When I see something that I consider an obvious insult, I often don’t just hit the report button, because it’s more like I want to know if the Moderator considers it an insult. Obviously I consider it an insult, but so what? That isn’t the issue.
Looking at the rules first, I realized we are encouraged to simply ask in the ATMB section, so I did.
I could understand it if the only thing was accusing another poster of telling big lies, (that’s what ‘whopper’ means), but it is the combo, first stating “you have been caught telling big lies”, followed by the accusation of “self righteousness”. When evaluating something as an insult, which I feel necessary before reporting anything, I ask if it would seem insulting if said to me.
Then I imagine everyone in the topic starts posting the same kind of thing. Would it make the topic seem like a string of insults rather than a debate?
This post I am questioning falls into the category of “Yes it is insulting”, and also the “OMG if everyone did that the topic would just suck” category.
So I am asking about it. Certainly it seems to me to fall into the area where “it is crossing the line into attacking the other poster rather than attacking the other poster’s arguments”.
One only needs to replace “whopper” with “big lies” to grasp the essence of the post.
I’m not sure if this is clear. Except for obvious things like spam we only moderate those forums that we are assigned to. If you want quick action the best way to do it is to report the post. That way the report goes directly to the mod. Since the GD mods don’t have to monitor ATMB any infraction may sit there for a while.
I’m more interested in knowing the facts about if it is an insult or not. And of course I feel like a kid tattling by reporting a post that isn’t a really obvious breach of the rules.
So instead of telling(“tattling to”) someone privately who can give a definite answer, you start a thread about it and tell(“tattle”) to everyone, mods and posters alike? I’m not understanding how this is a better idea.
If the post you reported gets modded as an insult, then it was.
If the post you doesn’t get modded as an insult then, it wasn’t.
FWIW, I’ll send reports saying “I’m not sure if this is a problem, but maybe somebody should look at it”, so I don’t feel like I’m tattling on a post that’s not breaking the rules, but just bringing it to the attention of someone who can make a call.
Personally I find it a lot simpler and more relaxing to just never report anything, ever. Not personal insults, and certainly not someone else’s insult to someone who isn’t me. Mileage obviously varies.
Or maybe they are not against the rules, they just get mod noted telling you not to do it again or you will get warned for not obeying mod instructions not to do something that is not against the rules.
I completely agree with that. And relaxation and simplicity is very important. But in a great debate, not knowing if something is against the rules can get you an infraction.
Of course it would be even more relaxing and simple if you never even post anything. Even more so, just stop reading completely. Problem solved.
As with Ed Meese and pornography, TPTB know an infraction when they see one. They refuse to be more specific in hopes of keeping away the rules lawyers.
Smart. I think we all remember the fable of the little shepherd boy who repeatedly cried “wolf!” even when there was no wolf attacking the sheep, just for the lulz. Then one day he didn’t cry “wolf!” and the villagers stopped paying attention to him, which made him sad. Then a wolf ate his grandmother. It’s an old story that still rings true today.
Actually, I think he’s done the same thing before. It does seem funny that he feels a thread is necessary when a simple PM to a mod would be more beneficial.