Banning Bad, Actually?

Pavel

I probably lack an objective view of this

I’d even go so far as to suggest that nobody has, nor can have, a truly objective view about this (or, perhaps, anything…) but recognising and acknowledging our biases is an important part of the conversation. Your level of bullshit tolerance is low, Faraday’s is high, mine is somewhere between the two, and based on that we’d all be right (not just have the right) to remove players who exceed our specific level.

That said, there is perhaps a conversation to be had about whether people with low tolerance for bullshit should force themselves to interact with the general public, or if they should get a trusted friend/acquaintance/me to be their player relations person instead… but that’s probably beyond the scope of current discussion.

Yam

@Pavel Eh I’m all talk. I make sad eyes at fellow staffers to do the dirty work, and if they don’t I just scowl about the injustices of everything. This is my attempt to vent to the forum instead of a friend discord where I thrash my pals mercilessly.

Pavel

@Yam said in Banning Bad, Actually?:

Eh I’m all talk.

Tbh most of us are. Our ability to deal with people, good or ill, depends on so many factors (including the alignment of the planets, whether Mars is in the microwave, and whether I’ve had carbs today) that we can’t really say “Oh I’m always super tolerant and amazing” or “I’m always on a hair trigger ready to ban people for mentioning even the thought of Belgium.” But it makes forum chats more engaging.

Faraday

@Yam said in Banning Bad, Actually?:

You earnestly think it’s okay for people to address others this way?

What on earth did I say that makes you believe I think it’s okay for people to treat others rudely? I have said repeatedly that it is important for staff to set boundaries. All we disagree on is what form those boundaries take as a default action.

Do you think these people can be coached into acting like a model MUSHer with a gentle warning? A second chance? A strike system? Do you think they won’t cause problems down the line?

I don’t know what you mean by “these people”, because I don’t think it takes a certain kind of person to lose their temper, say something they regret, word something more confrontationally than they should have, etc. Humans are going to human.

But yes, I know with 100% certainty that some people who screw up can mend things and behave properly, because I have literally seen it happen. On many occasions.

I have also banned people! Sometimes that’s the right thing to do. Sometimes there are less drastic alternatives. I’m genuinely baffled why this is such a controversial take.

@Pavel said in Banning Bad, Actually?:

You won a game of connect four in three moves.

I’m not even sure I’ve ever won a game of connect four. Especially against my kids, lol.

Yam

@Pavel I guess at least I can be happy that I’m self aware.

Pavel

@Faraday said in Banning Bad, Actually?:

I’m not even sure I’ve ever won a game of connect four. Especially against my kids, lol.

I can highly recommend the mashed potatoes strategy.

Gashlycrumb

@Yam said in Banning Bad, Actually?:

It’s okay for them to expect some kind of service, and when they don’t get it, deride someone’s hard work,

Well, yeah, it’s okay to expect some kind of service when that’s what’s written on the box. The idea that everybody gets a turn is pretty built in.

Jumpscare

The odd thing is that I didn’t read any hostility in Warma Sheen’s messages. And if I did, is there anything wrong with responding with something like this?

“I appreciate you pointing out the inaccuracy. But I don’t appreciate the negativity it was phrased with. Please keep this in mind for the future. Thanks.”

Gashlycrumb

@Jumpscare Having actually looked at the other thread and read their paged exchanged, I don’t see it either.

Seems to boil down to one of those ‘if you have a problem you’re the problem’ exchanges, topped with tone-argument.

Pavel

@Jumpscare said in Banning Bad, Actually?:

And if I did, is there anything wrong with responding with something like this?

Of course not, but that’s not really what’s being argued. It’s not that anyone is suggesting there was absolutely no alternative to banning, but that banning was a perfectly valid and reasonable choice to make. Some think it was, some think it wasn’t, and some are just here for the hors-d’œuvre.