Posted by SLS on March 3, 2014, at 7:21:53
In reply to Re: Trolls and Freedom of Speech » 10derheart, posted by doxogenic boy on March 3, 2014, at 3:22:24
I think it would be a big mistake to judge and identify anyone as being a "troll" for the purpose of website moderation. It is sort of like identifying someone with borderline personality disorder (or any other mental illness) and banning them from the website once they display problematic behaviors consistent with the description of that disorder. What if a deputy or moderator misdiagnoses someone? I think it is safer for the community to concern itself less with what a person is versus what a person does.
How does a troll become a troll? Were they formally educated by the public school system to be a troll? Are there college classes for trolling that include lab work to practice troll behaviors? Can one be officially certified to be a troll? Are there blood tests we could use to differentiate a troll from a mentally ill person who does troll things?
If a troll does troll things, then they will very likely be in conflict with the civility regulations for communication of Psycho-Babble. It really is a matter of if, when, and how the moderator decides to take action once they become aware of the violative posting behaviors. You can use the "Notify administration" function at the bottom of the posting page to convey your concerns. Ultimately, it is the role of the moderator to judge civility and not the deputies. It really doesn't matter that the deputies should try to make policy by defining what a troll is. It might be the deliberated decision of the moderator to allow uncivil behavior in a given circumstance.
Can you list a few objectionable things a troll will do that would NOT be a violation of this website's posting regulations?
Maybe a troll can learn not to be a troll? If so, blocking him from posting for a year will not optimize his chances of accomplishing this.
There is a delicate balance between acting on behalf of the individual versus that of the community. Sometimes, the best interests of the community are served by allowing someone to post uncivil material. This is for the moderator and owner of the website to decide absolutely, regardless of popular vote. The balance scale is Dr. Bob, and his eyes are not blindfolded.
I think Dr. Bob has demonstrated his willingness to act, even if most of us don't like the timing.
Having said all of that, it is still my intention to offer resistance to what I feel is undesirable behavior by posting my usual confrontational silliness. If my behavior becomes undesirable, Dr. Bob usually lets me know about it.
- ScottSome see things as they are and ask why.
I dream of things that never were and ask why not.- George Bernard Shaw
poster:SLS
thread:1061607
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20131217/msgs/1061720.html