Posted by kid47 on March 7, 2007, at 13:24:57
In reply to Re: Ironic isn't it, posted by notfred on March 7, 2007, at 11:35:17
> It is made clear that blocks are not punishments,
they on consequences of not following the rules, even after a warning or warnings.<Yeah, I used to use the same rhetoric when disciplining my kids. It went something like, "You are reaping the consequences of your actions. In our home as in society, if you don't follow the rules there will be consequences." I still think it felt like punishment to them. A necessary evil when raising kids. One difference was I had very clear cut rules. They were not vague or capricious. I enforced them consistently. Then too, I used to find it ironic when a parent would smack their kid as punishment for hitting or biting another child. I 'd like to think we are not, for the most part, children here at Babble. I understand the need for rules. It just feels to me that among other inconsistencies, things have gone a bit overboard in the breadth of interpretation of what constitutes an infraction. Over the last 5 or 6 years I have seen these civility policies drive away a lot of smart caring folks. I for one post a lot less than I used to,(not that I'm all that smart or caring for that matter) because the atmosphere feels very restrictive to me. I usually avoid these types of issues like the plague. I finally decided to clock in on this because I am impressed with what appears to me to be an exclusionary quality in the admittedly arbitrary enforcement of THE RULES. It could be interpreted that these rules are enforced more stringently with a certain type of poster or style of post. Ultimately this might feel like harassment to that certain type of poster and eventually drive them from our ranks. Is that the intention? I'm not being dramatic. I have seen this happen many times. I dont think this place would be nearly as interesting or supportive if we ended up with a gaggle of what I would call "Stepford Posters."
Unfortunately I feel the need to qualify this post with the usual disclaimers:
These are purely my opinions based on my perceptions. None of these statements are intended to pressure or put down anyone. If anything I have written here causes anyone to feel pressured, accused, put down, disliked, disenfranchised, disturbed, distilled, distracted, destroyed, disconnected, dis-inhibited, dissed on, discombobulated, dizzy, daffy, sleepy, grumpy, or other wise unhappy, I am truly sorry.
poster:kid47
thread:738795
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20070304/msgs/738984.html