SI
SI
discoversearch

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor.  We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community.  If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.
Pastimes : and there was no one left to speak for me
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  
To: INFO_DART who wrote (108)9/20/1998 3:11:00 AM
From: Yorikke  Read Replies (4) of 276
 
INFO_DART,

It doesn't matter what the nature of the posts that offend. It is not what one, or 'the thread' does to deal with them. It is what is done to continue in spite of them.

Yokels only become a pain when they are acknowledged. Racists remain unheard if no one hears the rattling of the chains of hate. People should be permitted to say damn near anything they please. The thread has to learn how to deal with or ignore the detritus that settles into the conversation.

This runs counter to half of what we feel and is in keeping with the half that supports free thought. As I have said somewhere else, there is a Tao of SI that should be developed. There are many threads that manage it. There are others that would never want to.
My feeling is that no response is often the most damning re-action. To let people have their say and ignore them is the most profound censorship. They often just go away, looking for someplace else to spew their hate or whatever. Or just go away because they have had their day and really don't want to do anything else.

Posts have a half life of about (activity to the 1/2 power) they might even have some kind of log relationship. (Ask Jackson as he could actually make sense of this) Letting a post just sit for a while can mean the end of something.

I also believe that, as is stated in many codes of internet ethics, the first response should be to apologize. ( I claim no constant adherence to this.) Because the medium is so isolated, because we do not know each other, we should be more than willing to back off, to give space, to beg pardon. An individual has nothing to loose and often will find some gained respect by just saying 'hey...excuse me...I don't think I understood you..... the private message is a boon to this.

Sometimes it is a self benefit just to compose a post that says 'I apologise'. ....its either that or six guns on the SI mall....we can take our pick....I bet you there were a lot of fellers who said 'excuse me sir. my mistake!' when headin up to the bar. They knew better than to act like jerks. They had seen people gunned down.

My belief is that if you can not laugh, can not try to provoke a smile, then perhaps you should rethink the post. The posts I have generally regretted are the ones that I couldn't at least have a chuckle overs.

Finally what some people regard as litter others regard as unique forms of commentary. I defend my right to the ridiculous.

regards,

mnmuench
Report TOU ViolationShare This Post
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  

HomeMailHotSubjectMarksPeopleMarksKeepersSettings
Terms Of UseContact UsCopyright/IP PolicyPrivacy PolicyAbout UsFAQAdvertise on SI
© 2025 Knight Sac Media.  Data provided by Twelve Data, Alpha Vantage, and CityFALCON News