Am I responsible for the "culture" of MormonDiscussions.com?

[_Dr. Shades]

I read Nemesis's recent thread about us over on MD&D. Apparently he/she is 100% convinced that I, Dr. Shades, am responsible for the culture here on MormonDiscussions.com.

To that end, he/she is taking it as a given that I am also responsible for the disgusting Juliann memes that have been posted at the meme generator website, even though A) I didn't make any of them myself, B) none of them were posted here, C) that's a website over which I have no control whatsoever, and D) I have no idea who is posting them in the first place.

Therefore, let me make one thing perfectly clear:

I AM VERY MUCH OPPOSED TO THE SEXUALLY-CHARGED "JULIANN MEMES" THAT WERE POSTED ON THE AFOREMENTIONED WEBSITE. I THINK THEY ARE IN EXTREMELY POOR TASTE AND I CONDEMN THEM IN THE STRONGEST POSSIBLE TERMS. WHOEVER CREATED THEM, I REQUEST THAT YOU STOP DOING SO AND DELETE THEM IF POSSIBLE.

Look, I have deleted LOTS of sexually-charged words and phrases from this, my own website. You've probably seen plenty of instances of "[Telestial-caliber image deleted]" or perhaps "[content deleted]," especially if you look back through Paul Osborne's old posts. I've even done this in the Telestial Forum; perhaps you've seen instances wherein I've reminded people that even the Telestial Forum is rated "R" to "NC-17," **NOT** rated "X."

So the fact that I get rid of that sort of stuff on my own site, where I make the rules, should be ample proof that I'm **NOT** in favor of that type of thing at all.

But more to the point: Am I responsible for the "culture" here? And even if (for the sake of the argument) I am responsible, does that mean I condone every aspect of it?

You see, from the beginning, I knew that if we were going to have a free board, part of the price would be that we'd have to take the bad along with the good. Also, part of maintaining a free atmosphere is to avoid favoritism and to avoid the formation of "cliques," because such things lead to newcomers feeling unwelcome, thus reducing the "input potential."

To that end, being head administrator and all, I have to be VERY careful to avoid playing favorites and to avoid implying that anyone is less than welcome to post here. This means that I have to hold my tongue on a lot of stuff that I think is in poor taste or in bad form. Just because it gets posted here does NOT mean I like it or that I'm glad it was posted. There is plenty of content that gets posted here that I wish WASN'T. NEMESIS, ARE YOU LISTENING?

Some folks wonder why I don't just ban certain people, even though they appear to have heartily earned it. I'm guessing that the MD&D moderators wonder this, too. Well, let me give you a little peek into my psyche:

If an idiotic person comes here and insists on building a monument to his or her own idiocy, why shouldn't I allow him or her to complete that monument? Likewise, If an inane person comes here and insists on leaving as much evidence as possible of his or her inanity, who am I to make him or her stop leaving that evidence? Not only that, but if I was to ban such a person in knee-jerk fashion, the community would be denied the privilege of condemning him or her for his or her idiocy/inanity.

Remember when, in the Book of Mormon, Alma was was constrained by the Spirit to just let the people of Ammonihah do their worst? Well, the same principle is at work here at MormonDiscussions.com. Let's reword for context. Alma 14:11: ". . . [Dr. Shades] doth suffer that they may do this thing, . . . that the judgments which [the community] shall exercise upon them in [its] wrath may be just[.]"

See how that works?

Anyway, now that you've read my thoughts on this matter, perhaps you've changed your mind about who is or isn't responsible for the culture of this message board. Either way, I would really like to get as much feedback from as many of you as I can. Therefore, as much for the benefit of the MD&D moderators as well as my own, please tell me:

IS DR. SHADES RESPONSIBLE FOR THE "CULTURE" OF MORMONDISCUSSIONS.COM?

[_why me]

IS DR. SHADES RESPONSIBLE FOR THE "CULTURE" OF MORMONDISCUSSIONS.COM?

Here is the problem with the board: You have three kingdoms of glory on this board. This system is asking for trouble since people believe that they can get away with more in the two lesser kingdoms and they post accordingly. The problem started with the mocking and bashing of personalities. This should not be permited in any kingdom on the board and such posts need to be deleted and the poster suspended for a time.

Outside the personal attacks, the board can be an interesting place and a good board. But as long as the personal attacks continue the board will suffer accordingly.

Are you responsible? Yes, you are responsible since it is your board. The goal of the board was noble but in this day and age of internet abuse, it is a false dream to believe that all will act nicely with one another. The solution is simple: no longer allow personal attacks and deal with offenders with mercy but also with strength. And then, the board will be a great and open place for dialogue and discussion. Also, the three kingdoms need to reassed and perhaps changed. No personal attacks can be permited in any kingdom. And a more hands on moderation policy needs to be implements before tragedy strikes.

The internet is full of sensitive and shy people who will take it harshly if the personal attacks against them stike close to their soul and heart. Bullying can have harmful effects on such individuals not to mention, all individuals.

I hope for the success of the board and if the personal attacks stop, the board has the potential to be one of the best on the web with its freedom of thought and debate, which is highly unusual for a critic board. But then again, is this a critic board? Perhaps not but it has become so. Mormons would love to post here if decency is encouraged. Also, the threat of lawsuits will stop being threatened when people act respectfully and with dignity with one another.

[_Ren]

Are the Founding Fathers 'responsible' for anything said by any member of - say - the Westboro Baptist Church?

[_Spurven Ten Sing]

......or why me could post in Celestial.

[_lostindc]

Dr. Shades,

Nemesis is displaying a common cry for help. He is very upset that MD continues to thrive and MAD continues to take a nose dive. Nemesis is acting like a child and there are many on her board that have spoken out about her childish behavior (I would link the threads but I am now banned).

What happened these last few days is nothing short of malicious attacks in an attempt to drag your name through the mud and try to counter the momentum of MD.

There is a tremendous amount of freedom here, but no more, in fact less, than what I find on my favorite college football message board and even far less than the mma board I frequent. If they think the meme incident is bad I would be more than willing to link what is dubbed "underground mob" incidents that really do carry out a witch hunt, none of which one can legally hault.

[_Ceeboo]

Good morning Shades,

Not only are you 100% responsible for the "culture" of this board, I would suggest that you are responsible for the escalating price of a gallon of gas, the success of SEAL team 6, and the rather large bill from my daughter's orthodontist. (I would appreciate it if you would pay this soon)

by the way: (for what it's worth coming from me) It is my opinion that your board, for many reasons, is one of the best boards I have been on during my last 7-8 years of "playing" on these boards. (Well done, Sir. Well done)

Peace,
Ceeboo

[_lostindc]

Good morning Shades,

Not only are you 100% responsible for the "culture" of this board, I would suggest that you are responsible for the escalating price of a gallon of gas, the success of SEAL team 6, and the rather large bill from my daughter's orthodontist. (I would appreciate it if you would pay this soon)

by the way: (for what it's worth coming from me) It is my opinion that your board, for many reasons, is one of the best boards I have been on during my last 7-8 years of "playing" on these boards. (Well done, Sir. Well done)

Peace,
Ceeboo

I am dreading those orthodontic bills. We have a daughter that sucked her thumb till three so hopefully the damage was not to bad. I need a job with better dental coverage.

[_Ren]

Outside the personal attacks, the board can be an interesting place and a good board. But as long as the personal attacks continue the board will suffer accordingly.

"America can be an 'interesting place' and a 'good country'. But as long as people I don't like and find offensive are allowed to speak, the country will suffer accordingly"

[_Chap]

The people who framed and passed the First Amendment to the United States Constitution did so in contemplation of the kind of societies they had left behind in Europe, in which government could shut down at will any kind of speech or writing that caused them discomfort of disquiet. In contrast, they prescribed:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

The people who framed and passed that Amendment are responsible for the broad general public discourse of the United States, in that they decided to go for the option of the least interference possible with the right of people to say and write what they want. Most people would say they made the right decision. No-one would think it reasonable to criticize the moral character of the framers because some people make use of the freedom they enjoy to appear in Salt Lake City with placards insulting to the CoJCoLDS, its leaders, and members. The framers get the credit, on the other hand, for the overall free speech environment of the US, which is undoubtedly a good thing in comparison with societies where authority can censor at will.

Taking a parallel on a much, much less significant scale, Shades acted (as I understand it) in contemplation of the culture of the recently created FAIR message board, in which LDS moderators could shut down at will any kind of post that caused them discomfort of disquiet. In contrast, he created an environment in which the main environment (the Terrestrial forum) would have hardly any rules 'abridging the freedom of speech'. I do not think it reasonable to criticize the moral character of Shades because some people make use of the freedom they enjoy to make posts insulting to the CoJCoLDS, its leaders, and members. Shades should get the credit, on the other hand, for the overall free speech environment of this board, which is undoubtedly a good thing in comparison with boards where authority can censor at will

[_Ceeboo]

Hey lost,

I am dreading those orthodontic bills. We have a daughter that sucked her thumb till three so hopefully the damage was not to bad. I need a job with better dental coverage.

FYI,

Total bill........................................ $5,800.00
Total dental insurance that Ceeboo has..... $ 0.00

:)

Peace,
Ceeboo