Soapbox Discussions

only_human · 2015-01-19, 10:41

Welcome.

If you'd like to discuss current events, form or defy a consensus, or just unwind, or if someone is wrong on the internet and that's a problem (Duty Calls - xkcd), then you might be in the right place.

Soapbox Guidelines -- To keep things rolling without too much roiling:

Be conservative in what you do, be liberal in what you accept from others.^[1]
Be kind to humans because sometimes you're human too.^[2]
When we produce sharp criticism, make explicit that we are criticizing someone's idea-of-the-moment, and not attacking them personally.^[3]

References:
[1] Robustness Principle - Wikipedia
[2] Reciprocity - Wikipedia.
[3] Avoid Misunderstandings
"Be excellent to each other! Party on dudes!" - Bill & Ted

axn · 2015-01-19, 11:54

To which I might add Hanlon's razor (s/stupidity/ignorance)

only_human · 2015-01-21, 21:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by axn

To which I might add Hanlon's razor (s/stupidity/ignorance)

This is a good guideline for when perplexing disconnects occur: assume good intentions.

davar55 · 2015-02-06, 06:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by davar55

"Anyways, since we feel this way, we just follow some simple "rules":

"Be nice. Be respectful. Be positive. Be supportive. Don't lie."

"We would like to think that we do all of that because deep down we are all sugar and spice,
but in reality we act this way for selfish reasons.
When we follow "the rules" people are (for the most part) nice to us, and we like that."

IOW Xyzzy believes in the Golden Rule: Do not do unto others what you wouldn't have
others do unto you. And that this is practical, and practicable for selfish reasons.

I agree.

Just want to reiterate Xyzzy's respect for reciprocity, the golden rule.

kladner · 2015-03-22, 23:27

Speaking of Discussions, is anyone aware of a Soapbox thread concerning the "Drug War" and all its ugly manifestations? I have a piece on Mexico I'd like to post, but I'd like to put it with related material, if such exists. Otherwise, I'm happy to start a thread.

only_human · 2015-05-25, 01:23

In my opinion, Zeta-Flux's posts are welcome and an asset. I find his point of view to be interesting and appreciate that he articulates his reasons beyond merely stating them. I haven't been paying particular attention but in general have felt his posts have also been well-mannered.

When I put my stamp on this forum, I added specific permissiveness of forming or defying a consensus here or with the internet at large. One of the reasons I have been a wet blanket on direct profanity beyond what is generally necessary among adults is because it is all too easy to turn that profanity on a forum participant. This is a simple way to make it easier for me to quell many personal attacks. It is actually personal attacks and labeling individuals with negative attributes that I am most interested in preventing.

I am repeating the first post of the Soap Box sticky thread guidelines here for your convenience and will be copying this current message to that thread. From the time that I have been granted the courtesy of lower moderation abilities for this this forum, my task has been made very easy by the reasoned and polite discourse of all parties communicating here and I thank everyone for that restraint. The high signal-to-noise ratio of the intelligent messages here is also nice.

TLDR; the rest of this post is merely a repeat of the first post of Soap Box guidelines and then a showcase of some of the smilies for the forum that involve cats. I adore cats and want use some of them in the future. They seem very cute.

Quote:

Originally Posted by only_human

Need to discuss current events, form or defy a consensus, or just unwind?
Is someone wrong on the internet? ^[1]
Then you might be in the right place.

To keep things rolling without too much roiling:
"Be conservative in what you do, be liberal in what you accept from others." ^[2]
Be kind to humans because sometimes you're human too. ^[3]

[1] Duty Calls - xkcd
[2] Robustness Principle - Wikipedia
[3] Reciprocity - Wikipedia.
"Be excellent to each other! Party on dudes!" - Bill & Ted

only_human · 2015-07-13, 03:21

I've received a complaint about a post in ~~this~~ a thread

I'm a junior newbie mod and I've never locked a thread nor have I deleted any posts other than copies of a few posts that I made and then deleted when I found a way to mess-up splitting a thread. All of the original posts remained intact. And I reverted my own accidental double post to a single post.

Quite recently I added a few sentences into someone else's post and changed a verb into plural form for grammatical correctness after the insertion of the word snakes. I must say that when I did this I felt that I had overreached but also felt undoing the changes as if I had never done them in first place would be a greater error.

So now I find myself reluctantly considering these stonger moderation methods. My thinking is everyone here is honestly saying what they believe which is a valuable thing. On the other hand I try to steer things away from being too personal nor do I want to dismiss feelings of posters or inhibit their willingness to post in the future.

On a personal note I have felt that the Soapbox has been very quiet recently and some of my actions have aimed at letting letting people be less inhibited in speaking their minds. I've been encouraging a more open freedom strictly for the Soapbox than would be wise for the internet at large or for many other forums. Many of the people here are professional people who do not deserve the barroom chatter that I encourage here be considered a reflection of character outside of the Soapbox.

I'm going to copy this message into Soapbox Discussions thread where anyone can speak their thoughts to this message or to Soapbox Discussions in general.

As for my actions on this thread I am going to do nothing. I think very highly of all of you and do not want to be too intrusive. I'll come back in a little while and if this thread seems too heated or personal I may lock the thread for a short time to cool it down.

S485122 · 2015-07-13, 05:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by only_human

...
I think very highly of all of you and do not want to be too intrusive. I'll come back in a little while and if this thread seems too heated or personal I may lock the thread for a short time to cool it down.

I think that as a participant in the discussion with a very firm opinion, you should, at least, consult other moderators before such an intervention as the lock down of thread.

Jacob

only_human · 2015-07-13, 05:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by S485122

I think that as a participant in the discussion with a very firm opinion, you should, at least, consult other moderators before such an intervention as the lock down of thread.

Jacob

I am the lowest moderator in the authority chain for the forum. My job as I see it is to not bother them with communication about every action. A mechanism has already informed them about a problem in the thread. They may accept my actions, preempt my actions with actions of their own, or override my actions after the fact. What I am least inclined to do is ask permission or advice prior to doing moderation. If I don't have enough of a opinion of what moderation I should do before the fact, then I am not doing a good job of offloading general work from them and onto my shoulders.

S485122 · 2015-07-13, 08:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by only_human

I am the lowest moderator in the authority chain for the forum. My job as I see it is to not bother them with communication about every action. A mechanism has already informed them about a problem in the thread. They may accept my actions, preempt my actions with actions of their own, or override my actions after the fact. What I am least inclined to do is ask permission or advice prior to doing moderation. If I don't have enough of a opinion of what moderation I should do before the fact, then I am not doing a good job of offloading general work from them and onto my shoulders.

Sorry, I mixed up. I retract my remark

Jacob

only_human · 2015-07-13, 08:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by S485122

Sorry, I mixed up. I retract my remark

Jacob

You had a valid point that I had expressed strong opinions in the thread that might bias my actions. I thank you for ensuring that I consider that. That's something that I should always consider and well worth bringing to my attention.

2015-01-19, 10:41	#1
only_human "Gang aft agley" Sep 2002 3754₁₀ Posts	Soapbox Discussions Welcome. If you'd like to discuss current events, form or defy a consensus, or just unwind, or if someone is wrong on the internet and that's a problem (Duty Calls - xkcd), then you might be in the right place. Soapbox Guidelines -- To keep things rolling without too much roiling: Be conservative in what you do, be liberal in what you accept from others.^[1] Be kind to humans because sometimes you're human too.^[2] When we produce sharp criticism, make explicit that we are criticizing someone's idea-of-the-moment, and not attacking them personally.^[3] References: [1] Robustness Principle - Wikipedia [2] Reciprocity - Wikipedia. [3] Avoid Misunderstandings "Be excellent to each other! Party on dudes!" - Bill & Ted Last fiddled with by only_human on 2016-09-16 at 15:58 Reason: Added third guideline

2015-07-13, 03:21	#7
only_human "Gang aft agley" Sep 2002 3754₁₀ Posts	I've received a complaint about a post in ~~this~~ a thread I'm a junior newbie mod and I've never locked a thread nor have I deleted any posts other than copies of a few posts that I made and then deleted when I found a way to mess-up splitting a thread. All of the original posts remained intact. And I reverted my own accidental double post to a single post. Quite recently I added a few sentences into someone else's post and changed a verb into plural form for grammatical correctness after the insertion of the word snakes. I must say that when I did this I felt that I had overreached but also felt undoing the changes as if I had never done them in first place would be a greater error. So now I find myself reluctantly considering these stonger moderation methods. My thinking is everyone here is honestly saying what they believe which is a valuable thing. On the other hand I try to steer things away from being too personal nor do I want to dismiss feelings of posters or inhibit their willingness to post in the future. On a personal note I have felt that the Soapbox has been very quiet recently and some of my actions have aimed at letting letting people be less inhibited in speaking their minds. I've been encouraging a more open freedom strictly for the Soapbox than would be wise for the internet at large or for many other forums. Many of the people here are professional people who do not deserve the barroom chatter that I encourage here be considered a reflection of character outside of the Soapbox. I'm going to copy this message into Soapbox Discussions thread where anyone can speak their thoughts to this message or to Soapbox Discussions in general. As for my actions on this thread I am going to do nothing. I think very highly of all of you and do not want to be too intrusive. I'll come back in a little while and if this thread seems too heated or personal I may lock the thread for a short time to cool it down. Last fiddled with by only_human on 2015-07-13 at 03:40 Reason: copied from the right to marry thread.

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2015-01-19, 11:54	#2
axn Jun 2003 12474₈ Posts	To which I might add Hanlon's razor (s/stupidity/ignorance)

2015-03-22, 23:27	#5
kladner "Kieren" Jul 2011 In My Own Galaxy! 2×3×1,693 Posts	Speaking of Discussions, is anyone aware of a Soapbox thread concerning the "Drug War" and all its ugly manifestations? I have a piece on Mexico I'd like to post, but I'd like to put it with related material, if such exists. Otherwise, I'm happy to start a thread.