This forum
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[quote name=“Entimp” post=“27926” timestamp=“1378985838”]
Why I closed the thread down.A member of these forums recently gave an interview selling FTC to the world via a mainstream digital currency podcast. He used the expression ‘Attack the issues not the person’. And many respects that will sum up why I closed the thread down.
1. The post [b]baited[/b] two members to discuss an issue that I’m sure they have already discussed.
2. The thread, even if you think legitimate, will be derailed by other contributors and the message will get lost in choosing sides and personal attacks.
3. I don’t think our community forums want to foster this type of conflict resolution.
4. The OP made comments in the chatbox about a big rumble between the two members and started this post after. We do not encourage this at all, it is school yard mentality.
5. Did the two sides of the challenge explicitly accept to be involved? One may have taken up the gauntlet but that does not imply that the other will… and to intimidate or cajole the other party by lack of answer or reply is not on!
6. I have not edited the thread at all, although on other forums this would have been deleted. We are all encouraged to say what we want and think. It simply has to be constructive, respectful and productive. There was nothing respectful about this, towards either party.
7. Closing the thread was defending both respective parties involved. They are both big enough to defend themselves in open sensible debate… not be forced to perform like organ grinding monkeys by a third party.Tuck, do you think childish superficial threads are what we need to encourage engaging conversation? Do you honestly think locking the thread was due to a ‘fanbois’ attitude? It was an attempt to engage two members to attack each other via thinly veiled disguise of fun.
If you want to discuss it, fine. If you give me a sensible and logical argument as to why that style of thread is valid, respectful and constructive then I will personally re-open it.
PM me or respond here.
[/quote]Thank you for your well reasoned reply. You’ve obviously thought this through very carefully and I appreciate you taking the time to lay it all out.
[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XT5z_A8bam4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XT5z_A8bam4[/url]
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My pleasure Kevlar. I think we are all wanting to move in the same direction, I honestly do. I also appreciate the reply too. Thank you.
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[quote name=“chrisj” post=“27917” timestamp=“1378979314”]
How would you like to see it work?
[/quote]These are just some ideas off the top of my head, spur of the moment …
At the least, allow the thread participants to decide whether or not the thread should be locked. Instead of the current solution of one person deciding they’ve seen enough. I understand they were somehow deemed worthy of such power, but such power can be abused by the noblest of humans. And it usually is the case.
Add [b]ignore[/b] ability per user and perhaps if x # of forum members ignore said user, he/she are ignored by default for all new users. It’s Bush’s coin, perhaps he can ultimately set the auto-ignore to anyone he chooses or let the mods simply do that instead of locking the thread so that others can continue to post their opinions in the thread without having to move around to 2-20 different threads about the same topic (cough).
This would “clean up” any behavior deemed as childish or inappropriate for [i]the brand[/i] in case any grandma’s pop by to discuss the pursuit of the feather.
I would recommend auto-ignoring me. I will be thy sacrificial lamb. This will allow me much freedom to speak as I please without fearing I have offended anyone in any way. You will then be able to choose if you wish to view my chaotic rantings or quickly take a glance and hide it as soon as you’re displeased.
[b]I deem this solution the best and I hereby lock this thread from further opinions![/b] (see it doesn’t work very well, we need something else).
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[quote name=“Entimp” post=“27926” timestamp=“1378985838”]
Tuck, do you think childish superficial threads are what we need to encourage engaging conversation?
[/quote]I think I’m mature enough to determine for myself if something is childish or worthy of print.
[quote author=Entimp link=topic=3660.msg27926#msg27926 date=1378985838]
Do you honestly think locking the thread was due to a ‘fanbois’ attitude?
[/quote]I’m stating that far too often if a thread contains a post or two that contradict the status quo of the thread or is perceived as anti-feather the thread gets locked at the request of one or a few select others.
In cases like threats, malware, spam, etc … of course something should be done by a moderator quickly.
[quote author=Entimp link=topic=3660.msg27926#msg27926 date=1378985838]
It was an attempt to engage two members to attack each other via thinly veiled disguise of fun.
[/quote]That’s like, your opinion man. And again I’d like to think I can decide for myself whether to read an individual post (see my msg above) and be able to determine on my own the intent behind the content or if I even care.
When those in power are left to decide what happened, why and who did it … history shows bad things can happen (see The Reichstag fire, lulz).
[quote author=Entimp link=topic=3660.msg27926#msg27926 date=1378985838]
If you want to discuss it, fine. If you give me a sensible and logical argument as to why that style of thread is valid, respectful and constructive then I will personally re-open it.PM me or respond here.
[/quote]Consider it discussed from my end. I hope I have provided you with a logical argument and a possible solution. Personally, I don’t care if that thread is opened. That thread is not the issue. The issue is the repeated threads that have been locked when they deviate from the moderators perceived best interest of the forum members. I, as well as others, have disagreed repeatedly and they have only been addressed by adding new moderators that do the same thing (lulz).
It’s like complaining to the government that there’s too much government, then watch them assemble a committee to discuss it and ultimately arrest the person who’s bringing up the problem in the first place. Well, not really. ;)
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[quote name=“Tuck Fheman” post=“28015” timestamp=“1379040221”]
[quote author=Entimp link=topic=3660.msg27926#msg27926 date=1378985838]
It was an attempt to engage two members to attack each other via thinly veiled disguise of fun.
[/quote]That’s like, your opinion man. And again I’d like to think I can decide for myself whether to read an individual post (see my msg above) and be able to determine on my own the intent behind the content or if I even care.
When those in power are left to decide what happened, why and who did it … history shows bad things can happen (see The Reichstag fire, lulz).[/quote]
It isn’t an opinion.
FACT: Person ‘X’ encouraged persons ‘Y’ and ‘Z’ to publicly air issues in a format that isn’t conducive to constructive discussion.
It is intimidating and coercing to be asked to perform for everyone else and their pleasure. Especially with issues that are heated, meaningful and important. With any performance like this, one party is going to come off as a loser and thus feel ridiculed. It is also tantamount to being bullied into responding. No one on the forums should feel like they have to perform to a circus ringmaster.
The issue at hand can be discussed, no one is attempting to hide the issues. There is no secret agenda here, if you think there is then you are reading far too much into it.
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Here’s some free PR advice:
If nothing was done to that thread, it would have fizzed out and there wouldn’t be any more discussion. Period.
That’s how things roll for the majority of stupid things people say or do on the internet [unless they’re public figures].What instead happened, is the ideal of open democracy [something that I believe is a root philosophy behind the crypto-currency movement] was tarnished by prude moderation. Free speech is a huge part of open democracy. Even the crazy old man with one tooth should get to tell us we’re all being controlled by tiny robots.
So Entimp, even though you wanted to do the right thing in hopes of keeping the community “nice and proper”, you ended up actually doing more damage by applying your own personal views and standards onto a board which, to point out, is called “Off-Topic” [even though I believe it was something else earlier], and provides a deviation from regular programming.
I also jumped in on the Chatbox and noticed this exchange:
imineftc:
wow, entimp, 0 sense of humor
September 12, 2013, 01:50:40 am
imineftc:
peace out
September 12, 2013, 01:53:48 am
Entimp:
Dont push it!
September 12, 2013, 01:54:55 amHumour on your part or not, that’s a bit of a power display. I don’t feel like discussing it, but wanted to just share that it left a bad taste in my mouth. Maybe it’s time to reconsider your approach to moderation.
Just my two cents.
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Would you guys like to see a meta-moderation system on this forum?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meta-moderation_system
http://slashdot.org/faq/metamod.shtml -
I think this might be a good way to rebuild some of the community spirit along when implemented along with the revised Code of Conduct which will be published this coming week.
The new CoC will spell out everyone’s responsibilities more clearly, including that of the Mods, and a system of Meta-moderation would show the rules are being applied fairly.
I think it’s a good idea, at least initially.
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FWIW, I have no idea who locked the thread that started my rant and I don’t care. My reaction was not to the person but the idea of locking a thread in the first place. My apologies to anyone that took offense to my comments.
My intention was not to call an individual a “fanboy”, but that is the word I used to describe the essence of most replies that are deemed always acceptable.
No offense to any one person, I have openly stated before I’d rather see a bunch of people arguing good points (in any fashion they choose) or raising the attention level of any matters that should be addressed (in any fashion they choose) rather than 25 post saying they agree with op. I’m weird like that and I apologize.
I love you guys/gals! :D
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[quote name=“Tuck Fheman” post=“28135” timestamp=“1379177042”]
I love you guys/gals! :D
[/quote]Sorry that’s all I saw in the end :o
Just to add, the rest of it was great too Tuck and Thank you :)
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Whilst I agree with the vibe of this thread, closing it was a last resort. I honestly thought hard about the pro’s and Con’s of closing it. I read your post this morning Tuck, and my initial thoughts were fairly glib. However, I have stewed on it all day and if I am honest I did shoot from the hip in the chatbox. I should have just ignored it and left it at that.
A lesson learned in being more professional I guess, and I’ll be more courteous and thoughtful with my remarks in the future. I mean that with sincerity, it is very easy to say these things and not mean it.
At heart I’m a tree hugging hippy and love you all too!
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Forum modding is a thankless task and is always up to interpretation. A distinct listing of responsibilities helps. Everyone’s learning.
Thank God that this isn’t a gaming forum.
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[quote name=“iawgoM” post=“28336” timestamp=“1379438833”]
[quote author=jeremiel link=topic=3660.msg28334#msg28334 date=1379437029]
Thank God that this isn’t a gaming forum.
[/quote]Still, it doesn’t mean that we dont’ have haxors, aimbotters, wallhackers and pingers here :)
[/quote]Though there might be a few phreakers, green hats, and hacktivists.
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[quote name=“jeremiel” post=“28345” timestamp=“1379443620”]
[quote author=iawgoM link=topic=3660.msg28336#msg28336 date=1379438833]
[quote author=jeremiel link=topic=3660.msg28334#msg28334 date=1379437029]
Thank God that this isn’t a gaming forum.
[/quote]Still, it doesn’t mean that we dont’ have haxors, aimbotters, wallhackers and pingers here :)
[/quote]Though there might be a few phreakers, green hats, and hacktivists.
[/quote]You forgot the cypherpunks, metros, and Buccaneer-Americans. They’re definitely present and demand representation!