I'm unsure what any changes in policy need to accomplish
Understandable. This thread has taken some detours. I've tried to nail down what the discussion was supposed to be about in my previous posts, but those only give my interpretation based on what I've read here. I'm glad someone else has chimed in with some questions to try and get things back on track. I'll restate my opinions and hope that others will do the same. :bingo:
What exactly needs to stay and what needs to go?
If I'm not mistaken, the debate is whether or not sexually charged discussions and comments should be allowed in the JI section. Banning it would mean you couldn't use vulgar language when speaking about a girl (no "nice tits" type of comments). No discussion of the type of "I'd do this to her" or "I do this to myself while watching this vid".
How precise or ambiguous do any changed or new rules need to be?
This is the rub. We'd actually have to discuss where the line was to be drawn. I think most people have the same idea of what is obviously vulgar, but getting everyone to agree on a definitive "this but not this" line would be difficult (I would think it would be a "mod discretion" kind of thing). My perspective: "Cute Butt" = OK ---- "I'd like to spank that ass" = not cool! If it actually gets to the point where a new rule is made, I doubt non admin/mods would be part of that discussion. Can you imagine that thread? Put a tent on that circus!
What would be the desired effects? and Would it need to decrease the workload of mods?
I'd say these two points are linked. The mods have a lot of board to cover and a lot of users to deal with. Any new rule should, ideally, give them a break. Other than that, I'd say the desired effects would be:
a)
an increase in user comfort - one of the main complaints bpx had was that the discussions in questions made others uncomfortable. I have no problem with JI content and no problem with any other user here. But, having said that, I find it very easy to believe that a lot of the racier discussions in the JI section can make someone uncomfortable. We shouldn't turn off new users just because we lack tact.
b)
decrease of "bad" attention - like bpx said, this is an otaku board for Japanophiles. Period. Sometimes particular kinds of content attract particular kinds of people, but that doesn't matter. It doesn't change that this board is about all things Japanese and cool. It would be damaging to other sections of this board if it became know as a safe haven for taboo interests. It may turn off new users and get the attention of people who would rather a site like this not exist.
To which degree does free speech need to be protected?
Even though it sounds harsh, I don't think we should be using any free speech argument. Like I've said, we're on a privately run board with its own set of rules. If we don't like it, any of us can go make a website of our own. But even then, we're bound by the rules and law of our particular country.
I sincerely hope that I haven't been overreaching with statements in previous posts saying that the site admin/mods see lewd JI discussion as an issue. I don't want to put words in anybody's mouth and if I have, I apologize. Let me know and I'll keep my mouth shut. Looking over the first page of this thread, I just get the feeling that its seen as a staff concern.