Personal Attacks Tolerated?

I'm just curious why it appears that in some cases personal attacks are tolerated on this forum? The forum rules specifially prohibit that kind of thing.
Then you look at the "TP 52 " thread : hundreds of pages of personal attacks-why is that ok? And this weekend the 60'Moth thread was locked with the comment that the back and forth personal attacks are a waste of bandwidth. Couldn't agree more but why not delete the personal attacks instead of locking the thread?
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Boat Design Forums - FAQ: Terms of Use - Access Agreement - Forum Rules
Address:http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/faq...q=terms_of_use

[Dan S]

As with any forum, what’s considered a personal attack depends on the views of the moderation staff. Under the “limitations of liability” section they specifically give you an out if you don’t like the way the staff runs the sight.

You specifically acknowledge and agree that Boat Design Net (boatdesign.net) is not liable for any defamatory, offensive, fraudulent, or otherwise illegal conduct of any user. if you are dissatisfied with any Boat Design Net (boatdesign.net) site content, or with the access agreement of Boat Design Net (boatdesign.net), in whole or in part, your sole and exclusive remedy is to discontinue using Boat Design Net (boatdesign.net).

Originally Posted by Doug Lord

Couldn't agree more but why not delete the personal attacks instead of locking the thread?

Very simple answer to this:
Watch the cops break up a crowd of boisterous onlookers. They simply disperse the entire crowd, even if only a few people are causing the issue. Why? Because it’s simpler and faster than having to root out a few individuals.

[longliner45]

DougLord;; just like welly. if he shows a picture of Mikel Jackson ,,many are offended,,,but if others show pictures of lude and nude .it is ok ,why?,,,,,longliner

[Toot]

Originally Posted by Dan S

As with any forum, what’s considered a personal attack depends on the views of the moderation staff. Under the “limitations of liability” section they specifically give you an out if you don’t like the way the staff runs the sight.

Not that I care in the slightest, but I will point out that that is silly. If I log on and defame someone who is not a member of the forum, the website operator may still be required to remove the defamatory language. I doubt that the fact that the person being defamed is a member here can be deemed to be a surrender of their right to that remedy.

Otherwise I could defame anyone who isn't a member here and, if they joined in order to refute my statements, they would be prohibited from having the defamatory statements removed- a rather bizarre result.

[westlawn5554X]

Sorry guys cant comment on this although wanted, low point stats.

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by Dan S

As with any forum, what’s considered a personal attack depends on the views of the moderation staff.

A personal attack can not be judged as a personal attack by any one but the attacker. The level of attack may not be recieved as an attack, maybe just freindly jabs.

On the other hand to some one sensative, a slight sarcastic jab may be a personal attack where non was infact meant.

Some people have an immunity to an insult and can tolerate high levels of strong banter before being insulted. Because of many reasons ,background, upbringing, even country of origin can make a personal attack differ.

A forum exists because of no otherer reasan than that it is interesting. Insults arise from emmotion and is a normal part of life. Give me a forum with an isult or two than the lame forum where converstations such as " I have just made a cup of tea and I thought I would just like to --

Sticks and stones.

[RANCHI OTTO]

I agree 100% with Jack...

Interesting. My point was that since , apparently, Jeff knows how to recognize personal attacks why not delete them instead of locking a thread that is 70% technical discussion?
Especially in light of the on-going TP 52 thread-which is probably at least 70% personal attacks. Granted, a number of people obviously love to be entertained in that way.
But if personal attacks are tolerated as "entertainment" in one thread why in the world ruin a good technical discussion by allowing "personal attacks" to be the raison d'etre for locking the technical thread? Why not remove the offending "personal attacks" instead of locking the thread?
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See post 65 here:
60' Moth-A Preliminary Detailed Design Exploration - Page 5 - Boat Design Forums
Address:60' Moth-A Preliminary Detailed Design Exploration

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by Doug Lord

But if personal attacks are tolerated as "entertainment" in one thread why in the world ruin a good technical discussion by allowing "personal attacks" to be the raison d'etre for locking the technical thread? Why not remove the offending "personal attacks" instead of locking the thread?

Doug,

As I said before, it is Jeff’s decision how individual instances get dealt with, and the forum guidelines are pretty clear, about what you should do if you don’t like how he handles things.

[Figgy]

Its about professionalism. Notice how the guys with the highest rep never bash on anyone? Ever heard Tspeer tell someone thier idea was stupid? No, they dont even touch the thread. Why waste the time? Just move on. I understand telling a person why an idea wont work, but to attack the perso...no one is interested.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by Toot

Not that I care in the slightest, but I will point out that that is silly.

Toot,

What I was trying to say is that, it depends on how the forum moderator sees things. I can illustrate this best with an example similar to something I recently read on a CNC forum.

Gentlemen A posts, asking for comments on Globalcnc (made up company name) products, because he is interested in making a purchase.

Gentlemen B, posts that Globalcnc products are crap and customer service is horrible. He went on to say that he purchased a machine, and that the quality control was horrible. He posted photos of poorly finished and broken parts.

Gentlemen C, (owner of Globalcnc) posts that gentlemen B has personally attacked him, and that his posts must should removed. He said that at the time of gentlemen B’s purchase Globalcnc was having a quality control issue and that has since been fixed. He also stated that Globalcnc offered to replace the faulty parts if gentlemen b would ship them back; but gentlemen b refused because he didn’t want to pay shipping costs.

Gentlemen B, posts a copy of the e-mail from Globalcnc customer service offering to replace the faulty parts. The e-mail insinuates that gentlemen b is not very intelligent, and that most likely he damaged the parts during assembly.



So the question you have to ask yourself is what does the moderator do?

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by Figgy

Its about professionalism. Notice how the guys with the highest rep never bash on anyone? Ever heard Tspeer tell someone thier idea was stupid? No, they dont even touch the thread. Why waste the time? Just move on. I understand telling a person why an idea wont work, but to attack the perso...no one is interested.

It all depends on the mentality of the person being attacked

[Figgy]

Originally Posted by Dan S

It all depends on the mentality of the person being attacked

And the mentality of the same three or four attackers..

[Toot]

Originally Posted by Dan S

Toot,

What I was trying to say is that, it depends on how the forum moderator sees things. I can illustrate this best with an example similar to something I recently read on a CNC forum.

Gentlemen A posts, asking for comments on Globalcnc (made up company name) products, because he is interested in making a purchase.

Gentlemen B, posts that Globalcnc products are crap and customer service is horrible. He went on to say that he purchased a machine, and that the quality control was horrible. He posted photos of poorly finished and broken parts.

Gentlemen C, (owner of Globalcnc) posts that gentlemen B has personally attacked him, and that his posts must should removed. He said that at the time of gentlemen B’s purchase Globalcnc was having a quality control issue and that has since been fixed. He also stated that Globalcnc offered to replace the faulty parts if gentlemen b would ship them back; but gentlemen b refused because he didn’t want to pay shipping costs.

Gentlemen B, posts a copy of the e-mail from Globalcnc customer service offering to replace the faulty parts. The e-mail insinuates that gentlemen b is not very intelligent, and that most likely he damaged the parts during assembly.



So the question you have to ask yourself is what does the moderator do?

So long as no names are called, you leave it as it stands and wait for a court order telling you to remove the defamatory portions of the posts.

If names are called, you warn or ban the offending parties.

If clearly fraudulent statements are made, again, you warn/ban the offending parties.


Locking a thread is generally a bad idea because it limits peoples' ability to defend themselves. HOWEVER, if things get out of control, warnings for name-calling, or bans for proven falsehoods ought to be handed out.


Just MHO.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by Toot

So long as no names are called, you leave it as it stands and wait for a court order telling you to remove the defamatory portions of the posts.

If names are called, you warn or ban the offending parties.

If clearly fraudulent statements are made, again, you warn/ban the offending parties.


Locking a thread is generally a bad idea because it limits peoples' ability to defend themselves. HOWEVER, if things get out of control, warnings for name-calling, or bans for proven falsehoods ought to be handed out.


Just MHO.

all verry go points that i agree with. However i'm a moderator on a different forum, and it's never as clean and simple as people thinki it should be.