Posted by Minnie-Haha on June 12, 2005, at 22:08:58
In reply to Re: any chance we could... » Minnie-Haha, posted by so on June 12, 2005, at 20:31:51
> I think we're fairly close in our opinions, though my recognition of any merit in the proposal is not based on a personal recognition of the merit, but rather, recognition that others consider it to have merit. I don't agree with the use of the word "civil" as a synonym for "compliant with terms of service" so of course I have concerns about anyone suggesting anyone else is not civil.
It seems you prefer precise language, and there are times when I insist on it too, especially when I'm struggling to understand something or make myself absolutely clear. I use “civil” as a shorthand sometimes in these kinds of threads for longer terms like “compliant with terms of service” or “conducive to civic harmony and welfare… but also the mission of support and education.” But I think we’re basically talking about the same thing right? Guidelines for how to post, or “behave.”
> I have no problem wording querries without citing the basis for the querry, and in my estimation based on archival reading, the practice of citing a post might have evolved from the administrator's request that such citations be included, after some people offered general querries that seemed to better serve the intent you seem to express in your proposal.
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> Otherwise, my critique of your point #3 is that some people, myself included, might avoid participating in threads where it appears there is confusion over what language will be deemed acceptable.
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> For example, I have stored on my hard-drive a message I wrote that suprises even myself, wherein I describe the health risks associated with inhaling tars, carbon-monoxide and pyrobenzines associated with a titration of a particular substance, laws against which were called, apparently with the administrator's endorsement, "hypocritical" "pathetic" and "a joke." I will not publish the accurate and potentially life-saving (or at least life-extending) information until and unless I believe the thread is moderated in such a way that I can consider internal inconsistencies in my own behavior, values and judgements without one aspect of my potentially changed behavior or judgements being considered "hypocritical"…I followed this debate for awhile, but it was too much for me. I never formed an opinion one way or the other, but I do very much understand your bafflement (Is that a word?) I have been misunderstood too, IMO, and surprised to be blocked when I thought I was absolutely posting within the civility guidelines. So I follow your complaint in general. I do think PBCs and blocks sometimes get administered quickly here in some instances, and not so in others, and when I set the two “offenses” side by side – Well, it doesn’t feel right.
> Therefore, a requirement that a person participate in a thread before requesting clarification about the contents of a thread would seem counterproductive to me. If people want the three-complaint policy, I'm sure those seeking clarification can find general ways to seek clarification IF the administrator will afford time to offer such clarification and IF the administrator will allow citations of posts, or quotations from posts in the context of asking why he ruled one way on some occassions and another way on others and especially if the administrator does not then request people to post links to other's posts then use compliance with his request as the first, second or third expression of a complaint contrary to his proposed new rule intended to reduce inquiries about his definition of something even he could not define until he saw it.
If I’m following you here, I could see, yes, perhaps referring to a thread you’re not actively involved in, but which closely resembles one of your own posts or threads that has resulted in a PBC or block. My complaint is with habitual challenges to others’ civility. I should expect anyone might make these kinds of requests from time to time, but when they come up daily, sometimes several times a day, that’s what I object to. I think you understand me, don’t you?
poster:Minnie-Haha
thread:511073
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20050530/msgs/511810.html