Mohammed Censors

TonyC · Oct 19, 2001

Re: Muhammad Censors

I guess that I too would like to chime in and compliment Muhammad for his high standards in maintaining this forum. Compared it so many others, it is such a pleasure to share with the folks on this board. The individual in question answered one of my posts rather rudely causing me to suggest he find another forum. I ignored his subsequent trolls. The main point is that I knew Muhammad would be watching and take action if necessary. There are few other forums where I would feel that way. I was not aware of the other incidents but as I suspected, Muhammad took the appropriate measures.

glennmac · Oct 19, 2001

This is the only site I frequent regularly, and one of the reasons I do so is the courtesy, civility, expertise, humor, and excellent web management--all as mentioned by others. So, ditto!

However, I would like to offer another perspective on censorship and so-called trolling.

I would argue that all of the wonderful attributes of TBN have little or nothing to do with Muhammad's ownership of a delete key. I respectfully suggest that some of you are mixing causes and effects. Courtesy and civil dialogue are not caused by fear of censorship, but rather by the example set by the respected contributors who have preceded and accompany us here. We conform to the high standards set by the dialogue set by others. In addition, we are deterred from discourtesy and incivility by the very courteous and civil (ie, non-flamimg) rebuttals we will receive when we sometimes go over the line--as we all do from time to time. Bad speech and ideas are extirpated not by censorhip and book burning, but by the persuasive force of good speech and ideas that oppose and expose them.

As to trolling, I think we have to be careful not to silence what actually might be satire or subtle criticsm. I haven't seen all of the posts Neilly claims have been censored, but I have seen some. They didn't particularly bother me, and I thought some of them actually made a subtle point.

I have been censored both specifically and as part of threads that have been removed. I dont care for it, but I accept it as a reasonable web management approach. What I don't accept, however, that there is some sort of causal link between the threat of future censorship and whatever level of civility I may or may not exhibit.

For example, in a thread that has been removed, two of our premier contributors--a Star Membr and a Veteran Member--both publicly announced, in posts that have also been removed, that they were quitting TBN because they were offended by certain dialogue. They each took a few days vacation, returned, and have continued their outstanding contributions. I bet they have returned, not because they fear or anticipate future censorship on themselves or others, but because civil and persuasive speech or ideas--whether from public posts or private messages or their own internal dialogues with themselves--changed their minds.

scruffy · Oct 19, 2001

I would like to publically state that I feel Muhammad does an Exemplary job of Stewardship over this irreverant group of putt-putters! It is one of the BEST, if not THE BEST, run sites on the web. and now....back to my hidey hole.

fishman · Oct 19, 2001

Glennmac,

An interesting point. I think I would agree that most contributors are not concerned about being censored. Rather, they desire to keep this forum as helpful and useful as possible.

PitbullMidwest · Oct 19, 2001

Gotta wonder, where does the good natured TBN dialogue cross the line to trolling? As I remember the original poster of the "Speed Of Light" thread freely admitted later that he had advanced knowledge of the topic yet asked his question in such a way to draw the greatest number of responses.

Was he trolling? No, not in my opinion. His goal was not to make others appear foolish which IS the goal of trolling. Mohammad seems to know the difference better and sooner than most of us.

Who ever the troll was who started this, I hope he has returned to the basement of the science building and had a good laugh with his fellow geeks and loosers.

theboman · Oct 19, 2001

Trolls use tractors? I'm so confused. Now do I have to buy a tractor for my ant farm?

Bluegrass, Pick It Up!

MikePA · Oct 19, 2001

Not for your ant farm. We all have to buy one and park it under the nearest bridge. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Devildog · Oct 19, 2001

Do we have to pay the troll/w3tcompact/icons/tongue.gif/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif
_____________________________________
Take care all, Jim

2001 B7500 HST 302 Fel R4 Tires, Befco BRB60
Semper Fidelis

MikePA · Oct 19, 2001

Pay 'em or or kiss 'em. Your call. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

cowboydoc · Oct 19, 2001

I'd sure have to second, third, fourth... the fact that Muhammad's "censorship" is completely welcome. I have had a couple of my posts deleted and I thank him for doing that. I surely did not use the best of responses in a couple posts. Muhammad's quick action to not let things snowball has kept us friends when we didn't think we'd be friends again. I don't consider it censorship at all. Even if it was so it's a great and wonderful free site, the best I have ever found on the internet. We don't pay a dime for it and I'm sure everyone here has learned so much from it. I don't think anyone that has had a post deleted where there wasn't very good reason behind it. Muhammad is a true gentleman and you couldn't ask for a better person to be running this site. I say keep up the good work Muhammad. It just doesn't get any better than this.