Improve moderation of this forum

When any idea is closed because it is deemed "too similar" to existing ideas, there should be links to one or more of these "similar" ideas. It would also often be appropriate to copy the closed idea into an existing thread, with a note saying that it originated elsewhere and was copied in by a moderator.

Simply closing ideas with a generic comment that it is "like other similar ideas" is counterproductive. There is no search function to determine what was in the moderator's mind when assessing this "similarity".

Why the contribution is important

By simply closing ideas that an unknown moderator deems "too similar" you are stifling opinions, wasting people's time, and failing to properly reflect the full amount and diversity of opinions about such ideas.

The very first post I found about a topic that concerned me, was a reasonably detailed and considered post concerning shielding. Only after opening and reading the post did I discover it had been closed. In the next twenty minutes I was unable to find any other post I would consider "similar".

The original poster wasted their time and effort, and I have no idea where I am supposed to express my ideas concerning shielding without too having them summarily closed.

by EckShielding on May 06, 2020 at 02:19PM

Current Rating

Average rating: 4.8
Based on: 38 votes

Comments

  • Posted by Sambrown May 06, 2020 at 21:21

    Also, info on demographics of posters would ensure consideration regarding demographics. An awful lot of golf posts to be representative across the board!
  • Posted by worstludditeever May 06, 2020 at 23:51

    Agree - particularly linking to the suggestions that are 'too similar'.

    To be fair, this is a new website, exploring a new way of engagins, and it would be unbelievable if it worked perfectly first time. Just pity the fool that has to summarise and feed back these suggestions to the Scottish Governement :P
  • Posted by Debrastorr May 07, 2020 at 00:09

    Please could the golfing lobby be directed to one idea rather than spamming the whole thing.
  • Posted by MrsBoggs May 07, 2020 at 00:32

    I would hope that a moderator would only remove posts and comments that were abusive towards others.
  • Posted by borisjlives May 07, 2020 at 10:09

    If a topic is blocked because it is too similar, it should state in the blocking message which other post it is too similar too, so that I can go to that one and express my opinion
  • Posted by debbiec139 May 07, 2020 at 10:34

    Agree - it is counterproductive to ask for comments and then exclude them without giving you guidance on where the other post is to comment or vote.
  • Posted by Kela1128 May 07, 2020 at 10:45

    Also, delete the duplicated comments. I have to trudge through numerous closed posts to find any live ones. Some admin housework required.

    Agree with the suggestion for a search function, but appreciate that this isn't a quick fix and will entail change to code.
  • Posted by opinionatedbesom May 07, 2020 at 10:46

    If this platform is to be trusted as being fully representative of the populations opinion/suggestions etc then closing a suggestion/idea because it is "too similar" is not a good enough comment. It is open, potentially, to individual moderator bias and makes it a breeding ground for the suspiscious that this is just a 'paper exercise' forum. I suggest the similarities that made it closed be listed as key words/phrases & those wishing to support/comment on can either accept/reject /comment upon the summary.
  • Posted by Rosemary May 07, 2020 at 11:07

    There are search and filter options. If you type a word into the search box the ideas are filtered to include comments and ideas that contain that word.
  • Posted by bstrata May 07, 2020 at 11:41

    I do think this exercise was well intended, but allowing a free for all on posting suggests either a poorly thought out strategy or a tick box exercise by providing a forum to vent. While there may have been an element of the latter, I suspect its just been a rush-job.

    The best approach would have been for the moderators to restrict the creation of new posts in the first place and open up new topics on which to probe.

    For instance, perhaps start with schools, then branch out into nurseries, Primary, Secondary or Exams/Remote Learning etc. Or start outdoor activities, then probe on cycling/sunbathing whatever.

    There is clearly too much here to be synthesized and I suspect the Scottish Gov will use crowd mentality to filter out subjects to take forward based on comments and star ratings.
  • Posted by Pretendiname May 07, 2020 at 12:48

    This idea may be a little off topic, or even implausible, but it's not similar to any other one.

    https://www.ideas.gov.scot/covid-19-a-framework-for-decision-making/hms-louisa-jordan
  • Posted by cfm1 May 07, 2020 at 13:08

    I've found a number of topics to which I would like to add a comment but so far all have been moderated because they are "too similar" to another unspecified one. I agree that there needs to be a link to these "similar" ideas. I realise that the forum has been put together in a hurry but with an impending closing date of 11 May it needs to be rapidly redesigned to be of any value. The moderator's time would be be better spent in linking ideas rather than simply blocking them.
  • Posted by colinbro99 May 07, 2020 at 13:36

    Agree, to have one's idea rejected because "too similar" but without link to whatever the Moderator considers to be such, is an effective block to making this a valid consultation.
    Will revert to Twitter until you improve, sorry
  • Posted by Alasdrum May 07, 2020 at 13:43

    I could not agree more.
  • Posted by DForr May 07, 2020 at 14:02

    By all means, close comments on topics where there is already a similar one in use but please provide a link to the "chosen" one so that comments and votes can be consolidated.
  • Posted by Eddieg1962 May 07, 2020 at 14:06

    Also what happens to the votes and comments of the closed thread. Altogether not very well designed and will cumbersome to draw conclusions from. It would have been better to have much more structure around the threads avoiding duplication and easier to draw conclusions.
  • Posted by Ettiennebhoy May 07, 2020 at 14:27

    Needs a simple piece of software to pick up on key words in the original posts header, e.g. "golf" which then alerts a moderator who is then able to close it down before too many comments are made on that 'repeat' post. This will save the reader time before realising that they cannot comment on this post.
  • Posted by Lornab May 07, 2020 at 16:14

    I agree - everything i have put forward has been closed as too similar but cant see anything similar - a link would be good.

    When i filter by highest rating and on my front screen there are 6 topics with the word golf in the title - how are these no closed and merged?
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