Jumbo
09-14-2007, 06:00 PM
I haven't been posting much lately, but I've tried to deal with an increasing number of issues that are popping up for moderators. And I don't like what I'm seeing.
Virtually every board has taken a turn for the worse. Whether it's Duke sports, public policy or lax, the problems are the same -- there's an attitude of growing nastiness, fueled largely by a number of one-trick ponies who keep posting the same thing, ad nauseum.
You'll notice changes in the infractions policies listed at the top of this forum that are designed to deal with some of these problems, but that's a last-ditch approach of reaction. We need to take proactive steps. And, quite frankly, all that's necessary is adhearing to the following approach: Think Before You Post.
Whether you're angry about Duke's continued struggles in football, the hangover from the lax case, the upcoming election or Duke's basketball recruiting, ask yourself the following questions (if they apply to that subject):
1) How might someone associated with one of the teams in question read this?
2) How might the poster I'm attacking read this?
3) Is my post offering anything of substance to this community?
4) Have I already made this point on multiple occasions? If so, what am I adding by posting again?
5) Can I support my argument with cold, hard facts?
Then, react as follows:
1) If you think it would seriously offend that person, tone it down.
2) See above.
3) If not, why post?
4) Advance the argument with something new. Otherwise, assume that everyone knows your point of view, and that all you'd be doing is engaging in a urinating contest.
5) If not, it's probably not worth posting. (Obviously, this is different if the topic is "do you like grilled cheese?" as opposed to "Duke's fundraising is suffering because of the lax case.") Most topics are like the latter, and if you can't back up your assertions, don't post. Period.
I'm worried, folks. It's not even basketball season yet, and we're having problems. Rest assured that when the floodgates open come Midnight Madness, we won't put up with the trend we're seeing. So, now's the time to make whatever changes are necessary to remain a member of this community. Let's clean things up, ok?
Virtually every board has taken a turn for the worse. Whether it's Duke sports, public policy or lax, the problems are the same -- there's an attitude of growing nastiness, fueled largely by a number of one-trick ponies who keep posting the same thing, ad nauseum.
You'll notice changes in the infractions policies listed at the top of this forum that are designed to deal with some of these problems, but that's a last-ditch approach of reaction. We need to take proactive steps. And, quite frankly, all that's necessary is adhearing to the following approach: Think Before You Post.
Whether you're angry about Duke's continued struggles in football, the hangover from the lax case, the upcoming election or Duke's basketball recruiting, ask yourself the following questions (if they apply to that subject):
1) How might someone associated with one of the teams in question read this?
2) How might the poster I'm attacking read this?
3) Is my post offering anything of substance to this community?
4) Have I already made this point on multiple occasions? If so, what am I adding by posting again?
5) Can I support my argument with cold, hard facts?
Then, react as follows:
1) If you think it would seriously offend that person, tone it down.
2) See above.
3) If not, why post?
4) Advance the argument with something new. Otherwise, assume that everyone knows your point of view, and that all you'd be doing is engaging in a urinating contest.
5) If not, it's probably not worth posting. (Obviously, this is different if the topic is "do you like grilled cheese?" as opposed to "Duke's fundraising is suffering because of the lax case.") Most topics are like the latter, and if you can't back up your assertions, don't post. Period.
I'm worried, folks. It's not even basketball season yet, and we're having problems. Rest assured that when the floodgates open come Midnight Madness, we won't put up with the trend we're seeing. So, now's the time to make whatever changes are necessary to remain a member of this community. Let's clean things up, ok?