This week on the CIX forums:

eBay
Should eBay behave more like a normal auction, and adjust the time when a new bid is made rather than allow swiping in the last few seconds? This could end up with more chance for the seller to make more money on the items they’re flogging as it would force buyers to engage for longer. Or would it put people off completely as they wouldn’t be able to win at the last second? Join the conversation on cix:ebay/4general:4495

The American CIX
It would seem CIXen have found their overseas peers in conferencing forum ‘The Well’. The Well’s story and fortunes are very similar to CIX, though some members who have tried both didn’t think it had the same friendly feel.
Read more in cix:pointers/5www:4181

British Values
Raffles called off have been dubbed an attack on British values – but aren’t we more than a raffle in a village hall? Is Gove’s British Values campaign facing the same fate as John Major’s Back to Basics?
The debate continues: cix:politics-open/15general:3011

Superstition tested
The BBC told the story this week of a man who has had to flee to Finland from India for fear of his life. Sanal Edamaruku took on a Hindu Fakir who claimed he could kill anyone with tantric chanting but after hours on live television Edamaruku showed little sign of even discomfort, let alone death.
Lend your voice: cix:humanist/5superstition:1616

Journalists under fire
Eagle eyed CIXen have noticed seemingly contradictory articles by journalists writing in different publications this week. Whilst in one, they are crying outrage at the sugar laden treats we’re all giving our children, in another, they are ‘fat and proud’. Another day, another dollar, or should journalists have more pride than that?
cix:private_eye/11wibble:2882

Well it’s very nice, but is it Art?
The BBC’s look at 10 important photographs from a new collection raised lots of queries about photography and whether it can be art. CIXen waxed lyrical over a photograph of two buckets – the Holy Pail, if you will – and noted that it speaks volumes. About 10 litres.
cix:photo/12general:1434

Jokes:

A classic every time:
The England World Cup team visited an orphanage in Rio today.
“It’s heartbreaking to see their sad little faces with no hope,” said Bernardo, aged seven.

Steven Gerrard reveals that England are preparing for World Cup penalty shootouts by practising shaking their heads while looking dejected.