Discussion Point

[biggleswade]

Before I joined AB I spent quite a while reading threads and the posts they contained. I admit I was impressed by the willingness of the majority of posters to help one another, whether this was in answer to questions or cheerful cyber conervsation.

However I must say I have become increasingly appalled by the way some posters have been behaving of late. I agree that it would that it would be impossible for all of us to agree with one another all the time and I, personally would not welcome that. Discussion and disagreement are a healthy way to behave as they should lead to greater awarebess and understanding..

I have seen some behaviour on here that I can only describe as cyber bullying and am confused as to the way in which these threads are being monitored. Some complete threads have been pulled and then sometimes is only a post is pulled. Some posters have been suspended for something that I, frankly do not understand. I do not understand the reasons and as none are given it is not possible to discuss or come to an understanding.

Most sincerely I hope this thread is not pulled by a Mod or by Ed as I would appreciate some discussion on this and thereby learn what other posters think about the points I have mentioned.

[ummmm]

I've seen some cyber stalking and hounding but very little bullying.

Most of the bullying comes from trolls and gets zapped pretty sharpish.

[Jeza]

I have also seen cyber stalking. I have seen bullying too.

[biggleswade]

Thank you ummmm. Maybe I should have used your more descriptive words of stalking and hounding instead of bullying. A good point.

[society]

I'm still thinking...

[DTCwordfan]

We are all one happy family here, surely? No spats, no rows, no attempted houndings or anything like that, each willing to support each other......aren't we ummmm and Jeza?

I've no idea where biggles has got this impression from.

[ummmm]

I think in general most people get on okay.

[Mamyalynne]

I think overall the site retains it's overall helpful way - there will always be personality clashes, that is to be expected.

If I have one observation it is this - why when people find something so 'infuriating' or terms similar, do they continually return to said threads. It bewilders the heck out of me.

[Just-Jude]

I've seen two people hounded off since I joined. Those involved seem to enjoy a high profile on here. Something not right!

[Jeza]

Only 2 Jude. You really must keep up.

[DTCwordfan]

Mamya, because in history lies the evidence - no wonder Henry Ford say that "History is bunk."

[vulcan42]

There is a trait in the British psyche that they are not happy unless they are complaining. This site reflects that, in other words people love to complain.

[Spoonboy]

I believe one should have the chance to appeal a decision to remove an entire thread based upon what the mod believes is offensive; for, who is to say a mod answering a thread is regarded as offensive by the poster, either asked or replied to, and with the option to report the mod is not pulled by certain bias?!! It bears a thought, in my view.

[237SJ]

I don`t agree that there is serious bullying on this website. I think there is a bit of banter on here but if things are looking like they could escalate, the thread is pulled. I do think that the moderating is not impartial though - not by a long way, in fact.

[ummmm]

Spoony, in an ideal world but I don't think the Ed has time to go through all the appeals.

[biggleswade]

Thank you all for your comments.

DTCwordfan : I think your first comment (23.25) very facetious. I was hoping to have a more serious discussion.
Jeza and Just-Jude : the behaviour ou comment on is what I am referring to.
Vulcan42 : I would consider it rather more than just complaining.

Thank you all for your comments.

[Spoonboy]

Hello ummmm. Maybe not as you point out; but, as with another site I shall not mention, they have a separate team to review appeals and give their judgement for or against. Surely such a team would be beneficial to everyone on AB?

[Mamyalynne]

Mods are people and by that fact each will have their own idea and set of judgements - if they moderate badly, they will lose their position. It must be remembered also that this site is viewable by all and by all ages, just because something is posted after midnight does not mean it disappears overnight.

[society]

I'm still thinking while looking in...

[DTCwordfan]

cynical perhaps; facetious nope... time to be off anyway and no disrespect to anyone on here, I'm bloody knackered.

[ummmm]

Years ago AB had a system where if a thread received 'x' amount of reports it was auto deleted. The Ed at the time often reinstated them.

I think our current Ed trusts the judgement of the mods.