Posted by Solstice on November 14, 2010, at 1:03:22
In reply to Re: Proposal for Mechanism for Blocked Posters to Retu » Solstice, posted by Dinah on November 14, 2010, at 0:17:24
> Perhaps you could use a different term than civility buddy. I think you're describing a different level of commitment and involvement than we're currently proposing. I don't know if I'm willing to be involved with a major expansion of the idea. If it comes to that, it may be that someone else could take over the administration.
Hi Dinah..
First, I very much appreciate your feedback. I think I used the term because I thought it would be less confusing. I saw it as just a variation of the casual Civility Buddy system already in place. But you are right.. what I'm thinking of does add another level of commitment compared to a more casual, behind the scenes civility buddy work. I don't know how much commitment it would need.. and to be sure you are the one who knows the most about how it works.
There is really only one benefit to what I'm putting out there for consideration... and that would be to address the problems with blocking that have plagued the site for so long. I don't anticipate being personally affected by blocks, and I don't imagine you do either. There really isn't anything about it that *I* need; the idea can die on the vine right here, and it changes nothing for me.
I have no trouble overlooking - passing over - ignoring - posts and threads related to blocking activity and all the arguments and conflict about whether this block or that block is justified, plus all the confict over block length. None of that interfers with me reading what I want to read, and now that I've been posting, responding to what I want to respond to.
But for all the hurt and pain I've seen expressed here over the merits of various blocks, the length of blocks, the particular members blocked, and pleas for no blocks, reduced blocks, or various modifications of block formulas, it seems to be a really important issue that takes up a lot of space on the boards, and causes its share of disruption.
If people really want it to change, then people will have to be willing to be involved. How much involvement/commitment it would take is certainly something that could be figured out. I should probably point out that whether you are comfortable with it or not, you carry signficant leadership power here, Dinah. And the bottom line is that without leadership and community involvement, nothing will change. If the current situation with blocking is something everyone can live with, then it wouldn't make sense for anyone to trouble themselves with a new mechanism. But in that case, I wouldn't understand how anyone could complain about Bob's civility guidelines, inconsistent application of PBC's, blocks, block formulas, or block lengths.. if they are not willing to put in the time and effort & personal risk to put something in place.
My attempt to put together a mechanism for more merciful enforcement of civility guidelines is neither an agenda or personal interest of mine. I've probably said all that can be said about it in the proposal I made. I will leave it at that, and if anyone wants to pursue it - I do think it has a good chance of succeeding. But it will take commitment from members to bring it to life.
Solstice
poster:Solstice
thread:969928
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20101014/msgs/970167.html