Hello users of Hexbear, we wanted to inform you that we are going to be locking the_dunk_tank and dredge_tank communities. We have created two new communities /c/gossip and /c/counterpropaganda to serve a similar but clearly distinct purpose than the dunk/dredge tanks.
Not only is the dunk tank a term that has racist origins, but also many posts there were almost no effort and often times requiring later edits to show how they weren't reactionary, ~~not useful with regard to developing rhetoric and furthering dialectical analysis of that which we dunk upon~~.
To that end, we wish posts of reactionaries to be placed in !counterpropaganda@hexbear.net along with an accompanying explanation (as simple or complex as desired) with the intent of countering the reactionary propaganda in the post body, as of now comments are not subject to the same ~~rhetorical rigor~~ rule.
For the posts ~~that are not "low-hanging fruit'~~ of notable people we ask that you use !gossip@hexbear.net .
These changes are mainly part of a continued effort to remove the racist and misogynistic elements from our community and grow.
Any moderators of the dunk tank or dredge tank that want to be a mod in the new communities let me know.
Any users with questions or comments please use this post, this change was made at the behest of the entire Hexbear mod and admin team. We will be looking for more moderators in an organized volunteer drive shortly, if you wish to submit an application you may send it to me via hexbear or matrix direct messages.
Use this post as a place for discussion to these changes. We will keep things as they are for 2 weeks and then reflect on the feedback, including this post: https://hexbear.net/post/3858346
As a personal addendum I am sorry if ~~the closing of the tanks~~ these changes removes a beloved space on the site and if you want to suggest a community to replace them you may do so at !commrequest@hexbear.net or submit a mod application to take a more active role in shaping the site.
Sitewide or community changes come from proposals put forth from the mod team, discussed, and voted on by the mod team.
Any users wanting to suggest a community to replace the tanks, may do so at !commrequest@hexbear.net current discussion is here https://hexbear.net/post/3858346 or submit a mod application to take a more active role in shaping the site.
You may also consider using !shitreactionariessay@lemmygrad.ml as a substitute for dunk/dredge tank posts as well
The mod statement can be found here: https://hexbear.net/comment/5613033
Application
What is your Hexbear username?
Do you have any preferred pronouns?
What are your thoughts on capitalism?
What are your thoughts on imperialism?
What are your thoughts on trans rights?
What are your thoughts on racial justice?
What do think about current and previous protests around the world?
What are your thoughts on Veganism and Animal Liberation?
Do you have any experience with other leftist online communities?
What did those experiences teach you?
What is your approach to moderation, and how do you work with teams?
How do you deal with online drama and people who try to start things for the sake of it?
What current comms would you be interested in moderating?
Do you have any ideas for community engagement?
What is your general time availability? (Time zone, amounts, common browsing times, etc)
Ultimately, upon reflection and reading the favorable statements, I think I support this decision.
r/shitliberalssay and other left subreddits is where yuri got most of the dunk/dredge content. You could just go to those websites and forums to get your slop.
I guess you can miss the emotes.
I kind of think it might affect the Hexbear users in that it might diminish its engagement numbers, but things like Oct 7th and the genocide thereof; well, I understand that this collective outrage and need for a punching bag via the dunk tank as an outlet to let off steam is an act of futility and self-indulgence.
To be satisfied with having the right disgust at the right people, to think emotional regulation and ventilation is sufficient to maintain our humanity in the midst of believing the world to be conquered by evil. All of this is insufficient and only helps to maintain your sense of self; an act of individuality not collective catharsis and action.
Refreshing your outrage is not enough. I think UlyssesT understood this both times he left the site. You have to act.
Posting isn't praxis despite its alleged intent in !gossip & !counterpropaganda, because those communities real intent is for you, the user, to process on an intellectual rather than an emotional level why your reactionary prole is wrong, why a member of the power elite acts this way, how these institutions manipulate and destroy you. When you can articulate these emotions on an intellectual level you can communicate these thoughts, analyses, and insights to others in your own life.
You have to reconcile what you know is true in your heart with how you can communicate those thoughts and feelings through your mind, intellect, and persuasiveness.