Closing the External Miles and Points Resources Forum
#1
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Closing the External Miles and Points Resources Forum
I am aware this may be an unpopular motion, but it's something I've been giving a lot of thought to and I want to discuss it.
I think the External Miles and Points Resources Forum reflects very badly on this website. The amount of value it adds is heavily outweighed by the type of conversation it generates. In the last few months there has been back and forth about such rich topics as Ben's (Lucky, One Mile at a Time) sexuality, whether Rene (Rene's Points) needs to add an apostrophe to his blog and conversation about his ignorance in doing so and similar. This is supposed to be a community website and a resource for all things travel. A forum where the conversation is skewed towards mocking and bashing bloggers doesn't seem to add to that. The amount of moderation that has to happen there is staggering. Threads quickly turn into personal attacks among the posters and posts are deleted frequently.
In the interests of full disclosure, I am guilty of this too. I've posted there many times and said stuff that I regret now. But I'm also in a position where maybe I can make the change. I'm curious as to whether others feel the forum adds value or detracts from FT as a whole.
I think the External Miles and Points Resources Forum reflects very badly on this website. The amount of value it adds is heavily outweighed by the type of conversation it generates. In the last few months there has been back and forth about such rich topics as Ben's (Lucky, One Mile at a Time) sexuality, whether Rene (Rene's Points) needs to add an apostrophe to his blog and conversation about his ignorance in doing so and similar. This is supposed to be a community website and a resource for all things travel. A forum where the conversation is skewed towards mocking and bashing bloggers doesn't seem to add to that. The amount of moderation that has to happen there is staggering. Threads quickly turn into personal attacks among the posters and posts are deleted frequently.
In the interests of full disclosure, I am guilty of this too. I've posted there many times and said stuff that I regret now. But I'm also in a position where maybe I can make the change. I'm curious as to whether others feel the forum adds value or detracts from FT as a whole.
#2
I feel that it still adds value..... it's mostly entertaining to read and these threads would otherwise pop-up in other places.
And being political correct gets tiresome as well. Lots of bloggers have different agenda's to what they are displaying why shouldn't that be discussed. They have purposely put themselves and their views out there, mostly to make money. Then expect to be criticized.
But I wouldn't lose much sleep over the forum disappearing either :-).
And being political correct gets tiresome as well. Lots of bloggers have different agenda's to what they are displaying why shouldn't that be discussed. They have purposely put themselves and their views out there, mostly to make money. Then expect to be criticized.
But I wouldn't lose much sleep over the forum disappearing either :-).
#3
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I follow quite a few blogs and believe that they are valuable. Anything that discourages bloggers is detrimental. If Flyertalk has a place where people can bash bloggers with impunity, then we need to fix that.
Bruce
Bruce
#4
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
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You'd be surprised how little moderation I do there. I'm happy to report that AFAIR I have not banned anyone due to posts in EM&PR either, except maybe a few sockpuppets/duplicates. We have the usual mix of strong opinions on either side and a few baiters, no different from what you would see on an airline FFP section.
This topic has been debated in the following thread, but not really come to a conclusion: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/exter...reas-fall.html
This topic has been debated in the following thread, but not really come to a conclusion: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/exter...reas-fall.html
#5
Original Member, Ambassador: External Miles and Points Resources
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If we are going to close forums that mock and/or bash businesses in the points and miles business, we need to start with closing the Delta and United forums.
Correction: the name of the blog is not Rene's Points, it's Renes Points. @:-)
Originally Posted by CMK10
whether Rene (Rene's Points) needs to add an apostrophe to his blog
#6
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The answer is no. Those blogs are businesses plain and simple. If we can discuss the food and IFE for airlines then why can't people discuss the business practice of a for-profit blog?
I think personal attacks are uncalled for, but discussing why Lucky never leaves his hotel to eat is fair game.
PS: That exact discussion led to a blog post two days later. EMPR is actually increasing the number of blog posts!
#7
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Do you honestly believe that the main bloggers (Ben, Gary, TPG) are losing sleep over what is discussed in that forum? Do you think they are going to reduce the number of blog posts with click-bait titles or a dozen credit card affiliate links per post or not linking to the best sign-up deal?
The answer is no. Those blogs are businesses plain and simple. If we can discuss the food and IFE for airlines then why can't people discuss the business practice of a for-profit blog?
I think personal attacks are uncalled for, but discussing why Lucky never leaves his hotel to eat is fair game.
PS: That exact discussion led to a blog post two days later. EMPR is actually increasing the number of blog posts!
The answer is no. Those blogs are businesses plain and simple. If we can discuss the food and IFE for airlines then why can't people discuss the business practice of a for-profit blog?
I think personal attacks are uncalled for, but discussing why Lucky never leaves his hotel to eat is fair game.
PS: That exact discussion led to a blog post two days later. EMPR is actually increasing the number of blog posts!
Are some of the bloggers in question trying to apply pressure to have the forum closed?
#9
Moderator: Hilton Honors forums
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...and I do not see why they would want this forum closed, as every time someone furnishes a link to one of their weblogs to denounce it, it ironically has the counter effect of increasing traffic...
...and at this time, I am opposed to closing that forum — but as usual, I am keeping an open mind because I want to read more opinions of what other fellow FlyerTalk members have to say.
#11
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Actually, I wouldn't.
Agreed.
It also allows -- why, I will never know -- incessant personal attacks on members of FlyerTalk. We don't allow that anywhere else. Why here?
#12
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I refuse to visit blogs, I go into that forum just to see what may be going on and to confirm that my decision to not give them any clicks is still valid.
I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels that way.
I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels that way.
#13
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Aren't they now considered public figures? As soon as one of them gets quoted, with their real name and the name of the blog, don't they become public figures and are free game?
#14
Original Member, Ambassador: External Miles and Points Resources
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#15
Moderator Hilton Honors, Travel News, West, The Suggestion Box, Smoking Lounge & DiningBuzz
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The whole forum is just an excercise in unfettered fecklessness.