Posted by Toph on February 6, 2005, at 21:08:02
Many have noticed Atticus' frequent complaints about Bob's myriad rules and blocks. He views Bob’s sanctions as infantilizing of adults whose discourse is needlessly constrained and who are punished as if grounded to their rooms when they are bad. During my 3-week confinement it dawned on me that Bob's interventions are not just degrading to the pilloried poster, but they are frequently infantilizing for the putative perpetrator as well. If two posters disagree and one is not supportive of the other, is it not condescending for Bob to stop the discourse when both parties may not want his intrusion? The other day at work I overheard a guy say something overtly sexist to a fellow female employee. I jumped in and chivalrously chastised his boorish comment. I was quickly knocked off my high horse when the woman told me to stop patronizing her, that she could handle this situation herself. I wish Bob would be less condescending towards the adults on this site who, for the most part, are competent individuals capable of resolving many disagreements on their own without his demeaning interference. Even skilled caregivers of children are aware that while intervention is sometimes necessary to prevent harm, in many circumstances disputes need only be observed in order that children are allowed to learn for themselves how to work things out. Therapeutic group members by and large police their own conduct. As a PB participant of less than a year’s time, I wonder how many interesting and valuable posters have left frustrated and degraded by restrained speech. Imagine how dynamic this group could be if members were treated in a more adult fashion, if Bob demonstrated better discretion with his use of authority by investigating before reacting, and if we all had more of a say in helping each other become more respectful of each other.
Toph
poster:Toph
thread:454128
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20050128/msgs/454128.html