machiner
March 14th, 2005, 09:59 AM
Yesterday there were events that transpired on this forum that leave a terrible taste in my mouth. I had written a thread about Political Correctness in response to someone's anger over a use of a questionable word - in context and quoted. His bad, my opportunity.
Following this I noticed that another thread title had been changed - it was a terrific example of negating, curtailing speech that is right in line with PC. (I found out this morning that the original thread poster had been contacted and agreed to the change...you might say OK to that - but I see it differently.)
I asked about the reasoning and the action and I got a response from the mod responsible that she thought the thread title was "rude". Her public response was less than honorable, (and some of my words were as well, probably) including irrelevant attitudes of respect...nonesense. It was a text-book example of losing an argument, complete with 3 or 4 aspects of the same.
As a moderator there are responsibilities to maintain and personalizing something is a conflict of that responsibility. I am an adult and Father. As well, my words are read widely. I take responsibilities very seriously.
Some mods got irked, some didn't. They discussed it. I got less than adequate reasoning, but as I said - I would return if the mod that changed the title explained those actions to the board. Hence this thread...no need to reply.
Last night I got PM'd by the admin after he locked 2 threads - seemingly (of course, yes) related to each other. I returned his message with one of my own that clearly spelled out the dangers of this precedent -
Examples such as this are commonplace now (for a while) - people trying to please everybody all of the time -- talk about a fool's endeavor. I understand and respect their broad reasoning, however, and wish them luck preventing this forum from becomming yet another elitist and callous Linux forum. Methods and practices might be better practiced, however. It's tricky, but plain is plain.
I have saved all the correspondance, and as I see it, this is a very important issue, with this in mind I will create my own forum on one of my sites to further explore and seek to understand this issue. I cannot publish private correspondance with out permission until the author is deceased, I think, so I won't - but being addressed to me I think they are mine - I don't know, I am sure someone will tell me, but all mine will be there, ready for the dissecting.
In America we have liberties granted to us through our Constitution and Bill of Rights. Doesn't seem to matter anymore because these liberties are stripped away from us more and more each day.
Most of our population could care less - but they will. I for one stand at the ready to battle this trend. It's tough, though, most Americans are pretty apathetic. Example, I never heard boo from the original poster of said thread (those crazy X). ( I am unaware of (his) her heritage.)
There's a couple of maxims that are popular in production and building professions and attitudes in America:
"Can't see it from my house" & "Not in MY backyard"
Disturbing.
I have had some fun here at this forum and know for certain that my limited knowledge of Linux and my odd sense of humor has both entertained and enlightened. My pleasure. However, before someone tries to censor or modify my words ( as well, I am less than satisfied with the way this situation was handled) I am leaving. I won't stand for that, and I can get pretty ugly when some "authority" attempts to curb MY speech.
I hope this won't be seen as spam, but I'm starting a forum soon enough devoted to the tenets of speech, understanding, reagionality, etc. etc. In today's world this is crucial. I won't list the address - that IS spam, but I will respond to any and all emails.
Stick around this forum - there are talented and generous members. Overall there is a fine spirit here - people helping people. I hope that trend continues and continues to be nurtured. I will welcome all to mine where ideas and consequences will be discovered, explored and practiced. For the benefit of all, and most likely the ire of some. That's not hypocritical, just how things are. Sensibilities and such.
Be well.
Brian K. (machiner)
Following this I noticed that another thread title had been changed - it was a terrific example of negating, curtailing speech that is right in line with PC. (I found out this morning that the original thread poster had been contacted and agreed to the change...you might say OK to that - but I see it differently.)
I asked about the reasoning and the action and I got a response from the mod responsible that she thought the thread title was "rude". Her public response was less than honorable, (and some of my words were as well, probably) including irrelevant attitudes of respect...nonesense. It was a text-book example of losing an argument, complete with 3 or 4 aspects of the same.
As a moderator there are responsibilities to maintain and personalizing something is a conflict of that responsibility. I am an adult and Father. As well, my words are read widely. I take responsibilities very seriously.
Some mods got irked, some didn't. They discussed it. I got less than adequate reasoning, but as I said - I would return if the mod that changed the title explained those actions to the board. Hence this thread...no need to reply.
Last night I got PM'd by the admin after he locked 2 threads - seemingly (of course, yes) related to each other. I returned his message with one of my own that clearly spelled out the dangers of this precedent -
Examples such as this are commonplace now (for a while) - people trying to please everybody all of the time -- talk about a fool's endeavor. I understand and respect their broad reasoning, however, and wish them luck preventing this forum from becomming yet another elitist and callous Linux forum. Methods and practices might be better practiced, however. It's tricky, but plain is plain.
I have saved all the correspondance, and as I see it, this is a very important issue, with this in mind I will create my own forum on one of my sites to further explore and seek to understand this issue. I cannot publish private correspondance with out permission until the author is deceased, I think, so I won't - but being addressed to me I think they are mine - I don't know, I am sure someone will tell me, but all mine will be there, ready for the dissecting.
In America we have liberties granted to us through our Constitution and Bill of Rights. Doesn't seem to matter anymore because these liberties are stripped away from us more and more each day.
Most of our population could care less - but they will. I for one stand at the ready to battle this trend. It's tough, though, most Americans are pretty apathetic. Example, I never heard boo from the original poster of said thread (those crazy X). ( I am unaware of (his) her heritage.)
There's a couple of maxims that are popular in production and building professions and attitudes in America:
"Can't see it from my house" & "Not in MY backyard"
Disturbing.
I have had some fun here at this forum and know for certain that my limited knowledge of Linux and my odd sense of humor has both entertained and enlightened. My pleasure. However, before someone tries to censor or modify my words ( as well, I am less than satisfied with the way this situation was handled) I am leaving. I won't stand for that, and I can get pretty ugly when some "authority" attempts to curb MY speech.
I hope this won't be seen as spam, but I'm starting a forum soon enough devoted to the tenets of speech, understanding, reagionality, etc. etc. In today's world this is crucial. I won't list the address - that IS spam, but I will respond to any and all emails.
Stick around this forum - there are talented and generous members. Overall there is a fine spirit here - people helping people. I hope that trend continues and continues to be nurtured. I will welcome all to mine where ideas and consequences will be discovered, explored and practiced. For the benefit of all, and most likely the ire of some. That's not hypocritical, just how things are. Sensibilities and such.
Be well.
Brian K. (machiner)