The Official Feedback Thread
- Thread starter Jeremy
- Start date
- Status
oath2order
#Porygon2024
I don't know if this was an unintended consequence, but it seems like the timer for multiple things. As in, you cannot react to multiple posts in the same 4 hour time period.
You can comment and react, just not multiple of the same action.
Edit: Also, as an aside, fascinating that the average age of active users is 35. How does that factor in people who don't put in an age?
You can comment and react, just not multiple of the same action.
Edit: Also, as an aside, fascinating that the average age of active users is 35. How does that factor in people who don't put in an age?
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Thanks for reporting that, it seems I added a limit on reactions instead of replies, but this should now be fixed.
-Apples-
Apple Imperialist
Question about the staff changes: if Chris is going down to Project Staff, are you gonna promote another Project Staff member to moderator? Or is this only temporary.
I actually miss seeing Laudine on the moderation team. But it’s also worth mentioning that there’s not too many Australian staff members. Back in 2017, there were three. Now only one.
I actually miss seeing Laudine on the moderation team. But it’s also worth mentioning that there’s not too many Australian staff members. Back in 2017, there were three. Now only one.
This was actually suggested by another member and we thought we'd give it a try. The purpose is to see if a cooldown between posts will reduce the amount of back and forth arguments that have been taking place. It's absolutely not intended to inhibit your feedback at all, but rather to allow the thread to remain more focused on feedback versus sidebar conversations. But, as Jeremy said, this is an experiment and if it doesn't have the desired result or feels too restrictive, it can be tweaked or removed.
No other staff changes have been discussed at this time and I don't know the full conversation between Jeremy and Chris, so I can't really comment on the long term plan beyond what Jeremy already said.
daringred_
✧ ghost lesbian ✧
also going to echo these two. either seliph's ban should be reconsidered/shortened or certain other users who have said/done much worse should be held to the same standard and subsequently banned, too. otherwise it's going to continue feeling like a vendetta and "one rule for seliph, another for everyone else."
neutral on the cooldown personally but one post every four hours, if i'm understanding it correctly, feels a little extreme and like it would inhibit any discussion. i think half that time would've sufficed.
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I know this response is very late. But you are right, and I assume you were referring to me. I should know better. Feeling passionate about something has gotten me into trouble.
I didn't mean to be dismissive at all! I have a hard time handling big arguments when I feel like I am in the middle. I enjoy the company of both the admins and users.
For that reason, I am taking a break... "running away from home" so to speak. I hope things are resolved soon.
I love you all, see you on the flip side.
I’m at work so this might not make sense but it has been bothering me.
Kind of relevant, yesterday was my son’s birthday. He has been a member since he was 14. I am actually horrified that as a mother I let him join thinking this was a safe animal crossing forum. Young people’s safety and wellbeing does not seem to be of any concern. It may be “used by adults primarily” but not solely and this should be of primary importance.
Also I need to add my voice that Seliphs ban should be reconsidered. It is not fair that some people are judged more harshly than others.
Ending on a positive. This site has some of the most amazing people who I am blessed to call friends. Without this place I wouldn’t have them in my life
Kind of relevant, yesterday was my son’s birthday. He has been a member since he was 14. I am actually horrified that as a mother I let him join thinking this was a safe animal crossing forum. Young people’s safety and wellbeing does not seem to be of any concern. It may be “used by adults primarily” but not solely and this should be of primary importance.
Also I need to add my voice that Seliphs ban should be reconsidered. It is not fair that some people are judged more harshly than others.
Ending on a positive. This site has some of the most amazing people who I am blessed to call friends. Without this place I wouldn’t have them in my life
I've gone back and forth between posting throughout a lot of this thread, a lot of which I feel as others have said a lot more eloquently than I could and I won't reiterate, but I do have to agree that it feels quite jarring to read the mindset that certain things should be allowed just because most of us are adults. Regardless of the culture changes over time, the matter of the fact remains that there are, and always will be children on this site. It is a forum based around animal crossing, a game that is appropriate for children. Are most of us on here adults? Yes. But are there also children? Also yes, especially as the rules allow people as young as 13 on here. Kids will have access to the internet, and probably encounter far worse than this forum, but I still think its important to try to make it a safe space for all ages, if those are the ages that you say the forum allows for. I just feel like it's a dangerous mindset to have to be able to brush away concerns of appropriateness just because the people of concern are a minority.
Furthermore, it's been spoken about a lot but very briefly, I do think there is a massive discrepancy between how issues are handled on here between staff and normal members, as well as between topics. I understand that threads that get a lot of attention/are deemed high risk will have the staffs attention and quicker responses, but it doesn't negate the fact that somehow bigotry (and other problematic topics) is handled with a lighter sentence than issues with tone?? Harmful posts being left untouched sadly isn't a new issue, but recent events really put a light on the inconsistency by which these issues are handled.
These topics are not fun for anyone, and I think everyone wants this to end. But here we all are, reading or posting because we want to see change for the better on this forum we care about. Because its sad to see these issues, and feel less safe on a site I've spent the past decade of my life on.
Furthermore, it's been spoken about a lot but very briefly, I do think there is a massive discrepancy between how issues are handled on here between staff and normal members, as well as between topics. I understand that threads that get a lot of attention/are deemed high risk will have the staffs attention and quicker responses, but it doesn't negate the fact that somehow bigotry (and other problematic topics) is handled with a lighter sentence than issues with tone?? Harmful posts being left untouched sadly isn't a new issue, but recent events really put a light on the inconsistency by which these issues are handled.
These topics are not fun for anyone, and I think everyone wants this to end. But here we all are, reading or posting because we want to see change for the better on this forum we care about. Because its sad to see these issues, and feel less safe on a site I've spent the past decade of my life on.
Firesquids
☆ Roxie of Avalar ☆
Hiya Jeremy! This really isn't valid feedback, as we've discussed multiple times in this thread now. Sexual identity is NOT sexual material. That would be like saying Disney's Cinderella is sexual material because it features a heterosexual relationship. Love does not equal sex! It's really harmful to the LGBT community and perpetuates the idea that gay people are inappropriate by nature. This rhetoric is used to censor LGBT people out of existence and fuels hate crime ideology. I'm not specifically calling anyone a bigot, but this line of thinking is deeply flawed and it's extremely disappointing that you would perpetuate it here as well.
I appreciate the assurance that LGBTQ+topics will not be disallowed on the forum, but honestly I never thought they would be. This is the bare minimum "support" of the LGBT community, I'll not be singing your praises for graciously allowing gay people to exist on your site.
All I can say is thank you for finally posting your stance.
I can't say I agree with it or pretend I don't find this update horrendously problematic in furthering predatory concepts and practices.
While it highly disappoints me; it does not surprise me given what appears to be bias and inconsistencies show for staff treatment and preferred member treatment.
But, all in all, it gave me final clarifications to make the last decisions necessary to remove myself from this site permanently. I don't feel statements from a site owner nonetheless of that context are something that could inspire good faith in fair future practices and safe guarding of minors.
I hope in some way things improve for the members and especially the vulnerable groups on this forum. I'll cherish the memories I have of members both gone and still remain and several staff I still highly respect. I wish you all the very best.
I can't say I agree with it or pretend I don't find this update horrendously problematic in furthering predatory concepts and practices.
While it highly disappoints me; it does not surprise me given what appears to be bias and inconsistencies show for staff treatment and preferred member treatment.
But, all in all, it gave me final clarifications to make the last decisions necessary to remove myself from this site permanently. I don't feel statements from a site owner nonetheless of that context are something that could inspire good faith in fair future practices and safe guarding of minors.
I hope in some way things improve for the members and especially the vulnerable groups on this forum. I'll cherish the memories I have of members both gone and still remain and several staff I still highly respect. I wish you all the very best.
Sharksheep
Senior Member
Since I can't quote it I will link and screenshot the post instead.
Am I the only one seeing the contradictions? You can't say this is not a kids site while allowing users as young as 13 to join. I agree that all content should be age appropriate but apparently that stance has changed cause we should consider that current most active users are the age of majority.
In an earlier staff post (I don't remember who, it was probably you) said that people with differing views can be educated and changed over time. It's extremely frustrating to see when someone tells another member that this is homophobic/transphobic/predatory rhetoric or logic used by people to justify their problematic stances and explain why and give examples as to why this rhetoric/logic is harmful and the other responds with "you misunderstand me/twisting my words" and "I don't like your tone therefore your point is invalid and I'm not going to listen or read the rest of the response". People act in good faith to try to educate and is met with this kind of response and are now labeled as bullies because they do not what to interact with someone holding these problematic views because they have shown they are not willing to change.
You start with good faith but it's not infinite. It's ridiculous and unrealistic to expect the community to show good faith and tolerance to the same people over and over again when they have proven they are not willing to change time and time again. In other communities, when these interactions occur there is usually an official moderation action that occurs publicly explaining why these views/words are problematic and deletion of those posts. But on TBT they stay up and any official moderation is tone policing and how people need to calm down.
Tolerance of intolerance only leads to an intolerant community. People leave because they have reach their breaking point because there is no enforcement of tolerance and people join because they see their problematic views are welcome and tolerated. If that's what you want then you are making good progress.
Am I the only one seeing the contradictions? You can't say this is not a kids site while allowing users as young as 13 to join. I agree that all content should be age appropriate but apparently that stance has changed cause we should consider that current most active users are the age of majority.
In an earlier staff post (I don't remember who, it was probably you) said that people with differing views can be educated and changed over time. It's extremely frustrating to see when someone tells another member that this is homophobic/transphobic/predatory rhetoric or logic used by people to justify their problematic stances and explain why and give examples as to why this rhetoric/logic is harmful and the other responds with "you misunderstand me/twisting my words" and "I don't like your tone therefore your point is invalid and I'm not going to listen or read the rest of the response". People act in good faith to try to educate and is met with this kind of response and are now labeled as bullies because they do not what to interact with someone holding these problematic views because they have shown they are not willing to change.
You start with good faith but it's not infinite. It's ridiculous and unrealistic to expect the community to show good faith and tolerance to the same people over and over again when they have proven they are not willing to change time and time again. In other communities, when these interactions occur there is usually an official moderation action that occurs publicly explaining why these views/words are problematic and deletion of those posts. But on TBT they stay up and any official moderation is tone policing and how people need to calm down.
Tolerance of intolerance only leads to an intolerant community. People leave because they have reach their breaking point because there is no enforcement of tolerance and people join because they see their problematic views are welcome and tolerated. If that's what you want then you are making good progress.
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I wasn't going to comment in this thread at all because I don't feel like I've been part of the forum long enough (active-wise) to give any feedback. That's not to say that I didn't agree with a lot of sentiments expressed here. I do, but so many have already expressed so much more eloquently than I could ever do and there wasn't need for me to add my inferior quality posts.
But I really wanted to touch on the part mentioned about 'mostly everyone being adults here' paraphrased probably since I didn't bother to find the correct snippet. I think I remember this exact sentiment being expressed years ago when I first joined but I could be wrong and I could be confusing forums. Either way it didn't sit right with me then and it doesn't now. It doesn't matter if most everyone is adults, there's still young adults, teenagers, and probably even younger lying about their actual age. I think forums is something like 13 years to register? I can't remember and I could be wrong.
Let's put it this way. We've all been to family gatherings in some capacity I'm assuming. Those are mostly full of old adults so when we were kids it was kind of a boring thing to attend. At least to my sister and I, it was. Most of them just sat around, chatted, and caught up with each other. But none of them ever talked about things they shouldn't around children. At least my family did because they were responsible adults. It's pretty much the same thing with forums because people of all ages attend them. And we should always take that into consideration. It doesn't matter that you're an adult now and want to freely talk about whatever you want to. Or rather how would you feel if you're in public or at work and someone talks about this? It's the same thing. It's not acceptable.
I remember during the Farewell to NewLeaf event there was some throwback thread being tossed around. I checked it out. I forget what the reason why was. Maybe there was some clue hunt? Anyway the topic from 2013??? had talk about sexual acts. Like what? Why was that even allowed. I don't care if most everyone here is 21+ we still need to be responsible and conscience of what we post and who may read it.
Years ago I was forced into an admin position for a forum that was dedicated to a very popular animated series intended for all ages. The original questionable admin just suddenly left and threw the keys at me. It didn't sit right with me, because I became their scapegoat, but that's another story. All the time I was getting messages or even public statements about how most of us are 18+ so we should be able to discuss 18+ stuff or have an adult section only older members could see. I denied it each time and told them to go elsewhere if they wanted to talk about that stuff. This animated series was targeted to children, but welcome to all ages. And Animal Crossing is the same. There isn't and shouldn't be an exception to that.
I probably said too much and I don't know who agrees with me or if anyone, but it was something I felt strongly about when I first joined and saw posts I thought were better left in private. I feel I can give feedback on this because even if I was forced into a position of power that I didn't want, it didn't sit right with me just to accept the suggestion of a vocal few and ostracize a kid friendly forum to kids because some adults wanted to discuss things uninhibited.
But I really wanted to touch on the part mentioned about 'mostly everyone being adults here' paraphrased probably since I didn't bother to find the correct snippet. I think I remember this exact sentiment being expressed years ago when I first joined but I could be wrong and I could be confusing forums. Either way it didn't sit right with me then and it doesn't now. It doesn't matter if most everyone is adults, there's still young adults, teenagers, and probably even younger lying about their actual age. I think forums is something like 13 years to register? I can't remember and I could be wrong.
Let's put it this way. We've all been to family gatherings in some capacity I'm assuming. Those are mostly full of old adults so when we were kids it was kind of a boring thing to attend. At least to my sister and I, it was. Most of them just sat around, chatted, and caught up with each other. But none of them ever talked about things they shouldn't around children. At least my family did because they were responsible adults. It's pretty much the same thing with forums because people of all ages attend them. And we should always take that into consideration. It doesn't matter that you're an adult now and want to freely talk about whatever you want to. Or rather how would you feel if you're in public or at work and someone talks about this? It's the same thing. It's not acceptable.
I remember during the Farewell to NewLeaf event there was some throwback thread being tossed around. I checked it out. I forget what the reason why was. Maybe there was some clue hunt? Anyway the topic from 2013??? had talk about sexual acts. Like what? Why was that even allowed. I don't care if most everyone here is 21+ we still need to be responsible and conscience of what we post and who may read it.
Years ago I was forced into an admin position for a forum that was dedicated to a very popular animated series intended for all ages. The original questionable admin just suddenly left and threw the keys at me. It didn't sit right with me, because I became their scapegoat, but that's another story. All the time I was getting messages or even public statements about how most of us are 18+ so we should be able to discuss 18+ stuff or have an adult section only older members could see. I denied it each time and told them to go elsewhere if they wanted to talk about that stuff. This animated series was targeted to children, but welcome to all ages. And Animal Crossing is the same. There isn't and shouldn't be an exception to that.
I probably said too much and I don't know who agrees with me or if anyone, but it was something I felt strongly about when I first joined and saw posts I thought were better left in private. I feel I can give feedback on this because even if I was forced into a position of power that I didn't want, it didn't sit right with me just to accept the suggestion of a vocal few and ostracize a kid friendly forum to kids because some adults wanted to discuss things uninhibited.
So it's summed up with 'our users are primarily older so the rules will be more lax'
ouch. that is just not it.
You would think that would serve as even more of a reason to protect the most vulnerable minority that are going to be sharing a space with a large group of adults.
If you open the door for children to join a community then that should take priority. Creating a website that legally allows minors and then skewing the forum to cater to adults is indeed quite predatorty in practice.
I'd really advise staff to consider just how young 13 years old is and why the majority here are not comfortable with this.
Quite honestly I don't think it would matter if the user base consisted of nobody under 18 years old. If you allow it then you prepare and adjust accordingly.
ouch. that is just not it.
You would think that would serve as even more of a reason to protect the most vulnerable minority that are going to be sharing a space with a large group of adults.
If you open the door for children to join a community then that should take priority. Creating a website that legally allows minors and then skewing the forum to cater to adults is indeed quite predatorty in practice.
I'd really advise staff to consider just how young 13 years old is and why the majority here are not comfortable with this.
Quite honestly I don't think it would matter if the user base consisted of nobody under 18 years old. If you allow it then you prepare and adjust accordingly.
Ravenkitty22
would’ve, could’ve, should’ve
Hi all! I haven’t posted in this thread at all yet, mainly because life happened and I’ve been popping in and out of the forums for a while. But man, reading through this has been upsetting, to say the least.
I’d like to share my story, so I apologize if this gets a little long. I first came across this forum looking for an ACNH guide in 2020, and loved the community surrounding it. I think I lurked for about two years, until I was both old enough to join and felt comfortable sharing my life online. During the first year-and-a-half or so, I have so many fond memories of this site, but due to personal reasons I had to step away in December 2023, and then went on hiatus for most of 2024. But I missed this place, so I came back this past March officially. And scrolling through this thread, learning about things I missed that weren’t exactly the greatest, has been really upsetting to me.
I’m still under 18, and while I’ve definitely grown from 2022 to now, I think it’s important to keep this place a safe space where I shouldn’t have to disclose things like that. Because while it is true that most members here are adults, it’s important to keep this safe for those of us who aren’t. Don’t get me wrong- I’ve come across my fair share of smutty fanfictions and am well aware of certain euphemisms, but that still doesn’t make open discussion of things like that (outside of dedicated 18+ threads or sections) right imo.
Overall, topics like Seliph’s ban and the things discussed recently have left me feeling conflicted. So many people that I remember seeing around have left, and I’m contemplating doing the same. I love this community for what it was, and what I know it has potential to be, but I’m just not sure what to do with the current state of things.
I’d like to share my story, so I apologize if this gets a little long. I first came across this forum looking for an ACNH guide in 2020, and loved the community surrounding it. I think I lurked for about two years, until I was both old enough to join and felt comfortable sharing my life online. During the first year-and-a-half or so, I have so many fond memories of this site, but due to personal reasons I had to step away in December 2023, and then went on hiatus for most of 2024. But I missed this place, so I came back this past March officially. And scrolling through this thread, learning about things I missed that weren’t exactly the greatest, has been really upsetting to me.
I’m still under 18, and while I’ve definitely grown from 2022 to now, I think it’s important to keep this place a safe space where I shouldn’t have to disclose things like that. Because while it is true that most members here are adults, it’s important to keep this safe for those of us who aren’t. Don’t get me wrong- I’ve come across my fair share of smutty fanfictions and am well aware of certain euphemisms, but that still doesn’t make open discussion of things like that (outside of dedicated 18+ threads or sections) right imo.
Overall, topics like Seliph’s ban and the things discussed recently have left me feeling conflicted. So many people that I remember seeing around have left, and I’m contemplating doing the same. I love this community for what it was, and what I know it has potential to be, but I’m just not sure what to do with the current state of things.
I have a question about moderation in events and, although it's not really as important as other things being discussed, it sort of leans into the conversations on how moderation seems to favour certain people. I've also discussed it with a few people, so sorry if I sound like a broken record to them.
In one of the more recent camp events we had to vote for team names, and my post had the most votes from my fellow camp mates. It was a 'joke' name, similar to how 'Actually, Nevermind' was but it wasn't offensive or insulting and as far as I'm aware it didn't break any rules. A few people apparently contacted staff to complain about the name, but from what I saw publicly the majority of my team had voted for the name I suggested. One of the people that sent a complaint also publicly insulted the name I had suggested - which is a situation I dealt with myself so the staff didn't feel like they had to step in.
Following these complaints the two staff members who we had as camp leaders voted for a different name to tie the votes with mine. This didn't push it to having more votes than mine, but the option the staff members voted for was still chosen. For transparency one of the staff members did message me privately to check I was ok and said they personally didn't see a problem with my name.
Theres been a couple of unrelated situations with public voting where anyone that tried to influence the votes (for example getting their friends to vote for them) received consequences. I'm not really sure how to word my question but I was wondering if there are any rules on staff participating / influencing the votes in team events and also felt this was another instance of staff favouring certain users feelings over others. Despite it's current problems, I really enjoy events on this forum but haven't participated in many events since this as it demoralised me to do so. I'm aware it's not a big issue but please could there be some clarification on this?
In one of the more recent camp events we had to vote for team names, and my post had the most votes from my fellow camp mates. It was a 'joke' name, similar to how 'Actually, Nevermind' was but it wasn't offensive or insulting and as far as I'm aware it didn't break any rules. A few people apparently contacted staff to complain about the name, but from what I saw publicly the majority of my team had voted for the name I suggested. One of the people that sent a complaint also publicly insulted the name I had suggested - which is a situation I dealt with myself so the staff didn't feel like they had to step in.
Following these complaints the two staff members who we had as camp leaders voted for a different name to tie the votes with mine. This didn't push it to having more votes than mine, but the option the staff members voted for was still chosen. For transparency one of the staff members did message me privately to check I was ok and said they personally didn't see a problem with my name.
Theres been a couple of unrelated situations with public voting where anyone that tried to influence the votes (for example getting their friends to vote for them) received consequences. I'm not really sure how to word my question but I was wondering if there are any rules on staff participating / influencing the votes in team events and also felt this was another instance of staff favouring certain users feelings over others. Despite it's current problems, I really enjoy events on this forum but haven't participated in many events since this as it demoralised me to do so. I'm aware it's not a big issue but please could there be some clarification on this?
Echoing what everyone else has said, I don’t think it’s right to say “just because the average user is an adult, we can be more lax 
”. Let’s continue with this logic and ignore the fact that there are users well under the age of 18. I don’t think it’s necessary to even have “adult” conversations on an Animal Crossing forum for a number of reasons. There are other, more appropriate channels for those discussions. I don’t see any reason that would necessitate such content being here. I come to TBT for discussions on Animal Crossing, Nintendo, and fun things like what I’ve purchased lately or what I ate today. Not the discussion of 18+ topics or humor. It’s just not the place.
”. Let’s continue with this logic and ignore the fact that there are users well under the age of 18. I don’t think it’s necessary to even have “adult” conversations on an Animal Crossing forum for a number of reasons. There are other, more appropriate channels for those discussions. I don’t see any reason that would necessitate such content being here. I come to TBT for discussions on Animal Crossing, Nintendo, and fun things like what I’ve purchased lately or what I ate today. Not the discussion of 18+ topics or humor. It’s just not the place.
-Apples-
Apple Imperialist
About seliph’s ban, maybe it’s not the tone or the posts made by the user, but rather how people respond to the posts.
In several posts past, I’ve been told that being blunt isn’t the same as being rude. It’s one thing to be blunt or brutally honest, but if you’re gonna teach people a lesson or argue with them, you need to consider the feelings or how the post affects them. If you don’t have any sympathy to the user who argued with, then you’re being disrespectful. If someone did something you didn’t like, you could at least remind them kindly that they are doing something wrong. Being strict or harsh to someone for that is going to make them feel uncomfortable. Not just the target, but also other witnesses. If too many people feel uncomfortable with your posts because you can’t speak any nicer, the staff may get involved, especially if this is repeated any further. Likewise, if too many users act like this towards a single member, they could develop a negative impression of the site and leave. If you feel that you need to be strict or harsh when telling people what to do and what not to do, and you don’t care how they feel or you say “it’s their fault for being too sensitive”, maybe you shouldn’t be teaching lessons.
Throughout my entire forum history, on here and other sites, I’ve been reprimanded harshly several times, not by mods, but by others. For instance, I posted my opinion on LBPC before the 2012 Election on how Obamacare needs to be repealed, only for someone to get mad at me for not citing my sources. It’s important that you need to cite your sources, but the way that he (and others) did it was very harsh. This got me retaliating against them, saying stuff like “I’m trying to tell people to stop teaching me lessons”. Even though the staff told me that I need to change after others lost patience in me, they did acknowledge that some of the users were harsh. I’ve dealt with this on Bell Tree Forums in the past too, not just for political opinions, but also for almost anything (like when I threatened to sell the yellow candy after winning it in a giveaway over 10 years ago). Some were not just being harsh, but also crossed the line between straightforward and rude.
I would also like to warn against acting like a moral crusader. The world isn’t going to adhere to your morality or moral beliefs. We don’t like religious fundamentalists shoving their beliefs down others’ throats. But it’s not just limited to religious extremists. We don’t like anyone shoving their beliefs down others’ throats. Some things, like hateful content, direct insults towards others, and plagiarism are obviously wrong, but you can report that to the staff. But for most things, just because you think it’s wrong doesn’t mean others would think that way. I could’ve told others who repeatedly bumped old threads to stop bumping old threads even when certain threads are allowed, and told those who contribute to a bumped thread to not post in it, but I didn’t because I felt that it was rude and it would start an argument. If you don’t think about the consequences before telling people what they shouldn’t do because YOU think is wrong (but not what others think), then you’re not being respectful.
In regards to if a year-long ban is too much for rude behavior, I might go over a real life example. They’re not going to send you to jail for life for simply robbing a bank (unless if it was rather an extreme case). However, if you’ve been jailed four times for robbing a bank, and you continue doing it, along with other crimes like mugging others, driving over the speed limit, and shoplifting, then you might be sent to jail for a long time when you get caught.
I hope this isn’t going too much into discussing other members’ bans. After all, I don’t know the full details. I’m not a staff member, and even if I was, I’m not going to discuss a piece (let alone, the whole) of someone’s moderation history to the public..
In several posts past, I’ve been told that being blunt isn’t the same as being rude. It’s one thing to be blunt or brutally honest, but if you’re gonna teach people a lesson or argue with them, you need to consider the feelings or how the post affects them. If you don’t have any sympathy to the user who argued with, then you’re being disrespectful. If someone did something you didn’t like, you could at least remind them kindly that they are doing something wrong. Being strict or harsh to someone for that is going to make them feel uncomfortable. Not just the target, but also other witnesses. If too many people feel uncomfortable with your posts because you can’t speak any nicer, the staff may get involved, especially if this is repeated any further. Likewise, if too many users act like this towards a single member, they could develop a negative impression of the site and leave. If you feel that you need to be strict or harsh when telling people what to do and what not to do, and you don’t care how they feel or you say “it’s their fault for being too sensitive”, maybe you shouldn’t be teaching lessons.
Throughout my entire forum history, on here and other sites, I’ve been reprimanded harshly several times, not by mods, but by others. For instance, I posted my opinion on LBPC before the 2012 Election on how Obamacare needs to be repealed, only for someone to get mad at me for not citing my sources. It’s important that you need to cite your sources, but the way that he (and others) did it was very harsh. This got me retaliating against them, saying stuff like “I’m trying to tell people to stop teaching me lessons”. Even though the staff told me that I need to change after others lost patience in me, they did acknowledge that some of the users were harsh. I’ve dealt with this on Bell Tree Forums in the past too, not just for political opinions, but also for almost anything (like when I threatened to sell the yellow candy after winning it in a giveaway over 10 years ago). Some were not just being harsh, but also crossed the line between straightforward and rude.
I would also like to warn against acting like a moral crusader. The world isn’t going to adhere to your morality or moral beliefs. We don’t like religious fundamentalists shoving their beliefs down others’ throats. But it’s not just limited to religious extremists. We don’t like anyone shoving their beliefs down others’ throats. Some things, like hateful content, direct insults towards others, and plagiarism are obviously wrong, but you can report that to the staff. But for most things, just because you think it’s wrong doesn’t mean others would think that way. I could’ve told others who repeatedly bumped old threads to stop bumping old threads even when certain threads are allowed, and told those who contribute to a bumped thread to not post in it, but I didn’t because I felt that it was rude and it would start an argument. If you don’t think about the consequences before telling people what they shouldn’t do because YOU think is wrong (but not what others think), then you’re not being respectful.
In regards to if a year-long ban is too much for rude behavior, I might go over a real life example. They’re not going to send you to jail for life for simply robbing a bank (unless if it was rather an extreme case). However, if you’ve been jailed four times for robbing a bank, and you continue doing it, along with other crimes like mugging others, driving over the speed limit, and shoplifting, then you might be sent to jail for a long time when you get caught.
I hope this isn’t going too much into discussing other members’ bans. After all, I don’t know the full details. I’m not a staff member, and even if I was, I’m not going to discuss a piece (let alone, the whole) of someone’s moderation history to the public..
fairysyndrome
love & support trans people. / Free Palestine.
i have a lot of things i want to say about this entire message, but i don't think it's worth getting into, especially not during the middle of my work day. i will 1. agree with Firesquid in that i'll not be singing any praises for LGBT+ content being allowed, especially not with rhetoric against it being allowed unchecked as well (see: earlier this thread, whether it's considered an ""accusation of bigotry"" or not, or the infamous "homophobia is understandable if it's based in religion" argument one user made and doubled down on a few months back), and 2. reiterate what others have said about one particular point, as this particular point needs to be emphasised:
this is not, as others have said, an appropriate approach to a forum for a children's video game series that allows for children to frequent it. whether the majority userbase is - as is claimed - allegedly around their 30s, that doesn't mean a single thing when children are still allowed to join this website. even if you "suspect" Animal Crossing has an older average playerbase, that does not change the fact it is designed & intended as an all-ages game series, and this is thus in turn, in combination with the age requirements for joining TBT - whether you'd like it considered one or not - an all-ages forum. there is, as potato just said, no need for adult topics on an Animal Crossing forum of all places when there are more appropriate avenues for these kinds of discussions.
and quite frankly, as the Internet becomes a more and more child-unfriendly place as we advance further into the 2020s, we as adults need now more than ever to exhibit some sort of responsibility in spaces we share with minors. if you do not want to accept this responsibility in helping foster an appropriate setting for the community past you, then your website for a children's game series (that you note was started by kids in its origin to begin with) should not be 13+ specifically. i say this as someone who was 16 when i myself joined TBT initially. so long as your website allows children, you need to be willing to protect those children as your utmost priority, not sweep them under the rug in favour of your adult userbase.
daringred_
✧ ghost lesbian ✧
i'm sorry, but are you trying to compare thread bumping to homophobia and actual harmful rhetoric?
- Status
