They probably changed the definition of
radical while we were gone. They do love changing definitions.
I get why the new rules about what we’re now being told to call “conspiracy theories” are in place,
EviLore
. When advertisers start getting jumpy, you’ve got to take steps to protect your revenue stream. Can’t really fault you for that.
Further considering advertiser pressure, I also can’t really fault you for the millions of posts that evaporated from all across the site around the same time the new rules went into effect, first noticed by Falcs
here (the “something something database mystery” explanation offered by
ThatGamingDude
is dubious at best, especially in light of the timing, and the subject was quickly swept under the rug).
What I can’t abide is hypocrisy. I don’t tolerate it IRL, and I won’t tolerate it elsewhere. And when the rule, as it’s written, by you, states that:
...only for you to, days later, not only allow
this thread, but also write up a lengthy post of your own in its defense in spite of its unverifiable nature (your exact words in your summary were “we can’t directly verify that alleged KBB activity in 1987, but…” and if something is unverifiable, what else is it but a theory?), it starts to paint a certain picture.
And then for you to go scorched earth and start dishing out perms like Biden’s dishing out executive orders, that picture starts to take shape.
Meanwhile you’ve got notable dipshits like
BadBurger
and
@Any Major Dude in the ban thread effectively dancing on the graves of longtime members (people who contributed a lot to the community outside of political hot takes), and
@SF Kosmo creating what’s clearly a
honeypot thread meant to bait more bans (his defense of the subject of his conspiracy theory thread, which he was gifted gold for, was nothing more than an appeal to authority) – another conspiracy theory thread left unscathed by the new rule, a thread whose subject and creator both fall squarely and unquestionably on the left end of the political spectrum.
Whether it was intentional on the staff’s part or not, the perception exists now that a certain group or type of people are no longer welcome here. And that’s not just my perception – just look at how many recent bans were self-requested, or check out some of the formerly active members who logged out back in mid-to-late January and haven’t been back. The people remaining here have noticed too; you’re seeing more posts asking where so-and-so person has been lately pop up in the metaGAF thread and elsewhere.
The obvious counterpoint to this is “hello, it’s a gaming forum, why are you even taking the Politics board so seriously?” Which is a good question. One that you might consider asking people like
Nobody_Important
,
@SF Kosmo ,
BadBurger
, and any of the others who have posted almost exclusively in the Politics board since the moment they hit Member status. Why did
they come to a videogame forum strictly to preach their politics? Most of them in the months leading up to the election?
Why are they here?
Anyway, I’m logging out again. I was glad to join GAF back when all the crazies left, but now it’s Current Year. Crazy will seep into any crack it can find in a foundation, freeze up and crystallize, and destroy what you’ve built on top. But you know that already.
I’m not gonna request a ban, but I probably won’t be back either. Hope this all works out for you, Tyler.
. 
