Posted by kid a on August 4, 2003, at 14:19:07
Some friends of mine that I keep in contact w/ from this board let me know re: the recent blockings on this board.When I think of a good reason for a block, I think malicious intent to cause another reader distress or harm. It may also included malicious intent to defer the nature of any one board (like posting obviously off topic posts in the faith board)...
I don't think of bad language, or literature, (that was my faux paus for so long)...
The problem is that there is no disclaimer for age, so I can understand why you are sensitive about language.
Unfortunately, (can I start a sentence that way), it seems as if now you have adopted a heavy handed mandatory minimum type punishment.
I've always thought your policy of blocking someone for 1 week first than 2 and so on was counter productive. First, these people are often in intense emotional pain when they make these posts, they often don't think about them as clearly as they should. Perhaps if you gave someone the ability to go back and edit their post that would facilitate a civil environment much moreso.
Instead you remove this person in pain, and you leave the post, like a head on a pike, still lingering to hurt whomever you think may be offended...
What happens, and I think this might be purposefull, is that eventually the bad elements just go away, frustrated, (that's what happened to me)... and the civility level is softened out to a nice soothing pap, suitable for ages 8 to 80...
I understand you are doing research on your posters and readers, and that it's important to have an environment where the propper data can be collected in a way that makes said data the most reliable, but I think that you are, loading the dice lets say.
A lot of times people are not civil, it is in our nature, but most of the time, we shake hands and continue on the next day... that's part of being a responsible adult.
I think you are taking a very Szasz (Thomas), like stance on this board in that rather than protecting the patients who may need the most help, you protect those who make the least waves. By distancing yourself, other than the father figure who delights in praise, you become this mythical Moloch the heavy judger of men.
Just reading the few above blocks it seems like many people are disapointed in them. And yet And Yet (impropper grammar), despite the discussion, there is no change EVER in your sentence... There is no reprieval from the governor... I don't know why you ask people to discuss the blocks at all since you have never to my knowledge done anything but what you choose to do regardless of what people say.
Now, personally If I had a grievance with you I would email you after I had been blocked, but who is it "Ace", re registered and posted it here, perhaps a bit unwitting of the rules, instead of being compassionate to someone who is obviously in need of a peer group, the heavy hand comes down again and you double the sentence per you usual mandatory minium statute.
You have to become involved with your readers bob, not just protect them from 'bad language' and perhaps a mysterious quote here and there... You have to realise the responsibility you have in creating a mental health website is not just in providing an area where people can chat and some medications monograms and a good dosage of exponentially lengthened shocks.
A good online comunity is made up of it's memembers, and as you have decided (wisely so, if you are collecting infromation on the participants), to not interact vis a vis with the users, you should at least show some compassion, and not expect that blocks which double for each offense, no matter what it may be, will correct a unique or different mind. It only serves to rid the community of someone who might contribute to it.
You have to understand, the mores and values of society have changed to a point where these things that you squelch do not so much offend people as they do make them feel at ease (in use of language) and perhaps make them think (in the use of quotes)...
Thank You.
If you would rather discuss this over email, pleaase let met know.
poster:kid a
thread:248064
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20030508/msgs/248064.html