Our Shared Shelf discussion
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Re-Structuring Book Discussion
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I'm not sure about the time restriction myself, because the books can be discussed until the end of the year, provided the thread is in its correct folder.But I salute you for the great idea to organise it more. I'm not requiring an academic approach per se, but it'd be interesting to have some kind of list that we would use for each book with questions to ponder, feminist concepts to recognise, etc. This would mean a red thread could be drawn from book to book, too, rather than have them be their entirely separate works.
I think I'd also like for mods to start the discussions, at least some main ones like divided by chapter, such that the whole book would be covered. Or maybe a volunteer member could take each chapter and prepare some discussion topics based on it?
All this, out of my perspective, would be done to squueze even the last drops of each reading experience, because thinking is what makes us evolve, and I assume that is why we are here, too.
And now that I think of it, I believe some sort of questions-to-answer thread was opened a few days ago? It hasn't popped up again though.
Mod
I'd like to second Ash's idea of only starting the book discussion after most people can contribute.
Honestly, I like how it's structured now. Spoilers are implied for the fiction books anyway, I think. It's a forum, not a live chat.
That's a good idea, I think we should start the discussion towards the end of the month. Those who have read the book already can take the time to read it again, or just wait until the end of the month to start discussing the book so it's fair to all of us who haven't had a chance to read it all yet or to those who haven't gotten a book yet.
I like how the History discussions solve it. They set up a discussion: "Spoiler Alert." For those who have already read the book. And another for those who are reading along at approximately the same pace.
Ashwin wrote: "I've been gestating this idea for some time now. Rather than embellishing on the process I will come straight to it: It is my strong opinion that we need to re-structure the way we discuss books. H..."I am open to anything that is decided as long as I am NOT made a moderator, guest or otherwise. ;) I am better at organizing and moderating my own forums that are more along the lines of writing projects and game design projects. Thanks!
starting on the 23rd of the month is a good ideaBrian storming from an approach Savannah took that of starting a discussion from a different perspective than the personal one normally used in creating a thread.
This can allow for a more objective apporch and prevent backing the argument just from just an emotional place. Nothing wrong with passion, see some of my posts :), but I have seen some threads become entrenched and circular arguments ensue.
This approch will also allow us to confront some of the unpalatable arguments we face as feminist. At first it may be better to have this method used by moderators until people get used to not always associating the thread creator with the argument.
How about we create a new moderator called - TopicBox. This moderator would remain anonymous. All moderators can access this moderator's inbox, as its really a non person. Non-moderators can send topic requests to the moderator TopicBox. And, under the name TopicBox, the moderators will post the new topics. They would have to sign in as TopicBox. Will this end the drama? No. People who are believers have often have lived lives that the world either does not understand, or refuses to believe is true. I have been called a liar because my life was not rooted in atheism. I've been called a liar because the atheist refuses to believe that I could have heard from God.
These types of arguments are always going to exist. There will always be life experience differences out there. The card carrying atheist will always see anything with a god, as wrong. The tool-flamer, will only exist to create chaos. Where ever three people come together from three different backgrounds, there will be a potential for disagreements that get a bit heated. Incidentally, this was one of the reasons why my friend and I started our own very private forum for two. We were tired of silly rules coupled with flamers who hated anyone who disagreed with their own point of view.
Other solutions? What some forums do, is ban without warning, the person who is not allowing others to have their opinions, and is being argumentative to the Nth degree.
Also, having a rule that says something like: Remember that everyone has had different life experience from you and consequently may not agree with you because of their life experiences caused them to draw different conclusions.
What I love about SMF forum software is that you can organize the forums to the Nth degree. You can have xNumber of posts per page. You can also have a drama board, where all drama can be put.
Extra: I never did post what I really do at my forum - I mean my organization. What I posted earlier, was silly, because I was really too tired to even think straight! lol I am using "his"and "her" instead of actual name, for privacy reasons.
Boards:
News form the Mainland
His Projects
(subboards here)
- Unlimited Worlds
- Visual Novels
His CYOA and Ren'Py projects
- Ren'Py sub board
- cyoa sub board
His Game maker board
(then the above repeats, but with "her" instead of "his".
Foreign Language Board:
Alles Zusammen (Everything together)
- duolingo
- FL Priorities
- FL Fantasy
His FL projects
- various sub-boards
Her FL projects
etc.
Verbosity of Chatter
- Free Pub
I also agree with Ashwin. I think that by people posting discussions immediately after they have finished reading, when others have not been able to acquire their copy of a book yet may seem disheartening and discourage them in a way from participating in discussions. I don't feel that way personally I tend to ignore the discussions until I finished the book.
Restricting discussion kills reading groups
A lot of the groups I participate in have 2 threads: 1 spoiler free (for people just starting the book that care about spoilers) and a spoiler thread (for peopled who've finished/ don't mind spoilers). It's an easy solution to this dilemma.
@Melanie - Excellent idea! I wanted to like your post, but I wasn't seeing a like button.
1 Some people have already read the book that is suggested at the start of the month.
2 Some people can get their hands on a copy as soon as the book is declared, while others can't find a copy in their region so readily.
3 As soon as the title of the book is declared, those who have read the book already, start threads about the book, sometimes even chapter-wise. Those who get done with their book soon jump in. Therefore those who finish reading a little later find that there are so many posts in a thread that it is difficult to go through them all and continue the conversation logically, usually leading to repeating what has already been said etc.
Therefore, I recommend we do not start any conversation regarding the book until 23rd of a month. 23 days should be enough time for most people to complete the book and 7 or 8 days enough to discuss. This will give everyone a fair chance to participate and conversations will flow more logically.
Another idea I have is that rather than give mods more responsibility, we invite a member-volunteer to moderate the folder regarding the book of that month. This will help members feel more empowered and also give them a chance to appreciate the responsibilities of a moderator.
Do let me know your views.