@jaibi
Q1: One of the most active communities and sources of meaningful information.
Q2: Trolling; Accusations; Threats*.
I deeply respect Pakistani armed forces for their professionalism and sacrifices in holding this country together in spite of all its internal shortcomings and difficulties in navigating through challenging times.
However, I do not visit this forum to swear allegiance to Pakistan and/or Pakistani establishment on a daily basis in order to appease some members here if they happen to not like my views in relation to any topic. My Pakistani identity should be enough to tell anybody which country I feel strongly about and where I live.
1. I strive for
truthfulness only (Islamic characteristic by the way).
2. I visit this forum to
learn about numerous technologies and/or
receive updates about numerous defense applications from knowledgeable members of the forum. Now of-course, being a researcher and based on my own experiences and connections, I have a high opinion of Western technologies and rightfully so.
Why is this a NEGATIVE in this forum?
One often finds it challenging to be
NEUTRAL in his/her views about various themes/topics in this forum, somebody is very likely to question
one's allegiance/loyality in one of the threads out of the blue,
and this is completely uncalled for. PDF
risk transforming into an
echo-chamber of ultra-nationalism and Fauj worship
otherwise.
Members shall be allowed to
CRITIC Pakistani armed forces and institutions
in a positive way in this forum.
Pakistan is POWERFUL in the ways of the Force without any doubt but WE cannot afford to be
unrealistic in our assessment of our
military might and
geopolitics.
Nevertheless;
if 'my' views are not welcome here in PDF, I expect from the
ADMINISTRATION to let me know in clear terms.
False-flagging is a
genuine issue without any doubt
but ADMINISTRATION of this forum is
responsible for curbing this menace, and should be adequately equipped for this matter.
This isn't the prerogative of average members.
Trolling should be absolutely discouraged in PDF because
it sparks/fuels conflict and/or misunderstandings between members of the forum. However,
trolling is not to be confused with an exchange of jokes/witty contributions.
Q3: Some suggestions below :-
1. Greater emphasis on discussions about technologies and quality contributions.
I would appreciate
if PDF have a more
technology-focused discourse than
politics-focused discourse. Members such as
@gambit used to be excellent contributors to this forum but not active anymore - considerable loss IMHO.
Indian member
Austerlitz was
booted from PDF even though he was among the finest contributors to this forum. I understand that he had a lapse in judgement in one of his exchanges with Pakistani members
but removing him from the position of
Think Tank was sufficient punishment/warning to him. Outright booting him from PDF was too much even if some Pakistani members disliked him in person, given his valuable contributions to this forum.
Emphasis mine: PDF should RESPECT its most valuable contributors irrespective of their nationality. By all means, enforce RULES and be completely fair in moderation, but do not utterly silence otherwise QUALITY VOICES here.
2. Greater emphasis on the diversity of membership base.
PDF is in greater need of
diversity in its membership base than ever before. There is a bare minimum presence of American and Arab nationals in this forum. This vaccum creates an
imbalance in exchange of
perspectives about various topics here. If more of these nationals are encouraged to join PDF, there will not be a need for non-Americans and non-Arabs to speak on the behalf of and/or to highlight potential perspectives of Americans and/or Arabs in relation to various topics here. This isn't about patronizing Americans and/or Arabs in discussions
but to have their perspective in various topics which is actually good for this forum and Pakistan itself. Forums enable people-to-people contacts after all.
3. Greater emphasis on the SAFETY of members.
*
ADMINISTRATION is expected to take safety-related considerations of a member very seriously.
My take is that political discussions have the potential to create
misunderstandings between otherwise decent people. Nevertheless, Pakistan strives to be a DEMOCRATIC society in practice - this is for the best of all its nationals in real life and otherwise. A democratic society allows an individual to express his/her views without FEAR of potential repercussions in real life and otherwise. People are
not infallible and
not perfect in real life - any person can have a lapse in judgement and/or post an exceedingly controversial POV in relation to any topic which might not sit well with the masses. This does not warrant the need to
abuse him/her in a discussion, and to go as far as to issue threats to him/her (i.e. threaten consequences in real life).
REPORTING should be encouraged instead.
I suggest a SAFETY POLICY for members of this forum due to serious nature of ongoing discussions here.
In fact, much better to let members know what to post here and what not to.
Advisory and Review Panel ???
Aur ayse na bolien ap, hum hain ap ke liaye yahan!
