A Plea to Long Time, Level-Headed Members Who Still Post Here

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

At least AJ was honest with his opinion and I believe that his contempt has NOTHING WHATSOEVER to do with ideology. He is contemptuous across the board with poorly thought out responses and he is particularly contemptuous over posters who post continuously using crude and vulgar bigotry.

I'd amend that a little to additionally include posters who conflate bigotry with ideology. There quite a few of those. They are the same people who will express page after page of outrage if some scientist in the UK writes an intemperate email to a peer about a global warming dissenter but will maintain absolute silence in the face of blatant bigotry and racism, because the bigot/racist is on "their side" of the ideological divide.

It's time to go back to trying to communicate online the way we communicate in everyday interactions - with a bit more restraint and civility, even to those whose opinions or ideas we find repulsive.

I disagree. Repulsive opinions do not deserve civility. In fact, when you are civil in the face of opinions of that nature, you give them a veneer of respectability. That is unacceptable.

Edited May 25, 2010 by w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

The bottom line is that the current state of OT along with its atmosphere bleeding into the upper forums drives away membership. I think admin has acted on the desires of the vocal minority that want less moderation. Wasn't there a survey not so long ago that indeed showed that "the people" want a more heavily moderated site?

If the desire for OT to be heavily moderated, Ewok will need to move away from the current practice of only addressing complaints. Most posts will need to be read, and for this to happen OT will need a large number of dedicated (OT only) moderators. As is the case with anything with a large number of staff, guidelines for what constitutes appropriate use have to be clear and concise and unambiguous.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

I'd amend that a little to additionally include posters who conflate bigotry with ideology. There quite a few of those. They are the same people who will express page after page of outrage if some scientist in the UK writes an intemperate email to a peer about a global warming dissenter but will maintain absolute silence in the face of blatant bigotry and racism, because the bigot/racist is on "their side" of the ideological divide.

I disagree. Repulsive opinions do not deserve civility. In fact, when you are civil in the face of opinions of that nature, you give them a veneer of respectability. That is unacceptable.

You can always say something is repulsive in a civil manner......

The bottom line is that the current state of OT along with its atmosphere bleeding into the upper forums drives away membership. I think admin has acted on the desires of the vocal minority that want less moderation. Wasn't there a survey not so long ago that indeed showed that "the people" want a more heavily moderated site?

The survey didn't mention OT, but as a whole most people said VJ was moderated about right.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

You can always say something is repulsive in a civil manner......

That requires a level of verbal dexterity (not to mention emotional maturity) I do not possess

[NArocks 13]

That requires a level of verbal dexterity (not to mention emotional maturity) I do not possess

[Sinergy 3]

I used to post in OT ALOT..however sitting in my sons pre-k class felt like i was amongst more maturity than sitting and reading in OT

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I used to post in OT ALOT..however sitting in my sons pre-k class felt like i was amongst more maturity than sitting and reading in OT

Hi Tara! :star::star:

[Peikko 1,575]

That requires a level of verbal dexterity (not to mention emotional maturity) I do not possess

Yes you do, and sometimes you wield your verbal sword with the dexterity of Zoro.

I also would have given your last two posts a rating of 20+, but only because I agree with you and you seem to have articulated more fully what I seemed not to be able to get across

[Peikko 1,575]

You're misrepresenting what I've just said and have been saying. No one is forced to reply let alone read anyone's post or thread. In fact, I've grown quite accustomed to completely skimming over some members' threads and posts for various reasons. That's my choice and I'm sure others feel the same and do the same. The problem that I see is that many here take every opportunity to antagonize one another by hijacking threads or replying to someone's post without adding anything to the topic. I've done it, you've done it and most everyone who is still around in OT has done it. My argument here is that in itself helps perpetuate contempt which then bleeds from one thread to the next. While there once used to be a friendlier sense of community, everyone's got a chip on their shoulder.

No, I'm not saying anything of the sort. I'm saying there are more appropriate ways to confront, challenge, or deal with opinions that you might find repulsive or beyond redemption. The 'anything goes' experiment was tried and it failed. It's time to go back to trying to communicate online the way we communicate in everyday interactions - with a bit more restraint and civility, even to those whose opinions or ideas we find repulsive.

I was a bit harsh, but I don't get why you want some threads santised just because in your opinion they are more serious than others. We are all different, we all have a different take on what is and isn't interesting, and what should and shouldn't be taken seriously.

I moderate my posted dependent on the person I am addressing. If they are articulate, they will get an articulate response, if they are narcissistic inarticulate bigoted nutcases, then there isn't any subtle way to respond. Every time someone like that posts something I notice and believe to be offensive, I'm going to react with a none to subtle post of my own.

[chri'stina 190]

That requires a level of verbal dexterity (not to mention emotional maturity) I do not possess

I agree with Madame Cleo, that you do. Whether you choose to write one way or another is up to you. I would have used multi-quote but I can't figure that out.

[SMOKE 1,426]

Yes you do, and sometimes you wield your verbal sword with the dexterity of Zoro.

I also would have given your last two posts a rating of 20+, but only because I agree with you and you seem to have articulated more fully what I seemed not to be able to get across

I agree with Madame Cleo, that you do. Whether you choose to write one way or another is up to you. I would have used multi-quote but I can't figure that out.

its not worth the effort & i agree AJ is more talented than he thinks.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Yes you do, and sometimes you wield your verbal sword with the dexterity of Zoro.

I also would have given your last two posts a rating of 20+, but only because I agree with you and you seem to have articulated more fully what I seemed not to be able to get across

I agree with Madame Cleo, that you do. Whether you choose to write one way or another is up to you. I would have used multi-quote but I can't figure that out.

its not worth the effort & i agree AJ is more talented than he thinks.

I am sure there is an easier way to do this.

[Peikko 1,575]

Yes you do, and sometimes you wield your verbal sword with the dexterity of Zoro.

I also would have given your last two posts a rating of 20+, but only because I agree with you and you seem to have articulated more fully what I seemed not to be able to get across

I agree with Madame Cleo, that you do. Whether you choose to write one way or another is up to you. I would have used multi-quote but I can't figure that out.

its not worth the effort & i agree AJ is more talented than he thinks.

I am sure there is an easier way to do this.

Like how? It's very 'colourful' none the less

Boo, my multiquotes aren't nested

Edited May 25, 2010 by Madame Cleo

[Peikko 1,575]

Now they are, but what's with the two browns?

[Ban Hammer 12,842]

Now they are, but what's with the two browns?

why do you hate brown posts?