Posted by Solstice on December 13, 2010, at 22:09:20
In reply to Re: clarity, posted by twinleaf on December 13, 2010, at 20:54:48
> Thank you, Solstice. It's encouraging to know that these things are on the table, at least as much as they can be. Since Bob in the past has shown a willingness to shorten blocks a bit, perhaps we could follow that up. I think he said that he would do it, but that he would like to see a parallel reduction in incivilities on our parts. That seems fair. Still, 10% would not make enough difference for the very long blocks. Is there any discussion of a cap on blocks? Almost everyone who has given their views on this topic wants a cap of a few weeks or a month. And on a related topic- the formula that results in long blocks- is changing it or eliminating it under consideration?
>
> Sorry for all the questions! You have gotten us quite a ways towards solving some of the problems which have concerned us, so, of course, we are going to show our appreciation by bringing up even more of them...
You are so kind, Twin! Honestly - I get excited when I read posts like yours here! As for me helping push things along - I think it's been easier for me to shoulder that part of this process simply because although I have been here a long, long time and have silently been part of (or at least have observed) Babble's evolution, I do not bear the wounds of the accumulation of administrative hurts. There are so many incredible people here who are capable of leadership - full of wisdom and good will.. but the hurts that they've weathered are somewhat akin to sitting outside in shorts and a t-shirt during repeated hail storms. As a result, these exceptional people are skittish, hesitant to hope, and I could go on and on - you get the point. (And this is why it bothers me a lot that Bob insists on elections in hopes of it eliminating candidates not 'sturdy' enough. I think there are plenty of sturdy - but wounded - leaders here. They can be chosen by the community without subjecting themselves unnecesssarily to rejection - and still be the kind of 'sturdy' that is needed by Council members). I maybe think of myself as carrying them and their voices on my less battered shoulders as we push forward for improvements here. I might be able to more easily bear the uncertainty and the chaos of seeing this thing thru because I was not visibly here to bear the wounds inflicted during the existing system. It's not my wisdom that I have in my hand as I keep knocking on Bob's door. It's the wisdom of the Old Guard here. Their knuckles are worn and aching. So I'll knock on their behalf - and hope it eventually annoys him enough to listen to the wisdom the Old Guard has layed on his doorstep repeatedly - vfor a long, long time.As for your questions:
If I remember correctly, his offer to reduce by 10% was in response to a request that all blocked posters be released in an amnesty of sorts. Cut loose.
There have been a lot of requests that he amend his blocking formula ad/or put a cap on it. He has seemed to hear it. In my view, though, having a Council that can shorten/release a block after a minimum time served sort of eliminates the need to fool with his blocking system. It's almost an in lieu of thing. And a Council is a MUCH better option for the community because even if he capped his block at - say - six months - or even three months, that still does not give the blocked poster the ability to, after they have settled down and rethought it, come back and offer to make repair - hoping for a quick return to the community. Having a way to restore privileges relatively quickly is the huge thing here.
Now.. under the Council proposal Bob wants there to be a minimum time served before Council can release a block. That seems reasonable to me. Bob has asked what people think the minimum time should be. Not many answered. I think a week should be the longest minimum. I'm thinking that if we can get over the hump of *how* to seat a Council - the matter of a minimum time served could be figured out after we have a Council. Maybe the new Council could help sort that out.
Solstice
poster:Solstice
thread:965628
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20101201/msgs/973492.html