The election

[cavermark]

Perhaps a bit late to start this topic...
I'm interested that there seemed to be no chat on here in the lead up to or after the election, or about politics in general.  (National type politics not caving politics - there's plenty of that )
Are cavers not that interested in politics? (I hope they're not the 40% of the country who didn't vote), or do they debate it elsewhere? (facebook/the pub/whilst caving?)

Does national politics affect caving (perhaps certain parties might be more likely to fund things like the sports council, outdoor centres etc.).

Personally, I'm thoroughly devastated that the self serving Tories got in - Social justice is out of the window. The NHS, education, our communities and the disadvantaged will suffer, and more national assets will be sold off to the benefit of the privileged few.

What do others think?

 

[cap n chris]

There's no politics in caving.

 

[ah147]

The reason people discuss caving politics as opposed to national politics is that in caving politics, change is actually possible.


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[Peter Burgess]

Discussing politics on a non-political forum is simply asking for division and alienation. That's why people don't do it.

 

[MJenkinson]

There's been a fair amount of heated debate on places like Facebook between my friends and I; things got heated there and they are close mates. Discussing this election which has some fairly divisive points on here with strangers is just going to lead to vitriol and shouting.  We don't need that.  Lets discuss something friendly and non-contentious.

So, CROW.....

 

[royfellows]

Discussing politics on a non-political forum is simply asking for division and alienation. That's why people don't do it.

Well put Peter. He opened the thread with a political statement which is asking for trouble. We don't want this on here.

 

[cavermark]

Discussing politics on a non-political forum is simply asking for division and alienation. That's why people don't do it.

Even in "idle chat"?  I didn't realise it was a non political forum (apart from caving politics presumably [emoji6]  ).  Or was that sarcasm?[emoji2]

 

[cavermark]

There's been a fair amount of heated debate on places like Facebook between my friends and I; things got heated there and they are close mates. Discussing this election which has some fairly divisive points on here with strangers is just going to lead to vitriol and shouting.  We don't need that.  Lets discuss something friendly and non-contentious.

So, CROW.....

[emoji1] [emoji1]

 

[Peter Burgess]

No - not sarcasm. I simply do not want to know what other cavers are thinking. It's nothing to do with where it is posted. It is likely to colour my opinion of them - human nature - and I would rather just go underground and enjoy the pastime without knowing that my colleagues are rabid tories or rampant commies.

 

[Peter Burgess]

You will always find that half your friends are opposed to something you believe. Then half of the remainder are opposed to something else. Then half of the rump that are left are opposed to something else. You will soon end up a sad loner with no friends, and it will be of your own making!

 

[cavermark]

There was me thinking you enjoyed a good debate, Peter!

 

[Peter Burgess]

Good debate, yes, but few political debates are "good", in my experience. 

You are obviously itching for one - try Facebook ....... 

 

[cavermark]

I'm getting plenty on FB thanks was genuinely just idly wondering why i haven't seen any on UKC (and maybe I did throw my opinion in for good measure ;-) )

 

[Laurie]

This is (used to be?) a party politic free zone. (Apart from the odd joke)
One reason I like coming here.

 

[Ian Adams]

100% agree with Peter 

Ian

 

[royfellows]

Am I missing something or isn't this a caving website?

I mean loads of other website out there you get well and truly stuck in about politics, climate change, religion, who flung dung or whatever.

 

[cavermark]

I am interested in the views of other cavers (with whom I have a common interest) on a range of topics. I sometimes see the idle chat section as a place where conversations can be carried on with a wider group of cavers than those you physically meet up with regularly.  There have been various discussion that aren't directly caving related.
Some aspects of politics are caving related anyway - I'm sure I saw the word "representation" in a thread somewhere around here...

 

[Rhys]

The "Idle Chat" section has always been there for non-caving related stuff. Absolutely nothing wrong with that at all. I suppose we tend to keep it "issue" related rather than "party political" related though. Tends to make for a more productive debate!

 

[Peter Burgess]

Mark - see if you can find the Global Warming" topic. Read it right through, and then come back and tell us if you have lost the will to live. I look forward to hearing what you think, round about the end of November. 

 

[cavermark]

The "Idle Chat" section has always been there for non-caving related stuff. Absolutely nothing wrong with that at all. I suppose we tend to keep it "issue" related rather than "party political" related though. Tends to make for a more productive debate!

I've got some issues with party politics!!  :tease:

I take the point about people falling out easily over politics - although maybe that's better than apathy. I'll keep it away from here for now.