Posted by Larry Hoover on November 3, 2003, at 8:21:14
In reply to Re: policies and hurt, posted by Dr. Bob on October 28, 2003, at 22:57:02
I know I am formally replying to Bob, but this part may well be nothing more than an exercise for fellow Babblers.
I fear that new precedent, that blocks are now conditional, has opened Pandora's Box. Although one may argue that Bob's determinations of incivility were imperfect, the system seemed to be one of black and white. A post was civil, or not. But here we go into shades of gray. Perhaps not, but it seems so to me.
It now seems that posting a couple of days before your block ends is acceptable. Or maybe not.
It now seems that posting under different names is acceptable. Or maybe not.
It now seems that lengthy blocks (considering that lengthy blocks imply numerous incivilities) may remain lengthy. Or maybe not.
Humans have a drive to develop fairness in their interactions. I think it's a universal trait. However, given our own unique manner in determining just what fairness is, we're left with drafting imperfect compromises, such as rules of conduct. You can't please everybody. Maybe you can't please anybody. But we still make rules.
It matters not what the rules are, exactly, there will always be those who will argue from either side, with respect to just exactly where the line between the two sides is placed. Clear and simple rules are far easier to apply than those with exceptions. You get into arguing about multiple lines at the same time; rules within rules.
I was striving to apply the KISS rule; Keep It Simple, Stupid. <that's not uncivil, I hope>
Rules mean more to certain psychological states than to others. They mean a lot to me. My childhood was not fair. And, I could never figure out the rules. I didn't know it was because there weren't any.
In adulthood, rules mean a lot to me. I don't play the game without first reading the rule book. I know that rules are arbitrary, often contradictory, perhaps even irrational. Doesn't matter to me. I want to know about every one.
We need to take the ambiguity out of our present situation, or this cannot be a safe place for me. I hope I'm not asking for too much.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:273904
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20031008/msgs/276031.html