Posted by Dinah on June 22, 2009, at 9:16:32
In reply to Re: We could talk more abt handling blocks better..., posted by seldomseen on June 22, 2009, at 7:50:37
I would hope that support for the poster who may have been feeling hurt would also be given.
I think the problem is that blocks are the only way Dr. Bob has of ensuring that site guidelines are followed. If someone violates civility guidelines after being warned, Dr. Bob's only way to give the civility guidelines any meaning at all is to block. If the poster chooses to do this repeatedly, the blocks escalate.
Perhaps in part they escalate because Dr. Bob has limited time, and prefers not to go through the sequence every two weeks. (Just guessing). Perhaps they have something to do with the fact that civility guideline violations are often extremely disruptive to a board. Dr. Bob wants this to be a place for support and education. Although he values each and every poster, his responsibility might need to be for the board as a whole.
I say Dr. Bob, because deputies do not set block caps. However, I have to say that I am not in favor of limiting blocks to a week or two. For example, if one poster tends to be irritated by a second poster's posting tyle, and tends to post negative things about another poster, is it fair to the second poster to make that possibility occur every two weeks? If I were the second poster, I would leave Babble, and thus be effectively blocked.
No one speaks of those effective blocks, but I only recently saw someone leave Babble without making any statement of leaving, but obviously after feeling hurt by posts. The civility guidelines are designed to minimize those effective peer blockings.
Subtle incivilities can be as hurtful as blatant incivilities, as you may have noticed. Without blocks, the civility system would be toothless and worthless. Incivilities in response to perceived incivility are just as disruptive to board stability and often lead to escalation and taking sides.
Dr. Bob has his reasons for the current system, and IMO, solutions that do not address those issues will not be well received by him. Solutions that address those issues satisfactorily and lead to fewer blocks will likely be happily received.
I have *always* been in favor of reducing the impact of blocks. I like that blocked posters can chat and receive babblemail, and I offer the possibility that sending babblemail unless they are uncivil on babblemail may also be good. Separating babblemail incivilities from board incivilities might be able to be done?
I have always objected to the idea of disappearing posts and behind the scenes giving of blocks and pbc's. I think it is crazymaking. But it seems to be the generally accepted internet practice now. It may be time to reopen that discussion, since posters seem to be distressed at the shame of on board administration. Not that I believe there ought to be any shame, though I certainly understand it. I had my post deleted and was privately warned, at a board that has nothing to do with mental health. My warning and post removal had nothing to do with civility, but was about what subject matter was pertinent to the board. I was definitely ashamed, even though it was done in a lovely manner, and even though I replied with a great deal of appreciation for the clarification to the moderator who contacted me. So I do understand. But that does bring up another point of invisible moderation. I would not have made that error if I knew how board guidelines were interpreted, and that is impossible to do with off board admin actions and disappearing posts.
I'm not trying to squelch ideas. I'm just trying to add a different dimension.
poster:Dinah
thread:902488
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20090529/msgs/902601.html