Is TalkBass an overtly American forum?

12bass · #1 10-25-2008, 09:05 PM

Is TalkBass an overtly American forum?

I ask this question because it has become clear to me that the sensibilities here seem to reflect primarily an American view on the world along with the various biases which come packaged with that view. My hope is that this site would be open to points of view from all parts of the world, allowing a true reflection of the diversity of the worldwide membership.

However, recently I've been informed that, for certain matters, US laws dictate what is and is not acceptable discussion material here, notably with regard to issues like copyright and second amendment rights, and that such discussions will not be allowed. For an example of how legality differs, music downloading is presently legal in Canada, but not in the USA.

Except for matters of hate speech, where I am in agreement, I find it troubling that perspectives from other parts of the world seem to be marginalized here on TalkBass in favor of a broadly American perspective. I'd really like this to be a place which is open to a diversity of opinions which go beyond the perspective of one nation.

Am I alone in my concerns?

GeneralElectric · #2 10-25-2008, 09:06 PM

I think so.

/America

Thunderscreech · #3 10-25-2008, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneralElectric

I think so.

/America

What he said.

mike_v_s · #4 10-25-2008, 09:10 PM

I think that if this site had originated in Canada and had a membership that was overwhelmingly Canadian, it would be different. But it didn't, it doesn't and it's not. Those are just the facts. Besides, I never tagged the opinions expressed here with a nationality. They're just individual opinions.

Mike

12bass · #5 10-25-2008, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike_v_s

I think that if this site had originated in Canada and had a membership that was overwhelmingly Canadian, it would be different. But it didn't, it doesn't and it's not. Those are just the facts. Besides, I never tagged the opinions expressed here with a nationality. They're just individual opinions.

Actually, I think it goes deeper than that, to a systemic level where a certain nationalistic bias tends to permeate the site. That's something that I would be interested to mitigate if I were running an ostensibly international forum.

StanFan · #6 10-25-2008, 09:16 PM

I'm Canadian and think music downloading (free unauthorized music) should be illegal. Can't name any amendments past the first 2 though.

Lots of people from lots of places here, but I agree with some of what you're saying. There is plenty of freedom within the rules, though, to express these "non-American" viewpoints of yours.

GeneralElectric · #7 10-25-2008, 09:17 PM

Well there are a lot of members here from other countries. However the membership is mostly comprised of American bassists. If it was talkbass.ca it'd be another story, but its not.

There are other large bass forums out here, there's an English one that I can't remember offhand.

If you'd don't like Americans, maybe you could try there?

**HeavyDuty** · #8 10-25-2008, 09:18 PM

So, you want us to globalize TalkBass?

TB is based in the US and has an overwhelming majority of US users. Threads reflect this reality. And of course US laws apply - it's sited in the US and is owned by a US citizen.

It is what it is.

jonathan_matos5 · #9 10-25-2008, 09:19 PM

i think it is also covertly soviet

funkalicious101 · #10 10-25-2008, 09:20 PM

Ugh, the classifieds sure are.

I can barely find any canadians selling amps...

12bass · #11 10-25-2008, 09:21 PM

Perhaps it's worth asking..... Is TalkBass intended to be a global resource?

mike_v_s · #12 10-25-2008, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 12bass

Actually, I think it goes deeper than that, to a systemic level where a certain nationalistic bias tends to permeate the site. That's something that I would be interested to mitigate if I were running an ostensibly international forum.

I still think it boils down to the nationality and culture of the "system". As much as others might not like that influence, it's like telling my dad to stop acting like he grew up an immigrant or asking me to not eat crawfish.

Again, if the site were of Canadian origin and the membership and moderators were predominantly Canadian, you'd have the same issue, except it wouldn't be an issue for you.

I can understand if a cultural "bias" has surfaced (at least one club here is uniquely American), but a "nationaistic"? I don't agree. I think this country, the politics of our governement and the American stereotype takes a beating here.

Mike

Darkstrike · #13 10-25-2008, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneralElectric

There are other large bass forums out here, there's an English one that I can't remember offhand

Basschat.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeavyDuty

So, you want us to globalize TalkBass?

TB is based in the US and has an overwhelming majority of US users. Threads reflect this reality. And of course US laws apply - it's sited in the US and is owned by a US citizen.

It is what it is.

Yup, thems the bricks.
Live with it or leave. (I'm in europe, btw.)

12bass · #14 10-25-2008, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike_v_s

Again, if the site were of Canadian origin and the membership and moderators were predominantly Canadian, you'd have the same issue, except it wouldn't be an issue for you.

No. I disagree. My sense of universality wouldn't jive with that either.

IMO, we ought to think globally, not nationally.

mike_v_s · #15 10-25-2008, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 12bass

Perhaps it's worth asking..... Is TalkBass intended to be a global resource?

For gear? Yes. But as a resource it is only as good as its contributors. Those contributions will probably fall under the same proportions, nationally, as the membership.

Mike

Lesfunk · #16 10-25-2008, 09:26 PM

The United states is simply a big place with a large population.
In Europe, for example, Two bass players living only one or two hundred miles apart could very well be citizens of different countries with different languages, customs, and culture.
A bass player from New York will share essentially, if not exactly, the same culture as a bass player from Seattle Washington even though they are thousands of miles apart.
Combine that with the sheer number of people playing bass in America and you have an American dominated message board.
That's one theory anyway...

**HeavyDuty** · #17 10-25-2008, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 12bass

Perhaps it's worth asking..... Is TalkBass intended to be a global resource?

Sure. What about it now makes it not be a global resource?

One of my hobbies is UK model railways; to that end, I hang out on a UK site very much like TB but for the hobby. Do I have the right to demand they give equal time to non-UK railway models in the name of globalization?

MyUsernameHere · #18 10-25-2008, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 12bass

Actually, I think it goes deeper than that, to a systemic level where a certain nationalistic bias tends to permeate the site. That's something that I would be interested to mitigate if I were running an ostensibly international forum.

I've always been outraged that I can't post in Polish on this site and have anyone answer me. You small minded Americans should be ashamed of yourselves.

Darkstrike · #19 10-25-2008, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 12bass

Perhaps it's worth asking..... Is TalkBass intended to be a global resource?

As global as those who participate.

UnsungZeros · #20 10-25-2008, 09:28 PM

It's an American site, with an American owner and with a majority of American users.

I feel like Talkbass welcomes international users. They're just as free to post their viewpoints as the American users. If international viewpoints are drowned out by more US-centric views, that's not really a fault of Talkbass. That's simply a reflection of the fact that the majority of users are American.