# To the members of SDMB: Another one bites the dust. Are you next? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 2, 2001, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-members-of-sdmb-another-one-bites-the-dust-are-you-next/71010 "2001-07-02T21:13:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![White\_Lightning](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@White\_Lightning](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/White_Lightning)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2001, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-members-of-sdmb-another-one-bites-the-dust-are-you-next/71010/101 "2001-07-03T10:13:21Z")
**Gary** : In answer to your first question, because the mods specifically stated that that was not the reason **Silo** was being banned. Try to keep up. In answer to your second question, because it’s not. And furthermore, if anyone has claimed that this boards’ administration is ‘fascist,’ I’ve missed it. ---
**Author:** ![White\_Lightning](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@White\_Lightning](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/White_Lightning)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2001, 10:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-members-of-sdmb-another-one-bites-the-dust-are-you-next/71010/102 "2001-07-03T10:16:45Z")
That post was meant to go right underneath **Gary Kumquat** ’s. Since I accidentally started a new page, here’s Gary’s post. > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Gary Kumquat_ > Let’s see: > > 1. Message board creaking under strain. > 2. Administrators take action to reduce strain. > 3. User posts guide on how to construct a URL to undo that action. > 4. Administrators ban user. > > Sorry, which part is “fucked up”? > > And if it really is as fascist an institution as some seem to think, anyone care to tell me why Monster104 is still here after this little tantrum: > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by \*\*Monster104 \*\*\* > > Fuck you, manhattan…Look fuckhead…You and your posse of assholes jumped on him, and our Humble Bitch… ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Kumquat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4491bb/32.png) [@Gary\_Kumquat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Kumquat)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2001, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-members-of-sdmb-another-one-bites-the-dust-are-you-next/71010/103 "2001-07-03T10:26:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by White Lightning \* > if anyone has claimed that this boards’ administration is ‘fascist,’ I’ve missed it. \*\* Try reading to the third post then: > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by malkavia \* > **Damn the facist regime!** Clear enough for you? Try to keep up, as you put it. > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by White Lightning \* > In answer to your first question, because the mods specifically stated that that was not the reason **Silo** _\* Split hairs all you like, Silo kicked off the chain of events by doing something stupid, and then getting cocky about it. ---
**Author:** ![White\_Lightning](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@White\_Lightning](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/White_Lightning)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2001, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-members-of-sdmb-another-one-bites-the-dust-are-you-next/71010/104 "2001-07-03T10:36:08Z")
Gee, I missed it. How could that have happened? Too bad I didn’t say something previous to your pointing it out, like, oh, say, “unless I missed it.” Also, from the context, it’s difficult to tell just how facetious **malkavia** is being. But really, I don’t care. You think I’m splitting hairs? I think determining the cause of **Silo** ’s banning is pretty central to this whole issue. You may disagree. The fact remains that **Lynn Bodoni** told us specifically why Silo was banned, and I disagree with that reasoning. If he was banned because he posted information that threatened the stability of our beloved SDMB, well, that’s something to talk about. While this may be good enough reason for you personally to justify banning him, you didn’t ban him, _and that’s not why he was banned_. ---
**Author:** ![kabbes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e99b99/32.png) [@kabbes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kabbes)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2001, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-members-of-sdmb-another-one-bites-the-dust-are-you-next/71010/105 "2001-07-03T10:47:23Z")
No, he was banned because he didn’t show diplomacy, respect or empathy. And he didn’t show it in spades. pan ---
**Author:** ![Monster104](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Monster104](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monster104)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2001, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-members-of-sdmb-another-one-bites-the-dust-are-you-next/71010/106 "2001-07-03T10:56:18Z")
> [@](#): > > No, he was banned because he didn’t show diplomacy, respect or empathy. > > And he didn’t show it in spades. Bullshit. So now we have to **respect** the mods and admins, or else someone gets banned? You have to be fucking diplomatic or you get banned? And what the fuck does empathy have to do with ANY of this? By this reasoning, **manhattan** should be banned (For reasons others have already posted). This line of reasoning is also the most pathetically arbitrary method for determining who gets banned. And you know the reason why I didn’t get banned? Because I didn’t do shit to get banned for. And I feel that **Silo** ’s banning was a kneejerk overhanded reaction to a very small matter. ---
**Author:** ![kabbes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e99b99/32.png) [@kabbes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kabbes)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2001, 11:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-members-of-sdmb-another-one-bites-the-dust-are-you-next/71010/107 "2001-07-03T11:11:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Monster104 \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > No, he was banned because he didn’t show diplomacy, respect or empathy. > > > > And he didn’t show it in spades. > > Bullshit. So now we have to **respect** the mods and admins, or else someone gets banned? You have to be fucking diplomatic or you get banned? And what the fuck does empathy have to do with ANY of this?\*\* Yes - the respect due to an authority that has to keep a difficult operation running. The diplomacy necessary to stop the boards descending to farce. And what does empathy have to do with it? Everything. Simple understanding that an administrator would _not appreciate_ a hack being posted would have stopped all this before it started. Understanding that a mod seeing such a hack may react unfavorably would have stopped it in motion. **Silo** apparently had _no_ empathy for the difficulties of running a large event. Eventually this cost him dear. > [@](#): > > **By this reasoning, manhattan should be banned (For reasons others have already posted). This line of reasoning is also the most pathetically arbitrary method for determining who gets banned.** Oh dear or dear, **monster**. I didn’t offer it as a method for determining who should be banned. I offered it as a foolproof way to make sure _you_ don’t get banned. If you don’t have these three qualities then you exponentially increase your chances of doing something unpleasant or stupid. And _that_ will be the thing that actually gets you banned. > [@](#): > > **And you know the reason why I didn’t get banned? Because I didn’t do shit to get banned for.** Well done to you. Long may this state of affairs continue. > [@](#): > > **And I feel that Silo’s banning was a kneejerk overhanded reaction to a very small matter.** Well I feel that he pushed an already overworked and overwraught workforce too hard. You do such a thing at your peril. pan ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2001, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-members-of-sdmb-another-one-bites-the-dust-are-you-next/71010/108 "2001-07-03T11:18:14Z")
I’m not making Silo out to be a martyr-I don’t think he was totally innocent in this. But Manny acted like a jerk. Bigtime, and it’s not the first time. I understand there are rules, fine, but really, I don’t think it’s a good idea for the mods to go around cursing out other posters on reprimands. And perhaps because Monster’s comments were in the Pit? And Manny’s posted that much and worse in the Pit. Look, this isn’t a get the mods campaign on my part. I don’t really hate any of the mods, I like them. But I don’t think they acted in the right this time. ---
**Author:** ![White\_Lightning](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@White\_Lightning](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/White_Lightning)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2001, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-members-of-sdmb-another-one-bites-the-dust-are-you-next/71010/109 "2001-07-03T11:32:55Z")
I was about to disagree with you, **kabbes**. But I had second thoughts. So I went back and skimmed over the previous pages of this thread, and went back and re-read the original ATMB thread too. And you turned out to be right, to some degree. **Lynn** didn’t actually ever give us one specific justification for **Silo** ’s banning. I agree with you on the doctrine of diplomacy/respect/empathy and I’m sure it’s 100% effective in preventing oneself from being banned. It’s worked for me so far, and for you as well. But everyone on this board doesn’t behave with those rules in mind. And if they did, I think the board might be a lot less exciting. What if one day **Coldfire** decides that he doesn’t like the name **clogboy**? Say he creates a thread and states clearly that he wants the name-calling to stop. How many :d&r: posts do you think it would take for people to get the idea? **Eutychus55** ’s idea of a ‘clue-by-four’ post in the ATMB thread didn’t make the point to me that Silo was about to get banned. Here’s a question. Should I empathize with the moderators’ overworkedness and refrain from posting here at all, just to make their collective job that little bit easier? Then why should anyone post? Which posts are worth posting, and which aren’t? If the answer to my question is ‘no,’ then why not? Wouldn’t it be less work for them if I didn’t post? But the _point_ of the SDMB is to have posts, obviously. Why? Because it’s a community. A community dedicated to fighting ignorance. Can DRE always come first? No. Sometimes the community has to come first. Moderators not acting like dickheads is in the best interest of the community, and I, personally, feel that in this case they crossed the line. To my mind it’s just that simple. ---
**Author:** ![ultress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/7c8e57/32.png) [@ultress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultress)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2001, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-members-of-sdmb-another-one-bites-the-dust-are-you-next/71010/110 "2001-07-03T11:45:10Z")
We go through this shit every time someone gets banned. Every single time. It’s old news and it’s wasting bandwidth. If you don’t like the way the board is moderated and you don’t like the admins and moderators get the hell out and find another message board or start one of your own. I can assure you 100% that this message board won’t close down and you won’t be missed after a couple of days, myself included. Yes people make good friends here and yes that can carry over into real life, but geesh if this message board is the only way you can communicate with the new friends you make then you got a problem. Many of the older posters have learned that if you don’t like a thread then skip it, if you don’t like a poster then don’t read his posts, but to just keep on and on dragging all this shit through the mud just bogs down the board makes the rest of us shake our heads at how petty and tenacious some of the posters can be. Let it go people and move on. The bitching and whining is getting old. Find another board to slow down, this one doesn’t need it. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2001, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-members-of-sdmb-another-one-bites-the-dust-are-you-next/71010/111 "2001-07-03T12:50:22Z")
In answer to those who ask “Why was he banned”, “why is the post still there” and in response to **Robgruver’s** version of the incident in the OP. Overture: **Silo** bumps either one or two of his “troll-days” posts Prelude: **Silo** posts the “workaround”. First movement: **Euty** tells **Silo** : _Doing what you suggested is a really bad idea!_ **Tuba** announces that the search function is reenabled in a limited way, which renders **Silo’s** comment mostly (but not completely) unnecessary. Second movement: **Silo** posts his second (and IMHO, most egrigous message) saying: _Hey, I was cryptic, and the limited few that do understand it can have a little luxury. Oh, and I don’t use the search function._ Third movement: **Euty** gets pissed and says: _We don’t want people doing this.It’s a bad idea. Show some respect._ **Lynn** says: _What **Euty** said_ Crescendo: **manhattan** is incredulous that an ex-troll is being cut slack and suggests banning him if the workaround is used. A bad word is used. **Silo** responds: “Getting a little bent out of shape now, are we? … Then delete my posts in this thread, it wont bother me a bit.” Coda: **Tuba** bans **Silo** Some comments: [li]The “Getting bent out of shape” line is probably the straw that broke the camel’s back, but posting the workaround started the situation. I suspect there’s no one specific thing that got him banned, it was one thing after another after another and a simple “Sorry about that!” would have solved the problem.[/li] [li]The reason the post hasn’t been deleted is (I’d guess) because large parts of the search function has been reenabled, making the workaround largely useless. But that still doesn’t excuse the fact that it was posted and not apologized for.[/li] [li]The workaround isn’t all that tricky. I’d suggest that a large percent of people who understand how a URL works have a pretty good idea of how to do it. I’d have to try a few variations (I wouldn’t) but I’m positive that I could do it in four or five tries. If you’re a non-techie type, I assure you: what he posted wasn’t too complex to follow. It’s not like he posted a 128 bit encryption algorithim.[/li] [li]If it’s so terrible here, if you really _are_ in fear, why are you staying? I’m not urging you to leave, but I don’t get it. I honestly don’t understand. Why stay?[/li] [li]And a hearty “Pffbt!” to those of you suggesting that Silo (or Satan, or \ ) get special treatment because they “add color to the place”, or “but he’s amusing and colorful and adds more to this msg board” or whatever. I don’t want a talentocracy here. One of the things that prevents cliques found on other boards and makes this board inviting to newbies is that no-one is given a special status. Post once and you’re a “member”. Not a “newbie” not a “beginner”, just a member and are expected to behave like one. I think this encourages new members. On many boards that have various status levels, it’s harder than hell to break into the inner-circle. And I like the fact that the rules apply to all members, not just the less “colorful”.[/li] Fenris ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2001, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-members-of-sdmb-another-one-bites-the-dust-are-you-next/71010/112 "2001-07-03T12:51:39Z")
Well said lady, well said. Get over it people. You don’t like it, leave. And don’t let the door hit you on the ass on your way out. How simple is that? What bullshit. Grow up. Follow the rules. Don’t be an ass. Don’t fuck with the board. Seems pretty simple. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Corrado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a88e4f/32.png) [@John\_Corrado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Corrado)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2001, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-members-of-sdmb-another-one-bites-the-dust-are-you-next/71010/113 "2001-07-03T13:00:43Z")
To those of you who think it ironic/amusing/stupid that we still haven’t deleted Silo’s posts from said thread: If we had, how many people do you think would be in here claiming that we were trying to cover up the “evidence” of our “misdeeds”? As long as it’s going to be debated whether the action was correct or not, we’ll keep the facts out for display. ---
**Author:** ![kabbes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e99b99/32.png) [@kabbes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kabbes)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2001, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-members-of-sdmb-another-one-bites-the-dust-are-you-next/71010/114 "2001-07-03T13:08:32Z")
**WL** - I think you make a well made point. What you say has a great deal of merit. Nevertheless a line _can_ be drawn. And that line is certainly the other side of where you intentionally provoke the administration over a purely administration issue. We’re not talking about a disagreement in a debate here, nor a dispute over the appropriateness of the work “squick” in a MPSIMS opus. We’re talking a very clear lack of acceptance that the administrators have a responsibility towards the membership to keep the board running in an orderly fashion. We should all be doing our best to make that particular job as easy as possible, not childishly looking for the thread to pull that will unravel the whole thing. That doesn’t affect our ability to post what we will elsewhere one jot. pan ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2001, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-members-of-sdmb-another-one-bites-the-dust-are-you-next/71010/115 "2001-07-03T13:16:56Z")
I genrally stay out of the board politics, but it seems to me that a great many posters owe the mods (and **Tuba Diva** especially) an apology. The Mods are volunteers, as in they put in a great deal of work for no recompense, and they don’t deserve to be called names for doing their jobs. I’m sorry to see **Silo** banned, but he, like others who have been banned, brought it on himself. Posting an HTML workaround is like an act of sabotage against the mods’ hard work. Refusing to apologize was stupid. Just because a poster is well-liked does not give him an immunity to the laws of courtesy and good behavior incumbent on us all. However, I say this only because it was a multi-mod banning. I like **Manhattan** , but he has flagrantly broken the “Don’t Be a Jerk” rule many times. He has used foul language outside the Pit that would have gotten a regular poster a stern warning. He has posted intemperately in his Mod capacity. Someone who has been given great responsibility needs to act in a manner worthy of the office. **Lynn Bodoni** , to my mind, is an example of how a Mod should behave; temperate, even-handed, and fair. And **Andros** is 100% percent correct; this place is a fun hangout, but it is NOT real life. As much as it would be to get to know folks like **Thinksnow** , **DavidB** and so in in real life, it just isn’t possible. Heck, I don’t even have time to spend with posters in the DC area I really enjoy, like **PLDennison**. If the Internet is your chief source of interpersonal interaction, you indeed have real problems. If people you meet here merge into your offline life, that’s great, but that doesn’t make electronic conversation a real substitute for the joys and pains of living. **Ukelele Ike** and\*\* Monster104\*\*, I totally like you, but please tone down the language; name-calling is completely uncalled for in this situation. ---
**Author:** ![kabbes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e99b99/32.png) [@kabbes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kabbes)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2001, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-members-of-sdmb-another-one-bites-the-dust-are-you-next/71010/116 "2001-07-03T13:22:07Z")
(Off topic, but I gotta ask: **goboy** , what was it that **Uke** said that you objected to? I see one post of his here that was merely deeply sarcastic - no name calling at all. You sure you didn’t mean someone else? Sorry, pan) ---
**Author:** ![SuaSponte](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/67e7ee/32.png) [@SuaSponte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuaSponte)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2001, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-members-of-sdmb-another-one-bites-the-dust-are-you-next/71010/117 "2001-07-03T13:36:19Z")
And I don’t like it. Yeah, there have been more than one poster in this thread who have been, um, intemperate, and it’s been idiotic. But **ultress** , **andros** , \*\*Missy2U, etc., some of us who disagree with the decision to ban **Silo** have been quite respectful and considerate. Can you please distinguish between those who act as though **Silo’s** banning is the harbinger of Armeggedon and those who merely think it was an error? Thank you. Sua ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2001, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-members-of-sdmb-another-one-bites-the-dust-are-you-next/71010/118 "2001-07-03T13:39:53Z")
**Kabbes** , I thought that posting this: > [@](#): > > I want to see manhattan CRUCIFIED. Upside fucking DOWN, like Saint Peter! And I want to be there underneath, holding a basin, to collect the blood, so I can offer it to Silo to > drink was repulsive and way over the top. Yes, I know it’s mere hyperbole, but still… ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2001, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-members-of-sdmb-another-one-bites-the-dust-are-you-next/71010/119 "2001-07-03T13:45:02Z")
I prostrate myself, **goboy.** I lick the soles of your boots. I pledge never again to offend your delicate sensibilities with my abject repulsiveness. ---
**Author:** ![kabbes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e99b99/32.png) [@kabbes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kabbes)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2001, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-members-of-sdmb-another-one-bites-the-dust-are-you-next/71010/120 "2001-07-03T13:53:49Z")
Well licking the soles of boots definitely offends _my_ delicate sensibilities. Do they count for naught? pan [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-members-of-sdmb-another-one-bites-the-dust-are-you-next/71010.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-members-of-sdmb-another-one-bites-the-dust-are-you-next/71010.md?page=7)