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#1
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Another try: rec.boats ON-topic
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#2
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Another try: rec.boats ON-topic
On Sat, 08 Nov 2003 06:25:07 GMT, Joe Parsons
wrote: On 07 Nov 2003 16:00:59 GMT, (Gould 0738) wrote: But such a requirement involves rules, rules demand a judge, etc. If anybody can report anybody else to an ISP for posts they aren't pleased with, I'd hate to say it but the ISP's will be busy for weeks listening to people from rec.boats whine about one another. ISP's don't bother with Usenet squabbles. They really don't. Joe Parsons Yes they do, Joe. Regards, noah To email me, remove the "OT-" from wrecked.ot-boats.noah. ....as you were. ) |
#3
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Another try: rec.boats ON-topic
On 14 Nov 2003 20:09:13 -0600, noah wrote:
On Sat, 08 Nov 2003 06:25:07 GMT, Joe Parsons wrote: On 07 Nov 2003 16:00:59 GMT, (Gould 0738) wrote: But such a requirement involves rules, rules demand a judge, etc. If anybody can report anybody else to an ISP for posts they aren't pleased with, I'd hate to say it but the ISP's will be busy for weeks listening to people from rec.boats whine about one another. ISP's don't bother with Usenet squabbles. They really don't. Joe Parsons Yes they do, Joe. That has never been my experience. There are many Usenet service providers, for example, that have essentially NO Terms of Service. Altopia is a good example of this. Teranews is another. By and large, what I have observed is that--especially in unmoderated newsgroups--ISPs don't have the time or inclination to deal with their users who might be chronically nasty, or who post off-topic (or who chronically post off-topic in a nasty manner). I'm sure my generalization is unfair to a handful of ISPs who *do* pull the plug on those who abuse newsgroups by posting off-topic arguments, but I haven't run across them over the last dozen years. I decry these kinds of posts, as I know you and many others do; but ultimately, there has to be some kind of "gentleman's agreement" between the main combatants that the behavior is inappropriate--and that it is literally destroying the newsgroup. There is absolutely nothing to be gained by people's posting these provocative, emotionally charged and polarizing articles. And since, for the most part, the people posting them seem to have some modicum of intelligence, I have to believe they know exactly what they're doing it--but choose to indulge their destructive whims out of pure selfishness. They certainly are not doing it with an eye toward convincing anyone of anything. Joe Parsons Regards, noah To email me, remove the "OT-" from wrecked.ot-boats.noah. ...as you were. ) |
#4
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Another try: rec.boats ON-topic
Joe Parsons wrote:
On 14 Nov 2003 20:09:13 -0600, noah wrote: On Sat, 08 Nov 2003 06:25:07 GMT, Joe Parsons wrote: On 07 Nov 2003 16:00:59 GMT, (Gould 0738) wrote: But such a requirement involves rules, rules demand a judge, etc. If anybody can report anybody else to an ISP for posts they aren't pleased with, I'd hate to say it but the ISP's will be busy for weeks listening to people from rec.boats whine about one another. ISP's don't bother with Usenet squabbles. They really don't. Joe Parsons Yes they do, Joe. That has never been my experience. There are many Usenet service providers, for example, that have essentially NO Terms of Service. Altopia is a good example of this. Teranews is another. By and large, what I have observed is that--especially in unmoderated newsgroups--ISPs don't have the time or inclination to deal with their users who might be chronically nasty, or who post off-topic (or who chronically post off-topic in a nasty manner). Besides, it's becomes subjective when trying to determine who is "nasty", and at what point someone goes over the line. Trying to determine this opens up all sorts of censorship cries, and 1st amendment issues. I'm sure my generalization is unfair to a handful of ISPs who *do* pull the plug on those who abuse newsgroups by posting off-topic arguments, but I haven't run across them over the last dozen years. On an unmoderated newsgroup, there is generally little recourse. Even idiots have a right to be idiots. I decry these kinds of posts, as I know you and many others do; but ultimately, there has to be some kind of "gentleman's agreement" between the main combatants that the behavior is inappropriate--and that it is literally destroying the newsgroup. Maybe there can be no "gentleman's agreement" because the concept of being a gentleman has escaped many people? The ideal of disagreeing without being disagreeable? There is absolutely nothing to be gained by people's posting these provocative, emotionally charged and polarizing articles. For some, it's "therapy". It soothes and re-enforces their overly inflated idea of self-worth. And since, for the most part, the people posting them seem to have some modicum of intelligence, I have to believe they know exactly what they're doing it--but choose to indulge their destructive whims out of pure selfishness. Now you're catching on. They certainly are not doing it with an eye toward convincing anyone of anything. That much is true. Dave |
#5
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Another try: rec.boats ON-topic
On Mon, 17 Nov 2003 15:35:13 GMT, Dave Hall wrote:
Joe Parsons wrote: On 14 Nov 2003 20:09:13 -0600, noah wrote: On Sat, 08 Nov 2003 06:25:07 GMT, Joe Parsons wrote: On 07 Nov 2003 16:00:59 GMT, (Gould 0738) wrote: But such a requirement involves rules, rules demand a judge, etc. If anybody can report anybody else to an ISP for posts they aren't pleased with, I'd hate to say it but the ISP's will be busy for weeks listening to people from rec.boats whine about one another. ISP's don't bother with Usenet squabbles. They really don't. Joe Parsons Yes they do, Joe. That has never been my experience. There are many Usenet service providers, for example, that have essentially NO Terms of Service. Altopia is a good example of this. Teranews is another. By and large, what I have observed is that--especially in unmoderated newsgroups--ISPs don't have the time or inclination to deal with their users who might be chronically nasty, or who post off-topic (or who chronically post off-topic in a nasty manner). Besides, it's becomes subjective when trying to determine who is "nasty", and at what point someone goes over the line. Trying to determine this opens up all sorts of censorship cries, and 1st amendment issues. Which part of "Congress shall make no law ...abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press" do you believe applies to a privately-owned ISP's right to pull the plug on a customer? I'm sure my generalization is unfair to a handful of ISPs who *do* pull the plug on those who abuse newsgroups by posting off-topic arguments, but I haven't run across them over the last dozen years. On an unmoderated newsgroup, there is generally little recourse. Even idiots have a right to be idiots. Res ipsa loquitur. I decry these kinds of posts, as I know you and many others do; but ultimately, there has to be some kind of "gentleman's agreement" between the main combatants that the behavior is inappropriate--and that it is literally destroying the newsgroup. Maybe there can be no "gentleman's agreement" because the concept of being a gentleman has escaped many people? The ideal of disagreeing without being disagreeable? While there are clearly people here whose conduct is (to put it charitably) ungentlemanly, if a few were to help create a sort of group ethos, that could leaven the rest. Peer pressure is a powerful force. There is absolutely nothing to be gained by people's posting these provocative, emotionally charged and polarizing articles. For some, it's "therapy". It soothes and re-enforces their overly inflated idea of self-worth. You may be right. And since, for the most part, the people posting them seem to have some modicum of intelligence, I have to believe they know exactly what they're doing it--but choose to indulge their destructive whims out of pure selfishness. Now you're catching on. What gives you the idea that I am only now "catching on?" Joe Parsons They certainly are not doing it with an eye toward convincing anyone of anything. That much is true. Dave |
#6
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Another try: rec.boats ON-topic
Joe Parsons wrote:
On Mon, 17 Nov 2003 15:35:13 GMT, Dave Hall wrote: Joe Parsons wrote: On 14 Nov 2003 20:09:13 -0600, noah wrote: On Sat, 08 Nov 2003 06:25:07 GMT, Joe Parsons wrote: On 07 Nov 2003 16:00:59 GMT, (Gould 0738) wrote: But such a requirement involves rules, rules demand a judge, etc. If anybody can report anybody else to an ISP for posts they aren't pleased with, I'd hate to say it but the ISP's will be busy for weeks listening to people from rec.boats whine about one another. ISP's don't bother with Usenet squabbles. They really don't. Joe Parsons Yes they do, Joe. That has never been my experience. There are many Usenet service providers, for example, that have essentially NO Terms of Service. Altopia is a good example of this. Teranews is another. By and large, what I have observed is that--especially in unmoderated newsgroups--ISPs don't have the time or inclination to deal with their users who might be chronically nasty, or who post off-topic (or who chronically post off-topic in a nasty manner). Besides, it's becomes subjective when trying to determine who is "nasty", and at what point someone goes over the line. Trying to determine this opens up all sorts of censorship cries, and 1st amendment issues. Which part of "Congress shall make no law ...abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press" do you believe applies to a privately-owned ISP's right to pull the plug on a customer? The rights of people to express themselves in public (within limts) is guaranteed. However a private company can set rules to restrict certain behaviors. Thus begins the tug of war between the right to express an opinion in a public place (a newgroup forum), and the private company who provides the access right to set limitations. That doesn't stop the endless debates on the subjectivity used in determining when someone "crosses the line". I'm sure my generalization is unfair to a handful of ISPs who *do* pull the plug on those who abuse newsgroups by posting off-topic arguments, but I haven't run across them over the last dozen years. On an unmoderated newsgroup, there is generally little recourse. Even idiots have a right to be idiots. Res ipsa loquitur. I decry these kinds of posts, as I know you and many others do; but ultimately, there has to be some kind of "gentleman's agreement" between the main combatants that the behavior is inappropriate--and that it is literally destroying the newsgroup. Maybe there can be no "gentleman's agreement" because the concept of being a gentleman has escaped many people? The ideal of disagreeing without being disagreeable? While there are clearly people here whose conduct is (to put it charitably) ungentlemanly, if a few were to help create a sort of group ethos, that could leaven the rest. Peer pressure is a powerful force. Like I've always said, it takes two to tango. If someone put up an inflammatory OT post, and no one responded to it, it would wither and die. We need to collectively exersise more self control when we respond to, and unwittingly perpetuate these OT posts, which usually degenerate into name-calling sessions. There is absolutely nothing to be gained by people's posting these provocative, emotionally charged and polarizing articles. For some, it's "therapy". It soothes and re-enforces their overly inflated idea of self-worth. You may be right. And since, for the most part, the people posting them seem to have some modicum of intelligence, I have to believe they know exactly what they're doing it--but choose to indulge their destructive whims out of pure selfishness. Now you're catching on. What gives you the idea that I am only now "catching on?" Based on the position where the thought came forth in your post. Dave |
#7
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Another try: rec.boats ON-topic
On Mon, 17 Nov 2003 18:39:44 GMT, Dave Hall wrote:
[snip] Which part of "Congress shall make no law ...abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press" do you believe applies to a privately-owned ISP's right to pull the plug on a customer? The rights of people to express themselves in public (within limts) is guaranteed. However a private company can set rules to restrict certain behaviors. Thus begins the tug of war between the right to express an opinion in a public place (a newgroup forum), and the private company who provides the access right to set limitations. That doesn't stop the endless debates on the subjectivity used in determining when someone "crosses the line". I agree: it's not likely to stop the "debate;" but just because a "debate" exists does not mean it is a valid one. I'm sure my generalization is unfair to a handful of ISPs who *do* pull the plug on those who abuse newsgroups by posting off-topic arguments, but I haven't run across them over the last dozen years. On an unmoderated newsgroup, there is generally little recourse. Even idiots have a right to be idiots. Res ipsa loquitur. I decry these kinds of posts, as I know you and many others do; but ultimately, there has to be some kind of "gentleman's agreement" between the main combatants that the behavior is inappropriate--and that it is literally destroying the newsgroup. Maybe there can be no "gentleman's agreement" because the concept of being a gentleman has escaped many people? The ideal of disagreeing without being disagreeable? While there are clearly people here whose conduct is (to put it charitably) ungentlemanly, if a few were to help create a sort of group ethos, that could leaven the rest. Peer pressure is a powerful force. Like I've always said, it takes two to tango. If someone put up an inflammatory OT post, and no one responded to it, it would wither and die. We need to collectively exersise more self control when we respond to, and unwittingly perpetuate these OT posts, which usually degenerate into name-calling sessions. No argument there. Joe Parsons |
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