Respect, Bullying and Civil discourse Howdy Folk..

Translate 12 years ago

Respect, Bullying and Civil discourse Howdy Folks, This has come up a couple of times, so I'll skip the ambassador schtick. Opuss is by and large a wonderful community, one we think has great long term potential but it is not without its fair share of problems. There is definitely an emo aspect to Opuss - it's a creative community and we get that. Some people are also overly sensitive which can cause some issues but the real problem is that some folks - some *regular* folks it should be said, are getting cliquey, aggressive and bullying others. This behaviour mirrors "trolling". If we hear this once or twice we tend to dismiss it. I've personally heard it a few times. I've said we're trying to keep Opuss alive out of our own pockets and I don't have the time to deal with every single issue. So here goes: Zero tolerance. If you're too sensitive don't participate, but do try to look at something objectively. Be careful about feeding trolls. I can not state this point enough. Trolls are like a cancer and feed off negative energy. Sometimes the best approach is a silent objection. If we had the development resource I'd put a chart on peoples profile like the '#life energy' left in video games and tie it to troll votes. To the others - If you're bullying and can't engage in civilized discourse YOU WILL BE BANNED & we will not entertain appeals. If you need a sports analogy, in football ('soccer' for our American friends), the number of players that bad mouth the ref on a given call is mind boggling. We're going to be running Opuss like a Rugby community from now. All calls final. Feel free to repost this, and even blog about it or tweet about it. We love the community, but we won't tolerate people that destroy the good talent and harmony that represents this community. Regards, Nagib

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My spidey senses are tingling.. While I agree whole heartedly with everything said, I have a feeling that I am classed as a troll, bully and bigot, primarily because I comment on a huge variety of posts. This could be support or agreement, or disagreement and opposing view. I am not aggressive or abusive but there is a swelling of a group that have labelled me as a bully for voicing my opinion. What worries me is the 'no appeal' aspect.. If several in a group, complain will I be banned, regardless of evidence? Secondly has it come to this, that to remain on Opuss we can not express an opposing view? I don't think that's what you're saying, but want clarification on what qualifies as trolling? Instead of replying in comments, should we express different opinions solely in our own posts rather than interact? I would prefer not to be banned, so would like to know the rules and if any have been broken so far, where so we know what the score is.. ð

· 0 · 1364423251

@Burrfoot well said Burr. @sb2uk will we be banned for swearing? I've just been on the end if some condescending comments. I'm not going to report it, no matter how offended I get. I commented on Mary's post as well, but they were just my view. Am I to feel the hammer everytime someone I disagree with someone's point of view? And what about when a child starts calling adults c***s? What if I reported that? I'm all for rules and regs where necessary, but don't clap me in irons!

· 0 · 1364424022

I love Opuss. Swearing is ok but not at someone, and differing values are fine. As to trolling - I'm not a lawyer and it would do a disservice to describe it suffice to say you know it when you see it. And so does the community. And that will be the ultimate metric. Use your collective judgement. Because I have neither the time nor desire to act as a judge on a case by case basis.

· 0 · 1364424609

Hahaha oh no, are the school kids on half term and playing with the older kids again?? If I'm a naughty boy can you just put me on the naughty step with a pretty young female until I've learnt my lesson and taught her a thing or 3? I dunno what the hell has gone on and I don't care tbh, so I'm guilty as charged for "trolling" naughty step this way is it? --------> ð«ððð³ð

· 0 · 1364424667

@sb2uk. I agree with this post, hope you advice is followed.ððð

· 0 · 1364424901

Bullying and trolling are two separate issues and are not interchangeable. Think climate change and global warming. When I post my blogs I do bait for a response. That is the purpose of a blog. I like learning and I like a debate, there is nothing malicious about that surely?, I imagine others do too but unfortunately a small number who respond to mine appear to be a bit mental most of the time. These are the people who you say are over sensitive etc... That is not my fault. It's not your fault either, it is just the way of world unfortunately. As far a cliques go, some of us do have similar ideals and belief systems, again this is how the world is. Like Burrfoot, I am worried about the zero tolerance policy and no appeals policy. What if a group or a 'clique' as you put it collectively decide, because they are 'over sensitive', that they don't like my blog?. Very concerned.

· 0 · 1364426299

I'm asking to use your judgement - some of you know when a thread is going to blow up, so just please know when to call time out and move on. If I'm called in, purely because of time constraints it won't be pretty and rather than mediate an issue we'll remove both the parties. You're all smart and talented and I'd like to trust you to make the call. I'm not above getting a community manager at some point but thus far have no resources for such a measure

· 0 · 1364426834

@blindsilence @Burrfoot It's all very well saying 'regular' members are getting cliquey, but what if other people get cliquey and decide to attack our work if it contains swearing or something they happen to disagree with? What should we do then, bow down and apologise? I try to operate a policy of live and let live, you know, flick past if I don't want to read a certain piece. Why can't we all do that? It's called 'choice' I think ð

· 0 · 1364426911

I've never bullied anyone in my life and don't intend to do so. But if someone makes comments about me that I don't like I won't just stay silent on here or in real life. That said, I agree with your post but I'm not very good at looking the other way when abused in any way.

· 0 · 1364426961

@glen agreed mate ð

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@sb2uk Fair enough.

· 0 · 1364427798

Like a said I love Opuss - but don't feed a flame war. I like the live and let live approach.

· 0 · 1364427857

@glen @leelee101 I think this recent flare was a continuation of the debacle of me being called a c***.. I like to think I read most things and build a fairly accurate picture of what motives and reasons lie behind certain fall outs.. It's worrying indeed that circumstances will develop whereby folk will potentially get the boot for disagreeing with opinion. Like I said on sammie's post, either a 'block' function or an ability to disable comments would be good if folk want them (not something I would use) but I realise this isn't going to happen. I guess we'll just have to see what develops ð I joined to write, but more than that to interact and debate (I enjoy it) but now won't be commenting on anything other than the regs which is a shame.

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@Burrfoot ðð

· 0 · 1364428452

@Burrfoot interact and debate is wonderful but use your judgement. @leeleee101 had a great post 'How to be an Opussycat' which I think did a great job of saying what the community is about.

· 0 · 1364428579

Very concerned and confused with the message in this warning... And feel like anytime someone cries wolf the other will be kicked out ð

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I'm honestly not too sure about what's going on here. But I do have a voice to speak and I'm going to use it. I'm not a person who gets easily offended. Now I know not everyone is like me, but if someone swears - whether it's at someone, at me or just swearing in general, I don't see what the big fuss is. If someone wants to swear it shouldn't be a problem. If someone wants to be a c*** and swear at someone else, it still shouldn't be a big fuss. Even if the other person gets offended. Of course we all like to be treated with respect, but if someone swears at me, meaning to offend me or hurt me, that's their problem. Whether it's at someone or just general swearing, I don't think that swearing should be an issue on here or anywhere else for that matter ð

· 0 · 1364429107

@lemonz I agree it's only words and anyone can say whatever they want and if people don't like it or feel hurt then go somewhere else. On the other hand if you have a complete c...t on here who is nothing but abusive you maybe should be able to lock them out of your stuff. If not then kick em off on a strike basis if they have had say 20 votes against them then off they go.

· 0 · 1364429612

@beergrylles I agree ð there should be a block button like on Facebook and Instagram. I always find it very useful. Wish they had one on here though.

· 0 · 1364430039

Block user?

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@sb2uk yes. Therefore, if someone is really starting to be a problem to you (which probably won't happen in my case but anyway,) just go on their profile and block them. Simple. Then they can't see you or you can't see them

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Seriously? ðThe sad part about this, is that it always tends to be some 'newbie' seeking attention & a quick hit/followers/likes etc, who starts all this (& often a very young newbie too, who should probably be in bed ð ). Guess us old stalwarts are going to have to shut up & put up!! For the record, I too am against bullying/trolling blah blah, but like @Burrfoot @leelee101 & @blindsilence make reference to, it seems wrong to turn a blind eye to blatant rudeness....ð

· 0 · 1364430432

@beergrylles I am not trying to troll of flame or anything but your comment made me laugh, especially because of all the abuse you threw at me... more than once. ð£ð´

· 0 · 1364430644

@Fly10 I agree with you there. If someone is being rude they should be set straight. But if I know it's gonna just turn out to be a big mess I'll just leave it. But still, you have to keep in mind that it's just someone stupid behind a screen trying to stir things up. People shouldn't be so sensitive about it. I know it is awful, but it shouldn't offend people and turn out as messy as it does sometimes ð

· 0 · 1364430732

I'll try and prioritize that ability to block a user as much as possible into the next release.

· 0 · 1364430774

@blindsilence exactly you'd be the first person I'd throw off as you don't know when to shut up !

· 0 · 1364431233

@lemonz I often just sit & read on the periphery, & can clearly see the manipulation that occurs. So many times I've seen hypocritical crap, false words, false multi aliases etc etc. There was an occasion not long after Opuss was launched, that we DID ignore all that....& said person ended up at No.1 under false pretences & bullshit. So I agree that there is a time to comment & a time to stay out of it. But where do you draw that line & how can you decide what is/isn't fair? Blatant bullying should absolutely be no tolerance. But maybe some people will be too quick to plead offence, if they believe it will get them the result they want? This a very difficult area to police democratically, fairly & transparently. I will watch with interest.....ð

· 0 · 1364431281

@sb2uk thank you, much appreciated. I think it will be very useful ð

· 0 · 1364431820

@blindsilence in fact you the typical example of someone I would block. I don't want to read your endless opinionated views. You don't empathise with other writers and start arguments. I have read it many times on a number of uses work where you have taken it upon yourself to dissect every detail. Blindsilence you are a pain and I look forward to blocking you or voting you off. Please don't reply

· 0 · 1364431873

Play nice and silently block. Feature noted

· 0 · 1364432089

Can it be noted I'm now biting my tongue ðð

· 0 · 1364432507

@Burrfoot

· 0 · 1364432602

Ok for you who say the cussing is just words, I'll give you a word as well: Levies. My name is Jean. So yeah maybe not to you, but to me brig called that word is hurtful. I hate it. Cussing, to me is the same thing. You may be okay with calling yourself a name, but don't do it to someone else until you walk in their shoes. So if you have not figured it out yet I'm a total anti-bullying person, since I know how it feels.

· 0 · 1364455223

@beergrylles FYI your comment about @blindsilence was not nice. I'm sure he knows how to shut up, honestly I like people like him. He has an opinion that does not mean he should be banned

· 0 · 1364455573

In fact if YOU don't like him so much why are you reading what he writes? I may be to young to understand your actions, but still that, my friend, is sad.

· 0 · 1364455950

@jmp that is exactly the point. I do not read anything that he writes. He will make an endless tirade of over opinionated verbal that often borders on abusive. So if and others had the option of being able to block such a user it would certainly enhance my experience on this media. I don't agree with you with regard to the swearing. It is an essential part of language and has been used for all time. Sometimes it is the very best form or most appropriate form of expression.

· 0 · 1364458298

@beergrylles the difference between what @blindsilence writes/comments and what you posted above is evident and a clear example of what has been going on. One person offers an 'attack' on an idea to be met with a very personal attack..

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Ps I couldn't bite my tongue any further

· 0 · 1364462164

@Burrfoot I could just tell you to f*** off ð°but in circumstances I won't. You are quite right actually but if we were all the same the world would be a very boring place. I'm going to block myself !!

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@Klaire1 here, this should help you understand what's up. ðâ¨

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@yikici Ok thanks, I have a lot of reading to do now ð ð

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@Klaire1 yep âºâ¨

· 0 · 1364477381

Ahhh okay I see what's going on here now... Thanks ð@yikici

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@ckahn

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@sarahgamal thanks! Just caught up. Oh my. I'll just continue as I have and keep my comments to how I feel about the wonderful writes.

· 0 · 1364479908

@ckahn here here.

· 0 · 1364494563

@eddie12309 ðbeen missing your wonderful writes on here. We need more Eddie!

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Translate 12 years ago

Teddy

Lee

Nagib Tharani

SmellyFingers

Marymint

blindsilence

Nagib Tharani

Lee

Glen

Lee

A.J.

Nagib Tharani

Teddy

Lee

Nagib Tharani

Sarah ÎµÑÐ·

Amber

Beergrills

Amber

Nagib Tharani

Amber

Leigh

blindsilence

Amber

Nagib Tharani

Beergrills

Leigh

Amber

Beergrills

Nagib Tharani

Teddy

Nagib Tharani

Jean Pogue

Jean Pogue

Jean Pogue

Beergrills

Teddy

Teddy

Beergrills

yikici

Klaire

yikici

Klaire

Sarah ÎµÑÐ·

Kristina

EddieC

Kristina

Sarah ÎµÑÐ·

Sarah ÎµÑÐ·