Posted by twinleaf on November 29, 2010, at 13:38:16
In reply to Re: Explaining block length, posted by Dr. Bob on November 28, 2010, at 13:23:55
If I understand correctly, block length is to be determined by the severity of the incivility, the length of time since the last incivility, the number of inciviiities and an indefinite factor, the "pattern of behavior".
I understand this to mean an assessment by Bob about an individual poster's motives and attitudes. I feel this is a step backward. Bob's personal and private assessment of someone may be off-the-mark, and may differ markedly from the general assessment of the person by other posters. In addition, someone whose past has been characterized by a number of clear incivilities may grow and change, so that any current incivilities are minor and inadvertent. It would be very unfair to him/her to give heavier penalties. Doing that would put the emphasis in the wrong place - on past transgressions rather than present, more constructive behavior. It would have the same destructive effect that escalating blocks has.
If, on the other hand, a personal assessment of a poster's pattern of behavior is used by Bob to make the blocks flexible and (much) shorter, then I would support it.
Perhaps he can clarify this point.
poster:twinleaf
thread:969574
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20101014/msgs/971768.html