OK, from a problem-solving standpoint, what do we do?
I feel like I'm part of the conversation, since a quote from me was used to start the idea that 'we' are driving people away from this discussion forum, apparently.
I can't speak for others, or what others may think of what I post, but I do try to keep an open mind for new ideas. I also have opinions that are shaped by my values and personal life experience, as do all of us. When I post I feel I'm being honest to myself, my personal values, and to the other forum members, which in my mind is what advances the conversation and makes it interesting to participate.
I don't want to participate in an echo chamber, nor a forum where the 'isms' are let slide (like racism, sexism, ageism, etc), and overall I don't see that as being much of an issue. I also do not subscribe to 'left' or 'right' views - I just look at them as 'views', non categorized. I see many posters (especially on the main forums) who tend to frame everything they post on some sort of left or right ideology - which seems narrow-minded to me, but if that's what they believe, then that's what they believe, at least they are being honest.
When I posted my comments above, I posted my real opinion, and hoped that it wouldn't offend anyone, but can see in retrospect how it could have had that effect. I started with some sarcasm relating to another discussion in another thread - which had a little emotional baggage attached to it (I'm human), then made a comment about a particular journalist who I feel is often over the top and overstates his ideas in order to frame it in a particular way (I don't like that as I view it as a form of dishonesty) - my opinion. Then I voice a little frustration at the fact that we are in a pandemic, and folks are squabbling about wanting to take some of the roadway away in order to make sidwalks bigger - poor timing IMHO, as we have way larger problems to worry about now, like health, the economy, the future. I didn't buy into the way Keith framed it, but I can understand the way he would think about it given his opinions as he has clearly stated in the past (he is honest).
So.... enough about me. If you guys really want to fix the problem, then step up and say what you think needs to be done. I'm not a mod, and I don't have any power over this forum, but I don't want my actions or statements to ruin others' experiences here (if that's the case), nor do I think that my words hold any more weight than anybody else's.
So, how do we fix this? Or do we fix it at all? What say you?