Online community: 2024

Adrian_Scope

As we look ahead to the New Year, we're keen to hear your thoughts on how we can continue to improve the online community.

What topics, discussions, or features would you like to see more of on the forum? 

What do you enjoy most about the community that you would like to see more of?

Is there anything you'd like to see less of?

durhamjaide2001

I love the games and I love the new games room

chiarieds

I have really enjoyed features where people have talked about their health condition/disability, as I think it helps gives a greater understanding of what others go through.

I'm not a fan of political discussions, unless they definitely relate to disability, as I feel they can cause tension/discord. For that reason they're topics I prefer not to engage with. Also sometimes so much misinformation creeps in, even when they do relate to disability, which then unecessarily worries some members.

Biblioklept

I love learning more about different conditions and hearing different experiences too so would love to see more of that like @chiarieds. 

But I do disagree about politics. I find it really interesting to read the different view points and understand where others are coming from but I guess they do tend to turn a bit tense.

I'd love to see more like current events and general discussions too. I think the coffee lounge can be quite quiet now without the games. I'd like to hear people's views and opinions on lots of things. I love when people share their knowledge and experience

66Mustang

@chiarieds @Biblioklept

I had typed my answer to this a week ago and was going to say the same thing as Chiarieds r.e. political topics. I thought they should be not allowed.

However - I think - I don't mind the actual subject, what I dislike about those topics is the nastiness that often comes with them.

I think it would be nice to be able to talk about sensitive things, like politics, if people were capable of acting like grown ups and directing arguments at the points of view they disagree with and not the member holding that point of view.

I was thinking perhaps if the admins could bring in some sort of system whereby any comment that directs an attack against a person, rather than their point of view, is immediately removed?

I often bring up controversial or sensitive topics, sometimes without really giving my own view, because I like to get a discussion going and find I learn a lot. I'd say I get about an 80% failure rate whereby members start attacking each other but I won't give up and will keep trying as it's worth it for the 20% of positive, constructive discussion.

Of course if my idea is not viable I am happy to stop bringing up sensitive topics. I do however think it is worth broadening the forum away from just smalltalk and "how are you?" etc.

Albus_Scope

I've been enjoying learning about everyone and the various conditions.  I'm a sucker for learning new things. I think it's great that we can all share and grow together.  

chiarieds

66Mustang has hit the nail on the head about disagreeing with someone's point of view rather than directing comments against the actual person. Such personal attacks or personal abuse can be reported, & I agree that these comments should be quickly removed/edited.

Biblioklept

I agree comments about a person because of their opinions aren't nice and are usually where (especially political!!!) threads go wrong. But, and this is probably one of those controversial questions, what is a personal attack? I think we'd all have very different opinions!!
I sometimes see posts from people that I adore on here that are what I'd call personal attacks and because the majority seem to think it's deserved it just continues until everyone is being really quite mean and not showing their usual understanding

Do Scope plan to bring back the blogs?? I remember some I read a long time before I was even a member that I'd seen on FB and it's what made me aware of this forum at all. I can't remember the name now but it was some child's experience of being non-verbal. I loved those

Albus_Scope

Good question about the blogs @Biblioklept I'll ask the social media team when next we speak.  

noman

A chat room ?

woodbine

In an election year I think its going to be impossible for us to avoid politics and some political discussion but as a subject it needs to be carefully controlled, we do have a member (who shall remain nameless) who is currently causing problems in some threads and seems to be getting away with it, but that's always been a problem on and off.
I agree with @noman that a chat room of some kind might be of interest ?

Biblioklept

OooOoooo I love the idea of a chat room!! 

Albus_Scope

Could you bunch of scamps be trusted with a chat room though?   

noman

We would have fun trying but I couldn’t guarantee it:D

Sandy_123

Yes @Albus_Scope

Ada

I only use Scope so don’t understand some things. 
Isn't a chat room what the “ morning “ thread is. We chat on there don’t we 

Ada

I always hide away from politics chat and religion chat. And keep mine hidden. Because I don’t want to be attacked. 
I always say how this is my Scope Family yet I obviously haven’t enough trust. 

woodbine

A chat room would be a real time online chat"room" the down side being they need moderators to keep people in line, but I'm sure enough of us would volunteer for that given the chance.

MW123

Albus_Scope said:

Could you bunch of scamps be trusted with a chat room though?   

Creating a time-restricted online chat room could benefit members, especially those facing disabilities or health issues impacting their sleep. This virtual setting has the potential to provide companionship during lonely or sleepless times. To ensure a secure and positive chat environment Scope could clearly convey that the platform is meant for positive interactions and understanding, discouraging contentious discussions or disruptive behaviour.

By limiting access to specific hours, effective control and monitoring of the chat room can be maintained. Consider experimenting with this idea during a trial period to evaluate its effectiveness before deciding on a permanent implementation; it might pleasantly surprise you and prove to be successful.

Hilbil

As many have said, I feel it is going to be super difficult to avoid political chat this year. Sadly!!  A chat room could be a good idea but surely that would involve  strict administrative protocols?
I love ready people stories and journeys,  but feel a little like a fraud as although I have many issues I think mine are nothing to what people are going through within this group. Happy and healthy 2024 to all. X

MW123

@Hilbil

Welcome to the community. Don't feel like a fraud – your presence and perspective are valuable, and sharing your own journey can be both cathartic for you and supportive for others. We're all here to learn from one another and provide mutual understanding and encouragement. A happy and healthy 2024 to you also.