NationStates Jolt Archive

Scenario:
Player continually pops in and out of a region saying things that are meant to incite the residents of the region (Flaming, trolling, etc...). The residents of said region engage the player and respond in like. The residents of said region don't mind and no one in said region complains. The founder accepts this behavior.

Should moderators intervene?

Trolling and flaming is against the rules and will be dealt with accordingly.

Yes.

Despite the fact that the region "belongs" to the Founder, the page may be viewed by anyone in the game. It therefore falls under the rules of NationStates, which are quite clear about flaming and trolling. If one of us spots it, or if ANYONE reports it, we have every reason and justification to investigate and act.

By the same logic, you cannot open a forum thread stating "flame the player above you". Despite that fact that participants are there voluntarily, flaming is not permitted, and such a thread would be locked.

[edit - Sirocco beat me to it, but I'll post anyway]

By the same logic, you cannot open a forum thread stating "flame the player above you". Despite that fact that participants are there voluntarily, flaming is not permitted, and such a thread would be locked.


Thank you for your quick and informative answer (sirocco too).

Not trying to be an ass here (although it's unavoidable), in an RP where sex, killing, and other offensive items are presented it is allowed as long it's in context of the RP. These threads are open to all players in NationStates and offensive to many yet they are allowed to exist and propagate.
In threads where flaming and trolling are the intent of the thread and therefore within context of the thread it would seem the same rules would apply. Is it possible to ask for some methodology whereby these type of threads would be allowed? At least to open a discussion where the pros and cons could be discussed?

Thanks

I thought the rules were 1) no flaming and trolling threads, and 2) adult content threads allowed unless the thread is tagged with a content warning in the title. Is this accurate?

I thought the rules were 1) no flaming and trolling threads, and 2) adult content threads allowed unless the thread is tagged with a content warning in the title. Is this accurate?

Thanks for a response Ms. Hope.

I do believe this is what's stated in one of the stickies at the top of this moderation forum. Understandably many people enjoy sex, there are also people that also enjoy a good argument. Flaming and trolling are integral parts of this process. If you can cause the person you are debating with to respond with an emotional response rather than a logical response then you have gained an upper hand. This tactic is used in politics every day and I would guess has been used by every politician to ever have lived.
It would be nice to be able to use this same device in a game about politics even if the persons arguing have been warned beforehand that this will be a tactic used.

Flaming and trolling are integral parts of this process. If you can cause the person you are debating with to respond with an emotional response rather than a logical response then you have gained an upper hand. This tactic is used in politics every day and I would guess has been used by every politician to ever have lived.
It would be nice to be able to use this same device in a game about politics even if the persons arguing have been warned beforehand that this will be a tactic used.
From the FAQ:
(http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=faq#etiquette)

What can I post?
You can discuss and argue about almost anything, so long as it's vaguely relevant to politics or NationStates and doesn't fall into any of the categories below. You don't have to be politically correct, but you must maintain a minimum standard of behavior.

What can't I post?
Any content that is:

obscene
illegal
threatening
malicious
defamatory
spam
This applies to your nation's name, motto, and other customizable fields, any messages you write, images you post, or any other content you upload or link to NationStates. If you do, your nation will be deleted. See the site's Terms & Conditions for details.

Also prohibited is the practice of "griefing." Griefing is playing with the primary aim of annoying or upsetting other people. If you do this, the game moderators may take action against you.


I got into an argument with this idiot in the forums, and I got deleted and he didn't! How come you allow pro-Catholic argument, but when someone tries to tell the TRUE story of the coming of Christ--
Okay, let me stop you there. It might look as if you are being persecuted for your political views, but what most likely happened is you made a personal attack and your opponent didn't. No matter what the subject matter, if you don't conduct yourself in accordance with the rules of etiquette, you will get into trouble with the moderators. The best way to get your points across in the forums is to remain calm and respect other people's right to disagree with you.



Since this is clearly delineated in the FAQ (which I see has been recently edited) the ban on flaming and trolling is not likely to be lifted.

From the FAQ:
(http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=faq#etiquette)

What can I post?
You can discuss and argue about almost anything, so long as it's vaguely relevant to politics or NationStates and doesn't fall into any of the categories below. You don't have to be politically correct, but you must maintain a minimum standard of behavior.

What can't I post?
Any content that is:

obscene
illegal
threatening
malicious
defamatory
spam
This applies to your nation's name, motto, and other customizable fields, any messages you write, images you post, or any other content you upload or link to NationStates. If you do, your nation will be deleted. See the site's Terms & Conditions for details.

Also prohibited is the practice of "griefing." Griefing is playing with the primary aim of annoying or upsetting other people. If you do this, the game moderators may take action against you.


I got into an argument with this idiot in the forums, and I got deleted and he didn't! How come you allow pro-Catholic argument, but when someone tries to tell the TRUE story of the coming of Christ--
Okay, let me stop you there. It might look as if you are being persecuted for your political views, but what most likely happened is you made a personal attack and your opponent didn't. No matter what the subject matter, if you don't conduct yourself in accordance with the rules of etiquette, you will get into trouble with the moderators. The best way to get your points across in the forums is to remain calm and respect other people's right to disagree with you.



Since this is clearly delineated in the FAQ (which I see has been recently edited) the ban on flaming and trolling is not likely to be lifted.

Thanks ModAlert, I read that as well. However I am not asking for a repeal of flaming and trolling rules, they are necessary. As with many rules though they are a blanket over all possible situations. I would like to discuss allowing emotional arguments (i.e. - trolling and flaming) to be used in the course of a discussion as long as it clearly noted that by entering the discussion that you are exposing yourself to arguments that may and most likely will cause an emotional response.
NationStates is a perfect venue for such discussion. People playing the role of leaders, politicians, warriors, etcetra would be able to act more akin to the way that real world politics are played.
I am not stating that the rules that you have noted in the above quotation exist currently, I am not stating that the rules aren't necessary, I am asking that there be some way that these rules can be ignored in a clearly marked situation. I am asking what peoples thoughts are regarding the consequences of allowing this.

Thanks,
Jux

I am asking that there be some way that these rules can be ignored in a clearly marked situation. I am asking what peoples thoughts are regarding the consequences of allowing this.
The consequences of this would involve one hell of a lot more moderation than most mods want to supply. It becomes a matter of judgement calls (i.e. was it clearly enough identified? What about the n00b who didn't read the notice and got the shit flamed out of him? Etc ....). It's a major can of worms that I for one would prefer to remain closed.

The answer is simple. Plenty of players have set up off-site forums for their regions, alliances, political viewpoints, what have you. If you want to set up an all-flaming, all-the-time forum on an offsite board, you can do that. Be cautious when linking to NS, though. We're not comfortable with links to sites that break our own rules about graphic content and direct flaming.

As to where and how those boards can be set up, I'm sure our alert readers can post a link or two.