Posted by Toph on November 10, 2010, at 10:34:35
In reply to Long blocks, posted by Dinah on November 10, 2010, at 9:30:33
What is the express intent of long posts Dinah?
Is it intended to change the poster - shape him or her into a more civil member of the community?
Or is a long block intended to inflict a progressively harsh punishment commensurate with the frequency of the infractions?
Or is the length of the block intended to protect the community or provide respite from a harmful uncivil poster for a period of time?
If the intent is to teach a poster different conduct I have always felt that it is more effective to give them frequent sanctions (say a max block of 4 weeks) than to block for a year causing huge gaps in learning experiences.
As far as the progressive blocks, it is a common criticism that the blocks in this system don't always seem to fit the crime. A heinous attack on another member as a first offense has no sanction while calling oneself an @ss as a repeat offender could lead to a block for a year.
Then if the intent is to protect the community from people who won't conform to the rules, why not just ban them for life and be done with it?
poster:Toph
thread:969574
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20101014/msgs/969583.html