TOS issue

[Russ&Caro 1,549]

Since the TOS Violations thread has been locked and I can't think of anywhere else to post this, I am opening a new thread on something that I have a question about.

 

I was suspended from activity for 24 hours on a previous thread for referring to another member as a possible troll, about a year ago. I didn't mind being temporarily banned as it was a learning experience. From the TOS Violations thread I now understand that being banned is actually a badge of honor (thanks Boiler!).

 

My question involves calling another member a troll, as this is a fairly common event in these forums. In fact, a currently popular thread that just got locked has at least 2 frequent posters referring to the OP as a troll or possible troll. I'm somewhat sympathetic to the use of the word "troll" as in some ways it's a specific term for an archetype of poster in any forum or comments section. Still, I understand why it's a bannable offense as it directly violates this clause:

Make comments in a Post either direct or implied toward another member that are purposely designed to upset, antagonize, make fun of, belittle, harass, insult, or otherwise instigate an argument that takes away from the personal enjoyment of the Service by other users.

 

Referring to someone as a troll almost always upsets another member, except in the rare occasion where they actually are a troll in which case sometimes getting labeled as such will delight the person. But going back to today's locked thread, that is almost definitely not the case. The OP posted a topic that directly related to his visa application experience and at least wanted discussion about it, if not actual advice. And he/she seemed to get even more upset after being labeled a troll.

 

So my question is, are there standards for calling another member a troll? And a follow up... is it ever useful to the moderators when someone is called out for being a troll, despite the inherent conflict with the TOS?

[TBoneTX 45,845]

It helps to view the site's Terms of Service provisions as a paraphrased Golden Rule:  "Post unto others as you would have them post unto you."  Or, for the nonreligious, "Avoid any [posting] action which, if adopted by all other people, would make civilized living impossible" (the philosopher Immanuel Kant).

 

In person, consider whether we would prefer to have someone say to us, "Your story is a bunch of bunk!!" versus "This isn't making sense to me yet; please clarify these aspects of it."

 

Comments like "I smell a troll" are comments about another member and thus deviate from the point of the original question or situation, so they're unproductive.  If a post or thread honestly concerns you and you have no other agenda, the "Report post" function, at upper right of every post, is your friend.  Be sure to leave a brief explanation of why you're reporting the post.

 

Posts and threads that get out of hand (or are at risk of same) will be dealt with in accordance with their severity.  The Moderation team strives to temper justice with mercy.

 

The biggest help would be for each member to become and remain intimately familiar with the Terms of Service provisions, to interpret them literally and conservatively, and to show others the same respect (and restraint!) that they would wish to be afforded.  Avoid engaging others confrontationally within threads -- report an honest concern and let the Moderators handle it.

[Steeleballz 7,550]

On 8/23/2018 at 4:29 PM, Russ&Caro said:

Since the TOS Violations thread has been locked and I can't think of anywhere else to post this, I am opening a new thread on something that I have a question about.

 

I was suspended from activity for 24 hours on a previous thread for referring to another member as a possible troll, about a year ago. I didn't mind being temporarily banned as it was a learning experience. From the TOS Violations thread I now understand that being banned is actually a badge of honor (thanks Boiler!).

 

My question involves calling another member a troll, as this is a fairly common event in these forums. In fact, a currently popular thread that just got locked has at least 2 frequent posters referring to the OP as a troll or possible troll. I'm somewhat sympathetic to the use of the word "troll" as in some ways it's a specific term for an archetype of poster in any forum or comments section. Still, I understand why it's a bannable offense as it directly violates this clause:

Make comments in a Post either direct or implied toward another member that are purposely designed to upset, antagonize, make fun of, belittle, harass, insult, or otherwise instigate an argument that takes away from the personal enjoyment of the Service by other users.

 

Referring to someone as a troll almost always upsets another member, except in the rare occasion where they actually are a troll in which case sometimes getting labeled as such will delight the person. But going back to today's locked thread, that is almost definitely not the case. The OP posted a topic that directly related to his visa application experience and at least wanted discussion about it, if not actual advice. And he/she seemed to get even more upset after being labeled a troll.

 

So my question is, are there standards for calling another member a troll? And a follow up... is it ever useful to the moderators when someone is called out for being a troll, despite the inherent conflict with the TOS?

 

   from a practical standpoint, sometimes people report it, sometimes they don't. If everyone thinks the person is really a troll, then probably there is less chance that someone would report it as name calling since people would tend to agree with the post. Nonetheless, if you call someone a troll and if someone does report it, it would likely be a TOS violation. 

 

  As I was recently reminded, throwing gas on the fire is not the way to deal with things while waiting for a moderator to respond. No matter what the situation is, calling someone a troll is not going to improve it. Even if they really are one. If you need to say someone is trolling, the best way would be to say it in the report.

 

  

[Captain Ewok 1,900]

You can also "ignore" a member while waiting.  Highlight their name and click ignore :).