Posted by Deputy Dinah on December 8, 2008, at 12:39:29
In reply to Re: Blocked for 2 weeks » BayLeaf, posted by lucie lu on December 8, 2008, at 11:14:10
> Also, the post to Llurpy was pretty blatant.
[Muffled]
> The ones in llurpsie's thread were the worst, vulgar, completely uncalled-for, off topic, and I thought, really disturbing.
[Lucie Lu]
One thing I've always admired about Dr. Bob and his administration of Babble is that the civility guidelines also apply to blocked posters, perhaps particularly to blocked posters (or posters who have received a PBC for a post). Admin sanctions clarify board guidelines rather publicly. It doesn't really foster a supportive environment to let more be said. In fact, it might be noted that deputies often don't respond to posts by a third party complaining about a block or PBC. This isn't because of defensiveness. It's because anything that might be said to explain our actions would not be particularly sensitive to the blocked or PBC'd poster. Posters return from blocks and PBC's (and we're glad they do). We'd like the environment to be one where they feel comfortable returning, and where shame is minimized.
For myself, I've had on board meltdowns. Sometimes it was hard to return, because there had been some discussion and I was embarrassed or ashamed. Well, I'd have been embarrassed and ashamed either way, but it was much worse. I'm talking about my own experiences here, and why I appreciate Dr. Bob's policies on this matter. I'm in no way implying that other people's behavior or response was similar to my own.
Deputies really appreciate support. And certainly we do feel sensitive to objections about our actions. I don't know if Dr. Bob is as unmoved as he appears, but we definitely aren't as unmoved as he appears. However, we do understand (and have had drilled into us) that there is a tension between support and administration. And that at times support expressed to other posters will necessarily imply disagreement directed at Admin. We try to understand it in the spirit it was intended. We're also aware of the tension between the two roles because of our dual roles as poster and as deputy. As much as we'd like to be supportive to any given poster, we have to balance that desire with the needs of other posters and the needs of the board as a whole. We do our best. But to expect that our best would be universally accepted as great, or even good enough, would be unrealistic.
poster:Deputy Dinah
thread:867435
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20081003/msgs/867481.html