Politics on GGD

[adorno 484]

Hi,

I haven't been active in ages. In fact, I have been lurking since 2009 but I have been rarely posting things.

I've been following some political discussions here lately and I have to say that I have been quite shocked and saddened by some of the threads and posts on here. I don't want to to add any fuel to the fire, especially in a place that is supposed to be an online safe-space for Lady Gaga fans. We should be mindful of the context this site exists. It is not a political forum, we did not establish standards on talking about highly sensitive topics. If that is the wish, there should be rules enforced, that give room for informed and contextual debate. Other than that, I would like to send love and healing to parts of the world that are suffering. I wish we would all base our critique and efforts on a principle of healing and peace.

xx affection

[kvnrp 48,353]

I would love to see a filter to hide all threads tagged with politics, economy or society.

This is GagaDaily, not The New York Times

[Runway 27,876]

I miss when GGD was fun and light... talking about our MPGs, gifs and the occasional funny shade

[js4754394o9823 6,882]

political or not
almost everythig here turns to something hateful
sad but what can you do

[Bonkers 30,860]

Where did you get the idea that this is "supposed" to be an online "safe space" for Lady Gaga fans?

For one, it sounds like you're saying that there is a clear understanding of Gaga's exact positions on all issues, and there isn't.  Or that Lady Gaga doesn't want anyone who doesn't agree with her to be part of her fan base.

This site has always tried to be a forum where people can openly discuss ideas within rules and close moderation.  Rules are enforced, but there is room for people to express a difference of opinion - even when it's coming from someone who is wrong and uniformed.

You can't have open debates on the internet where everybody is informed and agreeing on the same context because how could you possibly vet members for something like that?

[thehanyo 4,251]

GGD is big enough for all of it, though. Especially when there is literally nothing going on with Gaga to talk about...

[HuffsAhoy 7,433]

If you're not interested in participating in these NECESSARY conversations, you don't have to. Some of us are more interested in other topics than  sitting around going "yass girl" every minute on this forum. I enjoy engaging with others about society and politics, even if I despise their points of view because its intellectually invigorating. 

[Mother of Puppies 36,615]

20 minutes ago, thehanyo said:

GGD is big enough for all of it, though. Especially when there is literally nothing going on with Gaga to talk about...

which is why since last year there are more and more threads about many other topics.

[StarstruckIllusion 53,580]

Sorry but what is this post?? The site is whatever the mods want it to be. The tags warn you about what you’re getting into. As long as people stay on topic in regards to OP then good. Plus Gaga herself gets political too so clearly she knows the time and place when to be kind, and when to speak up

[adorno 484]

13 minutes ago, Bonkers said:

Where did you get the idea that this is "supposed" to be an online "safe space" for Lady Gaga fans?

For one, it sounds like you're saying that there is a clear understanding of Gaga's exact positions on all issues, and there isn't.  Or that Lady Gaga doesn't want anyone who doesn't agree with her to be part of her fan base.

This site has always tried to be a forum where people can openly discuss ideas within rules and close moderation.  Rules are enforced, but there is room for people to express a difference of opinion - even when it's coming from someone who is wrong and uniformed.

You can't have open debates on the internet where everybody is informed and agreeing on the same context because how could you possibly vet members for something like that?

Thank you for your input. I certainly can't speak for everyone but for me, as a gay, migrant, muslim teen in Germany, this forum was exactly that, a safe space.

I am aware that we've been collectively struggling and fighting about things on here. That's fine! The internet and the popular forums have had to develop on how they deal with this new sense of freedom of speech. By now though, I believe we should be ready to establish a sense of code. We cannot tolerate any speech as "part of the experience", if that makes sense.. Discussions, as well as polarizing opinions are part of democratic processes. Democracy although can only survive if there is a minimal set code on how to hold a discussion. We need to be more clear and elaborate about how and what we mean and feel. 

I feel like we've been doing this for too long, for us not to have an etiquette on how we wish to communicate to each other. Otherwise we're just putting our frustration into the world, without making clear what we really mean and ask for. I'm hearing lot's of buzzwords lately, people trying to get reactions without trying to have a substantial discourse on what they really feel. 

[GucciGa 3,729]

23 minutes ago, thehanyo said:

GGD is big enough for all of it, though. Especially when there is literally nothing going on with Gaga to talk about...

The way this reads as if you're annoyed bc she should be entertaining us 365 days a year and as if she hasn't been filming a movie for 3 months. 😅

[thehanyo 4,251]

Just now, GucciGa said:

The way this reads as if you're annoyed bc she should be entertaining us 365 days a year and as if she hasn't been filming a movie for 3 months. 😅

Maybe that's the way it reads...

[GucciGa 3,729]

6 minutes ago, thehanyo said:

Maybe that's the way it reads...

Right... I was just wanting clarification and to give you a chance to double down on that mess. 😁

[gumzy3000 7,906]

Sometimes you have to care about politics because if it does not affect you today, tomorrow it might. 

I am glad people on here discuss politics and for the most part, we are quite civil. 

[Bonkers 30,860]

7 minutes ago, affection said:

Thank you for your input. I certainly can't speak for everyone but for me, as a gay, migrant, muslim teen in Germany, this forum was exactly that, a safe space.

I am aware that we've been collectively struggling and fighting about things on here. That's fine! The internet and the popular forums have had to develop on how they deal with this new sense of freedom of speech. By now though, I believe we should be ready to establish a sense of code. We cannot tolerate any speech as "part of the experience", if that makes sense.. Discussions, as well as polarizing opinions are part of democratic processes. Democracy although can only survive if there is a minimal set code on how to hold a discussion. We need to be more clear and elaborate about how and what we mean and feel. 

I feel like we've been doing this for too long, for us not to have an etiquette on how we wish to communicate to each other. Otherwise we're just putting our frustration into the world, without making clear what we really mean and ask for. I'm hearing lot's of buzzwords lately, people trying to get reactions without trying to have a substantial discourse on what they really feel. 

There are rules and they are enforced.  If you see a post that truly offends you, chances are that user had an interaction with moderation and likely suffered a consequence.  You can very easily flag posts by clicking report and moderation will evaluate. 

There's wide variety of things that lead to instant account banning, but everyone occasionally gets heated or has a wrong belief so there's room for mistakes.  

Not everybody is going to communicate at the level you think they should.  Not everybody has learned the importance of being thoughtful.