Posted by Racer on March 31, 2006, at 12:52:52
In reply to Re: How come I never get warnings, only blocks? » special_k, posted by Deneb on March 31, 2006, at 11:23:17
> > I think that context sensitivity should come into it.
>
> Context sensitivity bothers me. I like to think that Dr. Bob is simply the enforcer of the rules, that he has no say in the matter. I like to think that the rules are black and white and Dr. Bob has no choice when it comes to blocks.
>Deneb, life itself comes in all sorts of shades of grey. Life is not black and white, and the rules here reflect that reality. Dr Bob does have a good deal of discretion, because this is HIS SITE. And he's not a machine, he's a human being. He does his best, I'm sure, to be completely fair. And if he isn't always perfect, how about we offer him the respect of seeing that as part of being human?
> > Well. I don't know how others feel about this... But... The point of the boards is support and education. Of one another. I think that people who seem to really grasp that and really help others... Well...
>
> Some people aren't so good at supporting others. I want them to feel like they matter too.Those people don't get blocked because they aren't good at supporting others, they get blocked because they break the rules. Let's keep that in mind. Larry Hoover is a great example of someone who does get it, who does offer a very generous amount of support and education to others -- and he still got blocked. The blocks aren't a reward/punishment system based on how popular a particular poster is. They're a way to try to enforce an environment which feel psychologically safe for people here.
Yes, it's hard if you have been blocked. When it's something you've done that has gotten your hand slapped, it's hard to see that as a safe place. Tell me, though, Deneb? Do you feel as though you've learned anything from your blocks? Have you learned anything about staying within the guidelines? Maybe about getting along with others a bit better? Or do you think that your blocks were totally arbitrary, and something which Dr Bob did to you, rather than a response to something you did?
>
> > Maybe it is about reinforcing appropriate behaviour.
>
> I don't like the idea of that at all. Rules should apply to everyone equally. I hate thinking that there may be a subset of people here who get special treatment.So should be reinforce INappropriate behavior? Punish appropriate behavior? The rules here apply to everyone, the difference tends to be in how people respond to that application. Some people use the PBC to try to learn to modify their behavior to stay within the guidelines, others don't. How do you think the rules should apply in those situations? Should the person who comes back saying, "Oh, sorry -- I didn't see how that could be read, but I'll be more careful next time," be treated the same way as someone who said, "That's stupid, I can say whatever I want, and you can't do anything to stop me?" Shouldn't there be a difference in the sanctions involved in those two different situations?
>
>
> > I think you should talk to your t about this...
>
> I'll try to remember to bring it up.It seems like a good thing to bring up. Maybe write yourself a note so you can remember to talk about it?
poster:Racer
thread:626907
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20060317/msgs/627117.html