What's up with these weird, vague posting rules on the r/alternative sub?

Hey everyone!

It really sucks that we’re wasting our precious, irreplaceable time trying to clear this up.

I started a thread over in the Alternative subforum titled: "nirvana = nirvana?"

A few hours later, the mods locked it down with this explanation:
"Just because this section is called 'Alternative' doesn't mean anyone can just show up out of nowhere, inject whatever random thought they have, and call it a topic." — Quoting Hulk.
*No hard feelings!*

In this Alternative section, you see threads like: "Paranormal phenomena, our weird experiences, and investigations..."; "Brain unlocking"; "The TV is reading my mind..."; all the way to stuff about UFO sightings, conspiracies, cults, and ghosts... I'm not denying any of that, but I also don't judge people for sharing their subjective experiences "out of thin air," because I truly respect everyone's inner world and what they go through.

But I wasn't writing about something imaginary or impossible to verify; I was talking about something that can actually help with real, everyday life and its struggles. And it's something that can be proven, though at the end of the day, everyone's journey is their own.
I'm not talking about some fantasy-based, purely subjective stuff—I'm talking about something practical and grounded with measurable results in life that others could actually back up.

So, I’d really like to ask: "What exactly is the problem here?
I’m looking for a specific, well-supported answer.
Thanks, much respect.

Thanks for getting back to me!

I really hope you’re aiming for this forum to become a more polite space—one with the potential to actually respect individual freedom for people and our beloved animals/creatures too... I'm not being bitter, I just want to make my point, especially since I know you care about "animals" and those individual beings as much as I do.

- "The problem is my long-winded post?"

# Common sense says you explain as much as you can, because I know what I wrote can't fully be captured by words or intellect alone. I actually pointed that out in the text.

# Also, regarding Alternative, people really do write just about anything there with total honesty. I totally agree, and honestly, that's actually a great thing. Fact.

- Quoting you here: "Nobody is defending these paranormal phenomena which definitely fall under Alternative, and if users are entertained by the dumbest spiritual anecdotes, gossip, and fears, why defend them? Other PDFs have plenty of gossip threads too."

# Well, you're putting my topic in that category, but why did you lock it?
Why block my silly Alternative stuff compared to everyday, standard issues?

# I read the Alternative subforum rules.

- Quoting you again: "*suggestion for improving subforum workflow * no hard feelings* I don't see how your interpretation of "nirvana" could concretely help in this actual, real, everyday life and its problems."

# You don't see it for one simple reason: you won't allow any further communication where there's a chance that you, I, or anyone else might notice something we haven't seen before—or even dreamed existed.
I'm always consistent with that because I truly feel how important it is.
You aren't even letting me get called out for being wrong, delusional, or having someone explain that I'm just stuck in my own fantasy.
For all we know, maybe aliens gave "Alex" some kind of knowledge?!
Or maybe, during one mysterious morning while I was putting on my left sneaker before heading to work, they transmitted the secret of what's actually happening in our lives!

Who knows? Who's the authority on that?
You? Me? Who? What?
It should just be based on common-sense, realistic observations of how "that" makes us feel most of the time in our lives! 🙂

Why judge and block that conversation? How are you looking at that post? Why not take the risk that I might be wrong or lost?

To me, there's no logic involved other than personal, individual, their/our own.

suggestion for improving subforum workflow * no hard feelings

The world needs non-linear, deep thinking now more than ever.

Sorry for the massive reply. 🙂
Best.

I gotta agree—the standards over at Alternative are pretty much nonexistent. A few months back, they wiped two of my threads without any heads-up or actual reason. Honestly, I’ve never had that happen on any other subreddit. I don't really get how anyone can claim they know what counts as "alternative" content and what doesn't. And this idea that moderators get to dictate the "spirit and tone"? I mean, come on. This isn't some scripted theater production or a personal playground for one person—it's supposed to be a space for public discussion.

Not sure who wiped my threads—might even be someone who isn't a mod anymore—so I’m not really aiming this at anyone in particular. Just a suggestion for improving subforum workflow * no hard feelings, but "Alternative" feels like way too vague a term for someone to just use as an excuse to delete posts based on their own personal standards. People should probably just be allowed to post whatever they want, as long as they aren't bothering anyone.

Hold up—don't you guys actually want more people using Alternative? Pretty sure you aren't gonna get there with these vague rules and constant power trips.

What are you even basing that on? Since you’re so big on democracy and all—suggestion for improving subforum workflow * no hard feelings—maybe just run a poll on it. That way we can actually see what people think, at least the ones who haven't already bailed. If I'm wrong, I'll shut up about it. 😁

So you just mentioned you actually care about user feedback and that it shapes how you make decisions. But—how are you supposed to figure out what people think about the service if you aren't asking them? I guess. Also, do you guys track any actual stats for the number of users on Alternative? Like, is the base growing or shrinking? That seems like it would be a pretty solid indicator of how the moderation quality is holding up.

Can someone please delete my thread?

Reason: The vibe here feels way too Rigid...

Just my two cents: Honestly, you guys are actually doing something great by building much-needed alternatives that feel more human and open to new ideas.

Live long and prosper

Hillary Clinton, I'm assuming the mods mean well—hopefully, anyway—and there isn't much competition here. So, maybe just try being a bit more patient. Who knows, they might actually listen to us.