God like attitudes of forum administrators.

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Geordie Ross
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Re: God like attitudes of forum administrators.

Post by Geordie Ross »

What's the point in an open forum if speech is inhibited.
The good life is one inspired by love, and guided by knowledge. - Bertrand Russell
Fanman
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Re: God like attitudes of forum administrators.

Post by Fanman »

Misty,
On the contrary, Xris expressing his concerns in an open forum helps all of us. No person or forum is above improvement.
In what way do you think that Xris' OP is going to help us as forum users, or improve the forum itself?

---

Philbot,
Though It is not always easy to do so, we all know, I think communication works the better the more open it is. Behold The Internet! it is basically open communication. I do not see anything wrong whith that approach. In my opinion, the Internet thrives on openness, if it ever becomes private, it simply withers away and dies.
Xris has a personal problem with Scott's actions towards him. So why did he make it a public issue? Personal issues between two people should be handled privately. To do otherwise is fallacious I feel, because the issue will not be resolved; only intensified. I don't think that the openness of communication is the issue here? Xris has a problem with receiving a warning and having his posts deleted. The same thing happened to me, but I broke the forum rules and so I was in the wrong, I didn't get upset about it, I was apologetic. The forum rules are not unreasonable (no personal attacks / ad hominems), but what I said to the guy that I was having a debate with, was very personal, and upon reflection I was quite embarrassed by it. The option to send private messages is there for good reason - to discuss private issues. People use private messages all the time, yet the internet has not withered away and died. Quite the opposite in fact.
But then why censorship? Don't you think that your own position would look stronger, if you let the others see Xris supposedly offensive comments, since they would then see that he is 'wrong' and you are not?
I informed Xris about what I perceived as ad hominem and strawman fallacies in his comments in the open forum (in the topic), because we were having a debate. I wouldn't send him a private message about things like that. Pointing out fallacies is part and parcel of the philosophical debate as far as I am concerned, and should be done in the open, in the topic. Discussing warnings from the forum administrator can be a sensitive, emotional issue and so should be done in private, in my opinion.
I think Aristotle would probably not have resorted to such, I dare say, unphilosophical means as to silence him by using violence, that is by calling in the authority or the police. That would have been below his dignity as a philosopher, at least that is what I hope, respecting Aristotle as, however mythical as a person, a great philosopher.
Are you thus accusing Scott's methods of being the antithesis of Aristotle's, and that they were not philosophical? My aim is not to defend Scott or put you under the spot-light, I just noticed what you appear to have done here. You are of the opinion that one should speak their mind publicly anyway, so I doubt that you would have any issues with me asking you such a question openly.

I wouldn't say that Scott “silenced” Xris. He warned him about his conduct (as the forum administrator) and deleted the offending posts. Xris is still free to post, only he has to avoid breaking the forum rules - no different to any other disciplinary aspect of life. I'm not going to suggest what Aristotle would of done, neither did I intend to. I was just commenting that Xris' OP is my interpretation of what Aristotle described as: Political Rhetoric. Specifically, trying to get the people on your side and make your opponent look bad. In this context, It would seem that Xris has succeeded to some degree.
Theists believe, agnostics ponder and atheists analyse. A little bit of each should get us the right answer.
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Geordie Ross
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Re: God like attitudes of forum administrators.

Post by Geordie Ross »

I agree, appealing to other forum members, to turn against the moderators is inflammatory, and divisive. It only serves to disassemble civility, however censorship of open, international forums is also uncivil.
The good life is one inspired by love, and guided by knowledge. - Bertrand Russell
Philobot
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Re: God like attitudes of forum administrators.

Post by Philobot »

Fanman, I can understand that if somebody would call you a "cry baby" or say that "the world is a mean place and that you should go back to mommy if you cannot take it", that these are actually comments that can be very hurtful. Nobody in his right mind would deny that I think. But, on the other hand, seen in a deeper way, seen in a more philosophical way, it is much more than mere insults, because it is an opportunity to grow. How could we grow when all obstacles in the world were removed and if there was no adversity at all?
Xris
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Re: God like attitudes of forum administrators.

Post by Xris »

This is not simply about my treatment by Scott.It is the structure of forums in general and the subjective reasoning behind decissions. Is it the size of forums and the ability of one man to administer the monster.I have had several warnings over my three year here but recently the warnings have become totally unacceptable. So all I can assume is that Scott is reacting and not acting. Am I wrong in bringing this to general debate? Possibly but even after bringing this to everyone's attention I am still on probation for what I see is nothing more than minor infringement of rules. Will it hinder my ability? Yes. Will this arbitrary attitude eventually harm the forum? In my opinion,yes.May I add that I still appreciate Scott for permitting this thread to be posted.xris.
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Misty
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Re: God like attitudes of forum administrators.

Post by Misty »

Scott,

Doesn't telling someone they have committed ad hominem, etc., break forum rule G? I think it does.

Misty
Last edited by Misty on June 15th, 2013, 4:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Fanman
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Re: God like attitudes of forum administrators.

Post by Fanman »

Philobot,
How could we grow when all obstacles in the world were removed and if there was no adversity at all?
I agree that adversity helps us to grow and hurdle the obtacles that life places in front of us. However, I do think that in a world without adversity, the human race word grow and develop expontentially. What would there be to hold us back?
Theists believe, agnostics ponder and atheists analyse. A little bit of each should get us the right answer.
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Misty
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Re: God like attitudes of forum administrators.

Post by Misty »

Fanman wrote:Misty,


(Nested quote removed.)


In what way do you think that Xris' OP is going to help us as forum users, or improve the forum itself. (Nested quote removed.)

I look at Xris's OP as he being the person in the class that will ask the question everyone else want to ask but is afraid to ask. I admire him for speaking up when he thinks he has been wronged. It gives others the courage to take up for oneself. I really do not think Scott minds that he spoke openly. It also gives Scott the opportunity to explain his position.

My sentence: "No person or forum is above improvement" stands on it's own.
Things are not always as they appear; it's a matter of perception.

The eyes can only see what the mind has, is, or will be prepared to comprehend.

I am Lion, hear me ROAR! Meow.
Fanman
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Re: God like attitudes of forum administrators.

Post by Fanman »

Misty,
I look at Xris's OP as he being the person in the class that will ask the question everyone else want to ask but is afraid to ask. I admire him for speaking up when he thinks he has been wronged. It gives others the courage to take up for oneself. I really do not think Scott minds that he spoke openly. It also gives Scott the opportunity to explain his position.
That would be true, if Xris position was that of innocence. However, what you do not appear to have taken into consideration, is that Xris is guilty of breaching the forum rules. That fact is without question. Furthermore, considering that he has been placed on probation, this is not the first, second or third time that he has done so. Thus, your analogy is not applicable to Xris' situation. A more apt analogy would be of a convicted criminal complaining that the sentence which has been handed to him is too harsh, and accusing the judge of being 'bias', because they made the decision without a jury verdict. You sound as though Xris is some type philosophical martyr or heroic in some way? He's just a guy upset about what's happened to him - nothing strange about that at all, but if I were in his situation, I would use it as an opportunity to reflect on: how my own actions and decisions managed to get me in such a mess.

Obviously Scott doesn't mind that he spoke openly, or he wouldn't of aired Xris' OP, but it is my opinion, that Xris should of addressed the matter personally to Scott in a private message, if he genuinely wanted a reprieve. The only reply that Scott (or anyone else in his position) would give in the open forum, is to reinforce the forum rules, and in-fact be sure to uphold Xris' punishment as an example and deterent to others.

Scott has explained his position, but his position was nothing that we didn't already know or expect. I am honestly not sure what Xris hoped to accomplish by creating this thread? Anyway, at least some interesting discussion has arisen from it, so I guess that he did help us after all :) . When I initially read it, I was like oh..deary..me..
My sentence: "No person or forum is above improvement" stands on it's own.
That is an axiomatic statement yes. The same can be applied to anything in life I think, because perfection is unobtainable / unreachable.
Theists believe, agnostics ponder and atheists analyse. A little bit of each should get us the right answer.
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Eckhart Aurelius Hughes
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Re: God like attitudes of forum administrators.

Post by Eckhart Aurelius Hughes »

Misty wrote:Scott,

Doesn't telling someone they have committed ad hominem, etc., break forum rule G? I think it does.

Misty
Yes, when one member posts in the on-topic section that another member has committed an ad hominem (or broken a rule) that is off-topic and prohibited. Of course, that doesn't strictly apply to the off-topic section as stated in the forum rules and certainly doesn't mean I won't tell the user via a private message/warning that they have broken a rule.
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.
Xris
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Re: God like attitudes of forum administrators.

Post by Xris »

Fanman wrote:The Quirkster,

I think that it would of been a better idea for Xris to address his concerns to Scott in a private message. By choosing to address the issues on the actual forum, in an open topic, he has made it a political issue. Thereby causing people to take his or Scott's side. When the actual issue of: "Did Xris actually deserve the warning and to have his posts deleted" is lost and forgotten. I have had many arguments with Xris, and I have found his arguments on occasion to contain ad hominem and strawman fallicies (which I indicated to him). That is against the forum rules. That is that. Therefore, it is merely a case of Scott applying the forum rules to Xris, and not Scott unfairly prohibiting Xris' freedom of speech, being a dictator and 'bullying' Xris as his OP would cause one unknowing to believe. I believe that Aristotle would call Xris' OP - political rhetoric. Here, Scott is Xris' opponent.
It would be interesting to see what posts you are referring to? You indicated them to me.
Fanman
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Re: God like attitudes of forum administrators.

Post by Fanman »

Xris, wrote:
It would be interesting to see what posts you are referring to? You indicated them to me.
There is no point in time where you will be able win. I am simply not bothered to go through our old debates in order to point out where you have committed ad hominem fallacies. Why would I want to do that, what do I have to prove? Anyone can see that you are no match for me in a philosophical argument.
Theists believe, agnostics ponder and atheists analyse. A little bit of each should get us the right answer.
Xris
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Re: God like attitudes of forum administrators.

Post by Xris »

Fanman wrote:Xris, wrote:


(Nested quote removed.)


There is no point in time where you will be able win. I am simply not bothered to go through our old debates in order to point out where you have committed ad hominem fallacies. Why would I want to do that, what do I have to prove? Anyone can see that you are no match for me in a philosophical argument.
Is that how you see debate. A competition, what strange chappy you are. You wanted me to search for the very same thing that you are here admitting.So you admit that you constantly claim the same damage to your ego but you wanted me to prove it. Have you ever read Billy Bunter and the donuts?
Fanman
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Re: God like attitudes of forum administrators.

Post by Fanman »

Xris, wrote:
Is that how you see debate. A competition, what strange chappy you are. You wanted me to search for the very same thing that you are here admitting.So you admit that you constantly claim the same damage to your ego but you wanted me to prove it. Have you ever read Billy Bunter and the donuts?
Yes, I do pereceive debate as a competative exercise, not in all cases, but when the debaters have an opposing viewpoint. Sorry, but I don't know what you're talking about with regards to the rest of your comment.
Theists believe, agnostics ponder and atheists analyse. A little bit of each should get us the right answer.
Xris
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Re: God like attitudes of forum administrators.

Post by Xris »

Fanman wrote:Xris, wrote:


(Nested quote removed.)


Yes, I do pereceive debate as a competative exercise, not in all cases, but when the debaters have an opposing viewpoint. Sorry, but I don't know what you're talking about with regards to the rest of your comment.

Have you ever read Billy Bunter? He is much like you. He can not see that he is admitting to eating the cakes. You are admitting, you constantly accuse me of ad hominem attacks but want me to prove it and you believe you are the superior debater. :lol:
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