The OP specifically was calling out folks who don't own, don't have an order, and aren't in need information to help make a purchase decision.
I don't believe anyone is seriously considering "kicking out" anyone, even if you don't fall into those categories. As the mods like to say, we have yet to ban anyone on these forums. And when we do moderate content, it is quite rare.
We may make it easier for folks to have more control over the content they can easily ignore. But outright gatekeeping is not something we seriously entertain.
The legitimate question this whole thread brings up in my mind is "What are people's intentions? Do they want to be an asset to the community, or someone who makes people want to leave the room?" I do think that's a valid concern worthy of discussion.
If one's intentions are to be helpful and provide information and perspective, great. Everyone in that category is welcome.
If one's intentions are to constantly stoke negativity or provoke individuals for sport, then the mods deal with that person accordingly. I don't think anyone has an issue with moderating obvious trolls.
But then there's an in-between category. Folks who seem to spend the majority of their time on the forum singing the praises of other cars, complaining about things they don't have any personal experience with, mansplaining various technical aspects to prove their own superiority, being generally disagreeable with no clear intention to actually persuade, or generally making all their posts about themselves instead of helping others.
Again, no one is saying "Let's get rid of those people." It's just a simple and reasonable question: Why be here? Is it about us, or is it about you?
Being part of a community is a responsibility. I know not every post of mine has been a winner, but I try to come here every day with the intent of helping others and sharing information that is of genuine interest to the group. I've made online "friends" here that I hope to keep for a long time. Though I often disagree with people, I like to think we come together around a common interest (Lucid), and thus we share at least some common ground.
In order to remain a positive influence on the community, though, I have to pay attention to the general mood of the other members and back off when I sense I'm moving too far in the wrong direction. I need to listen, in other words. Even to those who don't post often but are raising valid concerns. Especially to those who don't post often but raise valid concerns. This is just common sense, if you wish everyone to feel welcome in any group of people.
In other words, whenever I feel uncomfortable here, I at least take a moment to ask "Am I the asshole?" It's not always going to be me, but there have been times…
While I don't personally agree with the sentiment that only owners, reservation holders, etc. should be "allowed" here, I do sometimes (and yes it's rarer than it feels) have interactions with folks where I can't help but question whether the intention of bettering the community is actually shared between us. And yes, that makes me wonder why that person wants to spend time here.
I strongly encourage everyone every now and then to question what your intentions are. And be honest with yourself. Are you looking out for the community, or are you here for your own selfish reasons? Do you post here just to vent your own garbage into the atmosphere, or do you genuinely care what the people on the receiving end of that dump are smelling? It's not hard to know where you stand with the community at large, if you pay attention.
(TLDR: Read the room. And the guidelines. And if you feel the room or the guidelines are pointing fingers at you, well, that's a sign, isn't it?)
I don't believe anyone is seriously considering "kicking out" anyone, even if you don't fall into those categories. As the mods like to say, we have yet to ban anyone on these forums. And when we do moderate content, it is quite rare.
We may make it easier for folks to have more control over the content they can easily ignore. But outright gatekeeping is not something we seriously entertain.
The legitimate question this whole thread brings up in my mind is "What are people's intentions? Do they want to be an asset to the community, or someone who makes people want to leave the room?" I do think that's a valid concern worthy of discussion.
If one's intentions are to be helpful and provide information and perspective, great. Everyone in that category is welcome.
If one's intentions are to constantly stoke negativity or provoke individuals for sport, then the mods deal with that person accordingly. I don't think anyone has an issue with moderating obvious trolls.
But then there's an in-between category. Folks who seem to spend the majority of their time on the forum singing the praises of other cars, complaining about things they don't have any personal experience with, mansplaining various technical aspects to prove their own superiority, being generally disagreeable with no clear intention to actually persuade, or generally making all their posts about themselves instead of helping others.
Again, no one is saying "Let's get rid of those people." It's just a simple and reasonable question: Why be here? Is it about us, or is it about you?
Being part of a community is a responsibility. I know not every post of mine has been a winner, but I try to come here every day with the intent of helping others and sharing information that is of genuine interest to the group. I've made online "friends" here that I hope to keep for a long time. Though I often disagree with people, I like to think we come together around a common interest (Lucid), and thus we share at least some common ground.
In order to remain a positive influence on the community, though, I have to pay attention to the general mood of the other members and back off when I sense I'm moving too far in the wrong direction. I need to listen, in other words. Even to those who don't post often but are raising valid concerns. Especially to those who don't post often but raise valid concerns. This is just common sense, if you wish everyone to feel welcome in any group of people.
In other words, whenever I feel uncomfortable here, I at least take a moment to ask "Am I the asshole?" It's not always going to be me, but there have been times…
While I don't personally agree with the sentiment that only owners, reservation holders, etc. should be "allowed" here, I do sometimes (and yes it's rarer than it feels) have interactions with folks where I can't help but question whether the intention of bettering the community is actually shared between us. And yes, that makes me wonder why that person wants to spend time here.
I strongly encourage everyone every now and then to question what your intentions are. And be honest with yourself. Are you looking out for the community, or are you here for your own selfish reasons? Do you post here just to vent your own garbage into the atmosphere, or do you genuinely care what the people on the receiving end of that dump are smelling? It's not hard to know where you stand with the community at large, if you pay attention.
(TLDR: Read the room. And the guidelines. And if you feel the room or the guidelines are pointing fingers at you, well, that's a sign, isn't it?)
