Are the people who need LOTS of help getting banned?

[frogcat]

Hi,
I am admittedly an infrequent visitor and poster.

I came to the forums yesterday, browsed around, and noticed that some of the most, ahem, *interesting* threads came from people like Ttrim and adam230.

For some reason, both of their posts seemed like cries for help. From a layman's perspective, Ttrim seems to suffer from some sort of psychosis. And adam230 seems to be majorly insecure and having to overcome a lot of baggage related to his upbringing.

I was all set to post replies this morning, in a constructive manner, and noticed that both of them were banned.

*sigh* I will be the first to admit that moderators have a thankless job. So, first, thank you Dan, Angela, and others who moderate here. I just wonder if when the "line being drawn" there's too much fear of antagonism. Especially when it comes from people who seem too far gone to get any help via an online forum.

I hope that if any message is sent to them when they get banned, that it includes some loving encouragement to seek help from qualified people.

P.S. Please move my post if it's in the wrong section.

[Bradshaw]

A good question.

But if they are allowed to insult people without a moderator coming in and doing something about it, that wouldn't be fair. When a member starts attacking other members, something should be done. They may need help, but should they really get special treatment?

You should understand also that for the most part, these people's struggle is their own. They have to resolve their feelings and percieved limitations on their own. We can give words of wisdom and encouragement, but the person has to actually be willing to accept them at some level. That is their job. You see it all the time really. They reject all positive/different posts and will agree with the more negative/society-based ones. But these forums are so awesome, that despite all of that, positivity will still keep hitting that person in the head. Then the personal attacks follow. Do you really want to allow personal attacks?

I mean you can just feel it in them. They really aren't ready to listen, methinks.

And, well, you will normally not see those personal attacks, because the moderators remove them with lightning speed.

[Honeywith4bees]

Personally, I don't think that Ttrimm was someone that needed help but rather someone with far too much time on their hands that was enjoying posting ludicrous threads and mocking the people that replied. (It was rather fun to read though wasn't it! 15 day old banana???? )

[Brutha]

I came to the forums yesterday, browsed around, and noticed that some of the most, ahem, *interesting* threads came from people like Ttrim and adam230.

Ttrim: The story of a 15 year old with a 7 year old son doesn't add up. It's trolling.

adam230: Attacked other people personally multiple times.

In general we can't be everything. We want to be a place where people feel positive energy that encourages them to grow.
We don't want to go to the lowest common denominator but follow the maxime of removing behavior that "degrading the quality of the forums for others."

We don't want that people who are highly conscious turn away from the forum because there to much name calling.

[Adrienne]

Some people really want help. Some people just want to vent. Some people want to help or share ideas.. all are valid reasons to be here.
The big reasons why Mods ban is trolling. If you want help then proceeds to bash and name call everyone who tries to help you, that i not every productive for anyone.
Alot of people here put alot of time and energy into answering posts. To have them them blown off, or attacked for helping, isnt every nice forum ediquite.
The mods, take banning very seriously. We really dont want to do it. Unless someone is outright spamming the boards, we usually do a couple IMs and explain why citing specific languages used that is problematic.
If they ignore that, then we give them a temp ban (usually about a week). If they still continue down the path, often it is followed by another IM and a perm ban.
We really dont want to ban people.
I would love everyone to get along and share ideas and help other people etc.
Hopefully moderator actions in cases like this help to build the community.

Brutha, addressed the specific reasons why they were banned (thanks), so i just wanted to explain a bit further. It is something we are asked alot.

[frogcat]

Wow, I now feel kinda embarrassed for bringing the issue up. The reasons seem to be very well thought out and carefully applied. I can only plead ignorance in not having visited the forums too often, and thus only seen the "starting to go off the rails" type posts leading up to the banning.

As a way of amends, I'm going to go quote this form letter that R.A. Heinlein used to reply to his fan mail. "You say that you have enjoyed my stories for years. Why did you wait until you disliked one story before writing to me?"

http://kk.org/ct2/heinlein.php

[Trezker]

The best work is that which goes unnoticed. A good floor is silent, good software never gives you trouble and a good moderator is never thought of as a moderator.

[Ebinesos]

to all the fallen heros of the pavlina forum, i will spill a drop of wine tonight.

[Adrienne]

Originally Posted by frogcat

Wow, I now feel kinda embarrassed for bringing the issue up. The reasons seem to be very well thought out and carefully applied. I can only plead ignorance in not having visited the forums too often, and thus only seen the "starting to go off the rails" type posts leading up to the banning.

As a way of amends, I'm going to go quote this form letter that R.A. Heinlein used to reply to his fan mail. "You say that you have enjoyed my stories for years. Why did you wait until you disliked one story before writing to me?"

http://kk.org/ct2/heinlein.php

Its no problem Frog.. really. I cant speak for all the mods, but i would rather someone ask what we are doing and why, rather then just question then get frustrated and then maybe get upset or angry.
We really do the best we can.