Closed Threads

tom hyle · 8th May 2005, 03:20 PM

Beheading is not a routine, or for the most part even realistic, combat move, because the human guards its head and neck more naturally, automaically, and instinctively than any other region (it will often expose its vulnerable legs, abdomen, and even armpits, to do so, and must be trained if it is to learn to avoid this. The elephant guards its trunk, and ruses and tricks are described to get it to expose same.). It's relevant mainly to judicial/official/ceremonial killing, which I for one find much more boring and less interesting (and perhaps more unfair, for whatever that means, and horrific) than combat, be it among humans or otherwise. I, and some others, discuss combat and cutting mechanics openly and commonly on this forum. I for one, tend to attempt to restrain the language used in such discussions so as to not offend the various humans with their various beliefs and desires, but have sometimes failed in this. I generally think(?) that moderator actions on this forum are in response to member complaints, either current, past, or fore-see-able (I can't remeber how people like that spelt.); I certainly don't always agree with such actions, but I think this is the motivation for them. The rules ask us not to discuss the rules, which seems bizarre and uninterprettable to me; not sure if we're suposed to have this conversation in public or not.......sure curious about Radu's awful link(s) that seem to be gone (Radu, please feel free to PM me about this; I'm not a gore lover, but I am usually curious....). The exact detailed use of edged weapons in attacking large animals seems central to the nature of this 'site IMHO. Historical/social/anthropological/linguistic discussion also gets objected to, perhaps more understandably, but also seems neccessary and relevant to me..............
The quoted passage was both short enough and tightly focused enough to our legitimate scholarly discussions to obviate copyright concerns, BTW; I wouldn't worry about that; publisher or author would likely see it as a free advert. more than anything else, anyway.

Andrew · 8th May 2005, 04:00 PM

Threads can be closed for a number of reasons, including moderators taking time out to discuss things.

If anyone has a question about forum policy or moderator actions, feel free to PM one of the staff. As Tom notes, the rules prohibit discussion of this type of thing on the open forum.

Mark · 8th May 2005, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew

Threads can be closed for a number of reasons, including moderators taking time out to discuss things.

If anyone has a question about forum policy or moderator actions, feel free to PM one of the staff. As Tom notes, the rules prohibit discussion of this type of thing on the open forum.

Incidently, a PM is not a means of sweeping an issue under the carpet, but rather gives us a chance to discuss it among all the staff to see what must be done. It avoids endless discussions on the open forum, basically.

Ian · 8th May 2005, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew

Threads can be closed for a number of reasons, including moderators taking time out to discuss things.

If anyone has a question about forum policy or moderator actions, feel free to PM one of the staff. As Tom notes, the rules prohibit discussion of this type of thing on the open forum.

I just want to add a few words also, and assure all forumites that, while we have had a few instances lately of threads being closed and postings beng edited, this involves a very small fraction of the posts here. From time to time there are issues that need to be "moderated" -- that is, issues that are disruptive or objectionable, or interfere with the orderly functioning of the Forum. More often than not, these are dealt with by sending a PM to the respective party or parties.

Closing a thread is not done lightly or by a single Moderator acting out of pique. This is generally a decision reached by at least two of us, and most times it is a consensus decision of all four. If it appears that we sometimes act precipitously that may be because events have been happening behind the scenes of which other forumites are unaware.

As Moderators, we are not Forum cops. We "moderate" the content and tone of discussions when problems arise, and we have some authority to make changes if folks get stubborn. Basically, you will never hear from us if your posts follow the rules at the top of the contents page, if you are respectful of others who post here, and if you don't try to be outrageous, provocative, or shocking.

That does not seem a lot to ask. Your cooperation, as always, is greatly appreciated.

Ian.

8th May 2005, 03:20 PM	#1
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	Beheading is not a routine, or for the most part even realistic, combat move, because the human guards its head and neck more naturally, automaically, and instinctively than any other region (it will often expose its vulnerable legs, abdomen, and even armpits, to do so, and must be trained if it is to learn to avoid this. The elephant guards its trunk, and ruses and tricks are described to get it to expose same.). It's relevant mainly to judicial/official/ceremonial killing, which I for one find much more boring and less interesting (and perhaps more unfair, for whatever that means, and horrific) than combat, be it among humans or otherwise. I, and some others, discuss combat and cutting mechanics openly and commonly on this forum. I for one, tend to attempt to restrain the language used in such discussions so as to not offend the various humans with their various beliefs and desires, but have sometimes failed in this. I generally think(?) that moderator actions on this forum are in response to member complaints, either current, past, or fore-see-able (I can't remeber how people like that spelt.); I certainly don't always agree with such actions, but I think this is the motivation for them. The rules ask us not to discuss the rules, which seems bizarre and uninterprettable to me; not sure if we're suposed to have this conversation in public or not.......sure curious about Radu's awful link(s) that seem to be gone (Radu, please feel free to PM me about this; I'm not a gore lover, but I am usually curious....). The exact detailed use of edged weapons in attacking large animals seems central to the nature of this 'site IMHO. Historical/social/anthropological/linguistic discussion also gets objected to, perhaps more understandably, but also seems neccessary and relevant to me.............. The quoted passage was both short enough and tightly focused enough to our legitimate scholarly discussions to obviate copyright concerns, BTW; I wouldn't worry about that; publisher or author would likely see it as a free advert. more than anything else, anyway.

8th May 2005, 04:00 PM	#2
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Threads can be closed for a number of reasons, including moderators taking time out to discuss things. If anyone has a question about forum policy or moderator actions, feel free to PM one of the staff. As Tom notes, the rules prohibit discussion of this type of thing on the open forum.