Quoting a previous tesug contribution:-

So what we have is people thinking that making a board means something.
It's like those who think playing Christopher England singing Twist n
Shout all day on a web only service will make a difference – fact is it
won't.

What if I sang "Rock Me Amadeus" instead?

So the end of this discussion, well from me and I would welcome other
views, is that I have AN in my system of things to read cos it does
retain levels of debate. People don't always agree, good thing, but
equally when questioned are asked it can often turn up interesting
ideas.

See, without blowing Anorak Nation's own trumpet too loudly, the weirdest thing is that you will get people on other boards (usually anonymously you'll note) slagging off Anorak Nation for the types of conversation here, and yet in truth there really is no bullying here just good natured debate, and a lot of it throwing forward to the here and now rather than just regurgitating the past.

What you do get from time to time is self-effacing banter and some damn funny posts about each other. None of it is really bullying as such, because all parties are usually involved and happy to banter. I think that's the happy difference.

Compare and contrast other places where people are definitely picked on. Quite often in their absence they become the butt of 'in-jokes' and snide comments. Again, relentlessly, people hiding behind anonymous names will pick on an individual at any opportunity, getting personal about them rather than addressing anything they've said. Yet the moderators don't even realise what's going on, and just leave it, or even unwittingly join in. In contrast to this of course, there are some forums where they slash and burn any threads which might be thought to even slightly get a bit heated, which also stifles proper debate.

So, it's a bit hard to know what is the best 'middle line' to take that allows and encourages free thought and free speech yet stamps on bullying. However, although I would say this wouldn't I, I think we have it right on Anorak Nation, and those that contribute know how to write really well and interestingly, and to disagree with others but with a level of respect.

I also think it's fair to publicise any other forums. If people join up to Anorak Nation and advertise their boards, fair enough. If they don't even bother to join up, but write to me to ask me to advertise their boards, fair enough. To block adverts for alternatives to Anorak Nation would be to go against the 'free speech' policy, so it would sorta be hypocritical.

As you have said so many time Christopher, why do you bother with AN?

I personally don't have the time to write in every forum, and I do like the people who write here. I find them interesting, witty and knowledgeable. Equally, if I do post elsewhere, I only ever post as Christopher England. I don't hide behind multiple or other names. But as Christopher England posting on other forums, what usually happens is that I end up spoiling the forum for the operator because I will usually attract the trolls and haters who want to get personal about me or the positions I've taken on things. So it ends up being a bitch-fest and I've sadly contributed to the destruction of the board, leaving a not very happy owner / admin.

It's fairer to just stick to posting in one place – here – where generally speaking the trolls and bullies are too scared to post, but even if they did, at least it keeps them off the other boards. (Lordy, I'm such a Martyr.) Mind you, having said that, that ain't the case any more. That usual little crew are very active with quite a few others as the victims of their bullying, and so other forums are being destroyed, but at least I'm not their target and so don't feel guilty!

Well others won't bother, but thanks for keeping it going as it really
is a bastian of free speech without the niche-non-starter-views.

Anorak Nation is only the sum of its contributors. Everybody plays a part. And, as I said, I like them.

Just a thought – when does "free speech" become "bully speech"?

I think when a person pries into and publishes or tries to publish bits about a person's private or 'real' life as part of a 'warning' that they should stop talking about a particular thing.

I think when people repeatedly discuss somebody in a negative way "at their expense" without them being there or allowed to counter or reply.

I think when somebody is constantly the butt of rude comments or unfunny jokes, and they are not joining in.

I think if a person feels violated in any way by a poster deciding not to address anything they've said, preferring to just troll at them.
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* Christopher England just said that *