Warning Concerning Disruptive Behavior

[j. d. worthington]

Criminy! I go away to my evening shift to come back and find at least ten times as many posts as there were when I left!

I am somewhat surprised to see such a vocal outpouring of support -- I rather expected people to be a bit taken aback, even if in agreement. But hearing that we do seem to have fairly general support is indeed heartwarming... and much appreciated.

Some interesting feedback, and I'm glad some ideas got batted about as well -- even those which are not, for one reason or another, feasible.

TEiN: No, you were not one of those to whom I refer. Disagreements, giving honest but civil feedback (no matter how fervently stated) is fine. It is when personal attacks, outright rudeness, and simple viciousness toward one's fellows surfaces -- as it did in that thread -- that the problem arises. And that has been increasing of late. But I think all the moderators are of the mind to take a "no-tolerance" approach to this now, and those who breach the darned few rules we have will be dealt with rather peremptorily when it comes to this. Simple slips of a different kind -- inappropriate language or content of a mild nature, etc. -- will meet a suitably gentler response.

But I also want to make it clear to those who have received warnings in the past on the sort of thing which prompted this thread, that the time for warnings is over. As of today, if you have received one, it is quite likely to be your last. From this point on, the penalties are likely to be much more severe, and much more swiftly issued. So learn to either curb those tendencies, or leave. Those who wish to interact with others sharing some similar interests while yet often having very different opinions or worldviews are welcome, as long as they remain civil to their fellows here. This by no means interferes with healthy, vigorous debate, but it does put a bar on flamewars or insults. For those who cannot refrain from turning to personalities, there are plenty of other sites where you can indulge your tastes. This isn't one.

[chrispenycate]

Dropping in to add encouragenent and support, for what it's worth; the discussion in my little corner is rarely heated, except in those occasions it collides with religion (there is no need for those discussions to become heated, although difference of opinion is inevitable), and I steer clear of threads that are beginning to smoke (of course I'm a coward; what were you expecting?)

But, before arriving here I spent some time on an unmoderated site, where anything went and, even if I had time to go back to it, I wouldn't, although 90% of the members were good.

Discipline migt not agree with me any too well, but I can't understand the mentality of people who get pleasure from making others unhappy.

Oh, and the Geneva Convention is still out on Ursa. Largely because they expect me to explain the jokes for them, and me explaining anything...

But it is questionable if they actually fall under "torture", or merely "conduct unbecoming to a gentlebear".

[thepaladin]

Wow, miss a day and things happen. Since I'm not even aware of ehat was removed I to hope that it's a good sign I wasn't involved. Do allow me also to say that the Mods. here are some of the best I've run across in the "world of forums".

I agree this is a place to kick back and talk about things we enjoy...or role play something entirly fanciful. Wouldn't want to mess that up.

[Boneman]

And I have to admit to reading some threads and NOT wanting to contribute because of the vehemence that was flying back and forth, I was quite shocked at how bad some of it became.

So, I add my heartfelt support to the Mods in the name of reason, politeness and friendship. Three Beers for the Moderators!!

And a Happy New year to us all...

[Teresa Edgerton]

Originally Posted by chrispenycate

the discussion in my little corner is rarely heated, except in those occasions it collides with religion

You've forgotten Global Warming, chris. That can get intense -- and political. I had to remove a post on that topic from S & N just the other night. (No doubt you would have dealt with it yourself, but I happened on it just after it was posted.)

[Ursa major]

Surely it was always going to be hard to avoid heated exchanges when discussing anything on the subject of ACC.


(Although perhaps Chris thinks we're currently in a cooling(-off) period.)

[Sparrow]

Does anybody see the the danger in over moderation, trading vibrance for dullness, giving the easily offended so much sway?

My goodness.

Take a jaunt to the Asimov's Forums and you see what happens when the personalities are retired one by one; you're left with a rather lifeless approximation of debate conducted under the watchful eye of a moderator whose preference for dull greys and friendly chit-chat has destroyed what was once a wonderfully crazy forum. The writers are gone, the insanely funny nowhere to be seen, the spectacular train wrecks all a thing of the past.

Aren't we getting a little carried away here... a moderation lovefest?

I just wonder sometimes, what does it feel like to be so offended.

Today's reading assignment, Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451?

[Mary Hoffman]

I have no idea what all this has been about but happy new year to all on the Chrons and specially to Brian and the mods. You all work very hard and it helps casual droppers-in like me to feel safe and at home in the Network.

Sorry if any members have abused their pseudonymous personae to attack others. As one without an alias - though I have been recently offered Erika the dancing valkyrie and Nathalie Squelch (via Google Alerts and Twitter) - I have to be careful what I say, which is why I stay out of discussion threads on living writers.

But I do enjoy my visits here and check every day.

So a very good 2010 to one and all, starting under the auspices of a full blue moon.

[chrispenycate]

Originally Posted by Teresa Edgerton

You've forgotten Global Warming, chris. That can get intense -- and political. I had to remove a post on that topic from S & N just the other night. (No doubt you would have dealt with it yourself, but I happened on it just after it was posted.)

Thank you.

And no, it would quite possibly have taken me a while. I do try to drop in as often as possible while being shuffled between family members, but 'tis not easy.

[Ursa major]

I'm all for vigorous debates.

The trouble with debates that descend to ad hominem attacks, though, is that they cease to be debates. If debate was at the level of, "Of course relativity is nonsense: put aside the ridiculous idea that time isn't constant; consider instead that that patent clerk can't even comb his hair properly," there'd be no proper conclusion (unless Einstein had combed his hair, obviously).

If one believes a conclusion is wrong, point out where you think the reasoning is off, don't shout "bad breath" or "your avatar looks daft" or "you're obviously not a caring person".

Simples. (And a lot easier to argue, given we don't really know that much about each other.)

[Gary Compton]

Originally Posted by Sparrow

Does anybody see the the danger in over moderation, trading vibrance for dullness, giving the easily offended so much sway?

My goodness.

Take a jaunt to the Asimov's Forums and you see what happens when the personalities are retired one by one; you're left with a rather lifeless approximation of debate conducted under the watchful eye of a moderator whose preference for dull greys and friendly chit-chat has destroyed what was once a wonderfully crazy forum. The writers are gone, the insanely funny nowhere to be seen, the spectacular train wrecks all a thing of the past.

Aren't we getting a little carried away here... a moderation lovefest?

I just wonder sometimes, what does it feel like to be so offended.

Today's reading assignment, Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451?

I like the place just the way it is and the Mods are just ordinary members, who've been here a long time and they only intervene when things get out of hand.

They don't interfere that much to be fair and so consequently the place is full of wind swept and interesting people like me and Crispy and long may it continue.

It's a fact of life that there has to be rules and therefore there has to be enforcers of the rules.

[Gary Compton]

Originally Posted by Ursa major

Simples.

www.comparetheursamajor.com

[Ursa major]

ROFL, Gary.

[dustinzgirl]

I would like to remind some individuals who may or may not have posted in this thread of the following:

Forum membership is a privilege. Not a right.

And no, I do not see any problems at all with asking people to follow the rules, which are explicit and explained.

If an individual would like to start their own forum where they can do whatever they want then I would suggest getting your own VBulletin account.

Personally, I have a -- inability to keep my mouth shut. However, when my dear friends remind me that I'm getting a little too mouthy and obnoxious, I will gladly alter my post or curb my tongue and/or apologize, because while I'm loud I do not want to hurt anyone's feelings or be offensive.

Some people seem to enjoy being offensive, personally I have noticed a trend not only in uncivil behavior towards other individuals but against site authority and against persons of non similar race, religion, political views and/or creeds.

As a person, I would not allow such behavior to carry on in my home or around my children and would make my disagreement clear. I tend to do this also as a site member. As a moderator, I have a job to do and to remind people when their behavior is leaving civility and approaching cruelty, and I have a job to inform other moderators so that we can come to a decisive conclusion as to whether or not that individual should remain a member.


In response to Sparrow, we lose more members due to ridiculous behavior than we would lose memberships from stopping ridiculous behavior.

I do not say these things as only a Chrons moderator, but also as a moderator of several other forums, each with its own distinctive culture and characteristics. Individuals who can not follow the rules or accept decrees and punishments as doled out by admins/mods are quickly removed. This is the only forum I have ever moderated at where member removal and even infractions are discussed by all moderators thoroughly and a fair, democratic decision is made.

[Gary Compton]

Gulp!