# Are you serious? You guys just banned TLDR? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 25, 2008, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-serious-you-guys-just-banned-tldr/442638 "2008-03-25T03:38:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 16
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2008, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-serious-you-guys-just-banned-tldr/442638/301 "2008-03-29T03:03:15Z")
[QUOTE=lissener] So . . . you’re saying he shouldn’t be banned because he \*is \*a troll, rather than that he’s just \*acting \*like a troll? [/QUOTE] Nah, what I’m saying is that I think a troll is someone who does it purely for the amusement value of getting everyone all riled up, not someone who merely has an argumentative, abrasive, or otherwise difficult personality. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2008, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-serious-you-guys-just-banned-tldr/442638/302 "2008-03-29T04:22:45Z")
Aah. So . . . people who are just naturally rude should get a pass, rather than be required to reign it in while playing with others? ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2008, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-serious-you-guys-just-banned-tldr/442638/303 "2008-03-29T06:36:17Z")
Well, you’re still here. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![cainxinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7bcc69/32.png) [@cainxinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cainxinth)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2008, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-serious-you-guys-just-banned-tldr/442638/304 "2008-03-29T16:40:12Z")
[QUOTE=lissener] Aah. So . . . people who are just naturally rude should get a pass, rather than be required to reign it in while playing with others? [/QUOTE] I just don’t get why being “naturally rude” is grounds for banning. For the counter argument I present a quote from that font of earthy wisdom we call Ghost Busters II: > [@](#): > > Mayor: Being miserable and treating other people like dirt is every New Yorkers God-given right. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2008, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-serious-you-guys-just-banned-tldr/442638/305 "2008-03-29T17:17:02Z")
[QUOTE=cainxinth] I just don’t get why being “naturally rude” is grounds for banning. [/QUOTE] Some people just can’t handle the awful words being typed by the scary obnoxious person. That’s why mommy moderator has to come ban the rude person, and give the poor traumatized crying child a nice kiss on the forehead and pray those awful words they were subjected to don’t cause nightmares. ---
**Author:** ![Omegaman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e480ec/32.png) [@Omegaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omegaman)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2008, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-serious-you-guys-just-banned-tldr/442638/306 "2008-03-29T17:34:11Z")
[QUOTE=lissener] Aah. So . . . people who are just naturally rude should get a pass, rather than be required to reign it in while playing with others? [/QUOTE] Well here at least. In real life peoples rude behavior has a way of sorting itself out, if you get my drift. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2008, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-serious-you-guys-just-banned-tldr/442638/307 "2008-03-29T18:08:57Z")
[QUOTE=Sarahfeena] Nah, what I’m saying is that I think a troll is someone who does it purely for the amusement value of getting everyone all riled up, not someone who merely has an argumentative, abrasive, or otherwise difficult personality. [/QUOTE] I agree with this. I think you’ve summed up how I think about him - he was jerky at times naturally, but not a troll. I also agree that if we got rid of every person who is ever a jerk at times here, this would be a ghost town. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2008, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-serious-you-guys-just-banned-tldr/442638/308 "2008-03-29T22:43:58Z")
[QUOTE=tomndebb] Well, you’re still here. 😃 [/QUOTE] Sarcasm aside, you can hardly suggest that I’ve ever been given a pass. I was thinking of myself specifically, and the standard I am held to, when I posted above. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/41988e/32.png) [@El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Cid_Viscoso)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2008, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-serious-you-guys-just-banned-tldr/442638/309 "2008-03-30T03:20:12Z")
[QUOTE=lissener] Sarcasm aside, you can hardly suggest that I’ve ever been given a pass. I was thinking of myself specifically, and the standard I am held to, when I posted above. [/QUOTE] Here’s an example you humorless ass: nobody said anything about your misuse of the word rein. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/41988e/32.png) [@El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Cid_Viscoso)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2008, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-serious-you-guys-just-banned-tldr/442638/310 "2008-03-30T03:38:45Z")
Tonight I burned a candle and by candle I mean last year’s kochia. So like here’s a fiery tumbleweed dedicated to VCO3. I will not miss this character, but as it relates to audio, VCO3 will be with me forever. Take care buddy, wherever in Chicago you might be. FYI Chris Farley haunts the Hancock to this day. Peace out. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2008, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-serious-you-guys-just-banned-tldr/442638/311 "2008-03-30T18:29:13Z")
[QUOTE=faithfool] Serious question for **elfkin** , if you don’t mind answering… I’ve noticed a similar sentiment expressed before and although I’ve seen some of what you’re talking about, I’m probably on the ‘wrong’ side of the fence to have noticed it overtly. However, if it is as bad as it sounds according to your post, I’m not sure I could deal with it if I felt the same way. I mean, if that’s how I perceived things on say, a really conservative, fundamentalist type board, I wouldn’t post there. Why do people subject themselves to things they think are unjust if they don’t get anywhere changing things? I hope that makes sense and no, I have no desire to see you leave. I like reading your posts and am honestly curious why anyone would put up with something they feel is so far off. Now I apologize for hijacking and thank you for your time. [/QUOTE] If 99% of people are reasonable, which happens to be the case here, why should anyone be put off by the 1% who are assholes? There’s no place on the internet entirely free of people who rub you the wrong way, so I can’t see why you ask this question. ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2008, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-serious-you-guys-just-banned-tldr/442638/312 "2008-03-30T20:44:50Z")
I asked because of this “am honestly curious why anyone would put up with something they feel is so far off.” If I felt the way your post seemed to come across, I don’t know if I could stand it. Actually, I have been on a message board like that and, as an end result of things not improving, I left. However, that was just me and, as I’d already stated, I only wondered. Thank you for answering so thoroughly. I’m sorry for the hijack. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/41988e/32.png) [@El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Cid_Viscoso)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2008, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-serious-you-guys-just-banned-tldr/442638/313 "2008-03-30T21:08:36Z")
[QUOTE=faithfool] I asked because of this “am honestly curious why anyone would put up with something they feel is so far off.” If I felt the way your post seemed to come across, I don’t know if I could stand it. Actually, I have been on a message board like that and, as an end result of things not improving, I left. However, that was just me and, as I’d already stated, I only wondered. Thank you for answering so thoroughly. I’m sorry for the hijack. [/QUOTE] By no means do I presume to answer for elfkin477 or VCO3, but I have a take. When I started here I was going through a rough patch, about to relocate to Los Angeles, in charge of a big-time family business and other than my wife, pets and plants very much alone. This was my first MB since the BB days and some of the early things I said on the Dope seeded disputes and angry behavior that to me made the rules and parameters of this place quite clear. Rather than rebel and be eventually booted I chose to conform and stay. It has been worth the compromise. My impression is that it’s quite easy to self-immolate like VCO3. YMMV. Does any of this help? ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2008, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-serious-you-guys-just-banned-tldr/442638/314 "2008-03-30T21:11:24Z")
That helps tremendously **El Cid**. Thank you so much for your answer. I always enjoy seeing the different ways that people handle similar situations and I understand what wouldn’t work for me (IE: staying put versus walking away), are exactly what’s needed for them. I appreciate it. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2008, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-serious-you-guys-just-banned-tldr/442638/315 "2008-03-30T21:42:14Z")
[QUOTE=Miller] Hey, careful with that broad brush! I’ll have you know that every time I post, the ASPCA adopts out a kitten. [/QUOTE] And God masturbates. ---
**Author:** ![fluiddruid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@fluiddruid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fluiddruid)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2008, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-serious-you-guys-just-banned-tldr/442638/316 "2008-03-30T22:13:10Z")
[QUOTE=featherlou] I agree with this. I think you’ve summed up how I think about him - he was jerky at times naturally, but not a troll. I also agree that if we got rid of every person who is ever a jerk at times here, this would be a ghost town. [/QUOTE] It really comes down to what people **do** , rather than who they **are**. You can be a chess grand master and still be a thief - one doesn’t exclude or excuse the other. We’ve had a number of posters over the years who were good contributors but just could not get themselves together enough to follow the rules. They eventually get banned if they can’t learn. Likewise, we have a bunch of people who are worthless but don’t break the rules, or don’t break them enough, to get banned. Fortunately for everyone, there are plenty of contributors who can also follow our rules, so the community persists. Banning isn’t intended to be a judgment of a person, but it’s a phase of punishment that we use to control the community (hopefully for the good). There are plenty of unmoderated communities out there - many of us are here because of the moderation and the level of discourse we have here. You can have 10, 100, 1000 or more wonderful posts, but that doesn’t mean that the rules don’t apply to you. I tend to think a lot of people who frequented only one or two forums saw a much nicer side of **VCO3** , so I can understand the confusion in this case. But, the dude did get plenty of warnings. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/41988e/32.png) [@El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Cid_Viscoso)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2008, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-serious-you-guys-just-banned-tldr/442638/317 "2008-03-30T22:26:48Z")
[QUOTE=fluiddruid] Likewise, we have a bunch of people who are worthless but don’t break the rules, or don’t break them enough, to get banned. [/QUOTE] With respect you don’t go far enough. There are individuals who actively pursue identities here for the sole purpose of manipulating this community. This behavior should not be tolerated. A printed thing, a website or a column may be based in logic but we each still deal in feelings. People shouldn’t be allowed to fuck with that. ---
**Author:** ![bbs2k](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e495f1/32.png) [@bbs2k](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bbs2k)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2008, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-serious-you-guys-just-banned-tldr/442638/318 "2008-03-31T01:22:39Z")
[QUOTE=El Cid Viscoso] With respect you don’t go far enough. There are individuals who actively pursue identities here for the sole purpose of manipulating this community. This behavior should not be tolerated. A printed thing, a website or a column may be based in logic but we each still deal in feelings. People shouldn’t be allowed to fuck with that. [/QUOTE] Have you _been_ to a Dopefest? I’ve met probably 25 people who post here and only 2 of them match their online personality (And one of them isn’t even allowed to post here!). That doesn’t mean that the rest of them are disingenuous, just different, and fantastic people. ---
**Author:** ![fluiddruid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@fluiddruid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fluiddruid)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2008, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-serious-you-guys-just-banned-tldr/442638/319 "2008-03-31T01:56:05Z")
[QUOTE=El Cid Viscoso] With respect you don’t go far enough. There are individuals who actively pursue identities here for the sole purpose of manipulating this community. This behavior should not be tolerated. A printed thing, a website or a column may be based in logic but we each still deal in feelings. People shouldn’t be allowed to fuck with that. [/QUOTE] I’ll be frank - I tend to agree. We give people the benefit of the doubt that I probably wouldn’t if it was my personal forum to run. However (and this thread is a good example) there are a lot of people on the opposite side of the coin. No matter how egregious the example, a long-term member banning is controversial and disruptive, and best used only when absolutely necessary. Being in the Pit a lot, I think, tends to give one a view of the board that many others don’t share, since a lot of the shenanigans tend to end up here. It’s a balance. We give people a lot of benefit of the doubt. We do have many reformed posters. But, there are a lot of people who get on the radar right away and turn out to be just who we believe them to be. However, I do think it’s best for a community to have a few socks here and there stay a little longer than they deserve than to deal with the opposite - people being thrown out or hit with punitive action for simple mistakes. There are all too many examples of the latter, especially in large, established communities like ours. I enjoy the fact that it’s not a “police state” around here. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/41988e/32.png) [@El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Cid_Viscoso)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2008, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-serious-you-guys-just-banned-tldr/442638/320 "2008-03-31T02:28:43Z")
[QUOTE=fluiddruid] However, I do think it’s best for a community to have a few socks here and there stay a little longer than they deserve than to deal with the opposite - people being thrown out or hit with punitive action for simple mistakes. There are all too many examples of the latter, especially in large, established communities like ours. I enjoy the fact that it’s not a “police state” around here. [/QUOTE] I agree. Thanks for this. (By _this_ I mean the dialog.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-serious-you-guys-just-banned-tldr/442638.md?page=15) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-serious-you-guys-just-banned-tldr/442638.md?page=17)