How long?

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FerrumIntellectus
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Re: How long?

Post by FerrumIntellectus »

Harbal wrote:anyone who has spent any significant amount of time on these forums cannot have failed to become aware of the fact that there are a number of posters who, while being careful to stay within the rules, are deliberately provocative in the topics they create. They initiate discussions with the deliberate intention of eliciting an extreme reaction and then look on, all sweet and innocent, while the sucker who took the bait gets punished. I think this should be taken into account before transgressors of the rules are sentenced.
Harbal is 100% right. One thread that seems to fit the bill of what he is talking about would be the Is Pedophilia Wrong? thread where the OP claimed that it was not in fact wrong. Now, while the OP by all accounts adhered to the forum rules, the topic inevitably and unsurprisingly drew emotional and vitriolic responses of which I can only presume penalization followed. I am with Harbal completely on this. He's our gadfly and we need him. :)
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Spiral Out
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Re: How long?

Post by Spiral Out »

Harbal wrote:anyone who has spent any significant amount of time on these forums cannot have failed to become aware of the fact that there are a number of posters who, while being careful to stay within the rules, are deliberately provocative in the topics they create. They initiate discussions with the deliberate intention of eliciting an extreme reaction and then look on, all sweet and innocent, while the sucker who took the bait gets punished. I think this should be taken into account before transgressors of the rules are sentenced.
It would appear that this is merely attempting to shift the responsibility away from the responsible party. One cannot blame others for one's actions.

Women often deliberately dress in provocative attire and/or act in a provocative manner. Does that mean they should be held responsible for being sexually assaulted?
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FerrumIntellectus
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Re: How long?

Post by FerrumIntellectus »

It would appear that this is merely attempting to shift the responsibility away from the responsible party. One cannot blame others for one's actions.

Women often deliberately dress in provocative attire and/or act in a provocative manner. Does that mean they should be held responsible for being sexually assaulted?
I could see what you mean Spiral. Obviously people have their own agency for a reason and should act appropriately with it given the circumstances. However in Harbal's defense, I think what he is really pointing to are posters who post topics not of philosophical substance or engagement, but merely for provocation and controversy. Again like the one thread I mentioned in my first post. I remember you dismissed it as nonsense as well so I'm sure you can be sympathetic to the irritation of those like Harbal.
"The philosopher that does not take part in discussions, is like a boxer that never goes into the ring."

Ludwig Wittgenstein
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Spiral Out
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Re: How long?

Post by Spiral Out »

FerrumIntellectus wrote:I think what he is really pointing to are posters who post topics not of philosophical substance or engagement, but merely for provocation and controversy.
I understand what Harbal is saying, however, would we still hold the woman who dresses and acts provocatively in order to get us to buy her drinks (or gifts), but who is actually not emotionally available or sexually receptive, responsible for our actions?

What were we expecting?

The bottom line is: you fell for it, so now you gotta own it.
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Re: How long?

Post by Harbal »

Spiral Out wrote: Women often deliberately dress in provocative attire and/or act in a provocative manner. Does that mean they should be held responsible for being sexually assaulted?
But they expect to be able to provoke without any advances being made towards them. They don't do it with the intention of being assaulted so that they can go and report it to the police.

-- Updated May 17th, 2015, 7:05 am to add the following --
Spiral Out wrote: It would appear that this is merely attempting to shift the responsibility away from the responsible party. One cannot blame others for one's actions.
If I made an offensive post and you removed it you would blame me for your actions.
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Spiral Out
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Re: How long?

Post by Spiral Out »

Harbal wrote:But they expect to be able to provoke without any advances being made towards them. They don't do it with the intention of being assaulted so that they can go and report it to the police.
This is the problem with proving intent. You can only assume what their intents are.

We can make all manner of assumptions in order to reinforce our emotional states. We cannot look at these things objectively so we end up with guesses that are conditioned by our past experiences.

Besides, if you assume that their intents are not genuine then don't participate.
Harbal wrote:If I made an offensive post and you removed it you would blame me for your actions.
We both know the rules of the forums. You're speaking in terms of bare cause and effect and stripped of any contextual basis.

I know what you're saying, but the responsibility is always on the poster to follow the rules of the this site. There are always going to be controversial, emotional and provocative topics but that's inherent to most philosophical discussions.
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Harbal
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Re: How long?

Post by Harbal »

Spiral.

What you say is correct and that is the way the law has to operate in the "real world". This is just a discussion forum, nobody is going to get beaten up or raped. I've had offensive things said to me, sometimes I deserved it, sometimes I didn't but I got over it without any permanent damage. Of course there have to be rules, if people got inundated with insults and abuse in response to every post they made they wouldn't hang around for long. You can tell when a poster is just inviting a strong reaction and when this is the case there is nothing to prevent some discretion being applied before any course of action is decided on.

-- Updated May 17th, 2015, 2:17 pm to add the following --
Spiral Out wrote:
Harbal wrote:If I made an offensive post and you removed it you would blame me for your actions.
We both know the rules of the forums. You're speaking in terms of bare cause and effect and stripped of any contextual basis.
Yes, I know. I didn't think I'd get away with that one but it was worth trying.
Besides, if you assume that their intents are not genuine then don't participate.
It's all very well saying that but sometimes it's just too hard to resist.
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Spiral Out
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Re: How long?

Post by Spiral Out »

I completely understand Harbal. I've been guilty of the same thing, and I've gotten my fair share of warnings for it as well. I didn't make excuses, I just owned it. It can be difficult to keep oneself in check sometimes. We all have to try harder though.
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Eckhart Aurelius Hughes
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Re: How long?

Post by Eckhart Aurelius Hughes »

I welcome rule-abiding trolls with open arms (as well as those who aren't merely playing devil's advocate for the benefit of our philosophizing).
Harbal wrote:there are a number of posters who, while being careful to stay within the rules, are deliberately provocative in the topics they create
FerrumIntellectus wrote:One thread that seems to fit the bill of what he is talking about would be the Is Pedophilia Wrong? thread where the OP claimed that it was not in fact wrong. Now, while the OP by all accounts adhered to the forum rules, the topic inevitably and unsurprisingly drew emotional and vitriolic responses
The very first rule in the forum rules links to the following elaboration on how the forums are "simultaneously uncensored and strictly moderated": http://onlinephilosophyclub.com/forums/ ... 525#p34525
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I believe spiritual freedom (a.k.a. self-discipline) manifests as bravery, confidence, grace, honesty, love, and inner peace.
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Re: How long?

Post by Harbal »

Scott wrote:I welcome rule-abiding trolls with open arms (as well as those who aren't merely playing devil's advocate for the benefit of our philosophizing).
That's something to think about. :wink:
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Lacewing
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Re: How long?

Post by Lacewing »

I miss Obvious Leo. :(

The fact that he only had 21 warnings in 2,815 posts actually shows that he demonstrated incredible restraint. :D
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Eckhart Aurelius Hughes
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Re: How long?

Post by Eckhart Aurelius Hughes »

Lacewing wrote:I miss Obvious Leo. :(

The fact that he only had 21 warnings in 2,815 posts actually shows that he demonstrated incredible restraint. :D
Not if you browse through the numerous members who have more posts than that who have less warnings.

That's 21 times I could have playing with my son and daughter instead of fixing the vandalism of my website by those who violate the conditions on which I agree to publicly publish their writings.

I suggest those that wish to publish such vulgar personal attacks instead submit their insulting swear words about strangers on the internet to a philosophy journal or the editorial section of their local newspaper. Maybe they want it. I am not interested in publishing it.
My entire political philosophy summed up in one tweet.

"The mind is a wonderful servant but a terrible master."

I believe spiritual freedom (a.k.a. self-discipline) manifests as bravery, confidence, grace, honesty, love, and inner peace.
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Okisites
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Re: How long?

Post by Okisites »

Scott wrote: The very first rule in the forum rules links to the following elaboration on how the forums are "simelteonously uncensored and strictly moderated": http://onlinephilosophyclub.com/forums/ ... 525#p34525
Spelling of "Simultaneously" is wrong. :(

-- Updated 26 May 2015, 22:18 to add the following --
Lacewing wrote:I miss Obvious Leo. :(

The fact that he only had 21 warnings in 2,815 posts actually shows that he demonstrated incredible restraint. :D
I think I have only 1 warning, and that was about grammar. It seems you have more warnings.
Get the facts, or the facts will get you. And when you get them, get them right, or they will get you wrong.” ― Thomas Fuller
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Lacewing
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Re: How long?

Post by Lacewing »

Scott wrote:
Lacewing wrote:I miss Obvious Leo. :(

The fact that he only had 21 warnings in 2,815 posts actually shows that he demonstrated incredible restraint. :D
Not if you browse through the numerous members who have more posts than that who have less warnings.

That's 21 times I could have playing with my son and daughter instead of fixing the vandalism of my website by those who violate the conditions on which I agree to publicly publish their writings.
I was thinking it was incredible restraint for HIM! 8)

I do not blame you Scott for NOT wanting your site filled with abuses that require constant tending.

A lot of us humans are out of control of ourselves. We collectively mess up everything we get involved in, and then wonder why it's ALL messed up. Of course, people are different in how they are offended. For example, for me: there is a certain level of cursing that I think is very clarifying; while there are other behaviors that stay within the rules, but seem like a far greater offense because they are a disrespectful and wasteful use of everyone's energy. However, I realize that it's nearly impossible to find and maintain the balance that works for everyone... and, truly, Scott, you've created an awesome site.

I can still miss Leo's brilliance and honesty... and still think that there are those with fewer warnings who are more wasteful and disrespectful... and still understand and respect what you offer and ask. It seems to be the nature of our world that a certain dance is required to keep order, but within the order there is chaos and madness. :)
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Sy Borg
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Re: How long?

Post by Sy Borg »

Leo was effectively pushed out of the forum for that some snappy comments and a hardcore one liner to Madera, something a number of forum members regret. You will notice that his absence has coincided with the loss of Neo and Steve, two more of our most scientifically literate members and highly valuable in keeping the conversations grounded in reality.

It will be interesting to see if Okisites's outrageous comment finds equivalent punishment.
The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated—Gandhi.
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