# Why does the SDMB condone cyber bullying? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [March 21, 2015, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576 "2015-03-21T07:28:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2015, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/162 "2015-03-24T16:51:24Z")
> [@Grotonian](#): > > Well, ONE of them is; and he can’t stop stalking me from thread to thread. Psssst… The mods have a spy network that reports directly to them regarding any suspicious behavior or inappropriate activities. I can’t tell you any more than that or I might get my dog burned. ---
**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:** [March 24, 2015, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/163 "2015-03-24T17:24:57Z")
Demands to know why the mods aren’t responding to him. Gets a response from a mod, and accuses the mod of stalking him. There’s no winning with some people. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2015, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/164 "2015-03-24T17:50:09Z")
> [@PlainJain](#): > > :rolleyes: > I do not _constantly_ demand CITES! from other people. Cite? ---
**Author:** ![Grotonian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c2a13f/32.png) [@Grotonian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grotonian)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2015, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/165 "2015-03-24T18:51:39Z")
I never demanded to know why the mods don’t respond. I simply asserted that they don’t. When I was contradicted, I submitted evidence of a PM that went ignored. I’ve never requested any mod response in this thread. I’ve made three assertions in this thread: that mods gang up on people, that the rules don’t apply to mods, and that they don’t respond to PMs. Excuses for this conduct do not disprove its existence. I am not seeking resolution of anything in this thread. I am merely submitting evidence when I feel a demonstrably false statement has been made. So stop stalking me and claiming I asked you for a response when I obviously did not. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2015, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/166 "2015-03-24T18:59:29Z")
> [@Grotonian](#): > > I never demanded to know why the mods don’t respond. I simply asserted that they don’t. Dude, could you start your own thread, eh? ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2015, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/167 "2015-03-24T19:54:41Z")
**Moderator Note** > [@Grotonian](#): > > I never demanded to know why the mods don’t respond. I simply asserted that they don’t. When I was contradicted, I submitted evidence of a PM that went ignored. I’ve never requested any mod response in this thread. > > I’ve made three assertions in this thread: that mods gang up on people, that the rules don’t apply to mods, and that they don’t respond to PMs. Excuses for this conduct do not disprove its existence. I am not seeking resolution of anything in this thread. I am merely submitting evidence when I feel a demonstrably false statement has been made. > > So stop stalking me and claiming I asked you for a response when I obviously did not. You were already told not to hijack this thread with this. You are free to open a new thread to discuss it, if you so choose. Do not mention it again in this thread. ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2015, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/168 "2015-03-24T20:09:41Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Dude, could you start your own thread, eh? Trust me, [it won’t make any difference at all](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=741099). ---
**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:** [March 24, 2015, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/169 "2015-03-24T20:09:53Z")
NM ---
**Author:** ![Ed\_Zotti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/fbc32d/32.png) [@Ed\_Zotti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ed_Zotti)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2015, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/170 "2015-03-24T20:11:45Z")
> [@Grotonian](#): > > I never demanded to know why the mods don’t respond. I simply asserted that they don’t. When I was contradicted, I submitted evidence of a PM that went ignored. I’ve never requested any mod response in this thread. > > I’ve made three assertions in this thread: that mods gang up on people, that the rules don’t apply to mods, and that they don’t respond to PMs. Excuses for this conduct do not disprove its existence. I am not seeking resolution of anything in this thread. I am merely submitting evidence when I feel a demonstrably false statement has been made. > > So stop stalking me and claiming I asked you for a response when I obviously did not. **Mod note** I see \*\*engineer\_comp\_geek \*\*beat me to it, **Grotonian,** so I’ll merely amplify: when a mod “suggests” something to you, you need to listen. Any further failure to comply with Miller’s instruction upthread will result in your getting a warning. ---
**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:** [March 24, 2015, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/171 "2015-03-24T20:17:37Z")
> [@FXMastermind](#): > > Trust me, [it won’t make any difference at all](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=741099). That was the thread where you couldn’t tell the difference between threatening people with the intent to harm and stating that if you keep misbehaving you’ll be banned and claimed the mods were “threatening you” (with harm) by warning you about the consequences of your actions. Because you were really, embarrassingly wrong about the whole issue. Was that really the thread you wanted to link to? ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2015, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/172 "2015-03-24T20:25:03Z")
It wasn’t a complete waste of time. We all learned that while “trolling is against the rules”, the StraightDope forums do allow a certain amount of trolling. [While trolling is against the rules, as I said in the Pit thread we do accept a certain degree of trolling in that forum.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=17907408&postcount=10) And Mods are allowed to troll. So it’s all good. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2015, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/173 "2015-03-24T20:31:33Z")
**Moderator Note** > [@FXMastermind](#): > > It wasn’t a complete waste of time. We all learned that while “trolling is against the rules”, the StraightDope forums do allow a certain amount of trolling. > > [While trolling is against the rules, as I said in the Pit thread we do accept a certain degree of trolling in that forum.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=17907408&postcount=10) > > And Mods are allowed to troll. So it’s all good. Again, this is not the topic of this thread. If you want to start your own topic in ATMB, feel free. Do not post about this again in this thread. And just so that we’re all absolutely clear, this applies to everyone, not just **Grotonian** and **FXMastermind**. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2015, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/174 "2015-03-24T21:17:47Z")
As to the _condoning_ part of the OP. People get banned for suggesting harm to another poster all the time. IIRC, a member was banned for a comment about taking a 2x4 to a thoughtless person who had parked in front of a fire hydrant that the fire department needed to fight a fire. (not sure who that was) Regardless of whether you have the ability or the means to complete an attack, making such a threat is a bus ticket to Banville. So, as to the condoning part, I think the answer is definitely NO. ---
**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:** [March 24, 2015, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/175 "2015-03-24T21:36:20Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > As to the _condoning_ part of the OP. People get banned for suggesting harm to another poster all the time. I wouldn’t say “all the time.” It’s against the rules, but I don’t think that many people have been banned for it. Some warnings, and lots and lots of mod notes, but we don’t generally ban people just for internet tough guy posturing, unless they’ve already got multiple warnings. We might go straight for an instaban if someone made a physical threat that was somehow credible, but I don’t think that situation has ever come up. > [@](#): > > IIRC, a member was banned for a comment about taking a 2x4 to a thoughtless person who had parked in front of a fire hydrant that the fire department needed to fight a fire. (not sure who that was) Regardless of whether you have the ability or the means to complete an attack, making such a threat is a bus ticket to Banville. **Zenster**. Ha! I can’t believe I remembered that. [And it was an ax handle.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=218208&perpage=50&pagenumber=3) But it looks like he’d been a problem poster for a while before that happened, including multiple warnings for breaking that specific rule. (This was well before I was a mod, so I’m just going off what I remember and can find in a Google search.) ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Cymbeline](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_cymbeline/32/9244_2.png) [@Green\_Cymbeline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Cymbeline)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2015, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/176 "2015-03-24T23:31:15Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > Every bar needs a place to step outside. The Pit is ours. Anyone “bullied” can hit right back with almost anything they care to say, and because we have the Pit and we have such diligent moderating, it stays there. All as it should be where adults frictate against each other. > > Hardly “cyberbullying” in the “teen-gangs-up-on FB and Twitter” model. Yeah except when the person being bullied is deceased. See recent thread bashing Opal. ---
**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:** [March 24, 2015, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/177 "2015-03-24T23:40:02Z")
We’ll institute a rule against bullying the dead as soon as we hear a complaint from one of the victims. ---
**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:** [March 24, 2015, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/178 "2015-03-24T23:49:09Z")
> [@Green\_Cymbeline](#): > > Yeah except when the person being bullied is deceased. See recent thread bashing Opal. :rolleyes: A dead person cannot be bullied, pretty much by way of being _dead_. It’s pretty basic to the idea of “bullying” that the bullied person be available to _be_ bullied. You can’t bully a corpse, it generally doesn’t care\* \*Certain varieties of zombie/vampire/other undead aside. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2015, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/179 "2015-03-25T00:29:40Z")
> [@Fenris](#): > > :rolleyes: > > A dead person cannot be bullied, pretty much by way of being _dead_. > > It’s pretty basic to the idea of “bullying” that the bullied person be available to _be_ bullied. You can’t bully a corpse, it generally doesn’t care\* > \*Certain varieties of zombie/vampire/other undead aside. While true, there is policy that we aren’t supposed to continue to talk about suspended or banned members due to their inability to defend themselves, and it would seem that the same logic would apply to those who can’t defend themselves for other reasons. Of course, I’m pretty sure you’re one of those who has argued that the rule about banned people is stupid. I’m not arguing against that, just that it seems that the logic for both is identical, so they should be treated the same. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2015, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/180 "2015-03-25T00:34:50Z")
Plus it’s unseemly. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2015, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/181 "2015-03-25T00:59:14Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > While true, there is policy that we aren’t supposed to continue to talk about suspended or banned members due to their inability to defend themselves, and it would seem that the same logic would apply to those who can’t defend themselves for other reasons. There is a minor difference between living and dead people. I’ll leave it as an exercise to the reader to determine what that difference is. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576.md?page=10)