Posted by OddipusRex on January 21, 2003, at 11:26:36
In reply to Re: I just don't get it, posted by Dinah on January 20, 2003, at 5:35:57
Dinah, I don't think it is in anyway disrespectful of Bob's position as leader to discuss ways things could change. Isn't that part of what this Admin board is for? In fact Bob said he wants feedback. If people don't want to be part of that discussion, they are free to avoid this board.
I think one of the most interesting parts of Babble is watching Bob's policies evolve. His definition of civility is getting longer and longer in the faq's and in case by case pronouncements. Most other boards have one paragraph at most. Yet bannings seem to be more and more frequent here as the definition expands.
I think there are other ways to deal with the civility issues. I think it would be a good idea to have banned posters apologize and or rephrase the particular comment that resulted in banning before being readmitted. It seems like this would give positive examples of the acceptable way to post on this board. It would also be a place to "mend fences" with the posters who might have been offended. Being willing to do that might also give an indication of future willingness to abide by Bob's rules. I think leaving the uncivil comments there with no correction leaves an unsettled amd unpleasant feeling sometimes.I'm not sure I would choose the word scolding for Bob's Please Be Civil pronouncments. I think shaming might describe it better especially when it is used in connection with never removing any post. I prefer his Please do not say anything which might make someone feel put down,etc. I think this addresses the behaviour more explicitly than PBC which could be interpreted as a judgement about the person rather than the action.
I think the biggest problem with the civility standards is that they are not applied consistently. I think it would be almost impossible for one person to do that in any case since this board has grown so much.
I don't think throwing out ideas about why the site is like it is or how it could be changed is a hostile act. Just the opposite. Bob is doing research and I think we're helping. And it's fun. Everyone can be an amateur social scientist
PS Please don't correct my grammar and spelling. It makes me feel intimidated. If you don't understand something because of the way I spelled or grammed, just ask and I'll try again:)
> Why do people object to Dr. Bob enforcing a policy of expecting us to behave politely to each other, to refrain from posting on how to obtain illegal drugs, etc? It doesn't really seem all that unusual or controversial to me. In fact, at most places I go, in real life or on the internet, I am expected to adhere to certain standards of behavior. In fact, at most places I go, I would be banned (not blocked for a certain length of time) if I continued to be uncivil after being requested to stop.
> I understand that there are many sites where there is no moderator and no civility standards. People are free to seek support at those sites if that is the atmosphere they prefer. Babble is not the only source of support in the world. To me, the reason Babble is superior to those sites and the reason I choose to post here, is because of Dr. Bob's administering of the site along the lines of the site's civility guidelines. Is he perfect? No one is. But it's better than the alternative in my eyes. But to those who prefer the alternative, it's there. No need to try to change Babble into one of those other sites. Those other sites are there and waiting for anyone who wants to use them. And Babble is here for those of us who prefer this format.
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> It is far easier for me to refrain from responding to an uncivil post directed towards me or someone else if I know that Dr. Bob will take the appropriate measures. I don't particularly like the flavor the board takes on sometimes when Dr. Bob is obviously away, and things get out of hand.
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> As far as PBC's are concerned. That reminder from Dr. Bob saves people from a lot of argument that could get a lot nastier than a plain Please Be Civil. In fact, Dr. Bob discourages uncivil replies to an uncivil post. And I don't see blocks as anything but Dr. Bob's only way of enforcing the standards. I know Mitchell mentioned deleting all offending posts and privately communicating administrative decisions. But unless those privately communicated decisions could include a block, he'd have to be here 24/7 to delete offending posts. And I don't see anything particularly supportive or improved by having things done secretly with the majority of the board left to gossip and guess about what happened. Plus people would see the post before it was deleted, other people wouldn't know what they are talking about, etc. Posters would be able to say that Dr. Bob told them this or that without any public record to keep matters straight.
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> I just don't get the whole controversy.
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poster:OddipusRex
thread:8860
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20021128/msgs/8930.html