Hospital.
Not sure about See3 but if anyone wants to discuss it please raise it.

I have often posted about the history of SE26 etc.

[admin]

May I stick my oar in here?

Its always troublesome for me when a post that is relevant to the sub-forum changes to a form more suitable for another. The generic issues of immigration, benefits, the young, the old, the n'betweens are all part of our wondrous Ground Hog Day experience. Great film, great discussions but best enjoyed whilst a little under the influence in Town Pub.

So while rambling off topic is a grand and cherished tradition there - it really is just confusing to newcomers here. Which is the point really.

Would people mind awfully if I got a little more aggressive in moving or splitting relevant posts there?

PS The 'New Sydenham Town' is still scheduled for end March which may also bring things back together a bit.

Admin

[Rachael]

Not only would I not mind, Admin, I'd welcome it.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[michael]

Would people mind awfully if I got a little more aggressive in moving or splitting relevant posts there?

I think certain posters would like you to rename the 'Town Asylum' to the 'Town Detention Centre', this would be a far better place to put all of their contributions to the immigration debate.

Unfortunately I suspect JulietP speaks for the silent majority who just don't bother posting on a forum which has come to be dominated by a few individuals with mutually exclusive agendas. You could call them trolls due to their obsessive single-issue posting, but when trolls become the majority of posts they cannot rightly be categorised as trolls any more. What you have is Sydenham Troll Forum

So something has to change. And although I don't really regard myself as a stakeholder in STF as I don't live in Sydenham (it is for Sydenhammers to define what your forum should be), I fully support the idea of regularly splitting threads when they go off-topic. You won't get any love for it, but I think you are right that it is the only thing that will bring sensible discussion back to the forum.

I don't think it is particularly ironic that this thread was started by Eagle, hijacked by Eagle, and of course he can't see that the primary problem is Eagle.

The other question I would ask is what would encourage Sydenham Society committee members to engage with the local community via this forum? Their input is negligible on this forum, and I think that is a real shame. I doubt you will get wider engagement in the forum without being able to attract these people who are so focused on life in Sydenham. But at least this forum allows people to discuss local businesses...

[Eagle]

I suspect Michael that Juliet could be typical of the posters on this forum but is not typical of the average citizen of se26 ( 99% of whom do not post and probably have no idea what the forum is ).
Most forum members seem to be of the Guardian elite .

I believe the Forum is for matters relating to SE26 and also those of General interest.
For example . I did not start the following , none of which specifically refers to SE26.
Tory Death Wish
Heroes of open society
Shelter price check
Richard 3rd
Make Wealth History
Reason to vote UKIP.

Should all these be banned????

I will trust the people.

[admin]

Thank you for your responses online/offline.

From now on I shall split threads that move off the main 'News' topic. As this one now contains elements that best suited for Town Asylum (changing/improving structure of STF) and Town Pub (woes and monarchs of the world) I shall now declare this thread moved and closed to be pursued elsewhere as prescribed.

This in no way restricts the breadth of discussion or posters - just organises back to the original STF sub forum structure. Nothing or no one has been banned for some time. Long may that continue.

And isn't the weather beautiful today

Admin