Tabloid Town Meeting - Time for a Change?

[Huntress]

Honestly, this isn't the first time I get jealous of Stally's 1337 skillz of saying exactly the right things. I've seen those reminders before, the latest one came up here a few days ago and I'd say that they're indeed helpful in a way. It's easy to get lost in the 'bloidal life, and it's easy to if not cross that aforementioned line, then atleast venture very, very close to it. Such reminders are like a bucket of cold water to shake the conscious of 'bloiders a little, IMO. *seconds Frozen's vote*

Now I got the question: have things really gone too far? A lot of the stuff in the 'bloids, even if presented vaguely, really isn't 100% PG-13. I fear that it may only be the matter of time when some of us (or younger members atleast) get in trouble because some parents were in the wrong place in the wrong time - let's face it, parents aren't stupid and can take even vague dirty hints very very well, they're parents after all.

And if so... can anything actually be done?

[Stal]

Hunty, I ain't got nothin' to be jealous over.

And you're right. There's been a lot of times lately where things have gotten too far. And I don't want to point fingers at anyone (because we're all responsible to a degree, some greater than others), but I think some of the older nature and members of the 'bloids have caused it to get bad. A recent mentioning of what the Danish meaning of RP is has come up. To some, they cringe and so forth. It's things like that we need to keep off the 'bloids (even if they were brought up elsewhere).

Something can be done about it--a couple things, actually. But what it means is that we all need to realize what's happened, what's going on, and that we need to all work to change it. It's gotten beyond what would've ever been acceptable before and just run amok and us moderators have let it happen (Frozen, thank you for emphasizing the responsible mods. I don't think any of us have been) and in some cases furthered it.

This also means the mods are going to need to crackdown on anything that pushes the envelope and the line and everyone is going to need to evaluate what they're saying, doing and posting.

Perhaps another go at some guidelines would be good:

1) Remember that first and foremost the forum is a family forum. If your posts don't live up to the standards, then you may be asked to change it or get rid of it. And if this becomes a problems, then the 'bloids will need to be done away with completely.

PG-13 should be the exception, not the rule. Keep the innuendo to a minimum. QMs should be a rarity. Extreme sexual content and discussion shouldn't ever enter the posts. There are minor exceptions, but it should be subtle comments (i.e. the innuendo and not blatant discussion where you only use euphemisms or stop just short of the line. That's just as bad).

2) Graphic descriptions, as said before, shouldn't be here. That goes for descriptions of certain actions (use your judgement) AND violence. The violence was never an issue before, but now it is and it should be stated that graphic depictions of violence are also unacceptable in this social area. If you feel this ruins your fun, well, tough. There's always PMs, IMs, or other forums.

3) Don't let your hormones rule who you are. The 'bloids are a fun social setting and an extreme parody of a teenage soap opera. But that doesn't mean you're free to act as if you have no self-control in what you say, do, post, etc. You still have a brain and you'll be expected to use it.

4) If a word comes up that you know a slang term for, or means something else in another language...keep it to yourself (or at least don't post about it). We don't need to know. I know I've been guilty of this (I regret ever telling the 'bloids about the alternative and extremely rare use of "kill" ), but I feel this is one of the reasons things haven been led to such a downfall around here.

5) Don't get caught up in the flow that you take this seriously. Yes, your friendships with someone may be real. But the 'bloids are not. If you're having an issue with someone, keep it off the forum (especially the 'bloids). If someone is picking on you on the 'bloids, assume it's in good fun and if you don't appreciate it, go talk to the person yourself. If you enter the 'bloids, you are making a knowing decision that everyone gets abused there and no one means it (but if you come across maliciously, you will be talked to).

Also realize that the 'bloidal relationships are not meant to be a REAL relationship. You may be a strong, monogamous person yourself that doesn't believe in ever divorcing someone, cheating on a person, etc. You can act that way on the 'bloids, sure, but if someone does it to you, don't actually get upset. As I said before, this is a parody of a teenage soap opera. Don't take these relationships to a deep personal level, because they're not meant to be. If you want to marry person A, and then get involved with B, that's cool. Just realize A might dump your rear and get involved with C. In fact, we should be more inclined to do things like this.

This place isn't details oriented, either, so don't sweat the small stuff (seriously, what does the fake "family" tree matter in these series of fake relationships?)

6) If someone asks you to tone something down, be respectful of that request and do so. Whether it be a moderator or just a member, we still practice courtesy around here. This also means that you shouldn't ever put someone else's persona into any forced situation and if they tell you to back off, you do so.

7) If you have any doubts as to what you're going to post, don't post it or find a way to be much more subtle about it.

8) If you find someone has different beliefs than you on a given matter (i.e. homosexuality, liberal/conservative, pirate/ninja), realize that they're entitled to their own beliefs as much as you are and don't get into it with them. This also means that you shouldn't sit there and talk about how much you don't like a certain group of people because you never know who's reading and whom you may be inadvertantly talking about as well. Not everyone here shares your values and if you want to rant about that group, go find your own time and place to do so. Not here.

9) Just try to relax and have fun without getting too bad. If you have a sibling, a younger one, ask yourself "Would I want him/her reading something like this, or being involved in a discussion like this at their age." (I guess this only works if this were younger). But just try to keep in mind that not everyone who reads here posts. Always keep the idea that you're surrounded and being watched by young teens and perhaps those younger than them as well.

10) I just wanted to make a nice round number.

[Huntress]

He says that there's nothing to be jealous over and then he proceeds to make another long and fancy post of ultimate wisdom. S'right >.> x3

The thing is, most of us don't have a problem with the current state of the 'bloids. I wasn't around back when the Tabloids were still more of a junior high parody, but now it's definitely more of a soap opera parody. I'm no saint myself, not even trying to deny that, though I do try to keep my posts as vague as I can, but yes, there've been times when the 'bloids have got a bit disturbing for me, for one reason or other. But I'm still used to it, and the current state is pretty much fine by me, and I'm assuming that it's the same for the rest of the gang. In order to change something, people need motivation, which they currently, even near that line, don't really have. That's one thing, the other is the fact that while everything got to the extent it got, it'd be extremely hard to pull it back to a more modest and innocent state, because everyone's used to the innuendo-packed Tabloids.

Those are some really good guidelines up there, but how many people will really look at them? I for one rarely enter Tabloid Town per se, I just click on the latest post of the 'bloids in Splatterboard or scroll down the main page and enter the 'bloids there. The reminders are useful but in time theye're just forgotten or overlooked... just to point that out.

[Stal]

Oh, I'm aware of that. Which is why I said the mods need to get better about this, too. The problem is, we're all friends. Mods don't want to come down on anyone, let alone friends, and much less in an informal social setting. So we've let people get away with stuff and picked up some bad habits ourselves. But we're losing a good sense of decorum for this place that needs to be reclaimed, which means the members and mods will both need to work at it. And if the members aren't motivated at first, well, as I said before...it may have to come down to "Shape this place up or ship it out."

[Ikkin]

stalos said:

Hunty, I ain't got nothin' to be jealous over.

You do know how to say the right thing (and say it well), Stally-kun. It's just that it's too easy to misinterpret a person's intentions over the internet.

This also means the mods are going to need to crackdown on anything that pushes the envelope and the line and everyone is going to need to evaluate what they're saying, doing and posting.

...and, I imagine, we'll need to be more careful about what we MQ, too. The recognition for pushing the envelope might have been part of the problem.

4) If a word comes up that you know a slang term for, or means something else in another language...keep it to yourself (or at least don't post about it). We don't need to know. I know I've been guilty of this (I regret ever telling the 'bloids about the alternative and extremely rare use of "kill" ), but I feel this is one of the reasons things haven been led to such a downfall around here.

I get the feeling that people in general seem to feel it isn't as bad if foreign/unknown slang is used - like in the movies, how if the characters use British curses, they can still be PG, even if the American equivalent would require a higher rating.

The general rule could be to avoid posting anything that you wouldn't/couldn't post the American equivalent of in its place.

Just realize A might dump your rear and get involved with C. In fact, we should be more inclined to do things like this.

...I totally agree. XD That doesn't happen as often as it probably should, strangely enough.

This place isn't details oriented, either, so don't sweat the small stuff (seriously, what does the fake "family" tree matter in these series of fake relationships?)

I'd bet a lot of the people who want to be able to see the family tree just want to be able to laugh at how convoluted it is.

6) If someone asks you to tone something down, be respectful of that request and do so. Whether it be a moderator or just a member, we still practice courtesy around here. This also means that you shouldn't ever put someone else's persona into any forced situation and if they tell you to back off, you do so.

And, to go along with it, you shouldn't feel afraid to speak up if someone is doing something that you don't like, particularly with your persona, either publicly, or, if you don't feel comfortable and wouldn't post it otherwise, to a mod.

7) If you have any doubts as to what you're going to post, don't post it or find a way to be much more subtle about it.

8) If you find someone has different beliefs than you on a given matter (i.e. homosexuality, liberal/conservative, pirate/ninja), realize that they're entitled to their own beliefs as much as you are and don't get into it with them. This also means that you shouldn't sit there and talk about how much you don't like a certain group of people because you never know who's reading and whom you may be inadvertantly talking about as well. Not everyone here shares your values and if you want to rant about that group, go find your own time and place to do so. Not here.

And, really, even reasoned debates of those kinds aren't really meant for the Bloids in the first place. If you want to talk about those kind of debates, that's what Discussions and Debates is for. As Stal said, though, if you're going to say that you don't like an entire group of people, keep it off the forum.


Most of the new guidelines are the same as before... it's just the 'generally under, not equal to or above PG-13' thing that would be a change. It'll take some work on everyone's part, though.

[Kat]

[shadow=purple,left,300]It's not fun when you take the tabloid relationships seriously. Take it from someone who learned the hard way.

And, I guess we have to make it clear what PG-13 means. People have different ideas as to the extent of PG-13.[/shadow]

[Ikkin]

amateurwriter said:

[shadow=purple,left,300]And, I guess we have to make it clear what PG-13 means. People have different ideas as to the extent of PG-13.[/shadow]

Yeah, that's definitely true. And people have different ideas about what disturbs them and what doesn't.

For instance, QMs (and most everything else on the Bloids, really) don't bother me nearly as much as some of the (visual) things that they can get away with in certain PG-13 movies out there. But, I'm sure there could be some people who might feel differently.

[Killix]

I find the rampant quotations kinda annoying. >_<

Especially if I say something witty and then someone decides to do the *blank or "blank"* thing. C'mon people, its funnier to be subtle... especially if I already implied something. >_> Its been done to death, and just isn't amusing anymore. Use it sparingly please. XD

[Deleted]

fj0rd said:

ikkinwithattitude said:

I'm not sure if having two Bloids would work out... In my experience, when threads get separated into two separate threads, it makes it hard to keep up, and tends to end up with less pages in total. And since the two parts of the Bloids are so hard to separate anyway... it probably wouldn't help very much, anyway.

Well, if you just want to chat, go to the one, and if you just want to spread rumors about people and snog, go to the other. *shrug* And the 'Bloids have so many pages anyway, it's not like we couldn't afford to lose a few.

It's not like I'm married to this idea or anything, by the way, I just thought I should throw something out there for consideration.

(Your reincarnation idea is cool... we might have to have a separate thread to register changes, if we do that? If you just post on the 'Bloids and go "Okay, now I'm reincarnating and keeping this husband but not this one", only the online people would even see it, most likely. Especially for little changes, since a major persona change is easily recognizable whereas if you're just changing one small thing or another, then people might not even realize you'd changed. But I do think it sounds cool.)

yesyesyesyesyes AGREEE

Actually the Tabloids are consisted of well, the Tabloids, and the Insanity threads that ran a long time ago

[Deleted]

I also think you could ''beta-test'' these ideas for a day or two to see if the majority likes it

[Rider]

yugiohjorge32 said:

fj0rd said:

Well, if you just want to chat, go to the one, and if you just want to spread rumors about people and snog, go to the other. *shrug* And the 'Bloids have so many pages anyway, it's not like we couldn't afford to lose a few.

It's not like I'm married to this idea or anything, by the way, I just thought I should throw something out there for consideration.

(Your reincarnation idea is cool... we might have to have a separate thread to register changes, if we do that? If you just post on the 'Bloids and go "Okay, now I'm reincarnating and keeping this husband but not this one", only the online people would even see it, most likely. Especially for little changes, since a major persona change is easily recognizable whereas if you're just changing one small thing or another, then people might not even realize you'd changed. But I do think it sounds cool.)

yesyesyesyesyes AGREEE

Actually the Tabloids are consisted of well, the Tabloids, and the Insanity threads that ran a long time ago

[glow=red,2,300]Nope, too much change at once. People would just end up turning the romance 'bloids itno another chat thread anyway, I think.

Well, I'd personally like to shove an announcement on Stal's 10 points. And wash out my own mouth a bit...

I like the reincarnation idea. [/glow]

And, to go along with it, you shouldn't feel afraid to speak up if someone is doing something that you don't like, particularly with your persona, either publicly, or, if you don't feel comfortable and wouldn't post it otherwise, to a mod.

[glow=red,2,300]Before you PM a mod or even post it publicly, you ought to PM the person. It might be embarassing if your first move is to say it in front of everyone.

Another point - closeting. Alright, by the PG-13 rules, roofing is right out (Sorry Hunty.) but what about closeting? Really, one could interpret closeting to mean "7 minutes in heaven" and not actually doing it. But the term has just become so specific. It's engrained and defined in our heads.

So, should closeting take a blow? Or can we redefine it?[/glow]

[Deleted]

But Rider - noone knows for sure what will happen if you do divide them, so that's why I suggest betatesting, It's much safer than just assuming things right from the spot

[Scar]

yugiohjorge32 said:

But Rider - noone knows for sure what will happen if you do divide them, so that's why I suggest betatesting, It's much safer than just assuming things right from the spot

But even if you divide the board up there's still the 'Most Recent' section. I mean, who doesn't use that to keep track of Bloids? So even if there were two anyone using 'Most Recent' like I do would be able to see it all.


As for closeting, well, I say there's nothing wrong with it. It still conveys the right amount of innocence and cheekiness it's always did. After all, we usually use it in a tongue-in-cheek sorta way so our imagination usually doesn't run that far.

Roofing is way too kinky if you ask me ^_^;

[Deleted]

scarven said:

yugiohjorge32 said:

But Rider - noone knows for sure what will happen if you do divide them, so that's why I suggest betatesting, It's much safer than just assuming things right from the spot

But even if you divide the board up there's still the 'Most Recent' section. I mean, who doesn't use that to keep track of Bloids? So even if there were two anyone using 'Most Recent' like I do would be able to see it all.


As for closeting, well, I say there's nothing wrong with it. It still conveys the right amount of innocence and cheekiness it's always did. After all, we usually use it in a tongue-in-cheek sorta way so our imagination usually doesn't run that far.

Roofing is way too kinky if you ask me ^_^;

Roofing can mean sitting on the roof dancing for all I care XDXD Closeting means doing it because well, like Rider says, it's stuck into our minds because of OVERUSAGE OF THE WORD

eh, I'm still pro-dividing

(haha, kidding, If I use those kinds of terms then I'll probably spark some forumwide debate)

[Scar]

yugiohjorge32 said:

scarven said:

But even if you divide the board up there's still the 'Most Recent' section. I mean, who doesn't use that to keep track of Bloids? So even if there were two anyone using 'Most Recent' like I do would be able to see it all.


As for closeting, well, I say there's nothing wrong with it. It still conveys the right amount of innocence and cheekiness it's always did. After all, we usually use it in a tongue-in-cheek sorta way so our imagination usually doesn't run that far.

Roofing is way too kinky if you ask me ^_^;

Roofing can mean sitting on the roof dancing for all I care XDXD Closeting means doing it because well, like Rider says, it's stuck into our minds because of OVERUSAGE OF THE WORD

eh, I'm still pro-dividing

(haha, kidding, If I use those kinds of terms then I'll probably spark some forumwide debate)

... Even roof dancing can be ... erm, bad if you've seen certain ... blog reports from China ... ^_^;;; *smacks self* But for my closeting is basically just your quick foray or a short snogging session. Y'know, like the typical secretaries and their bosses? *smacked again for stereotyping*

Pros and cons? Since when was this a debate? xD