# Is this really worth a warning? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [January 28, 2016, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-really-worth-a-warning/744472 "2016-01-28T06:35:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-really-worth-a-warning/744472/181 "2016-02-03T20:29:51Z")
> [@Johnny\_Bravo](#): > > Well, I’ll say this: > > If this thread is new precedent that even implied insults that might be skirting the rules are now warnable offenses, I’m satisfied. Take it on the chin, **SenorBeef** , and rest easy knowing that Idle Thoughts will henceforth be evenhandedly applying this metric to all posters who been around long enough to know better. This is neither a new precedent, nor about an “implied” insult. The insult was explicit, and that has always been against the rules. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-really-worth-a-warning/744472/182 "2016-02-03T20:35:34Z")
Great! Happy to be corrected. Ignorance fought. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-really-worth-a-warning/744472/183 "2016-02-03T20:44:16Z")
> [@handsomeharry](#): > > That is exactly the way that I read it, and I’m surprised that more people didn’t catch that earlier. That is exactly how I read it, but then **SenorBeef** decided to look at _posting rate_ as a comparable metric so he could thereby turn the insult around. Ergo, he could insult **Tangent** by saying it’s **Tangent** ’s own criteria of measurement. Thus, **Tangent** ’s own actual intent is kinda irrelevant to **SenorBeef** ’s action. ---
**Author:** ![Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/do_not_taunt/32/2968_2.png) [@Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Do_Not_Taunt)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-really-worth-a-warning/744472/184 "2016-02-03T21:36:33Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Yes, everyone understands the implied “by your own logic” in the insult. That’s not the disconnect. The disconnect is in the idea that you can skirt the rules against insulting someone by saying, “By someone else’s logic, you’re \” It doesn’t matter whose logic you’re using when you insult someone. You’re still insulting them, and that’s not allowed. Which is more likely - that he was conceding that he was a loser, and calling Dajn a loser too; or pointing out the conclusion of the logic to illustrate that the principle (high post/day count = loser) is false? ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-really-worth-a-warning/744472/185 "2016-02-03T21:42:00Z")
> [@Do\_Not\_Taunt](#): > > Which is more likely - that he was conceding that he was a loser, and calling Dajn a loser too; or pointing out the conclusion of the logic to illustrate that the principle (high post/day count = loser) is false? As others have pointed out, the ratio was not part of Dajn’s logic, and without it, Senorbeef’s post makes no sense. Senorbeef added the ratio in, and in so doing made it possible to claim that Dajn’s logic made Dajn a loser. But even so, it doesn’t matter which was more likely. Even if he were attempting to say that the logic was bad, he did so in an insulting way. ---
**Author:** ![Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/do_not_taunt/32/2968_2.png) [@Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Do_Not_Taunt)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-really-worth-a-warning/744472/186 "2016-02-03T21:51:42Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > But even so, it doesn’t matter which was more likely. Even if he were attempting to say that the logic was bad, he did so in an insulting way. Just humor me. Which is more likely? ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-really-worth-a-warning/744472/187 "2016-02-03T21:55:34Z")
> [@Do\_Not\_Taunt](#): > > Just humor me. Which is more likely? Why would I bother to answer this question? If you want your humor satisfied, I’ve answered it upthread. ---
**Author:** ![Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/do_not_taunt/32/2968_2.png) [@Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Do_Not_Taunt)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-really-worth-a-warning/744472/188 "2016-02-03T21:58:59Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Why would I bother to answer this question? If you want your humor satisfied, I’ve answered it upthread. Because it could actually lead to a interesting conversation? But whatever, suit yourself. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-really-worth-a-warning/744472/189 "2016-02-03T23:28:18Z")
> [@Do\_Not\_Taunt](#): > > Because it could actually lead to a interesting conversation? I have rarely been less convinced of something I’ve read :). ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2016, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-really-worth-a-warning/744472/190 "2016-02-04T02:51:54Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > So if I respond to one of your posts with five two hundred word paragraphs extolling the virtues of not murdering people but somewhere in the middle of that verbiage I call you a cunt I shouldn’t be warned? Your grasp of the concept of “context” is…lacking. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2016, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-really-worth-a-warning/744472/191 "2016-02-04T04:13:24Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Yes, everyone understands the implied “by your own logic” in the insult. That’s not the disconnect. The disconnect is in the idea that you can skirt the rules against insulting someone by saying, “By someone else’s logic, you’re \” It doesn’t matter whose logic you’re using when you insult someone. You’re still insulting them, and that’s not allowed. > [@Do\_Not\_Taunt](#): > > Which is more likely - that he was conceding that he was a loser, and calling Dajn a loser too; or pointing out the conclusion of the logic to illustrate that the principle (high post/day count = loser) is false? This doesn’t refute Miller’s point. He doesn’t have to believe that he is a loser. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2016, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-really-worth-a-warning/744472/192 "2016-02-04T07:16:38Z")
Poor mods. How much y’all get paid? ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2016, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-really-worth-a-warning/744472/193 "2016-02-04T07:34:34Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > Poor mods. How much y’all get paid? No enough for me. I wouldn’t have the patience. ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2016, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-really-worth-a-warning/744472/194 "2016-02-04T11:48:23Z")
This post is as bad as “We have pigeon eggs”. Can’t you accept the Mods aren’t going to budge and just move on? ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2016, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-really-worth-a-warning/744472/195 "2016-02-04T13:45:37Z")
Keep hammering, they are almost ready to change their minds, I can tell. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2016, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-really-worth-a-warning/744472/196 "2016-02-04T14:32:43Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > Keep hammering, they are almost ready to change their minds, I can tell. Missed it by THAT much … ---
**Author:** ![sich\_hinaufwinden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@sich\_hinaufwinden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sich_hinaufwinden)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2016, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-really-worth-a-warning/744472/197 "2016-02-04T14:50:36Z")
Well it took 42 replies to the OP for **Idle Thoughts** to change from saying he’d warn anyone in the given situation (post #2) to saying that it could have been just a note but he mods based on history and here’s some examples from the past few years to finally justify his decision (post #43). He could have put his eventual reasoning in the original warning - a simple mention that after repeated notes for similar behavior he was finally giving a warning. But he didn’t. He could have put that in his first reply to the OP here, post #2. But he didn’t. He could have put that in post #5. But he didn’t. He could have put that in post #6. But he didn’t. He could have put that in post #8. But he didn’t. He could have put that in post #42. But he didn’t. Finally he explains in post #43 what he had been thinking all along. Never too late I guess. Who knows what the future holds? ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2016, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-really-worth-a-warning/744472/198 "2016-02-04T15:03:53Z")
I like SenorBeef just fine, but I don’t give two shits if his warning is rescinded or not. I thought it was interesting to point out that I, and apparently others, agreed with his explanation. While others apparently thought it was equal to this: > [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > By this logic I should be able to say, “I am not insulting you but you’re an asshole.” to another poster outside the Pit. Do my magic words work? That statement and SenorBeef’s do not pass the same logic test for me. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2016, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-really-worth-a-warning/744472/199 "2016-02-04T15:09:50Z")
> [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](#): > > I like SenorBeef just fine, but I don’t give two shits if his warning is rescinded or not. I thought it was interesting to point out that I, and apparently others, agreed with his explanation. While others apparently thought it was equal to this: > > That statement and SenorBeef’s do not pass the same logic test for me. That’s not quite how I see it. If anything, it’s like we have a rule against smashing people’s faces. Dajn came at senorbeef trying to punch him. Senorbeef caught him by the arm and use his momentum to swing him into the wall, smashing Dajn’s face. Wouldn’t’ve happened without Dajn’s silliness, but Senorbeef still broke the no-smashing-people’s-faces rule. ---
**Author:** ![sich\_hinaufwinden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@sich\_hinaufwinden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sich_hinaufwinden)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2016, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-really-worth-a-warning/744472/200 "2016-02-04T15:23:57Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > That’s not quite how I see it. If anything, it’s like we have a rule against smashing people’s faces. Dajn came at senorbeef trying to punch him. Senorbeef caught him by the arm and use his momentum to swing him into the wall, smashing Dajn’s face. > > Wouldn’t’ve happened without Dajn’s silliness, but Senorbeef still broke the no-smashing-people’s-faces rule. And the penalty for “smashing people’s face” can be: Nothing, if no one reports it and a mod doesn’t see it. A note, as **Idle Thoughts** admits it could have been in post #43. Or a warning, as he chose and retroactively justified. An analogy to physical violence does nothing to advance the conversation about whether or not the modding in this case was appropriate. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-really-worth-a-warning/744472.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-really-worth-a-warning/744472.md?page=11)