RDS permanent ban

[Spherical Cow]

Truly sad, but I would agree that it was eventually necessary. I'm sure that over the years, there were questions or comments I didn't post, just because it wasn't worth potentially being on the receiving end of a verbal assault. There was certainly plenty of benefit to his presence on the forum, but sometimes the drawbacks do actually outweigh the benefits.

Norm

[airsquirrels]

From the perspective of a new comer, I avoided posting anything surrounding actual hard math for fear of getting an RDS response. Whenever I encountered a thread I was interested in that contained a response from him I simply stopped following it. Those who use an online forum rooted in knowledge, education, and research as the basis for their own pride and superiority forget quickly that we all stand on the shoulders of giants.

Thank you mods, defining unacceptable behavior has helped keep this a wonderful community.

[xilman]

Originally Posted by Spherical Cow

Truly sad, but I would agree that it was eventually necessary. I'm sure that over the years, there were questions or comments I didn't post, just because it wasn't worth potentially being on the receiving end of a verbal assault.

I'm not such a delicate flower. I was never inhibited by posting for fear of a "verbal assault". My view is well characterized by the dictum about sticks and stones.

That said, I strongly disapprove of Bob's behaviour because it demonstrates emotional incontinence and immaturity. His outbursts are reminiscent of tantrums, thrown by a toddler, full of sound and fury, and signifying nothing.

Like a parent of a child screaming in public, I spent too much time over the years trying to smooth ruffled feathers and advise Bob on how to up his game because, frankly and in my opinion only, he's not very skillful at abuse and offensiveness. If he were any good, I'd doubtless be much more inhibited about posting.

[retina]

Originally Posted by xilman

.. in my opinion only, he's not very skillful at abuse and offensiveness.

I think the British and US ideas of verbal abuse are quite different. I expect RDS was considered quite adept at it within his own circles from what I have experienced within the US.

Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries.

[Stargate38]

Please don't leave him banned indefinitely! I want him to come back eventually, even if it means having the moderators verify every single individual post he makes before making them visible to other members. Reduce the ban to 1-2 years. That way, he can comment on the next Mersenne Prime (if we find one in that period).

[rogue]

Out of curiosity, whom else has earned a lifetime ban? I know that Don Blazys was one. Whom else?

[Brian-E]

If RDS were ever to be allowed back here, including if it were to be under some restriction such as the pre-moderation which Dubslow reminds us was once used for another forum member, I would suggest that a very important condition would need to be met first, namely:

--- Ernst would need to be of the opinion that whatever apology RDS would have made to him, for the attack immediately prior to the banning, was sufficient. Or if not, no unbanning.

If I was Ernst, I don't think I could forgive that outburst.

[Brian-E]

Originally Posted by rogue

Out of curiosity, whom else has earned a lifetime ban? I know that Don Blazys was one. Whom else?

cmd was another.

But it's certainly a very rare measure.

[only_human]

I felt a bit of relief that RDS was not here when this new prime number was discovered. I expect some old and new members to say some lighthearted things in a campfire experience full of personal and shared spirits and I didn't want to see any of this spirit crushed simply because someone said something without providing sufficient rigor to meet RDS's expectations. It's not a time to suck the joy out of a room.

[Uncwilly]

Originally Posted by Stargate38

Please don't leave him banned indefinitely! I want him to come back eventually, even if it means having the moderators verify every single individual post he makes before making them visible to other members. Reduce the ban to 1-2 years.

I had been thinking (months ago and last week) that full moderation (and redaction as needed) of his posts may the best option. Have one or 2 supermods be the ones designated to deal with his posts.

But my opinion is changing. Earlier this week I listened to this podcast about the abuse of women in science and have just read this blog post (after writing the above paragraph). I am now leaning more toward a lifetime ban.

I know that the mods on this forum are very thoughtful and careful.

[CRGreathouse]

Originally Posted by airsquirrels

From the perspective of a new comer, I avoided posting anything surrounding actual hard math for fear of getting an RDS response.

I want to encourage actual mathematical discussion as much as possible -- especially now that we have forums set up for precisely that purpose:
http://mersenneforum.org/forumdisplay.php?f=111