cruise critic or twitter?

[malted muse]

I may be wrong but I always thought that cruise critic was an international forum formed to share views and information about cruising in a helpful and supportive way.  It seems to me, however, that when I look at topics they seem to descend into the sharing of views about things such as vaccinations - which is the best one - politics and views around them etc.

While I can understand that there is an issue about vaccinations related to cruising I do think the threads descend into pedantic, name calling and propaganda sharing (sometimes of a nationalistic nature) that is detrimental to the role of cruise critic.

 

[paul929207]

The subjects are driven by us as the users. Other than removing in appropriate posts, Cruise Critic does not control the subjects

[wowzz]

There are literally hundreds of non-CV19 threads out there. 

Strangely enough, it's the forums with predominantly US posters that tend to be CV19 heavy.

[malted muse]

6 minutes ago, paul929207 said:

The subjects are driven by us as the users. Other than removing in appropriate posts, Cruise Critic does not control the subjects

 

3 minutes ago, wowzz said:

There are literally hundreds of non-CV19 threads out there. 

Strangely enough, it's the forums with predominantly US posters that tend to be CV19 heavy.

There are loads of topics and many stay on track - I follow a few that have stayed on course to specific cruises and I have no blind spot to the understanding that there is a need to discuss CV19 issues.  I am getting a bit concerned that there have been a few threads that have descended into vax vis anti vax etc discussions.  It isn't everywhere but my worry is that it can spread.

I remember when I first went on twitter to follow certain podcasts.  It seemed a useful and friendly back then... I wouldn't want the same to happen here.

I don't know the answer and it may be just me - or it may be worth us all making an effort to say 'lets stay focussed.

[wowzz]

1 minute ago, malted muse said:

 I am getting a bit concerned that there have been a few threads that have descended into vax vis anti vax etc discussions

Come on over to the P&O (UK) forum. Some general discussion about the progress of the vaccination progress, but definitely no anti-vaccine posts !

[clo]

4 minutes ago, malted muse said:

I don't know the answer and it may be just me - or it may be worth us all making an effort to say 'lets stay focussed.

Considering the almost total lack of cruising in the last year, I thing the CC management is being extremely in allowing so much latitude. And I honestly think you may want to look elsewhere. I think it's going to be like this for at least another year.

[malted muse]

1 hour ago, clo said:

Considering the almost total lack of cruising in the last year, I thing the CC management is being extremely in allowing so much latitude. And I honestly think you may want to look elsewhere. I think it's going to be like this for at least another year.

to be clear - no complaints from me about CC management. 

Not sure what you mean by 'extremely in allowing' as you seem to be missing a word, I think 'tolerant', 'flexible', 'understanding' would all fit in here.

The suggestion of looking elsewhere is the point.  If we are not careful then these places in which we can talk about specific things in a kind way get lost and taken over by those who want to push forward things that are not relevant (they may be important but just not relevant). e.g. It may be relevant to ask if shore excursions will be possible and it may be important to distinguish between the effectiveness of vaccine types, but when the two meet and it falls into pages of posts defining if a word that has been used is the most accurate description related to ... and so on - then the cruising element is lost.

 

No complaints about CC - I just think we may need to remind ourselves why we are posting sometimes (and I include myself in that as well).

[mom says]

OP, I can understand where you are coming from, but I don't know what you expect from a forum such as this. I too am sick and tired of the repetitive threads and the high degree of pedantry on some if them. But I feel I have a few choices. If one sees multiple threads on the same subject, you can ask to have them merged. If you see inappropriate posts (blatantly false information or hostile language) you can report them. Or you can simply not read those threads and move on to one that is if interest. I am not about to tell my fellow CC members what subjects they can or cannot post on. Or how they debate points if view, providing they remain civil.

[dkjretired]

2 hours ago, malted muse said:

I may be wrong but I always thought that cruise critic was an international forum formed to share views and information about cruising in a helpful and supportive way.  It seems to me, however, that when I look at topics they seem to descend into the sharing of views about things such as vaccinations - which is the best one - politics and views around them etc.

While I can understand that there is an issue about vaccinations related to cruising I do think the threads descend into pedantic, name calling and propaganda sharing (sometimes of a nationalistic nature) that is detrimental to the role of cruise critic.

 

 

Charter member of cruise critic, never saw anything like this, it is just a sign of the times. (Covid) Once we start cruising again, things will get back to normal.  

[richstowe]

cruise critic or twitter?

I don't know what this treads title has to do with the OP's opening comment . 

The title is one topic , the comment seems to be another .

Not commenting just confused . What's the question , what's the topic ?

Edited February 20, 2021 by richstowe

[malted muse]

24 minutes ago, mom says said:

OP, I can understand where you are coming from, but I don't know what you expect from a forum such as this. I too am sick and tired of the repetitive threads and the high degree of pedantry on some if them. But I feel I have a few choices. If one sees multiple threads on the same subject, you can ask to have them merged. If you see inappropriate posts (blatantly false information or hostile language) you can report them. Or you can simply not read those threads and move on to one that is if interest. I am not about to tell my fellow CC members what subjects they can or cannot post on. Or how they debate points if view, providing they remain civil.

you make good points.  I agree and I am not sure if I expected any solutions when I started this thread.

22 minutes ago, dkjretired said:

 

Charter member of cruise critic, never saw anything like this, it is just a sign of the times. (Covid) Once we start cruising again, things will get back to normal.  

lets hope so

19 minutes ago, richstowe said:

cruise critic or twitter?

I don't know what this treads title has to do with the OP's opening comment . 

The title is one topic , the comment seems to be another .

Not commenting just confused . What's the question , what's the topic ?

Not sure if there is a question.  More of a reaction to me following  a few threads and feeling flat after seeing so many occasions when they appeared more like twitter than the CC I had come to know.

I suppose I am just reaching out to say something like -

 

'I like CC, I have found it helpful, entertaining and very useful.  There is much I do not engage in, organising  card games for example, but I can see how they are enjoyable to many and I appreciate how others benefit so I hover over them with an occasional nod.  There are others, like organising taxis or excursions that I have found invaluable.  And there are some, like meet ups and tips on how to get the most (and sometimes warnings about how to avoid problems) that are simply great.  It would be a shame if all this became muddied by politics, ego and extremism.  It would be such a waste if we allowed ourselves to fall into fallouts with each other.  I know I have made those mistakes myself and I am sorry for that.  Maybe starting this thread is a mistake and an example of me being a part of the problem.  If so then I apologise.

I guess there is not a question, just a request that we all stay focussed and in the spirit of being fellow travellers.'

[SelectSys]

6 hours ago, malted muse said:

I may be wrong but I always thought that cruise critic was an international forum formed to share views and information about cruising in a helpful and supportive way.

 

Correct although it is highly biased towards English speakers and I would guess more than70%+ of the users on this site come from the US due to population size differences which is reflected in CLIA passenger count numbers.

https://cruising.org/-/media/research-updates/research/2019-year-end/updated/2019-global-market-report.ashx

 

6 hours ago, malted muse said:

I look at topics they seem to descend into the sharing of views about things such as vaccinations - which is the best one - politics and views around them etc.

While I can understand that there is an issue about vaccinations related to cruising I do think the threads descend into pedantic, name calling and propaganda sharing (sometimes of a nationalistic nature) that is detrimental to the role of cruise critic.

 

I think this is simply a reflection of the times where everything is now political and tribal.   Add in COVID stay at home boredom and this is what you get!  Sometime by the middle of 2022 CruiseCritic will look more like its old self.  

 

 

[malted muse]

15 minutes ago, SelectSys said:

Sometime by the middle of 2022 CruiseCritic will look more like its old self.  

I hope so.  It's a bit catch 22ish.  I don't like the way it has become a bit twitter like - but if one discusses it it encourages it - if one ignores it it goes unchecked. 

[SelectSys]

13 minutes ago, malted muse said:

I hope so.  It's a bit catch 22ish.  I don't like the way it has become a bit twitter like - but if one discusses it it encourages it - if one ignores it it goes unchecked. 

Just remember this is all entertainment.  Take it for what it is and realize nothing here effects anyone's life - or at least it shouldn't!

 

BTW - this particular forum specializes in COVID chatter and speculation.  

[malted muse]

9 minutes ago, SelectSys said:

Just remember this is all entertainment.  Take it for what it is and realize nothing here effects anyone's life - or at least it shouldn't!

 

BTW - this particular forum specializes in COVID chatter and speculation.  

not sure I fully agree.  Its not just entertainment it is a resource for planning, discovery, saving money etc. I think it's worth looking after and helping it specialise in cruising.

[SelectSys]

4 minutes ago, malted muse said:

not sure I fully agree.  Its not just entertainment it is a resource for planning, discovery, saving money etc. I think it's worth looking after and helping it specialise in cruising.

I see your point and this site can provide some information at least as a way of getting started with trip planning.  It's a mix.

[1025cruise]

All you can do is report a post that's "off topic". At that point, it's up to the mods as to whether or not they move it. Some mods are more responsive than others.

[OZ.]

9 hours ago, malted muse said:

 

Not sure if there is a question.  More of a reaction to me following  a few threads and feeling flat after seeing so many occasions when they appeared more like twitter than the CC I had come to know.

 

CC has definitely changed since covid started. There is very little to talk about when it comes to actual cruising. I’m sure when cruising starts again CC will go back to the way it was or at least close to it. 

[clo]

18 hours ago, malted muse said:

not sure I fully agree.  Its not just entertainment it is a resource for planning, discovery, saving money etc. I think it's worth looking after and helping it specialise in cruising.

I think it's pretty darn easy to 'avert your eyes' if you see a topic that doesn't appeal to you. And on the other hand, to start a post about any topic you feel like you want info on.

[malted muse]

11 minutes ago, clo said:

I think it's pretty darn easy to 'avert your eyes' if you see a topic that doesn't appeal to you. And on the other hand, to start a post about any topic you feel like you want info on.

yes it is easy to avert your eyes - but when you are following a post but have to constantly pass over pages of twitter-like irrelevance to get to cruise stuff - especially if it is a roll call based thread - then it is a pain.  There is also a part of me that gets fed up at feeling everywhere gets dominated by 'big egos' who just seem to want to tell the world what is right etc.  It isn't about topics not being appealing it is about existing topics getting hijacked by things that have nothing to do with cruising.

[mom says]

5 minutes ago, malted muse said:

It isn't about topics not being appealing it is about existing topics getting hijacked by things that have nothing to do with cruising.

Well then do something about it if it bothers you that much. Thread highjacking isn't allowed, per the posting guidelines. If that happens, report it. If done often enough, perhaps the usual offenders will learn how to stick to the subject and stop monopolizing the thread for their own annoying side arguments.

[clo]

5 minutes ago, mom says said:

Well then do something about it if it bothers you that much. Thread highjacking isn't allowed, per the posting guidelines. If that happens, report it. If done often enough, perhaps the usual offenders will learn how to stick to the subject and stop monopolizing the thread for their own annoying side arguments.

I've certainly reported people and had them report me also. I also have "ignored" occasional people. And I frequently stop reading a thread when I've learned all I need to. I can still vaguely remember a thread that I started that was ON topic but then went way, WAY off topic. I don't even remember what it was about but I eventually stopped reading it. As has been said this site is intended I believe as entertainment a lot of the time. And there are times I simply Google. This isn't world peace.

[malted muse]

12 minutes ago, mom says said:

Well then do something about it if it bothers you that much. Thread highjacking isn't allowed, per the posting guidelines. If that happens, report it. If done often enough, perhaps the usual offenders will learn how to stick to the subject and stop monopolizing the thread for their own annoying side arguments.

I am doing something about it - One thing I did was start a thread about it.

[dkjretired]

Thread hijacking will never change unless the mods get really really strict which I would not like to see. Most of the time it has some relevance to cruising.

[clo]

16 minutes ago, dkjretired said:

Thread hijacking will never change unless the mods get really really strict which I would not like to see. Most of the time it has some relevance to cruising.

I agree. I've learned a lot from those diversions. Again, I don't read them or stop reading them. Perhaps OP should make some specific comments in a thread or start a thread.