How to Get This Group More Active

[Leah, I'm HI-larious! (Head Mod)]

This makes me sad. I have loved modding this group, and I don't feel like I've been doing my part as well as I should lately. I've just been busy. I think that part of the problem is the fact that our debates are either super super controversial or generally agreed on. Plus, most of the really interesting controversial topics have extensive comments, which is NOT a bad thing in the least but can be intimidating to a new person. I think that we need to find a happy medium between super controversial and super agreeable. That, and/or get some new controversial topics up! :)

[Leah, I'm HI-larious! (Head Mod)]

Yeah, that's fine. And I see what you're saying, but if they're controversial enough to be interesting and to provoke a good discussion but not enough to scare anyone away, I think they'll survive longer than you'd think. I'll look for debate topics right now and search the Debate Ideas topic for stuff that hasn't gone up yet.

[Leah, I'm HI-larious! (Head Mod)]

Agreed. :) I'll do my best.

[Christine, I pop like bubble wrap.]

I think that if a group is very focused on debates, it will probably die because people get tired of debating with the same old points or something everyone agrees on. You get to a point where everyone agrees to disagree. I think maybe we should start focusing more on the NFL. Maybe people could post how they're placing, ideas or tactics for debate, help with making a case, or help with interps. We could also have a thread with ideas for platform speeches, or just OO's and OA's.That will be more active, especially during the school year, if people are posting as they work on and compete in speech or debate events.

[Shuhan [On Leave]]

Could this be an official group? Or, featured group? I think it might be able to be. You can post it in Goodreads Feedback group under the topic Featured Groups and then say how it benefits everyone. Then, maybe it'll be up on that list and billions of people will see it!

[Maddison]

I think let's go back to the good ol' days when I joined - pure debate

[Som]

How about stories?
The format will be somewhat like: One person will post a theme or 10-20 words, other posters will try writing a short story on this theme or containing those words in it(of 50-100-200 words, the theme poster will decide). Head mod (or unanimously) may decide who's the winner and the winner will post theme or words again, saga continues. may sound a bit cliche/typical but it'll enhance one's creativity.

I believe the outcome of a raging debate is just trial-and-error of logic and common sense and confined in a specific boundary of moral dilemma; resulting a never ending vicious cycle at times; while lacking stats and facts. Petty, addictive games are better though.

[Purvika]

I think this group is great, I am New and I love it.... I feel it is a debate group and there shouldn't be any room for the games that are common in other groups... Those who come to play here can play in other groups too... And we can have a competition type... Monthly debate competition ? Or we came have games that defines the group... Not some useless counting games.... Pls pardon me if am saying something which you don't like... This group should be independent of games... And I don't think those who really wanna debate would mind if regular games aren't there....

[Purvika]

Lia wrote: "@H99 I feel that way too, we can look up all the debate topics we want but with just five people commenting... well you get the idea.

How about team and versus debates, where a mod decides whether..."

I like your idea of team debate... That could be fun we can form teams for monthly competition ... Then debate ...we can collect data to back up our info... And it will be fun to discuss pros and cons in a team...

[Billie]

Not that I have any grad suggestions or anything...I was excited when I found this group, I like debating and was looking for something to engage in that would allow me to use my mind while all six kids are home from school for the summer. I browsed the discussions a couple of times and it just seemed like most people weren't willing to follow through with a point or to delve deeper with an opinion and explore it so that others have something to respond to, there were very few people engaging in real discussion. Maybe I missed some aspect of the group but it failed to live up to my expectations. Not saying I did a great deal to try to change that, I think I only posted once, but it seemed to me that a lot of people just ignore points of view that differ from theirs and tend to limit their responses to others to "I agree..."

What about asking people to comment on something like an author? I saw an anthology somewhere of top authors of the 20th century or something like that, included in the list was Joyce Carol Oates, which raises the question for me of what is the criteria for ranking someone as a top author. Is it the number of books sold? How many books they produce within a period? How critics receive their work?...

Personally I don't like Joyce Carol Oates, and I realize that perhaps part of my response to her is the fact that the subject matter that she chooses can be uncomfortable and at times heart breaking, but I can read other authors who tackle similar topics and enjoy their writing, which I cannot say that of her work. So she would not make it onto my list of top 100, let alone top 10, it makes me wonder what criteria others would apply to creating a list of top authors and who they would include on their lists.

Something like this I think would require people to be more engaged and express their own opinions...

[Jenn]

Som wrote: "How about stories?
The format will be somewhat like: One person will post a theme or 10-20 words, other posters will try writing a short story on this theme or containing those words in it(of 50-1..."

We already have something similar called The Story Game. But I would be happy to see more writing and creativity.

Also, how about more philosophy? I know it's been done, but not so much in this group.

[Leah, I'm HI-larious! (Head Mod)]

Thank you all for the suggestions. I LOVE the idea of a team vs. team or person vs. person debate. AND, to tie it in to the NFL, we could have a mock PF, mock Policy, and mock LD. I agree with Marie, we need to start focusing some on the NFL aspect also.

Lia wrote: "A topic about riddles? this isn't one of my better ideas BUT I FRAKKING LOVE RIDDLES!

Caps lock for intense effect, lol."

I like it. However, at the moment, I think we need to focus a little more on debate. The games were meant to give a place to chat and ease the tension that can sometimes come up during debates, but I think they've kind of overtaken in a way. But keep it in mind and bring it up again when we're back up and running.

☠█☠▓☠▒☠░☠░$huhαπ♫{διαβølιcαl☣ιπιφuι†ψ}☠ wrote: "Could this be an official group? Or, featured group? I think it might be able to be. You can post it in Goodreads Feedback group under the topic Featured Groups and then say how it benefits everyon..."

I'll try that! Great idea!


Billie wrote: "Not that I have any grad suggestions or anything...I was excited when I found this group, I like debating and was looking for something to engage in that would allow me to use my mind while all six..."

First of all, I'm sorry that the group hasn't lived up to your expectations. I'll try hard to make sure that it does. Also, I like your idea of an author discussion.



Okay, so I'm thinking that, to keep up with what I'm planning to do, I might make a "Coming Soon" topic. That way, you can see what's coming up, and I can keep track of what I said that I would do.

[Shuhan [On Leave]]

Glad I could help ;-)

[Leah, I'm HI-larious! (Head Mod)]

How exactly do you do that though?

[Leah, I'm HI-larious! (Head Mod)]

Adrian wrote: "Som wrote: "How about stories?
The format will be somewhat like: One person will post a theme or 10-20 words, other posters will try writing a short story on this theme or containing those words i..."

Oops, I missed your suggestion. I like it! Have any debates in mind?

[Shuhan [On Leave]]

If you want, I'll do it for you?

[Leah, I'm HI-larious! (Head Mod)]

That'd be great! Go ahead! Thanks! :)

[Shuhan [On Leave]]

;) Okie dokes! I'll send you the link to the thread afterwards so you can keep track of what the Goodreads staff say!

[Leah, I'm HI-larious! (Head Mod)]

Thanks!

[[deleted user]]

Just a suggestion, but could you make it so only like 5-10 topics are showing so it is easier to scroll down to find what you want?

[Shuhan [On Leave]]

Here is the topic! How did I do?

[Leah, I'm HI-larious! (Head Mod)]

Awww, that just warms my heart! It's great!

[[deleted user]]

Just a suggestion, but could you make it so only like 5-10 topics are showing so it is easier to scroll down to find what you want?

[Shuhan [On Leave]]

;) Thanks!

[Leah, I'm HI-larious! (Head Mod)]

Katelyn♬✞ wrote: "Just a suggestion, but could you make it so only like 5-10 topics are showing so it is easier to scroll down to find what you want?"

Yeah, I was just thinking about that. The idea was that topics wouldn't die as quickly, but it's kind of gotten ridiculous. :) Will do.

[Ella]

I like the idea of team debates. Give each team a side (whether they agree with it or not) and have them argue about it.

[Jenn]

Leah wrote: "Adrian wrote: "Som wrote: "How about stories?
The format will be somewhat like: One person will post a theme or 10-20 words, other posters will try writing a short story on this theme or containin..."

Nothing comes to mind right now. I just noticed that there are only 10 philosophy debates, and I think there's a lot of room for debate in philosophy. And writing is always good.

[Som]

What do you mean by philosophy debates? Aren't most of the debates, philosophical?
I often think people are confused with the definition of philosophy. Even the debate about murder can be philosophical.

I'd say revive the stories thread as part deux or or something and make a thread that's actually useful for enhancing creativity, most of the debate topics are worn out/outdated, sometimes, unless it's related to current affairs. Then again it could be highly controversial without closures...

[Jenn]

Same about the stories. Most groups I'm in here have some writing going on even if it's not the main purpose of the group.

But I mean more classical philosophy, if it's not been done to death already. And I think controversy can be very good but some people might shy away from certain topics.

[[deleted user]]

I was thinking, this group is a little overwhelming. There are a TON of topics and great discussions, but it LOOKS intimidating. I think we should go through and delete less active topics. (Example. There are like 4 mock trials. How many are active???)

I also think a lot of people on here have a passion for writing. Maybe we could do writing contests? Group writing? I have a ton of writing ideas if that was something we would want to put into our group.

I think I am a bit younger than most of the group, but a lot of these topics are serious. Maybe add couple fun ones? Mario vs. Luigi? Idk.. silly things like that. It is important to be opinionated in political debates, the economy, but there is a lot of stress in today's society. Let's lighten up a bit. :)

[Christine, I pop like bubble wrap.]

Good point. I like the idea of lightening things up.

[Christine, I pop like bubble wrap.]

I think Parli is an event in Speech and Debate where you have to debate for or against a certain topic or policy.

[Evan]

Marie wrote: "I think Parli is an event in Speech and Debate where you have to debate for or against a certain topic or policy."

We have something like that in the U.K. Its called the Mace debate and teams of two debate for or against a topic eg, "This house believes that London should not have held the Olympics" It is highly competitive and fun.

[Christine, I pop like bubble wrap.]

Yeah where you say, "this house..." That's Parli.

[Nessa]

I will try to be on more and commit more we all should :-)

[Victoria]

Maybe if you had topics that were more up to date like " what do you think of celebrity a and celebrity b going out. Or what do you think of this nfl star that just got arrested for drugs. You would pry get more people that way

[Victoria]

Yeah I understand that. Honesty I'm not into topics like that either but it would get more people

[Christine, I pop like bubble wrap.]

Well we shouldn't sell our souls to get more popularity...we don't need members THAT bad. There's a point where you're like, "Is this really better?"

[Victoria]

That's not selling your soul. It's just an idea. At least I'm actually throwing things out there

[Christine, I pop like bubble wrap.]

Maybe selling our souls was an exaggeration. Thanks for throwing things out there, but I mean we shouldn't sink to really low topics just because it might get us more members.

[Victoria]

Yeah I understand. I don't think those are necessarily low, but they aren't as sophisticated as the others

[Christine, I pop like bubble wrap.]

Yeah I mean you might have something there. That general idea has promise.

[Victoria]

Your welcome. And that aspects of celebs or athletes would pry work better

[Christine, I pop like bubble wrap.]

Good point

[Victoria]

That sounds cool too. Or if anyone is into dr who, people could debate companions

[Christine, I pop like bubble wrap.]

For sure

[Leah, I'm HI-larious! (Head Mod)]

Marie wrote: "Yeah where you say, "this house..." That's Parli."

Kind of like Congress...correct?

[Leah, I'm HI-larious! (Head Mod)]

Marie wrote: "Well we shouldn't sell our souls to get more popularity...we don't need members THAT bad. There's a point where you're like, "Is this really better?""

I have to agree with Lia and Marie on this...quality over quantity, you know?

[Christine, I pop like bubble wrap.]

Yep kinda like Congress.

[✿.Ⓐⓟⓞⓞⓡⓥⓐ.✿]

Sounds like fun. :) I love Congress.