Censorship - SERIOUS

System
System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
edited June 8 in Student general

Like others, I have received a PM from the administrators regarding complaints by certain Forum members concerning comments made on the Study Buddy thread.

Admittedly, as one of the more vociferous voices on the Forums with a certain element of notoriety, I accept that some of the comments I’ve made will be interpreted by others as unacceptable. However, I maintain that I have always contributed more good than bad and will continue to question the motives of those who are prepared to sift through literally pages and pages of posts determined to look for even the slightest offence in order to feign outrage. In the bigger picture of world events such as our nation apparently being under terrorist attack and civilians murdered wholesale throughout the world, I’m surprised that some occasional Forum members feel so passionate about a few smutty but light-hearted comments being posted in order to try and raise the spirits of those of us who regularly contribute. Furthermore, the implication that we surely can’t be professionals due to the things we write only makes me wonder about the professionalism and maturity of those who complain.

I do not accept the claim that we are forcing people away by what we write. Do these same people also boycott the BBC and Channel Four because they object to EastEnders and Big Brother? It’s quite frankly ridiculous. There are so many things in life that we could all object to, but we usually choose to avoid them since watching voyeuristically and then condemning them is just plain self defeating amd hypocritical.

If the administrators are ashamed of the Study Buddy thread – current count 14,427 posts and 168,058 views – then I suggest they close it down. Ban the guilty posters who are on here everyday seemingly keeping the whole damn thing alive and hand it over lock stock to the occasional posters who only log in once a week and post even less. Many of us provide serious answers to serious questions elsewhere and if this is to be lost, then I see little future for the entire Forum and the plug might as well be pulled on all of it.

I abhor censorship unless it’s absolutely essential and this is nowhere near. I’ve always enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere of this site but if what people have seen on here has truly offended them, I suggest they open their eyes and take a look at the real world. If I - and presumably a few others who will know who they are – are to be silenced for the smug satisfaction of a whingeing moral minority, then I no longer wish to be a contributor and consent to the revocation of my Forum membership.

Regards,

Robert

Comments

  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Censorship - SERIOUS


    Robert - I agree with you. I have posted regularly on the Study Buddy thread and enjoyed the fun.

    People clearly define offensive in different ways.

    I really cannot accept that anything we posted was ever offensive.

    Does it cast the AAT in a bad light? No. It demonstrates that even accountants and those that hope to become accountants have a sense of humour.

    It is a shame that I am no longer going to post on here. Not because I am an exhibitionist, but because I will no longer be able to offer serious support and advice.

    I am a Management Accountant with over 25 years practical experience. I work in the construction sector and have been happy to help anyone with their queries relating to this.

    Apparently, I cannot do that and have a laugh too.

    The Study Buddy thread is used by a variety of AAT students and members. We have youngsters who have just started their studies and we have FMAAT ACCA's who are really flying high.

    The common ground on the thread is humour. Robert has quoted the statistics. We can't have offended all of those people all of the time.

    Never has so much been messed up by so few.

    Helen

    Edit: Please add highly respected tutors to that list of posters.


  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Censorship - SERIOUS

    I have nothing more to add to what has been said by my esteemed collegues and I support their views 100%.
    Never has so much damage been caused to so many people by such a small minority. I hope that they feel good within themselves now that the forum is being deserted by some of the more knowledgable and supportive members.
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Censorship - SERIOUS

    All of us have formed firm friendships by utilising the study buddy thread. Now, because one person complained, several of the posters feel the need to go their seperate ways.

    The study buddy thread does not reflect on the AAT in a negative light, all it shows is that accountants are not stereotypically boring!

  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Censorship - SERIOUS

    Dear All,

    I was quite surprised to see this.

    Even though I'm still seeking employment opportunities in an accounts environment I will be most disappointed to see the most "senior posters" feel as though they have to leave as I feel they have plenty to offer in the form of encouragement, advice and support & ultimately experience for those of us who are trying to get a foot on the accounts ladder.

    I'm positive the extremely large majority of posts relate to the world of finance and accounting, and I find this an invaluable resource and learning tool. It will be no good if those who have the experience are no longer here to pass it on to us "newbies".

    We are all adults and do not need to have be constantly monitored and as such can make our own decisions on what is good or bad. If you don't like a television program you can also switch the set off. If you treat us like children then sadly you will receive a childs reaction. It is a sad fact today that we are now being told to "have fun" providing it is under certain terms and conditions.

    Although I have not seen the "pm" that Robert refers to I am sure he would not just be voicing his opinion for the sake of it.

    I trust that a modicum of sense will be taken and think there is a way that this issue can be resolved without having to resort to "people leaving."

    Yours sincerely
    Jamie
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Censorship - SERIOUS

    What has happened? Has Blobby been thrown off the Forums?
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Censorship - SERIOUS

    What's going on here? Am I reading this right? Are people in trouble? What for? Whose leaving? Blimey, this is turning into twenty questions :roll:
    For what it's worth, I dip in now and then and I can't believe anyone has written anything offensive!! Extremely funny yes (there are some razor sharp sense of humours on here). Great, so I can't get some light relief during my studies as someone has decided they don't like it?????
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Censorship - SERIOUS

    I find it offensive that you lot can be nagged at and threatened for having a laugh.

    I haven't read anything I haven't seen on other college sites - in fact some of this stuff has been classic.

    I dont buy some mags or watch some tv because it's not my cup of tea - if someone has read something here they didn't like, why keep going on about it? Why not stop reading it and start a thread about something they are interested in and want to share with others?
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Censorship - SERIOUS

    Accountants are stereotypically viewed as boring people

    The Study Buddy thread is surely promoting a positive image of Accountants / Accountancy / the AAT, by proving that we are not all stuck up and by proving that we do have a sense of humour, and that we can have a laugh and by proving that we are normal people

    I began work in the accountancy sector recently and at times I needed answers to questions which was provided on the Study Buddy Thread, and also on the other forums, some of these answers wree provided by the members who have been criticised for being themselves. Without the likes of these members on the forum many people would come to this site and not get the help that they much needed.

    I feel that it is a shame that experienced and inexperienced members of different teams and in different locations cannot come together on one site / thread and cannot have a laugh with each other

    I hope the minority that complained are proud of themselves for ruining what has been, and would have been for 'newbies', a useful tool to learn the knowledge of our job
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Censorship - SERIOUS

    Quoted from elsewhere and in partial response to the above posts;
    Jan wrote:
    Just hope you are still peeping in to see how we are getting on without you

    I haven't gone anywhere Jan, just taking a break from the Forums, presumably like the rest of the Buddies who I'm sure are also watching anonymously without logging in.

    While I was initially annoyed with the PM from the administrators, I have calmed down a bit and it's been extremely 'interesting' to see how the Forums appear to have virtually died since we departed late last week. Ironic that the AAT now have their 'clean' Forum but precious few visitors, not even the moralistic whingebags that prompted the furore. Even that occasional visitor [edited by Anna] - who once had the audacity to act the glove puppet for ToadFace to speak through - hasn't been seen around these parts. No doubt her ilk are feeling smugly satisfied with their role in disintegrating the friendships that grew up on here but probably now tirelessly campaigning to Blackpool City Council for those damn saucy seaside postcards to be withdrawn.

    Don't misunderstand me here - my main issue isn't with the administrators even though it may seem that way. I appreciate that this is EVERYONES Forum and acknowledge that they (the administrators)have to be seen to respond to all users of it. If Anna hadn't sent her PM, they would have come across as even more unresponsive than they already were while showing bias and prejudice for and against certain Forum members. My issue here is against the bleeding heart apologists who cried wolf at what amounted to little more than "Carry On" type humour.

    But, you know what? I think bugger it - these are our Forums and why should I leave? Leaving only lets the whingebags win, doesn't it?

    To those who object; Look at my avatar on the left since I chose it well. Many of you know who I am and what I write. Most of my posts are quite long so I suggest you don't waste time reading through them then complaining about the content afterwards.

    To everyone else, I'm still around for PM's and will no doubt occasionally pop up for the odd question and answer, but I can't see the same sense of humour returning which is very very sad for the former AAT 'loyalists' amongst us.

    Finally to the administrators - if you ever come back yourselves and read our updates. How is it that several times recently, I've been shown as logged in when I know I'm absolutely not? Another glitch in the machine? Should I just be flattered that you're logging me in even when I'm not around? Or maybe it's just for you to access my private messages? Hmmmm...

    Regards,

    Robert
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Censorship - SERIOUS

    This guy needs to be promoted... the Prime Minister :-)

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