# Since when do deliberate insults merit just a note? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [December 15, 2021, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-do-deliberate-insults-merit-just-a-note/956108 "2021-12-15T15:32:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-do-deliberate-insults-merit-just-a-note/956108/1 "2021-12-15T15:32:58Z")
Here, @Isamu calls me a racist > [@How should a person accused of racism respond?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-a-person-accused-of-racism-respond/955942/118): > > I truly do not care. And you are racist for implying I would care. Here, @What_Exit lets them off with a note because they were “joking” > [@How should a person accused of racism respond?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-a-person-accused-of-racism-respond/955942/133): > > Modnote: do not even jokingly insult others posters outside of the pit. This is just a guidance, not a warning. Nothing on your permanent record. Firstly - that was rhetoric, not humour. It was not a _joke_. The way they subsequently flounced out of there shows they were perfectly serious in their sarcasm. Secondly - even if they were joking, since when has that been an adequate defence against calling someone racist in GD? How many ATMB threads have we had about calling people racists in GD (or rather, not being allowed to). Who knew all along all I had to do was add a “tee hee!” and I’d have been able to call all the scientific racists what they were outside the Pit. This is a ridiculous ruling, it should be a warning. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-do-deliberate-insults-merit-just-a-note/956108/2 "2021-12-15T16:32:20Z")
The comment in question was obviously intended as a parody to show that some accusations of racism _can_ be unwarranted. As a rhetorical approach, it was facile and annoying, and detracted from the debate, and he was rightly told to knock it off. But there’s no insult there. He’s not _really_ calling you a racist. > [@MrDibble](#): > > they were perfectly serious in their sarcasm It’s heavy sarcasm, designed to express contempt for one side of an argument. Perhaps calling it a “joke” does not precisely convey that, but still he’s obviously not _really_ calling you a racist. If you wanted to nitpick the Mod Note, perhaps it could have read something like: “Do not even pretend to insult others with sarcastic rhetoric outside of the Pit” But I thought the moderation was quite correct. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-do-deliberate-insults-merit-just-a-note/956108/3 "2021-12-15T16:39:41Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > But there’s no insult there. He’s not _really_ calling you a racist. There very much is insult there, because I take offence at “racist” being allowed for cheap rhetorical tricks when it can’t be used in seriousness. > [@Riemann](#): > > still he’s obviously not _really_ calling you a racist. Doesn’t matter. It’s a personal insult, and one we’ve been told _never_ to use on other posters in GD. If it’s allowed in this kind of case, then all that goes out the window. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-do-deliberate-insults-merit-just-a-note/956108/4 "2021-12-15T16:43:42Z")
The SDMB has never had a rule requiring automatic warnings for anything construed as an insult. > [@MrDibble](#): > > If it’s allowed in this kind of case But that is not what happened here. It was clearly NOT allowed. A moderator took action. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-do-deliberate-insults-merit-just-a-note/956108/5 "2021-12-15T16:44:11Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > I take offence at “racist” being allowed for cheap rhetorical tricks And the mod shared this view. > [@MrDibble](#): > > Doesn’t matter. It’s a personal insult It does matter. You cannot seriously claim that he was expressing a belief that you are a racist. > [@MrDibble](#): > > If it’s allowed in this kind of case, then all that goes out the window. It wasn’t allowed. He was told to stop. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-do-deliberate-insults-merit-just-a-note/956108/6 "2021-12-15T16:46:01Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > The SDMB has never had a rule requiring automatic warnings for anything construed as an insult. And have I said anything that indicates that I think it does? I’m very aware the mod took action. I’m saying the mod’s action wasn’t strict enough. > [@Riemann](#): > > It does matter. You cannot seriously claim that he was expressing a belief that you are a racist. I’m seriously claiming he called me one. > [@Riemann](#): > > It wasn’t allowed. He was told to stop. …with a tap on the wrist. No permanent record. To someone who’d already flounced. Yeah, that’s not really a sanction. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-do-deliberate-insults-merit-just-a-note/956108/7 "2021-12-15T16:47:42Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > I’m saying the mod’s action wasn’t strict enough. I could get behind that. I think the poster in question was completely out of order in that thread, and could equally have been moderated under the “don’t be a jerk” rule. But I don’t think you made that case well by suggesting this should be because we should take his sarcastic rhetoric literally. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-do-deliberate-insults-merit-just-a-note/956108/8 "2021-12-15T16:49:22Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > > [@MrDibble](#): > > > > I’m saying the mod’s action wasn’t strict enough. > > I could get behind that. I think the poster in question was completely out of order in that thread. But I don’t think you made that case well by suggesting this should be because we should take his sarcastic rhetoric literally. I think if someone wants to use sarcastic rhetoric, they should take their licks. It’s all very well to use sarcasm ( Lords know, I _never_ do), but it’s more than just sarcasm, it’s personalized sarcasm. Directed at a strong anti-racist. And not the only personal insult they flung in that thread, I might add. And all clearly done in anger, which is the damning part. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-do-deliberate-insults-merit-just-a-note/956108/9 "2021-12-15T16:50:38Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > I’m seriously claiming he called me one. He did, but if it’s any consolation you’re the last person I’d believe that about. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-do-deliberate-insults-merit-just-a-note/956108/10 "2021-12-15T16:53:25Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > I’m seriously claiming he called me one. You’re equivocating here. He obviously did use a superficial form of words that called you one. If you claim that you think he was seriously expressing a belief that you are a racist, I don’t believe you. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-do-deliberate-insults-merit-just-a-note/956108/11 "2021-12-15T16:53:46Z")
Thanks. But see above for why that makes it _more_ insulting. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-do-deliberate-insults-merit-just-a-note/956108/12 "2021-12-15T16:55:24Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > You’re equivocating here. No, I’m not. > [@Riemann](#): > > If you claim that you think he was seriously expressing a belief that you are a racist No. That’s completely irrelevant. I take just being called that as an insult. Whether he did it as a serious accusation or as a rhetorical ploy, it’s still insulting. And I _don’t_ think he was serious, I thought I made that quite clear in my OP. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-do-deliberate-insults-merit-just-a-note/956108/13 "2021-12-15T16:57:06Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > …It’s all very well to use sarcasm ( Lords know, I _never_ do), but it’s more than just sarcasm, it’s personalized sarcasm. Directed at a strong anti-racist. And not the only personal insult they flung in that thread, I might add. And all clearly done in anger, which is the damning part. As I said, I can completely get behind a warning on this basis. But I think the reason for warnings should be clear and consistent. We cannot set a precedent that people might be warned on any kind of general principle that we must take into account the import of their sarcastic rhetoric if it were taken literally. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-do-deliberate-insults-merit-just-a-note/956108/14 "2021-12-15T16:58:29Z")
That’s not the principle I want upheld. The principle I want upheld is that you can’t call other posters racists in GD. End-of. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-do-deliberate-insults-merit-just-a-note/956108/15 "2021-12-15T17:15:51Z")
IANAM of course. But, considering the matter at hand, I could absolutely have seen a middle ground here. Perhaps something along the line of calling out the insulter with something along the lines of @What_Exit said [I am modifying WE’s quote here] > Modnote: do not even jokingly insult others posters outside of the pit. Please retract the statement in-thread and we’ll consider this a guidance, not a warning. Otherwise, we will have to consider it an actual insult which will result in a warning. [Repeat, this is a hypothetical modification of a Moderator’s comment, not his actual words] I think this would have been a better option, but would also have been more work for the mods to follow up on. And it would have required @lsamu to own the insult as an incredibly poor-taste joke or admit to being a jerk - both of which are good options for the general health of the board IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-do-deliberate-insults-merit-just-a-note/956108/16 "2021-12-15T17:21:25Z")
He called me a sexist, too. Which was also meant as a rhetorical device. And yes, it was pretty freaking annoying. I was glad it was moderated. I don’t think he made the point he thought he was making, fwiw. I have no strong opinion as to whether it ought to have been a warning. Speaking for a moment as a journeymod, rather than as an aggreived poster, that’s the sort of line I might ask more experienced mods for guidance on. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-do-deliberate-insults-merit-just-a-note/956108/17 "2021-12-15T17:22:31Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > @lsamu to own the insult as an incredibly poor-taste joke or admit to being a jerk It was NOT a joke. He was attempting to demonstrate the risk of malicious accusations. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-do-deliberate-insults-merit-just-a-note/956108/18 "2021-12-15T17:23:17Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I don’t think he made the point he thought he was making, fwiw. You’d pre-emptively addressed the point, which made it all the more annoying of a thing to do. ---
**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:** [December 15, 2021, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-do-deliberate-insults-merit-just-a-note/956108/19 "2021-12-15T17:26:56Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > The principle I want upheld is that you can’t call other posters racists in GD. End-of. That principle has been upheld - he was moderated for his post. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-do-deliberate-insults-merit-just-a-note/956108/20 "2021-12-15T17:27:24Z")
I don’t think we’re in any disagreement on our view of the poster in that thread. It’s more a question of the need for complete transparency in moderation about exactly what the rules are and what rules are being violated. I recall a situation where @asahi was warned for using racist terminology/stereotypes in a parody of some Southern politician. The mod came into a very long thread and didn’t _realize_ it was parody. There was a long ATMB thread, the mod eventually realized their mistake, but a couple of other posters were still stubbornly insisting it wasn’t necessarily parody despite that fact that it very _obviously_ was, or that it didn’t matter that it was parody. I just think we need to be clear here that your argument here is that this rhetorical use of sarcasm rose to the level of being so inflammatory that it was inherently insulting. I don’t think your thread title conveyed that well - but I agree with you now we have clarified it, and so did the mod - the only dispute here is whether that poster’s behavior merited a warning rather than a note. But we do not want any more _general_ principle that we need to shy away from sarcastic rhetoric and parody for fear that we might be moderated on the literal meaning of our words. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-do-deliberate-insults-merit-just-a-note/956108.md?page=2)