(Untitled)

[grizzygriswold]

There is one thing about SL that is simultaneously one of the worst and one of the best things about it. You get exposed to people who have a variety of viewpoints. Let's face it. Despite the fact that in life we may attempt to socialize with lots of different types of people, we usually end up with people who generally think like we do. The

Comments

[anonymous]

Honestly, I prefer the Cafe as a place to have light conversation most of the time. There are places online that I go when I want to talk about politics or religion or other heavy topics, and those definitely aren't the same places that I go to relax with friends at the end of the day.

-Sal

Civil Discussions

[anonymous]

Having hosted discussions on SL for over a year, I find most people are mainly civil, even while discussing controversial issues. As for being reluctant to give your opinions, as hostess you needn't give your opinions--you can simply moderate. I, personally, keep my opinions to myself (almost always) while hosting discussions. I tend to ask more questions than make assertions. So, that's an option. Hope that helps.

- Bieneff Bruder

topics

[anonymous]

As in RL, I think it would be fine to discuss things other than music, TV,etc. But, since SL conversations so easily become heated (people are so much bolder while typing than face-to-face) it may become necessary to post something that starts out with "we're here to have fun, blah, blah" and the moderator spitting it out as needed in the middle of a conversation.

Miraanda

[stingmeyer]

Beyond explicitly requesting that everyone respect each other, maybe either setting up a dedicated "discussion room" near the Cafe would work, or an SL group for more involved discussions. Each have their advantages and disadvantages (a discussion room would mean you can't be at the cafe at the same time unless you have an alt, and an SL group isn't as "fun" as a virtual room). But neither would impinge on the current "lightness" of the Cafe, which, like Sal, I prefer.

O~ (Riemann Zeta)

same old

[marfita]

I don't really go looking for serious discussion and even when it rears its ugly head, I try to lighten it. I have book places I go for book discussions. If there needs to be one, I think civility in general is a good topic: what it means and how we can encourage others in that direction. And what can we do to actually solve social problems? But I don't really come to the cafe to get into anything deep. The environment would have to be different, music missing or minimal - a garden or a living room ... or maybe the beach area, and strict rules of engagement, as others have already pointed out.
Oh, and I love Rieman's photo! Mir! Collage says hello!