[Mulderator]

Its gotten to a point where this forum has become a repository for cutting and posting of newspaper articles--most coming from one news paper. When I view threads now, they seem to be dominated by cut and paste of articles, which frankly I think is degrading the forum from what used to be discussing of people's ideas and debate and has now become nothing more than a news wire feed for the most part.

Honestly--what good does it do to have a regurgitation of news? I'd rather read someone's original thoughts and debate that than have someone posting some journalists opinion. And its not like that isn't useful occasionally to add some background, but my God its gotten to the point where we might as well just go to MSNBC or CNN or what have you.

The other issue is copyright violation. I realize that you can consistent with the current laws, post part of an article to avoid the copyright issue, but if you're posting a continuous stream of articles from a specific online source I think the "spirit" of the law is being violated--that is this forum is being used as a "summary" page for a newpaper's editorial page.

I'm wondering what other people's views are? I've seen a few people post complaints in the threads about the inordinant number of articles and editorials cluttering up threads. I think those complaints are valid. This forum USED to be much more about debating each other's points of view and that seems to have gone out the door in favor of simply posting journalists viewpoints. When I see that in a thread, I just move to another thread, but its seems they are all being dominated with this mentality of posting other people's thoughts rather than the person's own thoughts.

I think if someone can't post an original thought, they shouldn't be posting at all, frankly.

[Littlefield]

I think you can have balance with it . I am pretty opinionated and use them to start a post sometimes. When I do use them I try to blend my thoughts with them like I did when quoting a term paper in college years ago

[Stoner]

I think if someone can't post an original thought, they shouldn't be posting at all, frankly.

I sympathize. 'We're' having that problem in the Genius thread with someone posting Wiki type excerpts.......if you know what I mean _

[linskyjack]

I agree.

[rexgrant]

Originally Posted by Mulder

Its gotten to a point where this forum has become a repository for cutting and posting of newspaper articles--most coming from one news paper. When I view threads now, they seem to be dominated by cut and paste of articles, which frankly I think is degrading the forum from what used to be discussing of people's ideas and debate and has now become nothing more than a news wire feed for the most part.

Honestly--what good does it do to have a regurgitation of news? I'd rather read someone's original thoughts and debate that than have someone posting some journalists opinion. And its not like that isn't useful occasionally to add some background, but my God its gotten to the point where we might as well just go to MSNBC or CNN or what have you.

The other issue is copyright violation. I realize that you can consistent with the current laws, post part of an article to avoid the copyright issue, but if you're posting a continuous stream of articles from a specific online source I think the "spirit" of the law is being violated--that is this forum is being used as a "summary" page for a newpaper's editorial page.

I'm wondering what other people's views are? I've seen a few people post complaints in the threads about the inordinant number of articles and editorials cluttering up threads. I think those complaints are valid. This forum USED to be much more about debating each other's points of view and that seems to have gone out the door in favor of simply posting journalists viewpoints. When I see that in a thread, I just move to another thread, but its seems they are all being dominated with this mentality of posting other people's thoughts rather than the person's own thoughts.

I think if someone can't post an original thought, they shouldn't be posting at all, frankly.

I myself never use them If I need to refer to them to prove a statement I use a link ,But I have to admit I do like to see the funny ones.
I do agree that peoples own words are best but I think their is room for both.
Regards
Rex

[wacor]

Did I not bring this topic up a month ago? Perhaps this time it might be taken a bit more seriously as there won't be the accusations and crap like I had to put up with.

There are some who do it regularly without even commenting. And they wonder why some of us won't even bother to click on the link for the rest.

[Chicon]

Originally Posted by Mulder

... I'd rather read someone's original thoughts and debate that than have someone posting some journalists opinion. ...

I agree with that. Sometimes, I stop reading threads when they get overloaded.

Originally Posted by Mulder

...
I think if someone can't post an original thought, they shouldn't be posting at all, frankly.

Exact !

[wacor]

And while we are at it can we try to rid CD from the continual references to cats and chocolate. Keep that crap in random.

[Mulderator]

Originally Posted by rexgrant

I do agree that peoples own words are best but I think their is room for both.
Regards
Rex

No question there is room for both--I've certainly linked to and posted an editorial or news article (although I prefer more factually independent and accurate sources than news paper articles or editorial). However, I probably am at a ratio of 50 to 100 original posts to a cut and paste. Again--I don't have a problem if we see one cut an paste every 25 to 50 posts or so, no problem. But honestly, and I've said this many times before, journalist or talking head types opinions are no better than anyone else, unless that particular person happens to have a unique background (i.e., a former general disussing war strategy or Greenspan on the Economy, etc.). But really who give a rats arse what most columnists have to say. You can simply look at their political ideology and predict almost verbatim there opinions.

[Mulderator]

Originally Posted by Chicon

I agree with that. Sometimes, I stop reading threads when they get overloaded.

There ya go--balance is the key--but when you see a thread with every 5th post literally is another cut and past of an article or three or four in a row, hell what's the point? And I'm not talking about posting significant news events either--Angelize has a habit of doing that which I can think is very useful--but significant news events don't come up that often--a few times a month or so. Also, recent significant developments like the recent Anna Nicole Smith nonsense or a big trial or something that's in the news every day for a few weeks is OK, I think.

[GlenB]

I agree, take this one for example (an article about heterosexual circumcision, but the thread starter is using it as a public service announcement to tell gays to get circumcised!), and others like it when the poster has an agenda and can't even use/find a relevant article to support it.

[rexgrant]

Originally Posted by wacor

And while we are at it can we try to rid CD from the continual references to cats and chocolate. Keep that crap in random.

Hi wacor.
What is wrong with a chocolate cat,This time of the year we have chocolate eggs and chicks
Rex

[Mulderator]

Originally Posted by wacor

And while we are at it can we try to rid CD from the continual references to cats

Uhoh--Candy's first exercise of authority after vacation (that is after cuffing Mulder! )may include a wacor ban!

[Stoner]

I used to do a tremendous amount of C&P......but I think using my own words and backing them up or explaining them better with a link or short excerpt works better in a discussion.

The worst imo....are the vids..like the ones about 911 conspiracies....

[Mulderator]

Originally Posted by rexgrant

Hi wacor.
What is wrong with a chocolate cat,This time of the year we have chocolate eggs and chicks
Rex

He's got a point wacor--easter is a bad time to be calling for a ban on chocolate!