Apologists Harassing Critics

[_Shulem]

This goes for people who insult critics.

This goes for people who insult apologists.

An insult can be anything and everything.

[_mentalgymnast]

Agreed. But we need to do a better job at reporting posts that violate the rules rather than attacking he offender. The mods can’t do this without our help.

One thing I'm sensitive to, having seen what gets reported, is that people are overwhelmingly more likely to report issues with "apologist" posts than those of posts critical of the Mormons/Mormonism.

Interesting.

I can think of two critics in particular who are serial offenders who almost never get reported and I only catch if I happen to be reading a thread they are in.

That doesn't surprise me. That is, that they don't get reported.

People clearly are willing to overlook the faults of people on their "side" as compared to people whose viewpoint they disagree with.

Agreed.

As a result, I am cautious not to confuse what's reported as a representative sample of posters' patterns. Otherwise, this is just a back-door way to bias moderation.

That is the way I'm seeing it. But of course, I may be a bit biased.

Recently, after having what I believed to be a productive/enjoyable conversation with Rep Ipsa, I became interested in the concept of "priming".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priming_(psychology)

I think priming is directly connected with the practice of creating/promoting a 'brand' of propaganda which results in a sort of meme that spreads throughout a community. This is what I've observed happen here over a period of time.

To specifically address the so called "problem" that others have repeatedly promoted, this last Wednesday I said this:

I have created a DMZ for myself which I will not cross. I don't have anyone on ignore, including the poster who made these comments. But I will not in any way, shape, or form have anything to do with or have anything to say to this poster from here on out. Directly or indirectly. That is a commitment which I make for all to see and understand. I do feel bad that this situation escalated to where it has. For me, the best thing to do is create a personal space between myself and this poster. I don't think he will have any concerns in regards to having to engage in further 'warfare'.

That's not where I want to go.

I am completely willing and have followed through with this commitment. Granted, I don't see the perceived "problem" as being something other than a bunch of propaganda used to 'prime the pump' in order to create a standardized meme that has spread like a virus throughout parts/segments of this community.

Not that at times I couldn't have done better to squelch the fire...although, truth be told,I tried to do so and the flames would typically continue to be fed...but once the propaganda was repeatedly shouted and the audience was primed and the meme was created...it was almost a fruitless enterprise to try and extinguish what I could see was going on.

And if my own words are used against me...out of context...and I don't want to go back and repeatedly place those words in the context of a larger conversation and/or point that I was making...I am doomed, in way, because words out of their place in contextual application can be used to 'create' meaning that the creator determines fits their interpretation and/or agenda.

Be that as it may, I believe that the decision that I made and committed to on Wednesday has...or would have had...every potential/possibility of having succeeded. But it was after that, that the poster in question decided to leave.

Regards,
MG

[_Maksutov]

And here we are again with MG blaming the community.

I'm going the way of Grindael. I am withdrawing as well until MG's BS is dealt with effectively. Add one more to the list.

[_Kishkumen]

One thing I'm sensitive to, having seen what gets reported, is that people are overwhelmingly more likely to report issues with "apologist" posts than those of posts critical of the Mormons/Mormonism. I can think of two critics in particular who are serial offenders who almost never get reported and I only catch if I happen to be reading a thread they are in. People clearly are willing to overlook the faults of people on their "side" as compared to people whose viewpoint they disagree with.

As a result, I am cautious not to confuse what's reported as a representative sample of posters' patterns. Otherwise, this is just a back-door way to bias moderation.

Frankly, I hardly ever report anyone's posts, and if someone bugs me, I just put that person on ignore until I am able to deal with that person again. I can see that on this board apologists are much more likely to be reported than critics are, so I think we need to do a better job of policing ourselves and others on our "team" so the reporting is not so lopsided.

[_Kishkumen]

And here we are again with MG blaming the community.

I'm going the way of Grindael. I am withdrawing as well until MG's BS is dealt with effectively. Add one more to the list.

Same. I'm outta here until mg's posts are moderated. I am happy to abide by the same standards he does, but something must be done.

[_Res Ipsa]

Hey, MG. You and I have had some interesting talks and I’ve shared some of my worldview with you. Would you care to take a stab at posting what you think I would say in response to your post?

[_Tator]

And here we are again with MG blaming the community.

I'm going the way of Grindael. I am withdrawing as well until MG's BS is dealt with effectively. Add one more to the list.

Mak, I am getting close also my mental ignore is wearing thin.

I posted this on another thread:

The troll MG is like a rat. Rats are incontinent. They dribble their urine where ever they go. They leave trails of stinking filth. MG doesn't spread urine but what he does dribble and spread on these threads is stinking troll filth.

[_Lemmie]

And here we are again with MG blaming the community.

I'm going the way of Grindael. I am withdrawing as well until MG's BS is dealt with effectively. Add one more to the list.

Same. I'm outta here until mg's posts are moderated. I am happy to abide by the same standards he does, but something must be done.

I will miss my friends terribly.

[_Jersey Girl]

Agreed. But we need to do a better job at reporting posts that violate the rules rather than attacking he offender. The mods can’t do this without our help.

It's kind of a double edged sword. I think the majority of posters don't want to bother the mods and that's why they opt for sorting it out or fighting it out in the threads.

In any case, MG has been the recipient of a board-wide Jubliee!, he has accepted moderation correction and immediately following, he violated it.

Mod queue is warranted. No question about that in my mind.

[_EAllusion]

Lurking here has actually become annoying, trying to wade through (past?) the exchanges from both parties. I can only imagine there are others out there similarly tired of the drama. I am not keen on censorship, but if neither wants to contribute to the actual discussion and instead just wants to troll, then why allow them to impede the intelligent discourse? I walk away from such foolishness in person, and it is not like the community members (or moderators on their behalf) have to tolerate it here.

Part of the problem is that Poe's Law is real and what to some is trolling to others is sincere argument. I don't think you can moderate trolling without risking censoring opinions you disagree with. If MG were to be queued, it would be more narrowly for habitually derailing threads. Derailing is a tricky area too, because conversations evolve organically and it is perfectly appropriate to make and follow tangential comments. I err on the side of caution every time with derailing, but it is clear to me from issues I've responded to and a survey of posting history that MG has been more maliciously derailing in a way that violates the spirit of the rule.