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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Quintal on February 13, 2007, at 20:04:47
I've noticed on several occasions that posters sometimes seem to be blocked more on the basis of the politics of the individual deputy rather than on the relative incivility of their posts. At times I get the impression there may even be rivalry between parties in authority. Beware naive posters who may get caught up in the fray.
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060310/msgs/619951.html
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060310/msgs/620306.htmlQ
Posted by Declan on February 13, 2007, at 22:26:54
In reply to Civility as a Tool of Censorship, posted by Quintal on February 13, 2007, at 20:04:47
Or is it civilty as a tool of rough justice?
Which admittedly is better than no justice at all.
Posted by Quintal on February 13, 2007, at 23:01:05
In reply to Re: Civility as a Tool of Censorship, posted by Declan on February 13, 2007, at 22:26:54
It's precisely the fact that many blockings seem so biased and unjust that might lead one to believe they are an act of censorship. Which is more reminiscent of dictatorship than civility, and much worse than rough justice.
Q
Posted by Declan on February 14, 2007, at 0:39:19
In reply to Re: Civility as a Tool of Censorship » Declan, posted by Quintal on February 13, 2007, at 23:01:05
You could be blocked for your attitude, or blocked for the effect you have on others, or the reputation of the board generally.
I think I've seen that happen.
Posted by Quintal on February 14, 2007, at 20:29:25
In reply to Re: Civility as a Tool of Censorship » Quintal, posted by Declan on February 14, 2007, at 0:39:19
>You could be blocked for your attitude, or blocked for the effect you have on others, or the reputation of the board generally.
>I think I've seen that happen.In which case it's not a true matter of civility, but one of censorship as I described at the outset. I guess it's the lack of plain honesty in such situations that bugs me. I think it would be more respectable and civil to explain from the outset that certain ideas and viewpoints are unwelcome cannot be openly expressed on these boards without danger of blocking. I would prefer and respect that much more than seemingly disingenuous attempts to justify such blocks on grounds of civility.
Q
Posted by Declan on February 15, 2007, at 2:05:27
In reply to Re: Civility as a Tool of Censorship » Declan, posted by Quintal on February 14, 2007, at 20:29:25
But it would be really difficult to codify.
You can't really say which people need to be excluded for the majority to function OK.I really liked the scene in Amadeus where Salieri slits his throat outside in the snow, and the festivities continue in the Prague palace, almost enlivened (one feels) by the sacrifice outdoors.
That's life.
Posted by Quintal on February 15, 2007, at 9:56:51
In reply to Sweeten my imagination » Quintal, posted by Declan on February 15, 2007, at 2:05:27
>But it would be really difficult to codify.
Why do you think so? It should be fairly straightforward.
>You can't really say which people need to be excluded for the majority to function OK.
All the more reason to be careful of who you exclude, I would imagine.
>I really liked the scene in Amadeus where Salieri slits his throat outside in the snow, and the festivities continue in the Prague palace, almost enlivened (one feels) by the sacrifice outdoors.
I think you're going off on a bit of a tangent there Dec. There's nothing terribly difficult about legislating for civility, and even kindness. I think Dr. Bob has made some attempt at that already with his "Please don't post anything that may lead others to feel accused or put down" clause. It's applying these standards right across the spectrum that the problem seems to lie.
Q
Posted by Dr. Bob on February 25, 2007, at 23:36:28
In reply to Re: Sweeten my imagination » Declan, posted by Quintal on February 15, 2007, at 9:56:51
> There's nothing terribly difficult about legislating for civility, and even kindness. I think Dr. Bob has made some attempt at that already with his "Please don't post anything that may lead others to feel accused or put down" clause. It's applying these standards right across the spectrum that the problem seems to lie.
I agree, it's not easy.
Bob
This is the end of the thread.
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