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Re: Censorship and Tranceaddict
| quote: | Originally posted by FuzzyGreen
Here in the USA if I was to go to a mall and wear a shirt that said, hmm.. "Tiesto is an asshole" I could wear it without any problems from police. But here, if I put that "so and so TA is an asshole" in my sig it gets censored. Why is that? Is it because most mods here grew up in PC censorship oriented countries? Please tell me why I am wrong and show me the light!
Thanks guys! |
I kind of agree with you that there's a problem, although when I saw your sig I didn't think it was appropriate. As much as people, such as many of those who have posted in this thread, would just like to pretend it doesn't exist, in my time here I have noticed the following issues:
1. The rules (not all, but most) are set forth in such a manner that no objective standard exists by which to evaluate them. As a result, it is merely the subjective opinion of a moderator which is used as the basis for instantaneous and unaccountable administrative action. While I think the moderators here typically do an excellent job, there have been many instances in which I and others feel they have overstepped a reasonable interpretation of the guidelines. Attempts to elicit a justification for their activities either by PM or on the boards are typically ignored, or responded to in terms so vague that one cannot objectively analyze them.
2. Rules and guidelines are not applied equally in many instances. While I generally agree with the ideas behind the guidelines, they are frequently applied with great variety in strictness or laxness depending on the individual in question. If this applied only to giving people breaks, I wouldn't think it was such a big deal. However, there has been more than one instance in which it is obvious to me that a moderator simply took a dislike of another individual, and proceeded to hound them about every possible application of the aforementioned guidelines.
3. Different mods tend to interpret the guidelines with great variety. As a result, no one knows that the real "unspoken" guidelines really are. As Swamper already pointed out, a strict literal interpretation of the guidelines is ridiculous. Yet, any other interpretation is essentially no more than the reader's opinion. As a result, one can never be certain whether or not one is in violation of the rules according to any given moderator's interpretation of them.
Personally, I think tranceaddict.com has a great community. However, I don't think that precludes us from trying to strengthen it even more. In my not so humble opinion, it would be a great boost to the community if the above issues were addressed, even partially. Controversies about the application of the rules seem to pop up on a weekly basis. I think many of these problems could be avoided if only the rules were set forth and applied in a manner which did not lend itself to individual interpretation and hence dispute.
Regards,
Arbiter
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