NationStates Jolt Archive


Query regarding rules re trolling

Enn
06-07-2006, 13:26
1. In this post (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=11297839&postcount=40), GMC gave Ecopoeia a forumban for trolling. I am curious as to how Eco's statement 'So why all the fucking whinging?' could be considered as meaning to anger. In the context, it appears as though Eco was simply fed up with continued comment after GMC had already pointed out an easily-exploited loophole.
Are statements expressing annoyance now considered trolling, flaming and/or flamebait?

I would also like to point out that, according to Eco, he had never received any prior official warnings or forumbans. It appears very harsh to put someone on ban, without any warning, for something that to my mind appears relatively minor. I understand that I am not a mod, and not likely to become one, but am merely giving my opinion.

~~~

2. I was under the impression, based on the judgement in Myrth's dismissal from the moderation team, that mods are not allowed to make official rulings when they are personally involved in the matter. As GMC was the only possible target in Ecopoeia's post, how is it fair that GMC be the one to hand down the forumban? Surely there is a question of possible bias?
Is this a new precedent, that any mod is now allowed to make official rulings on cases involving him/herself?

I ask that The Most Glorious Hack not respond officially in this thread, as he has also posted as a player in the thread concerned.
The Most Glorious Hack
06-07-2006, 14:48
I ask that The Most Glorious Hack not respond officially in this thread, as he has also posted as a player in the thread concerned.Um... okay...

Posting as a player (and in a really mixed up order)...

I would also like to point out that, according to Eco, he had never received any prior official warnings or forumbans. It appears very harsh to put someone on ban, without any warningA forum ban is a warning.

I was under the impression, based on the judgement in Myrth's dismissal from the moderation team, that mods are not allowed to make official rulings when they are personally involved in the matter.To be fair, that was a game issue as opposed to a forum issue.

I am curious as to how Eco's statement 'So why all the fucking whinging?' could be considered as meaning to anger. In the context, it appears as though Eco was simply fed up with continued comment after GMC had already pointed out an easily-exploited loophole.Personally, I'm curious as to how Eco's comment was in any way acceptable.
The Black New World
06-07-2006, 15:14
He was complaining about the activity, it's not like he was calling someone a fucking whinger. It's not the most polite comment but I wouldn't call it trolling.

And why didn't you just say I'm posting instead of 'posting as a player'?
Forgottenlands
06-07-2006, 15:32
Personally, I'm curious as to how Eco's comment was in any way acceptable.

Alright, it wasn't (IMO, I know there are a few that disagree). So? The scale of the comment relative to the scale of the response is startling. There's no history involved, Eco isn't one known for going over the line, he's a longstanding player, and yet he picks up a ban on the first infraction he makes - and a fairly minor infraction at that. How is a ban a reasonable and proportional punishment for the crime committed?
Yelda
06-07-2006, 21:55
There's no history involved, Eco isn't one known for going over the line, he's a longstanding player, and yet he picks up a ban on the first infraction he makes - and a fairly minor infraction at that.
And that's what I'm trying to wrap my mind around, the concept of "Eco as Troll".

Considering Eco's history of infractions (or lack of one), and considering that his comment was directed at "whinging" in general rather than at GMC personally,(*edit: Upon reading it again, it seems that it was directed to GMC, rather than a general statement) wouldn't a more measured response have been appropriate? Something like "Eco, you need to calm down", or "Eco, knock it off"? I've read the definition of trolling from the One-Stop Rules Shop and this just doesn't seem to fit it.
HotRodia
07-07-2006, 02:29
Alright, it wasn't (IMO, I know there are a few that disagree). So? The scale of the comment relative to the scale of the response is startling. There's no history involved, Eco isn't one known for going over the line, he's a longstanding player, and yet he picks up a ban on the first infraction he makes - and a fairly minor infraction at that. How is a ban a reasonable and proportional punishment for the crime committed?

That was what I wondered about it too. I can definitely see a "knock it off" (and/or deleting the post) from one of the other Mods being pefectly warranted under the circumstance, because it was likely to draw negative responses. But even a temp ban seemed excessive to me, after considering the many other Mod decisions I've seen over the years relating to these sorts of incidents.
SalusaSecondus
07-07-2006, 03:17
So why all the fucking whinging?

Nah, that's not trolling. I'm pretty sure that I was told that when younger. There may be more polite ways to phrase it, but I don't see why a ban is deserved.

Also, it would have been wiser for GMC to have involved another moderator to avoid any appearance of bias.

Ban lifted.
Enn
07-07-2006, 08:00
Thank you for resolving this, Sal.
Ecopoeia
07-07-2006, 11:15
Thanks for taking the time to look at this, Sal. I'm biased, naturally, but I think it's the right decision. Apologies also to GMC for any offence caused; I'll be more careful with my flippancy in future.
GMC Military Arms
07-07-2006, 11:57
I am curious as to how Eco's statement 'So why all the fucking whinging?' could be considered as meaning to anger.

The attitude of 'how dare you post anything that disagrees with me' is not welcome in a debate. If such a point had been included in a rebuttal that addressed the argument, more leniency may have been shown. If such a point is the entire post, it is quite blatantly intended to annoy the person you are replying to.

I was under the impression, based on the judgement in Myrth's dismissal from the moderation team, that mods are not allowed to make official rulings when they are personally involved in the matter. As GMC was the only possible target in Ecopoeia's post

No, everyone who had failed to argue in favour of the resolution was a 'potential target,' actually.

I ask that The Most Glorious Hack not respond officially in this thread, as he has also posted as a player in the thread concerned.

You can't do that. Don't make requests for moderators to stay out of threads in the moderation forum in their official capacity.

The matter is resolved, in any case.