The Decline Of Civility?

By my lights, pc (frequently) is moderated too much and 285bound (frequently) isn't moderated enough. lol It's the nature of the beast - when an issue (civility, porn, etc...) is so subjective, you're not going to please everyone and you can make yourself crazy in the trying.

I agree that civility is subjective.
"Personal" attacks and name calling (including myself) should be a personal moderation issue.
This thread is a perfect example of self moderation and how this site used to work.
When the general membership is allowed to state what is offensive it is helpful in setting a standard for the website overall.
Like I said though.....the tone is set at the top.

Becky wrote: The tone is set at the top. When owners or administrators engage in the behavior, the message is sent that all are entitled to the same bad behavior.

I don't know of any 285 Bound moderator (there's only one, right, Science Chic?) who engages in uncivil behavior? Science Chic is a paragon of polite and insightful moderation. Please explain?

Becky wrote: I clicked submit 2 more times. same thing. Low and behold...I had posted 3 times.
How long has that glitch been up? Who was moderating to catch it and remove it?

I will let SC talk about any other concerns brought up here. But I did want to address your tech issue. I know there was a glitch last night and I believe it was a short lived thing. If you have any more issues with it please PM Cinnamongirl or Communities Bound and I will fix it. I know I was having the same issue but I thought it was my computer. It was most likely a server problem for just a few minutes.

Very sorry for any inconvenience.

I think it is a pretty nice balance. I have been on some other boards, notably [url=http://www.democraticunderground.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;]www.democraticunderground.com[/url] which will ban you at the drop of a hat, been banned 3 times.

I agree with TBUT, I never see anything hateful or offensive from the top. I would say though that there is some moderation... I was once told that my posts could be put into quarantine because I posted rofllol , apparently at the wrong time (seriously). It made zero sense to me but I got over it.

I do think it would be cool to just merge the ring with the courthouse since there isn't a whole lot of difference between the two anyway. Then have a section called "The Courtroom" where adults could discuss what we see and read in the news as if we were in an actual courtroom with a judge. If you've ever been in a real courtroom, you know there is standard of conduct that must be met which makes it much easier to state ones case without the distraction of hecklers and haters. You are simply limited to saying whatever you want about the subject, the politician, the bill, the courtcase, etc. You just can't bash each other... that adds nothing to the debate anyway.

My method of moderation would be quite simple... if you attack a poster for his/her opinion, your post is removed... period. If you want to attack another poster, you can go to the ring or the courthouse which is really just The Ring "Lite".

I think that section would eventually self moderate when abusers get enough of their posts deleted and decide to either stay away or grow up.

So why would this be a bad thing to have around here or why could it not work? I for one would spend most of my time there instead of in the mud pits (which can be fun at times). We marvel at the way nothing gets accomplished in congress because of the bitter partisanship, yet we seem incapable of having any kind of civil debates ourselves.

Are we incapable of having one section where we can debate news topics without beating each other up, or are we just too far gone? And someone please explain to me what the differences are between The Courthouse and The Ring other than being able to post R rated pics in one and not the other?

Only a few of the posters are too far gone for any civilized discussion. Most can be reasonable. I know I occasionally poke fun at some topics, but I attempt to keep it down.

I tend to respond in kind. If attacked, I parry and thrust. If debated, I try to remain rational and factual.

I don't think civility has declined, I think that those that are uncivilized have just become more prolific.

OK it's settled then

MOD's LOCK THE THREAD rofllol rofllol rofllol

Nobody that matters wrote: Only a few of the posters are too far gone for any civilized discussion. Most can be reasonable. I know I occasionally poke fun at some topics, but I attempt to keep it down.

I tend to respond in kind. If attacked, I parry and thrust. If debated, I try to remain rational and factual.

I don't think civility has declined, I think that those that are uncivilized have just become more prolific.

Very well said.

I would have to agree with you.

( I do disagree that there have been times when ownership or past admins have been guilty of careful personal attacks that set a tone for others here.)

Speaking only for myself, I respond in a manner with which the poster themselves seems most comfortable. It is polite, and possibly also advantageous, to abide by the customs of the person who originates the thread or when responding directly to a comment on the subject made by another poster. One should try to speak in the same manner and language that the person they are dealing with is most comfortable when striving for clarity in the conversation. When one is in a diplomatic situation one uses the language of diplomacy, but when dealing with a street urchin one uses the language of the street.