Posted by Dinah on January 20, 2003, at 5:35:57
In reply to Re: Please don't ban people - Mitchell, posted by BekkaH on January 19, 2003, at 22:21:08
Why do people object to Dr. Bob enforcing a policy of expecting us to behave politely to each other, to refrain from posting on how to obtain illegal drugs, etc? It doesn't really seem all that unusual or controversial to me. In fact, at most places I go, in real life or on the internet, I am expected to adhere to certain standards of behavior. In fact, at most places I go, I would be banned (not blocked for a certain length of time) if I continued to be uncivil after being requested to stop.
I understand that there are many sites where there is no moderator and no civility standards. People are free to seek support at those sites if that is the atmosphere they prefer. Babble is not the only source of support in the world. To me, the reason Babble is superior to those sites and the reason I choose to post here, is because of Dr. Bob's administering of the site along the lines of the site's civility guidelines. Is he perfect? No one is. But it's better than the alternative in my eyes. But to those who prefer the alternative, it's there. No need to try to change Babble into one of those other sites. Those other sites are there and waiting for anyone who wants to use them. And Babble is here for those of us who prefer this format.
It is far easier for me to refrain from responding to an uncivil post directed towards me or someone else if I know that Dr. Bob will take the appropriate measures. I don't particularly like the flavor the board takes on sometimes when Dr. Bob is obviously away, and things get out of hand.
As far as PBC's are concerned. That reminder from Dr. Bob saves people from a lot of argument that could get a lot nastier than a plain Please Be Civil. In fact, Dr. Bob discourages uncivil replies to an uncivil post. And I don't see blocks as anything but Dr. Bob's only way of enforcing the standards. I know Mitchell mentioned deleting all offending posts and privately communicating administrative decisions. But unless those privately communicated decisions could include a block, he'd have to be here 24/7 to delete offending posts. And I don't see anything particularly supportive or improved by having things done secretly with the majority of the board left to gossip and guess about what happened. Plus people would see the post before it was deleted, other people wouldn't know what they are talking about, etc. Posters would be able to say that Dr. Bob told them this or that without any public record to keep matters straight.
I just don't get the whole controversy.
poster:Dinah
thread:8860
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20021128/msgs/8893.html