Brad, Here's an alternative to a "Kill" or "Skip" file: Automate a process which will impede, but not block, the offending poster and will kick into play when the level/frequency of complaints exceeds some threshhold. The "governor" will either limit the number, or frequency, of posts for some period of time. This could be set up as a fully automated process.
The person who gets restrained could still email you for an appeal or they could cool it for a few days and let the steam dissipate. Complaints could be limited to one/day from each party with a maximum as well. Complaints would "age" off the system in 5 days. There could be two tiers: one where the target is informed that the counter is building, and another where they are impeded in their online activity.
Take a look at ebay.com, an "auction" web site which has implemented a system of feedback which incorporates both counters and actual content of messages, but where only the target of the complaint can see the complaints. (All parties can see complements.) This feature makes people responsible for their complaints; they cannot be anonymous. At the same time, they are not public. The public, however, gets to see the level of satisfaction/complaint.
I certainly would not want SI to suppress free speech in any way, but abuse - yes. Rather than make you the judge, let the SI participants do that. Make it tedious enough to do so that people have to feel strongly before they will follow the procedure to its conclusion to register a complaint: Several page changes explaining the process, an entry form, confirmation of posting the complaint, and recognition that the target of the complaint will know who issued it.
Sounds awful, but otherwise, it is either pure anarchy or you have to act as class monitor! |
