I think the "ganged up upon" examples are fairly self evident, if you have minority opinion in the debate section, that's the perception some choose to take. There are other perceptions that could be taken, which might alleviate the pressure, but sometimes emotions come before reason
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I personally don't think anything can or should be done about the "ganged up upon" issue beyond what already has been done. Removing the thanks system basically removes the argument from popularity fallacy. Even in some public debates, audiences are discouraged from clapping. Really, what does it add? People clapping at the idea I have a large green spot on my palm doesn't mean there is a large green spot on my palm.
I don't think there is problematic behaviour otherwise. There should be no restrictions on multiple people posting against a minority opinion, for example. If people (including minorities) are still uncomfortable sharing their views in the usually quite-civil debate section, especially when it is civil, I think the "deeper issue" is something they need to personally investigate with themselves, and isn't the forum's responsibility.
Off the top of my head, people who don't like debating in a civil environment come under at least four categories: those who don't like the scrutiny of their ideas, those who realise their ideas are found wanting and don't like the humiliation, those who feel their opponents are arguing dishonestly, or those who feel like they're talking to a brick wall. There are solutions to all these issues, and none are really the forum's responsibility (except if trolling is involved, etc
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As for examples of cliquey-ness, I don't think there is much cliquey-ness on the forum
beyond reason. Of course there are folks here who interact with some more than others, and I would bet all my money that the stats on how thanks are distributed similarly reflect this behaviour that can't be accounted for by other things (eg: being the last post of a page will probably get you less thanks, etc).
Anyway, according to the poll, people don't want to remove the thanks system to make the forum less intimidating for new folk, and others. That was my proposed solution, but
the people have spoken, and I don't think there are any other solutions that would make members more welcome without "forcing people to be friends", and as I said here or elsewhere, that is not what I want happening
![:p :P :P](/forums/images/smilies/stickouttongue.gif)
. That includes being extra-friendly to new folk.
I don't want people to do that. People should do what comes naturally
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If you ask me, this thread has outlived its productivity, but that is just my opinion. I'm not being dismissive
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