Posted by twinleaf on December 4, 2010, at 9:00:21
In reply to Re: the value we place on the health of this site, posted by Dr. Bob on December 4, 2010, at 3:19:49
:
"Remember, a block can be the result of a minor infraction, but if it's long, that's the result of a long pattern of uncivil posts".Bob
All of the posts for which I have received blocks were about changes which might make Babble more vital and thriving. I was about to receive a block of one year for using the word "outlandish" to describe a block given another civil protester. All of my blocks were given because Bob found some word in my posts that he claimed made him feel "put down". No other posters were ever involved; I could never know what he would happen to find uncivil. I finally felt so hounded and unfairly singled out for punishment that I could not stay here.
I'm here right now because I thought some of the administrative changes spearheaded by Solstice were very promising. I noticed that Bob, far from punishing civil protesters like me as he has done in the past, was showing interest and responsiveness. I think it is wonderful that he is willing to set up a Council which would review and modify blocks, and I hope there will be enough community interest to make it a reality.
I am definitely willing to let bygones be bygones if we are moving into a new era where Bob shares some responsibility with us in the running of the community. But I did want to remind those who think the present block system is fair of what happened to me. I will never be able to believe that I have ever been uncivil to Bob, even though he apparently thinks so. ; No amount of lengthy blocks can change my mind on that point. There is no point blocking me for a year could serve other than inflicting emotional distress and punishment on me, While in the past Bob has cited punishment as one of the legitimate reasons for long blocks of repeat offenders, I doubt that he would want to give it as a reason now. I think my situation is a very powerful example of the dangers of one-person rule, and also of how much harm long, idiosyncratic blocks can do, and why the blocking system urgently needs changing.
As Bob, Solstice and others move ahead, I want to give my strong support to their efforts.
poster:twinleaf
thread:971091
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20101201/msgs/972405.html