Changes to Rule Enforcement

**Janszoon** · 05-28-2015, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tore

It's been a while since I was mod, but I think the current infractions system that comes with the board supports my suggested implementation.

It doesn't, that's why I said it would need to be changed. There currently is a system, but the rules listed and their corresponding points don't line up to your proposal.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tore

Successful implementation would change the MB environment into one which punishes rule breaking behaviour.

Initially, this would indeed cause a lot of aggravation because the current culture is one in which rule breaking is common. There would be a lot of infractions being handed out. Possibly, groups of members would try to sabotage the initiative. But - over time, people would either adjust, leave or get permbanned and the boards we're left with after that minor cataclysm would be a friendlier and more civilized place. I'm hoping some old members would return and I think the board will also appeal more to potential future members who like forums to be civilized.

So, it would cause temporary drama followed by permanent bliss.

How would it achieve the goal you are describing? To me, handing out infractions over things like short posts would just create animosity and stifle conversation. It also serves to pretty much eliminate context on terms of rule enforcement, which I think is a bad idea. A brand new poster who only makes ten one word posts in their first week here is not the same as longtime, active member of the site who happens to make ten one word posts one week.

Oriphiel · 05-28-2015, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

It also serves to pretty much eliminate context on terms of rule enforcement, which I think is a bad idea.

Agreed. Have we learned nothing from Robocop?

Guybrush · 05-28-2015, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

It doesn't, that's why I said it would need to be changed. There currently is a system, but the rules listed and their corresponding points don't line up to your proposal.

Okay. I think there's a way to hand out custom infractions. I have one myself from Yac.

Either way, it's just a suggestion. If it's not practical in its current state, perhaps a change in some of the details would help.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jans

How would it achieve the goal you are describing? To me, handing out infractions over things like short posts would just create animosity and stifle conversation. It also serves to pretty much eliminate context on terms of rule enforcement, which I think is a bad idea. A brand new poster who only makes ten one word posts in their first week here is not the same as longtime, active member of the site who happens to make ten one word posts one week.

Possibly the short posts rule should be eliminated. It's not enforced today and so means little. You may be getting hung up on details and not seeing the bigger picture.

And yes, it does eliminate context in the most common situations. That's how it should be. You shouldn't have to treat every enforcement of a rule like it was uncharted territory and an excercise in judgment. Unusual situations should call for that and they're not going away.

Animosity would occur, but less so when people wrap their heads around this. Let's say I decide to insult someone. I know what the rules are, I know what the consequences should be, but I do it anyways. If you then infract me, I'm gonna think "fair cop". I know what I did, probably thought it was worth it and your response was predictable and already described to me in the rules.

Animosity today is generated because punishment is unpredictable and personal. My suggestion makes punishment predictable and unpersonal. Plus, getting an infraction is not the end of the world and people would still get away with things. It just puts a cap on how much of a rule breaker you can be before you disappear for a while.