Suggestions for Content on Metro Jacksonville

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Why not just have the someone's post and all the replies to that post listed under it and a "Show More Replies" button if there starts to be too many of them. Kind of like Facebook or Gawker sites.

Quite honestly, it won't matter the format we choose.  Personally I prefer the comment sections driven by Disqus, with a tree style commenting section, but invariably people are going to read what they want, forget which comment they're actually responding to or just have a brainfart in general. 

I guess what I'm trying to say is that the style format of the forum doesn't matter nearly as much as the contributions to it.  The people who want the real story will get it.  The people who only want the opposing viewpoint will find it.  And trolls will be trolls.  Doesn't really matter how the comments are laid out.

For the sometimes long-winded responses and an easily formatted html code, I kind of prefer this forum the way it is for what it is.  I think other formats work better for shorter, quick-hit type comments.   Which is one of the reasons that I'm not a huge fan of the recent change that has us on a post delay of some sort, because more often than not, on busy threads, by the time your post shows up, 2,3 sometimes 4 people have already posted.

[Charles Hunter]

Also, if you are responding immediately after another post, quoting it isn't really necessary, it is right there!

Except that the original poster can a:) edit their comment or b:) delete their comment later on which would leave your's completely out of context and the future readers with a big ol'

yes, which happens often actually.  Ive taken to quoting people for that exact reason.

Hadn't thought about that ... used to a forum that limits editing to an hour (or something like that). 

[JayBird]

Not sure of the complexity involved, but I would like to see a button to "like" a comment. The current etiquette is to quote and +1, but obviously needless quoting is an issue. Also if there was a way to "like" the stories that may be a good way to judge content posting or placement for whomever is responsible for that.

[AuditoreEnterprise]

Not sure of the complexity involved, but I would like to see a button to "like" a comment. The current etiquette is to quote and +1, but obviously needless quoting is an issue. Also if there was a way to "like" the stories that may be a good way to judge content posting or placement for whomever is responsible for that.

[Noone]

Not sure of the complexity involved, but I would like to see a button to "like" a comment. The current etiquette is to quote and +1, but obviously needless quoting is an issue. Also if there was a way to "like" the stories that may be a good way to judge content posting or placement for whomever is responsible for that.

+1 That's funny.

That was the same reaction that everyone had at the 8/18/14, Rules agenda and 8/19/14 8:30 am Finance agenda meeting when 2014-412 the unauthorized illegal purchase of two water taxis by the Executive Branch circumventing and defrauding the Legislative Branch was withdrawn.

[ronchamblin]

Animals, especially human types, are natural problem solvers.  Those best able to engage this attribute will survive in the worst of times, and prosper in the best.  Every hour, we human types happily exercise our skills at solving problems.

Therefore, given that this site consists of an accumulation of human types, both male and females of the species, who seem to enjoy the challenge of problem solving, why not make the process more of a structured event -- targeting not only local problems, but those engaging broader aspects of our existence? 

For example ... we've discussed things such as "light rail" or the "streetcar".  We've discussed the Hemming Problem ... and all sorts of issues over time.

Although we've exhibited a tendency to strive for solution, the past has often seen discussions die out, degenerate to argument (less so of late thank goodness), or digress to other issues.

But what if we were to establish, on certain issues, a more formal structure, wherein the purpose would be to arrive at a MJ consensus, if possible -- or, better yet, proposal for solution or direction? 

For example, the question of the streetcar, which we've seen broached several times on MJ, seems to be occasionally argued as to whether or not it is feasible, economically possible, or good for the city.

In other words, if a consensus on an issue could be achieved on MJ via sensible debate, one can imagine the delivery of it (a report?) to whoever (the mayor, city council, JTA etc) is responsible for action regarding it. 

One might imagine a scenario wherein, through weeks of debate on MJ, a strong opinion or consensus on an issue is massaged by a MJ moderator, debated by a dozen or so informed, or at least logical, individuals -- finally established and, conceivably possessing a truth or solution so profound so as to make opposition or complacency absurd, or at least quite difficult. 


The scenario would be such that those supporting the consensus could stand firm, and almost demand from the mayor, the city council etc., that the consensus be seriously considered, along with related action.  If the consensus is ignored, then perhaps further pressure, via clarity as to purpose would be in order, so as to almost shame those who, by ignoring obvious solutions, wish to maintain the status quo.

The words "we", "they", "them", "us", create a fog within which is hidden tons of bullshit, which is why many things that need to be done, never get done.  The "government", the "congress", the "legislators", "they" ... all these entities hide the culprits, the overly comfortable, the intrenched conservatives ...  the complacent, and in come cases, the thieves, those who believe they deserve power and privilege, and therefore have approval via their positions, or their closeness to a particular god, to exploit and abuse the anonymous citizen, the average worker.

Whereas our national government is mostly bought and corrupt, there is hope for our local government, within which for the most part is hopefully enough transparency and decency to allow for fair action on important issues.  What is needed is informed debate from concerned citizens so as to arrive at the best direction on issues -- directions not influenced by the needs of special interests, individuals, or groups, but influenced by the fundamentals of an issue, as shaped by the needs of the average citizen in our city. 

Whereas the city council is a forum for debate, a forum such as MJ provides a better platform in many ways ... offering certainly more freedom and time to express what must be said on important issues.     

The proposed MJ idea, call it a task force, could evolve into a long-term vehicle to push forward solutions to important problems, to create better conditions for all citizens in our city.

One must assume that every problem has a solution.  A scenario or stabilized condition, which might ultimately be considered a problem, often benefits a few, while causing the mass of citizens to suffer.  Because the few benefiting in a stabilized scenario are often those having the most power and influence, significant change seldom comes when needed ...therefore the suffering to the average citizen can be perpetual.

In any case, I thought I'd offer the above opinion about one aspect of structure and purpose of the forum, and perhaps one avenue that, it taken, might result in more "problem solving" via solid analysis and proposals for action.

Admittedly, a measure of the above mechanism already exists on the MJ forum, but I'm thinking that there will be occasions when the ultimate desire for problem solving might be realized via a more formal or structured purpose regarding certain issues.