The Bicker Board

[Punatang]

do people actually use the Report function

Yes they do.
If the report notes a post without Hawaii related content, I do take into account the context especially if it’s a reply to a previous post.  Occasionally, and it’s not as often as some might believe, when a post is way off the beaten path it gets edited or deleted. 

Credit where credit is due. Today I actually witnessed in real time, Moderator 2 deleting a post that they may have agreed with ideologically but that broke forum rules. Admirable and faith restoring moderation. For context, it was not Durian Fiend's post.

[TomK]

I'm still wondering if I'll get an answer to a recent question. I think the answer might discourage some from complaining about certain things, but I haven't received an answer:

https://punaweb.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=23623&pid=355239#pid355239

"Why confuse things? I'm not defending or attacking posts in this thread, but why not say "Hawaii related?" Hawaii includes Puna. You can always add that Puna-related threads are encouraged. So many people have complained in the past that a post isn't Puna-related, yet the rules say Hawaii-related posts are just fine. It would be good to develop a solid rule that clarifies what is or is not acceptable to everyone.

Thanks"

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do people actually use the Report function

Yes they do.
If the report notes a post without Hawaii related content, I do take into account the context especially if it’s a reply to a previous post.  Occasionally, and it’s not as often as some might believe, when a post is way off the beaten path it gets edited or deleted. 

Don't edit it; delete it if you need to intervene. Editing someone's post will likely cause you a lot of unnecessary pain.

[Moderator 2]

why not say "Hawaii related?"

It does:

Punatalk
Welcome to the punaweb forum page. To use this page you must first register by 1) acknowledging that you have read the conditions. 2) entering your username, password and e-mail address Note: National and world politics are not allowed. Local, Hawaii County and State of Hawaii politics are allowed.

Puna Events
This is for posting of Puna / Hawaii County Events not including yard sales or items for sale which should be placed in the Non Classified section. Concerts, meetings, fundraisers, church events etc

Puna Politics
This forum is for discussion of politics relating to Puna on a county, state and federal level. This is not a forum to discuss national or world politics unless very directly related to life here in Hawaii. Feel free to post and discuss facts concerning pending bills and administration or legislative action or inaction.


Don't edit it; delete it if you need to intervene.

Sometimes a post is mostly within the rules. That’s when I edit.


Editing someone's post will likely cause you a lot of unnecessary pain.

I find people complain and argue either way, edits or deletions.

[MyManao]

The only restriction on users (short of sending them on vacation or banning), is for their posts to be moderated before they’re publicly posted.  It’s a possibility if deemed necessary.  

Actually I think you have more options than that...

Looking online it seems there's something called user groups, and admins can set up special groups that only have specific access to particular threads and such. I don't know the details, and searches online bring up info tied to specific versions of the app, but still investigating the group function may lead to realizing you have more power to customize individual user's access than you realize.

Good luck.

[Moderator 2]

something called user groups, and admins can set up special groups

Thanks.
I looked through my Moderator’s Control Panel, but there’s nothing like that under my purview.

[TomK]

why not say "Hawaii related?"

It does:

You left out a lot of context there. My point is, why say Puna and Hawaii are related when Puna is in Hawaii? Many complain about posts not being Puna-related, yet they are Hawaii-related, so why not make the instruction less confusing? It's like me creating an Englandweb forum and telling people to post about England, but you can also post about the UK.

[Rob Tucker]

Maybe it is to weed out the easily confused.

[TomK]

Well, if that's the case, fine, you've weeded out people who think Puna isn't in Hawaii. What next?

[MyManao]

What next?

Drum circles! They’re really nifty, you can join any ol’ time one forms, and OMG there’s one somewhere in Puna pretty much all the time. So, grab your drum, you do have a drum, right Tom? and join in the holy orgy karma sutra with everyone!

What, you say you’re not a drummer? Bummer.

[TomK]

What next?

Drum circles! They’re really nifty, you can join any ol’ time one forms, and OMG there’s one somewhere in Puna pretty much all the time. So, grab your drum, you do have a drum, right Tom? and join in the holy orgy karma sutra with everyone!

What, you say you’re not a drummer? Bummer.

No, I don't have a drum; I've never had the need or inclination to own one. As I think I've already stated, unlike you, I'm not a new-age believer, and I prefer to stick to reality. I don't care if you think drum circles are "really nifty"; that's your opinion, not mine. In the meantime, many associate drum circles with the "new age" without explaining what it means. For example:

https://newagetowns.com/spiritual-puna/

"At least according to our day, there is a center. And it starts with ecstatic dance. Not necessarily because ecstatic dance is the center of the new age movement in Puna, but because on Sunday mornings, prior to the drum circle, the Kalani Retreat Center hosts a two hour ecstatic dance session. It’s held in a large auditorium with a wooden floor, a stage at one end and an altar at the other. Normally, there’s just a DJ, but during our visit in January, 2017, we were lucky to hear not just a DJ, but live musicians jamming along. A horn, drums, bass and lead guitar added a tremendous amount of texture and vibrancy to the scene. We learned on Koh Phangang, at the Half-Moon party, how much a drummer or guitarist helps bridge the gap between the distance of electronic music and human reception."

Incidentally, this is a great read: https://shamanicdrumming.com/healing_pow...ircle.html and here are a few quotes from that site:

"Next, you should smudge the space and all participants. Smudging cleanses the mind and environment in preparation for spiritual or inner work. The sacred smoke dispels any stagnant or unwanted energy and opens the energy channels of your body. Sage, cedar, and sweetgrass are traditionally used for smudging, but any dried herb is acceptable. Light the herbs in a fire-resistant receptacle and then blow out the flames. Then use a feather or your hands to draw the smoke over your heart, throat, and face to purify the body, mind, and spirit. Next, smudge your drum by passing it through the smoke. The drummers can then smudge themselves and their drums by passing a smudge bowl clockwise around the circle. Conclude the smudging by thanking the plant whose body made the cleansing possible.

"At this point, you may wish to invoke the powers of the Four Directions. This is an ancient shamanic rite practiced cross-culturally to access and honor the powers of creation."

"Once the group intention has been introduced, commence the second or healing round by drumming the pulsating lub-dub, lub-dub of a heartbeat rhythm. Stroke a steady heartbeat rhythm at around two beats per second. This magnetic pulse draws power from the spirit world into the drum circle. Each participant should clear his or her mind of everything. You must surrender all attachment to the desired outcome to achieve success. It is best to close your eyes and focus on the sound of the drums. Let the drums do the healing. The drums will shape available energy into a powerful vortex that will spiral out into the fibers of Mother Earth's web. When you feel the power ebbing, signal the end of the healing round with four booming beats.

This is stuff that's ongoing in Puna. If you're into it, fine, but don't expect others to accept it.