Important news regarding moderation team....

[amirm]

It is with deepest regrets, and immense appreciation for the work that they have done to inform you that Adam, Brad and James have decided to step down from their moderation duties. I respect their decision and have removed them as moderators. So yes, it is just me right now as the only staff member.

I can't understate how indebted I am to them for the hard work, dedication and care they have provided to support me in growing and nurturing the forum to where it is today. I considered them family and continue to have a warm place in my heart for them.

Sometimes the best relationships hit a rough spot and boy did we hit one on the issue of allowing or disallowing discussions around the tariffs US has imposed on the entire world. They feel allowing this means we are violating our rule of no political discussion. I feel that the human aspect of this is so immense that it garners discussion. Heck, I think it demand discussion lest we look like we want to turn a blind eye to incredible suffering that we are causing for many people both in US and around the world. There can always be another place where people can go and discuss audio. But damaged lives can't be repaired.

Normally I don't consider discussion of politics in a forum like this to make a difference. But here, I think we can influence people by bringing better understanding to the issues at hand. And with it, effectuate change. This is already working in real time with government backing off from the strong actions of a week ago.

For their side, the mods feel like I am violating the rules so they can no longer enforce them. I see their point of view.

I always say there is no rule book for running a forum. Every decision is subjective and has a possibility of being wrong, massively wrong. Or the right one. Ultimately you have to trust the wisdom you have accumulated in running such entities and live with the consequences.

So please join me in thanking the team for the incredible work they have done. I will leave this thread open for a while.

Please, please try not to create more threads on these topics. It is just one of me and I need to test stuff as well as running the forum.

EDIT: more clarification in this post: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-regarding-moderation-team.62168/post-2279940

 

[Esprit]

I understand and, on the other side of the ocean, many decisions taken in America seem absurd to me (I'm not just referring to duties...).
However, I would like to publicly thank the moderators for the work they have done so far.

 

[M240i]

There are thousands of politics discussion forums on the interweb.
I think most people come to an audio forum to see discussions of audio.
I'm surprised this basic premise is misunderstood. Look in the mirror and you'll see the problem.

 

[Audio Science Pal]

Wow

 

[dasdoing]

Much respect, sir, for putting humanity above your beloved forum....it was obvious it would create a lot of headaches and perhaps damage for the forum.
I hope that when the storm is over, the team rethinks their decision.

 

[dasdoing]

btw: @ people who want to heatedly discuss this, it could be outsourced to something like Reddit

 

[GD Fan]

Thanks to both Amir and to the (former) moderators. No doubt none took their decisions lightly and I urge all to join me in respecting their respective positions.

 

[Gitfiddle]

Never easy to moderate forums. Even so much as telling someone they are wrong about the spelling of a word can cause some people to turn into unhinged psychopaths. I understand their decision and yours. Many thanks to them for spending their free time doing what they did.

 

[hashhar]

The moderators have been mostly "invisible" to me which is the best compliment I can give them on the difficult job that they were kind enough to undertake.

Thanks a lot for your service.

 

[JeremyFife]

It's your forum @amirm , I respect that. I'd like to say that I felt that the Mod team was a pretty great one, doing a difficult job with intelligence, humility and humour.

Hoping your workload doesn't get too much for you, this site is awesome.

 

[Tom C]

Thank you Adam, Brad and James for all your hard work. Your efforts made all the difference in making this place the best on the internet

 

[Oddball]

I have grown very fund of this forum and mods have done a wonderful job - but also helped by mosty adult audience that needs little moderation. I also hope that the moderator team comes back as they are essential part of the community.

In terms of politics, it is a difficult call and belongs to the top management. I do enjoy the forum without political connotations, but then we live in unprecedented times so not sure what the right answer is any more.

 

[Turambar]

Maybe we could just continue to discuss audio, with the same usual rules and the same (if possible) great team of moderators, and just open a subforum for discussion of subjects like tariffs, only open for members that register for this particular subforum, and managed by a different moderation team.

 

[Somafunk]

Sometimes the best relationships hit a rough spot and boy did we hit one on the issue of allowing or disallowing discussions around the tariffs US has imposed on the entire world. They feel allowing this means we are violating our rule of no political discussion. I feel that the human aspect of this is so immense that it garners discussion. Heck, I think it demand discussion lest we look like we want to turn a blind eye to incredible suffering that we are causing for many people both in US and around the world. There can always be another place where people can go and discuss audio. But damaged lives can't be repaired.

Well said, the effects of ill thought out political decisions banded around with scant regard for the fallout throughout the world needs highlighting at all costs, perhaps the discussion of such issues will lead to a greater awareness and lead to better choices being taken

 

[Karmacoma]

I've been kicked once for two weeks. I really deserved it (looking at you Adam ).
Thank you guys for your work. Hope it's not definitive.

 

[Multicore]

Thank you, Adam, Brad and James.

Also thank you, Amir, for hosting ASR for us.

 

[Hart]

It's too bad that today even a subjective discussion of policy that directly affects the audio industry is felt like an attack on one's political beliefs. I thought your articles were incisive and well researched. Cause and effect. Thanks to the moderators and their contribution. Hang in there Amirm, I really appreciate your site.

 

[whereisbrian]

There are thousands of politics discussion forums on the interweb.
I think most people come to an audio forum to see discussions of audio.
I'm surprised this basic premise is misunderstood. Look in the mirror and you'll see the problem.

I come here almost one year ago because it's a haven of peace for objectivists like me.
Don't forget than in some french forum it's a reason for automatic banishment.

I agree with you, politics discussions can lead to arguments and anger.

i see this story of custom fees from Europe, with disbelief and astonishment: how it's possible to play with custom duties one day and suspend
or decrease them the other day?

I hope this forum will have a long life and i thank the founder for all the good contributions i've found.

 

[BeeKay]

Thanks Amir (and of course, the former mods)!

I think US politics has become so divisive that it’s even tearing families apart. I hope it doesn’t happen to the ASR family.

Regarding the root cause for the current discussion I can say in plain German, "dass ich gar nicht so viel fressen kann, wie ich kotzen möchte.” It affects many people’s lives for no honest or even slightly valid reason. Greed and stupidity at its core.

So certain politics may well have a place in any place or forum, regardless of the ground rules. And that’s, your country concerned, not limited to tariffs. Sadly.

I hope we can continue to be the forum we were once, once this is overcome.

Peace and better politics.

 

[valerianf]

Thank you for all the forum moderation work.
But let us not forget one point about our hobby: it will be widely impacted by the tarif war.
Most of the equipments are made or assembled in Asia.
Low cost shipping may be something of the past.
The current politic shift is very bad for our hobby and it is important to have a place where we can discuss about the consequences.
Is not the 1rst amendment speaker about "free speech"?