Not Politics

[Bang*Bang**]

I read the rules.

My simple question is there a place the mods would allow to talk politics?

I'm thinking a members only section or something. I dunno. A back corner behind a bead curtain and a trigger warning, the faint smell of tobacco and MJ wafting through.

I'm not really interested in causing a fuss or anything. But there's little question in my mind that the misinformation online is bound to increase, as it already has on places like Twitter, TikTok, Instagram, etc. Facebook just removed the moderation guard rails. Who's to say what comes next. But there's a reason people are migrating to apps like Signal Messanger, Bluesky (Twitter replacement), Vimeo, and so on.

I'm concerned about my brothers and sisters and everyone in between to my South, as a Canadian neighbour; as well as my fellow Canadians.

Given recent political events, I'm minimizing my social media presence in general, so just thought I'd ask if there was a respectable back corner some where on here the mods would allow a respectful conservation.

I don't like what the political and media machines are doing to divide us. So, I'd love to have other avenues to stay connect, if possible.

If not, no biggy. Just figured I'd do the polite Canadian thing and ask.

[Painthappy]

Sometimes I wish we could and have a little spot for it, but the issue always comes down to the fact that not everyone can be civilized. You might... I might... We can easily discuss things, come to different conclusions, but still be friends in the end.

Others can not. Some people have their camp and they only see things from that view point and will shout at others who don't agree. That's the reality. Since we are a sport with so many diverse people who come together for one love (of the sport), you're just going to get many different views on other things such as politics.

I've just seen it ruin too many great friendships, so we've never allowed it here. Ever. It was literally a day 1 rule which I don't see us ever changing. Again, you might be able to, I might be able to, but there are others who can't do it respectfully. Not because they're mean, it just goes back to them thinking they're right, you're wrong, and how could you even think like that? Being open minded or just understanding that people have opposing views is a feature not everyone has.

Cockers rule, automags suck. Yeah, even paintball can be like that.

[the_matrix_guy]

The automag v autococker paradigm is a mechanism of control. We should transcend the polarization and control.

[Chuck E Ducky]

Nelson’s are superior #ChangeMyMind

[Grendel]

I went from Sheridan -> Phantom/Nelson Clone -> STBB (F1 Illustrator) -> Automag -> Sniper II -> Blazer -> Phantom -> Autococker. Always thought I was immune to Mag/Cocker debate. Automag > Autococker (Function over Form) but when it comes to having all various forms of fun Autococker >>> Automag. [Sorry Tom K. but Bud's Autococker is just more fun :| ]

[scottieb]

It just cannot be done with civility, especially in our present time. I enjoy discussing politics but I would vote to keep political discussion and discourse off the site.

[Chuck E Ducky]

Plenty of other places to talk politics. I agree Keep it off MCB.

[Jonnydread]

No politics please. This place is a haven for me when I want to avoid all the other avenues where political bullshit gets shoved down my throat. Keep MCB neutral and silly.

Edit: What about a thread in the MCB Discord or something? That way it’s off the main site, but would allow a venue for those who wish to discuss politics.

[Grendel]

There is an MCB Discord??????????

[Riot]

Grendel - It’s a weird place with a lot of unfamiliar names. I ended up leaving. Lol

[Chuck E Ducky]

I believe there was one people were using for online Gaming. Not sure how much it was used since there is such a large variety of games played by MCB members with little overlap on a small group.

[the_matrix_guy]

Yeah, I agree. No politics. In the end, the left-right political paradigm is a mechanism of control. The polarization is by design. The 1% aren’t idealogues. They use idealogies and politics as a means to an end, as a means of control. And only very few people can see past the smokescreens and control mechanisms.

[iamthelazerviking]

Bingo

[Grendel]

I love talking politics, religion, philosophy...etc. Especially playing the part as the "Devil's advocate" but as others are saying there just are too many people who are so intrenched in their belief structure/camp that they are unable to discuss objectively and not get butt hurt. I come here because of paintball and the friends I have made here and in the sport. I think it is important for us to keep at least one place on the internet we all can come and relax and try to enjoy at least one aspect of our life.

TLDR - No Politics area please.

[Chuck E Ducky]

I agree I do enjoy conversations and different perspectives on a topic. But some people are so married to there ideas that it becomes part of their identity. So any disagreement becomes a very personal attack for them. I was just listening to an interesting Joe Rogan interview with Gad Saad (#2263) that discusses the human Psyche about the different levels it takes a person to change from one perspective to another. How difficult it is to get people to understand the other side. I found it pretty interesting.

[Chappy]

It’s so hard to play devils advocate anymore. The lefties think I’m right and the righties think I’m left. No one listens. it used to be fun to challenge people now they just get mad that you don’t default to agreeing.

[Grendel]

Too true, it used to be by playing "Devils Advocate" in discussions it would actually sometimes change my real position just through the act of the discussion. Anymore I just keep my mouth shut move the discussion in another direction or use my feet to move me in another direction. I really miss having thought provoking discussions but just do not have the energy anymore.

[Riot]

Big ol’ no politics vote from me.
Voting still works here, right? Ha.

Listen, we need people to fight the good fight. We need people to stand up against evil. However, if you’re not built for that, if it’s driving you mad and ruining your day to day life, then pick the path of neutrality in the interest of self-preservation. Guard the things important to you, when it’s necessary. Ignorance is bliss.

If you’re the type to combat evils, misinformation, ignorance, tyranny, etc etc… then I encourage you to stay on the media’s and do just that. We need truth checkers and fact finders now more than ever.

There are a million other reasons that social media is the literal downfall of society and ruining your life. If you’re more concerned about that… the time sink, the reelz, the bad habits, doomscrolling, etc etc… then I’ll tell you deleting it was difficult at first, but became easy. Once those habits were broken, I became able to ease back in and use social media for as it was originally intended and now I’ll occasionally check to see what friends have shared and then bounce out before I start mindlessly scrolling.

Since I’m unsure where OP is coming from, I tried to vaguely just cover everything.

[GanonsGrin]

We couldn't even have a civilized discussion about the microbiologies of Covid that was started by a microbiologist before it very quickly changed to politics and half the thread got deleted and bans started popping’ off like POGS.

no to politics, please. I also just deactivated FB again so I could avoid it all. I still have instagram but only to see dad memes and dog videos. I keep it extremely limited so I don’t have to wade through the nonsense that is our current political episode of Jerry Springer

[Chuck E Ducky]

Riot it took me like 3 months to not subconsciously go through the motions of opening up BookFace every chance I could. I never downloaded the app so it was like a 4 setup process to open up. I do not regret it at all. It’s been detrimental to my buying and selling habits because I sold a lot on there. That was part of the addiction. Now I just buy and don’t sell. My wife loves it lol.

I’m definitely a happier person since I quit social media. I think it’s a cancer on civilized society. It’s lazy social interaction. I can find out what you are doing without putting in the work. You know like socializing. I do a lot of Signal chats with friends I talk to the people I find interesting about topics I find interesting. Mostly paintball a few political. We are living in interesting times. I like to stay current and prepared. I enjoy intelligent conversations very few can do that when it comes to political conversations so I do that only with people I trust. Some of the best conversations come from people who disagree on a topic but the need to be confident enough to set there personal feelings aside. Lots of people struggle with that.

[JeeperCreeper]

No. This is a safe place for classy people to talk about paintball and other fun things. But mostly paintball.

I am all for talking things out, but not everyone can agree to disagree, or even keep feelings out of intellectual discussions. Do I feel like people should be able to talk about this kind of stuff like civilized adults? Yes I do. The problem starts when people try to dehumanize others based on beliefs. For example its very common to jump to conclusions. "Oh they believe X so they must be bad people, and I wont listen to their side because they are terrible." Its so sad to see every day. Its a huge reason why I dont like most social media platforms. It's way too easy for people to say a bunch of bad things to complete strangers while being thousands of miles away.

We should be able to talk to people that dont agree with our POV. I really hope that we as a society can work towards having those civil conversations, as I belive its the only way out of this mess. We need to work on that before we can just start openly debating politics.

[Riot]

What membership level gets you the section with “classy” people?

[JeeperCreeper]

If you have to ask, you can't afford it

[Daltech]

Remember the National Inquirer?

These used to scare me sooo bad.

I swear I wouldn’t walk at night when Chupa Cabras were all the rage.

[Carp]

The rack at the grocery store checkout area...🤣... Paid my secondary income...🤔

[Daltech]

We should start a scenario game…

Bigfeet VS. Aliens.

[Cdn_Cuda]

As a Canadian I get what OP is asking, but I think it’s best to keep politics off MCB. But please remember, Canadians are your friends and neighbours.

[Chuck E Ducky]

The news and media would have you believe otherwise but that’s not the consensus even with supporters of the current state of politics.

[Drunkscriblerian]

Quick question from the back row; what about a scenario where politics affects/can affect paintball?

An example I can think of off the top of my head is the recent tariffs passed in the US against Canada, Mexico and China which (considering the manufacturing reality of our hobby) stands to drastically affect prices of paintball stuff. How would the mods handle a discussion about that situation, or would it be verboten to even mention it?

[Riot]

The power hungry mods would probably rudely PM you. The rest would probably keep an eye on it.
As a normal member of these forums, I’d suggest you could just as easily mention a price hike in a paintball without the politics behind it.

[Chuck E Ducky]

It’s best to just steer clear of it. However with big tariffs on China goods we could see round true to size quality paint being made at home again. In the short term it will definitely go up in price. Maybe we will see Nelson come back. If it’s more expensive to buy it overseas and ship it we might get better fresh paint again. You will definitely see a short term price increase on the cheeper paintball goods manufactured outside the US. Especially with companies like Valken that really heavily on that overseas manufacturing to undercut US production. They will need to adjust there business models. With that comes cost. We as consumers may or may not be footing.