Thread Derailments and Brookie Conversations

[DaveKile]

Just in case anyone missed the conversations this week from the mods and me, we have been discussing and trying to deal with over abundance of threads getting derailed into arguments about brook trout and invasive species over and over again. Despite my public warnings and moderation of the issue it is still happening by a few people. Here is the message I shared in the thread that went sideways recently.

This thread is a poster child for the problem we have on the site and people are weary of this kind of topic. Me too! The issue goes like this
1. The brook trout / invasive species topic gets started
2. Topic get's derailed
3. Arguments ensue
4. it goes on and on and on

The easiest way to fix it is for those involved to STOP IT! The mods and I have been talking about this for over a week. Other people have expressed their views about it and it needs to end. This seems like some sort of some sort of Political Derangement Syndrome except it's about brook trout and invasive species.

Going forward STOP IT. We will be using random and extra moderation technics to stop this. DO NOT BOTHER ARGUING WITH ME ABOUT THIS. DO NOT POINT FINGERS AND BLAME SOMEONE ELSE. DO NOT BE FUNNY AND POKE THE BEAR. Warnings, suspensions and people will be banned going forward, and a few other things in my admin arsenal for the site will be used.

I can't be anymore explicit with what some people need to do and what will happen.

 

[DaveKile]

Updated for August 2025
We are getting back to the issues we encountered a few years ago. I'm going to have to be a little more explicit with the problem and how we are going to deal with it going forward. A few reminders:

1. This is a private site and not a public forum.
2. The guidelines and rules of the forum trump your opinions.
3. We try to respect the views of the community, not just a vocal minority.
4. Listen to the moderators

Specifically, we support dialogue and conversations about a number of topics, including support of wild trout populations. If your opinions and behavior on the topic conflict with the guidelines, then actions will be taken.

That was the nice part of the conversation; the reality is if we have any more disregard for moderators in threads, there may be no warnings, public or private, for you. If you go against a moderator, you will be banned from the site.

There are many people who are very passionate about aspects of the state’s wild brook trout population. Thank you, and we all enjoy the conversation provided you can follow the guidelines. But for some of you, if your opinions and conduct create conflict, arguments, and turmoil, you are not welcome. What I mean by that is you will be banned from the site. Going forward, this will be very subjective by the moderators and me. I don’t care if you think you are right; if you are a problem on the site, you are not a fit, and you will be banned.

This will include things like derailing a thread and arguing to no freaking end about the wrongs of the topic.

If you are asking yourself, is he talking about me? Likely, I am. I’m trying to give several people some advice before we have to step in; it is up to you if you leave, get banned, or want to be a member of the community. I hope you want to be a part of the community.

Dave