Why do people get banned?

[Dave Plaza]

Hope this is the correct place to post this... here goes!


I took a sabbatical from here for a short while, mainly because I sometimes talk a bit of crap, realise my mistake the next day and feel embarrassed. I love this site though, some astute people on here, some good advice to be found, and for sure, we’re intelligent enough to discern the good information from the bad, we know deep down what counts, don’t we?!?

So why do people get banned on here? Can’t we decide for ourselves what is right or wrong? Yep maybe somebody made a mistake, so we punish them? I always thought the best type of reformation was to try and understand and help… it kind of feels like, “you made a mistake”, “hey lets burn that mother at the stake”. C’mon, nobody is infallible, this is life!

So yes, this is a place for like minded people to interact, but I kind of enjoy the people who disagree or have different opinions as well. I am beginning to seriously question the validity of this site as a forum for free and open speech… Will I get banned for voicing this, doesn’t matter… I think you’re all pretty cool

Dave

[Angela]

Originally Posted by Dave Plaza

I am beginning to seriously question the validity of this site as a forum for free and open speech…

There's no need for you to question that. The owner of this site has already explained why you'd be delusional to believe you're entitled to free speech here.


p.s... a couple of our regular posters look "banned" but are really on a self-imposed, moderator-enforced vacation from the site.

[Brutha]

Yep maybe somebody made a mistake, so we punish them?

No, we're not into punishment.
We ban members with the intent of increasing the value that people in this community receive from the forum.

So yes, this is a place for like minded people to interact, but I kind of enjoy the people who disagree or have different opinions as well.

Nobody get's banned for having bad opinions.

Personal attacks however aren't allowed. As far as I'm concerned it increases the free flow of ideas. Ideas flow better where they are protected against derail from personal attacks.

[Dave Plaza]

Originally Posted by Angela

There's no need for you to question that. The owner of this site has already explained why you'd be delusional to believe you're entitled to free speech here.

Quite an intersting read, the below quote was the standout for me

"It’s largely a matter of business realities".

It's not exactly the spirit of togetherness that dragged me here in the first place. I do understand the concept of this site... It's just at first i didn't. The question is, can I still get anything from the people here... probably yes

Originally Posted by Angela

p.s... a couple of our regular posters look "banned" but are really on a self-imposed, moderator-enforced vacation from the site.

Hmmm, the question that springs to mind is, why? No need to answer.

Originally Posted by Brutha

No, we're not into punishment.
We ban members with the intent of increasing the value that people in this community receive from the forum.

It would be very interesting to see why some people actually got banned... Feels like a very capatalistic attitude towards regulation. I do prefer a more across the board approach as your opinion of insult probably differs vastly to mine. And if we desire to believe in theories of LOA or the such, then your statements are ridiculous, and my argument even more so...

Originally Posted by Brutha

Nobody get's banned for having bad opinions.

Personal attacks however aren't allowed. As far as I'm concerned it increases the free flow of ideas. Ideas flow better where they are protected against derail from personal attacks.

Fair enough, and thanks for the feedback, it's good to hear back from the voice behind the thing

Dave

[Angela]

Originally Posted by Dave Plaza

Hmmm, the question that springs to mind is, why? No need to answer.

You can read the vacationing members' posts about *why* -- just do a search by their names. Mounds talked about it a little bit; so have a few other vacationers.

[moonrambler]

Originally Posted by Dave Plaza

It would be very interesting to see why some people actually got banned...

That's easy enough to find too if you want to spend a little time on the board. Just search for 'banned.' It's typical when a senior member is banned that a discussion begins about the subject because people want to know what happened. The mods might not tell you exact detailed reasons, but you'll get the general idea.

Nearly all bans are for spam. Some are for trolling. Those are usually newer members. The more complicated situations involving longer-time members mostly tend to be a matter of their repeatedly showing disrespect to other members, and continuing to do so after receiving more than one warning.

This is intended to be a place where people can discuss very personal and sensitive issues, and while the members know things can get heated and others might vehemently disagree with their opinions, they know that they aren't going to be called a "stupid pathetic loser" or some such thing, because the forum rules prohibit that sort of behavior.