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[Applejack]

@DeSade-acolyte

I’m gonna throw my $0.02 in on this because this item seems to keep cropping up.

Firstly and a very important thing I want to make clear. @OmniLad I am not trying to single you you out as this point of view has come from other quarters as well. Your post seemed to give a very good example of a topic I believe deserves some discussion or at least insight from the mods and some possible options that might serve both sides of this topic. Please, if you feel at all uncomfortable with my use of this quote, please DM me and I will remove it.

@OmniLad

I like your breakdown and passion! It’s nice to see that on here, but I think it’s important to remember that there is not a “right batman.” He is a versatile character that can work under any tone. Maybe all the thing YOU hate about some interpretations are what other people love. I know you don’t intend to come across this way, but by writing this (especially in such an agressive tone) it can be mean spirited to those who like other aspects of the character. Someone who disagrees could feel like “less of a Batman fan” because they disagree. Just something to consider in the future and maybe upon reflection of this post.

It’s clear it’s an opinion and @batjamags even started with “OK, coming on strong with the title”

While I concur Batman can work in many different styles and iterations. And that there is really isn’t such thing as ““right batman.”

However, I must confess that I don’t see an aggressive tone mentioned. It is a strong opinion, but it certainly is not saying “Hey I’m right and if you don’t agree sod off.”

Why is it that strong (passionate is perhaps a better adjective) opinions are being treated as aggressive? One of the items of fan engagement is relying and building on the passion of fans.

I understand that some people are more “shy” about jumping into something where there is a passionate opinion they might disagree with (or maybe even agree with). However, some of that is that person’s shyness issue. It seems like there is a feeling by some in the community that inclusivity requires watering down strong/passionate points of view. That, in and of itself, creates an excluding environment for members with strong opinions. I have felt this push towards that exclusion.

Is the answer a new community section Everything DC/Discordance. That would at least give a place for strong/passionate positions on everything DC. A place where strong, heated debate can be placed and those that wish to avoid such can do so with fair warning of what that section is for. A “This is a hot kitchen, and it’s likely to generate some high heat” recognition.

There is certainly a subset of members who enjoy strong “heated” debate. (While still staying within community guidelines, of course.)

If the mods and lanterns want to keep out what, I see as “passionate, heated and aggressive opinions” in the general community areas, that’s fine. I can see the advantage to that. However, perhaps adding an “anti-matter universe” in the form of Discordance section would be beneficial and create more inclusive environment for DCU.

@Applejack (and @Pretty.Poison.Bombshell as well) what are your thoughts?

I really would like to find some way of balancing this issue that could be a net positive for the community as a whole.

I haven’t read beyond this initial thought-starter, so I apologize if this is already being hotly debated and I’m being redundant of anything that follows. I’ll continue to chime in if the topic continues.

I always get squeamish about too much parsing. Much of what is a delight about being a part of a community is being exposed to ideas, attitudes, and people that you wouldn’t have encountered if you were carving out your own very safe and specific path. This is why something like an entire section where only the…let’s call them… High Heat Heads would go, would end up cultivating an insular echo chamber, rather than “mixin’ it up”, as… I …put in quotes, apparently.

However, a topic that has a little “flame” icon to indiciate a “High Heat” topic in the General/Everything Area, or a Discordant tag, might help with treading lightly. Certainly that Amber Heard topic the mods are lurking would be one I’d flame up.

Anyhoo, these are my initial, “Hi I’m answering questions at a rapid fire pace after work” thoughts are. I like the seed plant, though. I don’t immediately reject the general notion of “make discordant conversations known”. Also helpful for trigger warning conversations.