Posted by Dr. Bob on July 23, 2013, at 22:09:38
In reply to Re: I feel sad, posted by alexandra_k on July 21, 2013, at 0:28:20
> > I don't understand why you think that you have the responsibility to new posters to respond substantively to Lou's posts.
> >
> > I thought insofar as there was a responsibility... It was to respond positively to the new posters.
>
> The nub of our disagreement then is that I do in fact think there is a responsibility to new posters who have been accused of terrible things upon their entry into our site, to attempt to limit the damage that some responses can have. And its imtention is to be supportive--supportive to new posters and old posters both, in attempting to protect the site iself and the potential for collective discussion. It hopes to reduce the risk that highly critical and harsh comments will push away those who could benefit from their presence here.
>
> willful> Or maybe the nub of our disagreement is that you think the best way to limit the damage is to focus on the damage. Whereas I think the best way to limit the damage is to shift the focus.
>
> alexandra_kI did suggest countering negative information with positive information. But if the poster isn't worried about the terrible things, it might not be necessary. So maybe a more flexible way to respond would be to ask if they would like the negative information to be countered.
Bob
a brilliant and reticent Web mastermind -- The New York Times
backpedals well -- PartlyCloudy
poster:Dr. Bob
thread:1047429
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20130702/msgs/1047720.html