Warning Concerning Disruptive Behavior

[j. d. worthington]

I have already posted my own response to the fiasco which Pyan (bless him!) had to shut down... and my own response would have been a lot more harsh, I must admit. Pyan was behaving as a tolerant gentleman.

I, on the other hand, am not.

Rather than put in a new message, I will simply repeat what I said there. The majority of the people in the Lounge will be well aware that this does not apply to them. The people here tend to be a friendly bunch, concerned for each other, and remarkably tolerant and kind. As moderator of this area, I am proud of them, however little time I have had to participate. That is about to change.

As for the other:

We have had an increasing problem with rudeness, incivility, ad hominem attacks, and unacceptable behavior in general in the the WA forum for some time now, and it has been spreading to other areas of late. Attempts were made to appeal to people's better nature, to get them to tone it down and behave as part of a respectful and friendly community, even when they strongly disagreed. The results were less than appealing -- the first time we have had such a pronounced problem with this since I've been here.

Now this behavior is cropping up in the Lounge. I'm letting all know point blank: you do in the Lounge, you get banned. I have reached a no-tolerance point with such behavior, and this area has had a long history of being a safe place to come and relax and simply enjoy each others' company and conversation; a little silliness and a little seriousness, and just a spot away from the grind. I have no intention of letting it get degraded.

If I'm not here, Pyan (or any of the other supermods around) have not only my permission but my urging to take such action as seems necessary, up to and including banning -- and, as I said, for the time being, I have absolutely no qualms where that is concerned, or patience for that which leads to that option.

This is your ONLY warning. I advise those of you indulging in such behavior take it seriously.

For those of you who have contributed to the making of the Lounge a safe haven (however frivolous, silly, or downright strange at times), my thanks. For those who would disrupt: well, you know the old saw about not letting the door hit you....

[The Judge]

Thank you for the reminder. And thank you also -- and thanks to Pyan and all the other moderators -- for the work you do to ensure this remains a place where we may relax and be safe from abuse.

J

[j. d. worthington]

You are quite welcome. As has probably been abundantly evident, I prefer a free-and-easy approach here; but if it becomes necessary, I can get very nasty very quickly.....

[The Ace]

It's a sod that it's come to this, JD, but I'm right behind you on this one.

[Ursa major]

* Gulp *

I hope none of my remarks are ever considered to be ad hominem attacks.


But it's good that the law is being laid down, even though the Mods don't really want to have to do so.

I'd hate to see this site descend to the depths others I've seen have, where personal attacks are common/obligatory and there's mob rule. (Very unpleasant; and I'm only reading them, not posting in them, so they don't have that excuse. )

[pyan]

Just to say - I'm right behind j.d. on this, and whereas he works all the hours the gods send, and has to make his visits here fleeting, I don't - the regulars know just how much time I fritter away on my favourite site.

You've been warned - my advice is to look up at the storm-clouds....

[The Ace]

No Ursa. While it's true that the Geneva Convention are reviewing some of your puns as we speak, their effect is too general for them to meet the criteria on ad hominem attacks.

[Gary Compton]

Originally Posted by The Ace

No Ursa. While it's true that the Geneva Convention are reviewing some of your puns as we speak, their effect is too general for them to meet the criteria on ad hominem attacks.

I wish I knew what ad hominem meant but It's right for the mods to crack the whip now and then.

They do a great job and when I'm rich and famous I intend to take them all out to Macdonalds for a slap up meal on IBrian's account.

Three cheers for them Hip! Hip Hoorah...

Come on then you miseries get into the spirit of things

[Teresa Edgerton]

Ad hominem Definition | Definition of Ad hominem at Dictionary.com

JD is referring to the second meaning.

Although when people start out doing the first they often further descend to the second.

Let it be noted by all and sundry that there are Chronicles moderators in time zones around the world -- besides the fact that some of us never sleep anyway. We are particularly alert for signs of trouble having spent most of the holiday season cleaning up messes, and we are going to do whatever it takes to end the escalating ill will. The Chronicles forums are meant to form a community where people can come and share their thoughts without fear of being flamed, mocked, or disparaged, and we intend to see that it continues to be exactly that kind of community.

We know that these are difficult times in the real world and that everyone has frustrations they want to vent, things they are bursting to say. Well, type them in if you must, but please think hard before you hit "Submit" (and after you've done that, give some thought to hitting "Edit" while you still can).

[Gary Compton]

Originally Posted by Teresa Edgerton

Ad hominem Definition | Definition of Ad hominem at Dictionary.com

JD is referring to the second meaning.

Although when people start out doing the first they often descend into the second.

Let it be noted by all and sundry that there are Chronicles moderators in time zones around the world -- besides the fact that some of us never sleep anyway. We are particularly alert for signs of trouble having spent most of the holiday season cleaning up messes. And we are going to do whatever it takes to end the escalating ill will. These forums are meant to be a place where people can come and share their thoughts without fear of being flamed, mocked, or disparaged, and we intend to see that it remains that kind of place.

Thanks for the definition and joking apart as I was in my last post even though my Northern British humour went down quicker than the Hindenburgh. I must say I love this site and keep up the good work.

If any moderator needs help with sleep, please let me know. I'll be happy to Skype them with one of my stories. Always a good way to drift into zzzland.

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

In my opinion, I felt that thread was long overdue for a closing, and I thank all the mods who keep a good eye on this place.

[Gary Compton]

I've been thinking about this in the last couple of minute since I posted. Why don't you have a name and shame section in every forum.

If someone steps out of line, they're quoted and given the chance to publicly apologise or justify their comments.

You would then alert other members to possible trouble makers and also give people the chance to ask for forgiveness of their sins.

It's just a thought.

[Culhwch]

Originally Posted by Ursa major

I'd hate to see this site descend to the depths others I've seen have, where personal attacks are common/obligatory and there's mob rule.

Exactly the situation we do our best to avoid. Mostly we try to work quietly in the background, letting the site go about its business with a little nudge here and a little spam clean-up there, so it's unfortunate that every now and then we have to fire off a shot to get people's attention. The key thing here is that we moderators are just long-standing members who love this place as much as anyone else. Every now and then we get a member who's used to doing things differently elsewhere (either on the web or in real life), and while we preach tolerance, forbearance and second chances, damned if we're going to let someone change this place for the worse. It's a great thing to see we have such support from the larger community, and we do appreciate it.

I must say I'm looking forward to that McDonald's outing, Gary. Well, not so much the McDonald's as the free trip to the UK. I'm going to hold you to that...

[Gary Compton]

Originally Posted by Culhwch

I must say I'm looking forward to that McDonald's outing, Gary. Well, not so much the McDonald's as the free trip to the UK. I'm going to hold you to that...

Cough's nervously! Eem excuse me I was talking about the Macdonalds just round the corner from you and I did say IBrian would be paying.


Leaves quickly to let the dogs out for a pee!

[Teresa Edgerton]

Sorry, Gary, that question has been asked before by people who really didn't know what it meant, so even though I considered the possibility that you might be joking I decided to provide the definition for those who needed it.

Originally Posted by Culhwch

Mostly we try to work quietly in the background, letting the site go about its business with a little nudge here and a little spam clean-up there

Yes, I miss the days when our work mainly consisted of giving the occasional gentle hint or silently whisking the odd bit of spam away -- and very odd some of those bits of spam were.

Well, not so much the McDonald's as the free trip to the UK. I'm going to hold you to that...

I hadn't thought about that aspect. Awesome. Gary pays for the plane tickets and Brian pays for the meal. Sounds equitable to me.