OK, readed it now, I understadn that the massive amount of threads with simplistic purposes that don't contribute in very much to the forum, must be controlled somehow. However I'm not so sure if the Literal Dream Zoos are inadequate for the new forum, maybe it cannot be in Speculative Zoo Design and Planning since it was not about that, but rather in ZooCommunity or other more adequate section. Certainly this thread was not educational, however is a form of share experiences in like-minded people that was the third point in your "goals of the forum". This thread was not a:
- hypothetical discussions about developments or exhibits in existing zoos
- ideas for specific theoretical collections - such as geographical or species themes
- speculation about extinct species and how they might be exhibited in zoos
- individual designs for a fictional zoo where you have thought out how you might design exhibits, choose species to keep and encourage visitors - where other members may critique your design and make suggestions for improvement. The key word here is "design" - we expect some thought and detail, not simply listing species of animals.
... But also is not a:
- role playing games where participants assume the roles of zookeepers or characters in a fictional scenario and act out their decisions in the thread
- animal breeding and exchange games where participants pretend to run a fictional zoo and breed/swap animals between their facilities
- any other type of challenge which involves creating fictional exhibits or zoos
It's just people sharing what they dreamed if the dream is zoo-related, and certainly is not a game nor a challenge, and you said:
"For example: "What species would you include in a walk-through-aviary based on {some geography or theme}" ?
Or perhaps: "How would you design an exhibit to showcase kangaroos?"
Or even: "List your top-10 animals that you would choose for a section of a zoo based on {some geography or theme or similar}"
... just don't make it into a game or challenge. The point is for discussion and education."
I think you try to keep those threads that could be interesting from the point of view of zoo staff, such as these thread that could be readed by a zoo keeper and used as ideas for a real zoo, while people sharing what they dreamed is certainly not useful for a real zookeeper. I agree that while this thread was adequate for Fantasy Zoos, is not adequate for Speculative Zoo Design, as both titles implies different ideas. But personally I think the thread was adequate for "ZooCafe" or something like that.
There is an alternative thread about this still open or somewhat else that I missed? Otherwise, closing this thread would be an insane unforgivable atrocity!
at the end of the day, it wasn't a vital enough thread to merit the constant vigilance and moderation which keeping it open and ensuring people didn't try to evade the new rules by posting fantasy zoo designs under the guise of a dream would have required.
I didn’t see that, my apologies