h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Okay - let us know which A-number we should use. It's a pity we can't have more than one person work on an article...

Yes but then it could have been me Frankie dear and that would have catostorphic I'm sending ponies out with each of my postings today.

Is it just me or are the Messages posted at numbers Two to Nine on this thread in contravention of the policy outlined in Post number One?

i.e. the first post reads:

"All new postings and articles relating to the conflict in Iraq posted to h2g2 will now be failed..."

The next eight posts following that are anti-war messages, including five instances of the peace symbol, before Post Ten which begins the theme of anti-BBC messages.

Just thought I'd point out a further inconsistency in the BBC's approach to dealing with this conflict.

I agree with the point that that efforts should be made to prevent every message-thread on h2g2 becoming littered with discussing the conflict, it is a topic which is at the front of all of our minds at the moment and it could easily swamp an elightened and cosmopolitan community such as this one.

However, I believe it is against the original ethos of h2g2, as I've been led to believe (I'm not an original member), to restrict free-speech. h2g2 should have a dedicated discussion board where we can debate the crisis, in a familiar virtual environment and with people that we "know", without having to go visit Big Brother on the main BBC site.

Can a smiley conga really be regarded as specifically << relating to the conflict in Iraq >> ?

>>> However, I believe it is against the original ethos of h2g2, as I've been led to believe (I'm not an original member), to restrict free-speech. h2g2 should have a dedicated discussion board where we can debate the crisis, in a familiar virtual environment and with people that we "know", without having to go visit Big Brother on the main BBC site.


As I have mentioned elsewhere in this thread, h2g2 is part of a wider structure called BBCi where, for the time being, discussions on the war are being directed to certain messageboards. The argument of restriction of free speech is null and void. You can discuss the war on BBCi in designated areas (I don't want to type them in *again* but I will if there is recall to do so).

Were you allowed to discuss the war on h2g2, we would direct you to a specific forum/page, more than likely. To instigate change, please add constructive comments to WhoamI?'s proposal (A1006354).

The discussion thread for which can be found here: F119158?thread=260481

If you want to enjoy the true ethos of h2g2, then use the DNA engine to instigate change rather than bemoaning the state of affairs.

Ashley,
Regarding the Oxford St. protest - I take your stance 100% on the fruit thing but I should point out this is the first that I've heard of this. As I was led to believe (by BBC news), the protesters were baton charged for blocking the road, not for any other reason. I don't recall any mention of fruit or veg in that news report.

'Its just a name - if you don't like it' etc.
So it may be, but the choice of name says a lot about the 'Gung Ho' attitude of the chooser.

'There is no conspiracy but room for 'constructive' debate'.
As I have already stated, I do not particularly wish to debate the war 'constructively' or otherwise. I just don't like being told that I can't. However, since on re-reading your comment you seem to be suggesting that you did not consider my thoughts on the matter to be 'constructive' I have made a hopefully constructive contribution to the Whoami thread 260481 mentioned above.

Feel free to flame it like last time.

>>> I just don't like being told that I can't.

No-one is saying you can't. It's like going to a party and peeing in the sink when the toilet is vacant. The rules are there for a reason, so please respect them.

>>> Feel free to flame it like last time.

Bad puppy - I don't flame, my mother told me never to play with matches. However, I do like to dance with fire...

Why do I get the impression Ashley pees in the sink when the toilet is occupied?

Just as long as he doesn't wash dishes in the toilet when the sink is occupied...

Depending on the state of some shared accomadation it might be more hygenic than using the sink though Peet.

In reply to post 424 from six7s:

Heheh!

I've never heard it called a "Smiley Conga" before - I like that!

Hopefully the smiley conga does "relate to the conflict in Iraq"...
I'm just trying to antagonise the Thought Police a little - back me up here!

In reply to post 425 from Ashley:

If I went down my local pub, full of regulars and friends I'd been used to drinking and chatting with for a long time, I'd be very annoyed if the pub landlord suddenly came out from behind the bar and told us we weren't allowed to discuss the war in his pub - and the only place we were allowed to discuss it would be the House of Commons! Well, I don't know anyone in the House of Commons and wouldn't want to talk to them anyway!

The main BBC site is, I'm led to believe, the largest public access website on the internet. A fact to be proud of - but it does seem a little, shall we say, impersonal.

"If you want to enjoy the true ethos of h2g2, then use the DNA engine to instigate change..." Please elaborate - sounds intriguing, I'm always motivateed by the idea of changing things!..

"...rather than bemoaning the state of affairs." Perhaps I like bemoaning!

I posted my response to this here: F119158?thread=262928

This post has been removed.

When they delete the name Iraq from the policy and insert the name North Korea... or France.

Yeah, or any other topic where someone can hold a strong opinion.

So, does one pour the milk into the cup before or after pouring the tea?


* straps on helmet, runs and dives for cover *

When the subject becomes no longer highly politically sensitive and when the precautions outlined in the reasons for the policy become no longer so important.

I'll try Post 434 again:


So then,

When is this policy going to be unimplemented? With various scenarios currently taking place or looming it'd be nice to know when these draconian measures will be lifted, and where and when a line will be drawn.



Ste

This post has been removed.