I apologize if this embarrasses or upsets anyone. I prefer to do something like this privately, but this is about a public matter and public figures. Likewise, I apologize if this is overly broad for the topic presented.
-Steve: In your reply to Mr. Tweedy you have done disservice to your position as host on these forums. Unfortunately you are
Steve Eley (sorry, I couldn't get it to blink too), host of Escape Pod and founding father of these forums. As much as you like being down in the fray with all us groundlings, you're still top dog, which means 'something more' is always expected of you. I don't mean to say that you can't participate in the discussions, your presence and input are always encouraged and appreciated, but you will automatically be held to a slightly higher standard. I've not seen you do anything untoward in a thread, so please don't stop posting. I'm only referring to this one rebuke. Like a father needs to be patient with an unruly child, so to do you need to exhibit restraint and patience on the forums. No matter how much the little SOB deserves it.
-Moderators: Where were you in
Tolerant / Intolerant? You in the collective sense. Steve handed his objectivity over to Michael back on page 4 (May 14), and for that I give him credit, but that was before the thread got really messy. Bdoomed and Michael, you were both active on the thread and got caught in the mire. Russell and Jim both seemed to avoid it and may not have been following. Mur, well, she can't do anything wrong (she hasn't got time!) and Ryuujin hasn't been on in a month. I'm not pointing fingers, I'm kind of gesturing in your direction. I wasn't there, I can't see behind the scenes, and I don't know what kind of private communications were going on, but I suspect not enough.
It's an unpleasant job, but you're here for a reason, and although no one out-right called names things were getting pretty offensive (or at least promising to be). I know that you're all volunteers with other things going on in your lives. You can't be everywhere, you can't read everything, and you all have your own opinions of right, wrong, offensive, and "Oh no, you did
NOT just say that!" I don't fault any of you for not stopping this, because this thread ran in to some really gray areas. Free speech is of vital importance to this site and shouldn't be inhibited, but perhaps more could be done to encouraging some of the contributors to tone how they speeched freely? I don't know how much communication happens behind the scenes, but you as a collective, are there to potentially step on toes and possibly offend people by cramping their style. It sucks, but that's what moderators do. They moderate.
-Mr. Tweedy. WTF? No, really. You just jumped in to this with both feet, didn't you?
Well, in my experience we're all a pretty open-minded and forgiving lot. You have strong views, and aren't afraid to defend them: That's welcomed, appreciated, and encouraged here. You have, however, riled up a lot of people and stepped on a lot of toes. I doubt there's anyone here who will hold a grudge, but I don't think anyone here is going to forget in the next couple days. Please stay and continue adding to our community, but do be mindful that your opinions may be controversial. There are others here who have said some
controversial things, and they are still welcome and active participants. We appreciate your viewpoint, and the addition of your voice enriches this community. I really, honestly mean that.
But kicking others in the shin to make your voice sound louder is not appreciated.
-Free Speech: You should feel free to express
ANY viewpoint here. You should not feel free to express it anyway you want. There's a big difference between "I think women have biological advantages over men." and "BOW DOWN ALL YOU SCROTUM-TOTING SCUM!"
-New Rule: "Don't be dumb. You know when you're doing it, so just stop."
(edit: added)
-My Part: I was part of
Tolerant / Intolerant too, and read all the posts. I bowed out when I thought I didn't have anything new to say, and realized that every post I thought to right was just abusive and bashing. I think I did ok on that. On the other hand, I didn't do anything to sooth tempers, express a calm and non-inflammatory view, or tag the moderators asking them to review the goings ons of that thread. Watching someone get mugged doesn't make you guilty, but it doesn't mean you're innocent either.
(edit: pa. 2, "dishonor" to "disservice". Dishonor was far too overstated.)