Posted by alexandra_k on November 2, 2010, at 21:55:59
In reply to C'mon, pro-block members, chime in, posted by ron1953 on November 2, 2010, at 10:46:57
> I think we need to hear from the "other side of the aisle". I sure would like to know their views.
Well now, this is rather easy...
(Playing devils advocate - so to speak).
If there weren't any blocks at all then people would say things like 'I hate you you useless piece of sh*t' to each other. That would undermine the supportive aspect of this site and then posters would leave.
There are already a lot of online communities that don't have much in the way of moderation and because of the online disinhibition effect people really can be very hostile to each other.
This is a community that is supposed to be supportive. Some people here can't or don't stay in other online communities where people do say hurtful or unsupportive things to each other. Even without the online disinhibition effect many people are here because they find that others are hurtful or unsupportive IRL and they have trouble coping with that too. This place is special because it is meant to provide a sanctuary from such things.
The way in which it does so is for Bob to decide whether or not he will block people on the basis of what he decides is 'uncivil' words. Clearly if he didn't block people for up to one year for saying 'I think' instead of 'I feel' then the community would degenerate into people saying 'you useless piece of sh*t' to one another and then... Well... I guess then people would leave.
You know, the 'good' ones. The ones who Bob chooses not to pick apart their posts.
And that would be a horrible thing (for them).
Of course.
poster:alexandra_k
thread:965628
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20101014/msgs/968161.html