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Subject: Age Limitations

Basically, I make the best topics ever.

Feedback!
Duardo: This thread is locked for being stupid.
cortana 5 : It's perpetually my time of the month and I'm just grouchy.
Foman: I see absolutely no reason, either theoretical or practical, that this is not a superb idea. Excellent work, my friend.

Generally, I'm of the mindset that people should be allowed to choose for themselves what they are exposed to and there should be as few restrictions as possible in an attempt to encourage this, but I've come to the realization that it is having an arguably negative effect on the community.

In this instance, I speak specifically about the rules against religion, politics, and other questionable topics. While I understand the rules against them (and even agree in most cases), we cannot deny that there is at least a desire to discuss these topics. Unfortunately, Bungie/Archy/the mods/whoever has/have decided that the community is too immature at this point to allow these topics to exist, and, to be honest, I agree.

That said, I believe that there is potential to allow these topics on the PUBLIC forums. What I propose are age specific forums. I'm not even going to bring up the fact that, technically, this entire site should be 17+ since that's completely unrealistic. But I don't think it's crazy to be of the opinion that forums like The Flood would benefit from an age restriction. This would reduce the amount of input by more immature members (not to insinuate that age is directly related to maturity, but there is a pattern), and allow for more questionable topics to be discussed.

To expand further on that, groups could add an age limit so that younger members can't access the questionable content that we all know is there. Again, I'm not intentionally picking on younger members, but I am definitely of the opinion that implementing something like this would cut down on some of the immaturity that takes place in these forums, specifically the flood.

Now I know people could simply lie about their age, and I'm sure that would happen. But a system like this still has great potential to catch a majority of users.

Thoughts on this? Alternatives? It's late and I'll probably have a completely different opinion in the morning, but at the very least I think it's worth discussing.

  • 12.13.2011 12:39 AM PDT

The Forerunner, the Great Journey, and Heaven Theory

[Announcement Trailer] Halo: Forerunner

Posted by: Agustus
I lol'd at the absurd miscommunication that occurs whenever dibbs post something. Perhaps his brain is so highly evolved that he can no longer clearly communicate with lesser life forms, even among his own species.

Posted by: sharpace77
But a system like this still has great potential to catch a majority of users.
The only real thing I disagree with.

There is absolutely no one who will not lie about their age when an age filter comes up prior to accessing content. That's internet 101.

  • 12.13.2011 12:48 AM PDT
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Age doesn't notate maturity.

Age can be easily faked online, like you said.

The immature users are the ones that'll probably slide through the cracks of your age limit's net.

I don't think we aren't allowed to post topics on religion or politics because of maturity but instead because they usually turn into unending debates that only get closer and closer to the insides of a furnace.

  • 12.13.2011 12:50 AM PDT
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Posted by: Lies
The Yankees have almost as many bandwagon fans as God

Posted by: Th1ckestSausag3
Get ya popcorn and eat the thickest dick if you think I would waste time lyin to any of u.

Excluding members from certain parts of the website? I don't think that sounds like a good plan from Bungie's point of view. Good idea, honestly, but I just don't see it happening. It's like having a level 50 only forum so that good players can discuss among themselves.

  • 12.13.2011 12:52 AM PDT

Basically, I make the best topics ever.

Feedback!
Duardo: This thread is locked for being stupid.
cortana 5 : It's perpetually my time of the month and I'm just grouchy.
Foman: I see absolutely no reason, either theoretical or practical, that this is not a superb idea. Excellent work, my friend.

Posted by: Izak609
Age doesn't notate maturity.

Age can be easily faked online, like you said.

The immature users are the ones that'll probably slide through the cracks of your age limit's net.
I agree with you 100%, but there must be some sort of way to reduce damaging discussion so that questionable discussion is allowed and can flourish. Perhaps banning users from specific forums?

  • 12.13.2011 12:55 AM PDT
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Posted by: r c takedown
Yax is a shining beacon in these dark times. You should all strive to be more like Yax.

Everybody would obviously lie, stopping kids isn't really even the goal of age restrictions it's just to cover your butt. If it's part of the terms and conditions that users must be 18+, it's not your fault if they lie. They're the ones breaking the rules, not you. So that means that you're legally fine.

As for this idea, it wouldn't really do anything to keep the idiots out but I support it because I want to be able to have "adult" discussions on bnet.

I still prefer the idea of directly connecting access to our trust rating though. That way it gives incentive to be 'good' and if we get banned and lose our title, we also lose access to the political forum.

  • 12.13.2011 1:02 AM PDT
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Exalted Unexplainable Member

*Ponders* All I could come up with is having a group specifically built around the discussion of politics (and sometimes religion) that's invite only, has a elaborate moderating team, and has little tolerance for flaming, repetitive replies and some rules against making posts that show that the poster might of ignored previous posts. Also the group will require all pro's and con's of a idea or side listed out in the op.
Posted by: sharpace77
There must be some sort of way to reduce damaging discussion so that questionable discussion is allowed and can flourish. Perhaps banning users from specific forums?

  • 12.13.2011 1:08 AM PDT
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Florida State University class of 2015
Seasoned Veterans
Posted by: Lies
The Yankees have almost as many bandwagon fans as God

Posted by: Th1ckestSausag3
Get ya popcorn and eat the thickest dick if you think I would waste time lyin to any of u.

The Black Chapter

  • 12.13.2011 1:12 AM PDT
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Posted by: r c takedown
Yax is a shining beacon in these dark times. You should all strive to be more like Yax.

Posted by: Ryno3
The Black Chapter
The frontpage alone goes back two months.

TBC is a good substitute but a public forum would be much better. Not just because of activity, but its members would be more diverse (we'd have people that know a lot about politics, and some that don't know much at all. Differing opinions, etc. TBC has this on a smaller scale but I think it would be more enjoyable with more regular joes)

  • 12.13.2011 1:17 AM PDT

prozeyic

I'm 16...

  • 12.13.2011 4:24 AM PDT

We're concerned

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Got a question, comment, or concern? PM me.

You realize people could just lie about their age like they do now anyways right?

  • 12.13.2011 4:32 AM PDT
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Posted by: sharpace77
we cannot deny that there is at least a desire to discuss these topics


I agree that the discussion of politics amongst thoughtful and reasonable people can be a rich and rewarding experience. However, my experience of the discussion of politics over electronic media in general and via forum posts specifically, is that it rarely leads to thoughtful and reasonable discussion, and instead results in fortified encampments which cause division and resentment in a community.

I think that having an age limit, or a trust rating restriction for that matter, will do little to help the matter not only because--as many have pointed out--people can lie about their age, but also because age or maturity in other respects does not necessarily translate into rational discourse when it comes to the highly divisive topics of politics or religion.

As a caveat, I am sure that there are a number of people who would be able to sustain a fruitful discourse, however I do not believe that age or trust rating would be indicative of those that could.

[Edited on 12.13.2011 5:33 AM PST]

  • 12.13.2011 5:32 AM PDT

There are many powers in the world, for good or for evil. Some are greater than I am. Against some I have not yet been measured. But my time is coming.

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Because mature adults never get out of hand when discussing religion or politics.

  • 12.13.2011 5:35 AM PDT
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Positive vibes.

I see no alternatives, seeing as how people can simply lie about their age, thus gaining access to aforementioned questionable content. That and the fact that maturity is not magically planted at a certain age. Maturity is developed over a period of time - some are lucky enough to have grown into it sooner than others - some may never grow into it at all.

Basically, what I am trying to say is that you cannot say that everyone above a certain age (let's say 17) is mature, and anyone below that age is not. It's simply not true.

  • 12.13.2011 5:47 AM PDT

"You build on failure. You use it as a stepping stone. Close the door on the past. You don't try to forget the mistakes, but you don't dwell on it. You don't let it have any of your energy, or any of your time, or any of your space." -Johnny Cash


Posted by: dibbs089
Posted by: sharpace77
But a system like this still has great potential to catch a majority of users.
The only real thing I disagree with.

There is absolutely no one who will not lie about their age when an age filter comes up prior to accessing content. That's internet 101.

Exactly. You could of course make the age restriction from a users's WLID or Xbox Live account, but even then people still lie about their age.

  • 12.13.2011 6:16 AM PDT

You know when you are surfing the web and you come across a game trailer or something that requires a birthday to be input before you can view it? Sure you do.

Do you know how many people apparently share the same birthday of 1/1? Probably 80% of us. There isn't a single thing easier than lying about your age on the interwebz. Trust me. I was around when this thing was invented.

  • 12.13.2011 7:07 AM PDT
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Want to know more about me? Check out my Community Joes interview.

Trying something once will increace your chances of success, because you tried it. Try someting twice, and your chances increase yet again - seeing as you've done it. Try something a few thousand times, and your chances of success is exponentially increased; this increase would likely provide success every time

Posted by: Old Papa Rich
Because mature adults never get out of hand when discussing religion or politics.

Well said; with these types of discussions it doesn't matter who gets involved because there'll always be someone that takes it too seriously.

  • 12.13.2011 7:13 AM PDT

In a time long past, the armies of the dark came again to the lands of men. Their leaders became known as the fallen lords, and their terrible sorcery was without equal in the west.
In 30 years they reduced the civilized nations into carrion and ash. Until the free city of Madrigal alone defined them. An army gathered there, and a desperate battle was joined against the fallen
Heros were born in the fire and bloodshed of the wars which followed and their names and deeds will never be forgotten

It is REALLY easy for people to lie about their age on Bungie.net or anywhere on the internet. I don't see how thsi could be efficently enforced.

[Edited on 12.13.2011 7:24 AM PST]

  • 12.13.2011 7:24 AM PDT

The benefit of a mature forum would be the joy of using my native tongue.

Blam-blammy-blam-blam-blammer-blam

[Edited on 12.13.2011 8:21 AM PST]

  • 12.13.2011 8:19 AM PDT
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  • Exalted Mythic Member
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Want to know more about me? Check out my Community Joes interview.

Trying something once will increace your chances of success, because you tried it. Try someting twice, and your chances increase yet again - seeing as you've done it. Try something a few thousand times, and your chances of success is exponentially increased; this increase would likely provide success every time

This man has a point - nothing says maturity like being able to curse like a sailor.
Posted by: CorkedCarcass
The benefit of a mature forum would be the joy of using my native tongue.

Blam-blammy-blam-blam-blammer-blam

  • 12.13.2011 8:26 AM PDT

-blam!- Was that actually blammed out? Or did I just type it? You'll never know.

The Community being too immature is never the reason I see given for the restriction of those topics. From what I've seen it's because they just don't feel that that sort of discussion has a place on this website.

Besides, we all know there's no practical way to actually have effective age restrictions on the site.

  • 12.13.2011 8:28 AM PDT

ARRRRRRRRRRRR Matey!
Posted by: Rokit
This man has a point - nothing says maturity like being able to curse like a sailor.
Posted by: CorkedCarcass
The benefit of a mature forum would be the joy of using my native tongue.

Blam-blammy-blam-blam-blammer-blam

  • 12.13.2011 8:30 AM PDT

“Oh, it’s a little bit of everything, it’s the mountains, it’s the fog, it’s the news at six o’clock, it’s the death of my first dog, it’s the angels up above me, it’s the song that they don’t sing, It’s a little bit of everything.”
- Dawes, A little bit of everything

As has been already stated by some members here, age does not equal maturity. Religious and political threads get heated, peoples opinions get represented as facts and this starts arguments.

There is a place for discussion of the religious and political nature, but it is in private groups, not the main public forums.

EDIT: Random addition that's unimportant: Why can I join the military, smoke cigarettes, vote, drive, but not buy alcohol?

[Edited on 12.13.2011 9:01 AM PST]

  • 12.13.2011 8:59 AM PDT

Jack of all trades, master of none.

age=/=maturity

Whilst in principle it sound like a good idea, It just wouldn't work in practise.

  • 12.13.2011 9:35 AM PDT
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http://bungie.me/sig/dot2/DEUCE+MORELLI.png

Posted by: Kickimanjaro
...EDIT: Random addition that's unimportant: Why can I join the military, smoke cigarettes, vote, drive, but not buy alcohol?


Because Mothers Against Drunk Driving lobbied Congress for a national minimum drinking age and Congress circumvented constitutionality issues with that drinking age by bribing the States with highway funding in exchange for changing drinking age laws.

  • 12.13.2011 2:11 PM PDT

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