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Patnet and censorship: Performance Art?
invite response
2017 Nov 14, 11:22am 38,591 views 160 comments
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5
anonymous
2017 Nov 14, 1:08pm
The ultimate irony is that when Patrick made an attempt to clean up the forum and rid it of ad hominem attacks, the right wingers were all up in arms whinging about muh Free Speech!!
Yet once a Right Wing friendly mod is assigned with censoring political posts, none of them made a peep. How pathetically sad
Yet once a Right Wing friendly mod is assigned with censoring political posts, none of them made a peep. How pathetically sad
6
justme
2017 Nov 14, 1:13pm
justme
2017 Nov 14, 1:13pm
Patrick says
My opinion of Goran_K is a political opinion, and it isn't even terribly odious, if you ask me. But it proved that Goran_K would rather censor me than having his moderational prowess questioned.
Any political opinion, no matter how odious, it's still very welcome.
My opinion of Goran_K is a political opinion, and it isn't even terribly odious, if you ask me. But it proved that Goran_K would rather censor me than having his moderational prowess questioned.
7
FNWGMOBDVZXDNW
2017 Nov 14, 1:30pm
FNWGMOBDVZXDNW
2017 Nov 14, 1:30pm
IMO, if someone wants to be a moderator, then discussion of their abilities to think, interpret, and write clearly is open game, as long as the discussion is honest. It has an impact on their abilities to moderate. OTOH, it will probably be best to just let it go. Goran hasn't zapped anything I've written that I know of. Maybe he's adjusting.
8
anonymous
2017 Nov 14, 1:35pm
Sniper says
I’m not in search of left wing liberal posts.
I’m just willing to put up a little fight to Make Patrick.net Great Again.
How about you respect Patrick’s wishes and leave his site? Why did you return after being banned?
You realize that all of these efforts to return to civility is a reaction to you specifically, after you trashed his forum for years with personal attacks and disrupting honest discussion?
errc saysThe ultimate irony is that when Patrick made an attempt to clean up the forum and rid it of ad hominem attacks, the right wingers were all up in arms whinging about muh Free Speech!!
Yet once a Right Wing friendly mod is assigned with censoring political posts, none of them made a peep. How pathetically sad
You know, you're free to go off and start your own forum and moderate it the way you want. You can call it:
errc.net
Then, you can invite all your special friends over to post all the left wing radical liberal posts they want.
Why don't you go do that? It will be great.
I’m not in search of left wing liberal posts.
I’m just willing to put up a little fight to Make Patrick.net Great Again.
How about you respect Patrick’s wishes and leave his site? Why did you return after being banned?
You realize that all of these efforts to return to civility is a reaction to you specifically, after you trashed his forum for years with personal attacks and disrupting honest discussion?
9
justme
2017 Nov 14, 1:40pm
justme
2017 Nov 14, 1:40pm
I have sniper on ignore. He is the only one at the moment, I think. But I see indirectly that he is sniping around this thread.
10
Done
2017 Nov 14, 1:46pm
Done
2017 Nov 14, 1:46pm
The daily posters both L/R are so focused on who next they can attack the tree is invisible. To bad you all don't take a month off and then come back with new perspective and perhaps new ppl to attack. This site is conditioned as is and there is no fix..... This is as good as it gets boys and girls....
12
Goran_K
2017 Nov 14, 1:52pm
Goran_K
2017 Nov 14, 1:52pm
Graybox says
I disagree. People who come here to troll/attack and in general just cause trouble won't be here for much longer, and the bans will start getting dished out. I've already noticed that some threads are a little bit more civil, but with a lot less volume. Civility will improve and I've never cared much about volume. I think too much volume from certain posters may have actually caused the membership to stagnate for a few years.
The daily posters both L/R are so focused on who next they can attack the tree is invisible. To bad you all don't take a month off and then come back with new perspective and perhaps new ppl to attack. This site is conditioned as is and there is no fix..... This is as good as it gets boys and girls....
I disagree. People who come here to troll/attack and in general just cause trouble won't be here for much longer, and the bans will start getting dished out. I've already noticed that some threads are a little bit more civil, but with a lot less volume. Civility will improve and I've never cared much about volume. I think too much volume from certain posters may have actually caused the membership to stagnate for a few years.
13
Done
2017 Nov 14, 2:08pm
Done
2017 Nov 14, 2:08pm
Goran_K lol.... Patrick wants Volume you may not care about it however the conditioning I mention will make sure "you" get your wish low volume. Patnet had its day and now just critical mass keyboard verbal war mongers and he can continue down this dead end road as long as he wishes and the only change that will take place is more people not giving 2cents to be a part of this endless mess....
14
Goran_K
2017 Nov 14, 2:13pm
Goran_K
2017 Nov 14, 2:13pm
Graybox says
Maybe you're right but we're trying to clean things up. I don't remember the site being so vicious before. But it's gotten this way over the years. Kind of sad actually.
Goran_K lol.... Patrick wants Volume you may not care about it however the conditioning I mention will make sure "you" get your wish low volume. Patnet had its day and now just critical mass keyboard verbal war mongers and he can continue down this dead end road as long as he wishes and the only change that will take place is more people not giving 2cents to be a part of this endless mess....
Maybe you're right but we're trying to clean things up. I don't remember the site being so vicious before. But it's gotten this way over the years. Kind of sad actually.
15
justme
2017 Nov 14, 2:58pm
justme
2017 Nov 14, 2:58pm
APOCALYPSEFUCK_is_ADORABLE says
BELTFED CENSORSHIP is the price of freedom!!! (Yes, /SARC)
It is the price of FREE!dom.
BELTFED CENSORSHIP is the price of freedom!!! (Yes, /SARC)
16
justme
2017 Nov 17, 3:18pm
justme
2017 Nov 17, 3:18pm
The idea that posters must be "civil" to other users but need not be civil to anyone else is a very strange concept.
You can say that Bernie Sanders or Donald Trump are idiots, but if either of these persons create a (real or fake?) account, then you can't speak frankly about them anymore.
You can say that Bernie Sanders or Donald Trump are idiots, but if either of these persons create a (real or fake?) account, then you can't speak frankly about them anymore.
17
Goran_K
2017 Nov 17, 3:20pm
Goran_K
2017 Nov 17, 3:20pm
justme says
It's not really that strange. We're trying to prevent "back and forth insults" where someone says "You're a moron" and then "No way, you're an idiot" for 20 post straight. This was what was happening before the changes and the threads would get heavy volume from 2-3 people, and everyone else would mostly bow out. There was no debate, really just people trying to tear each other down and it was turning a lot of people off.
If that person is NOT a member of the forum, then it's much harder to have the back and forth flame wars. So go ahead and make fun of Bernie or Trump all you want.
The idea that posters must be "civil" to other users but need not be civil to anyone else is a very strange concept.
You can say that Bernie Sanders or Donald Trump are idiots, but of either of these persons create a (real or fake?) account, then you can't speak frankly about them anymore.
It's not really that strange. We're trying to prevent "back and forth insults" where someone says "You're a moron" and then "No way, you're an idiot" for 20 post straight. This was what was happening before the changes and the threads would get heavy volume from 2-3 people, and everyone else would mostly bow out. There was no debate, really just people trying to tear each other down and it was turning a lot of people off.
If that person is NOT a member of the forum, then it's much harder to have the back and forth flame wars. So go ahead and make fun of Bernie or Trump all you want.
18
Patrick
2017 Nov 17, 3:24pm
Patrick
2017 Nov 17, 3:24pm
justme says
Yes @justme you're right that that is an unusual rule. But that's the rule.
Put another way, just don't get into flame wars with the other users.
If either the real Bernie Sanders or the real Donald Trump gets on patrick.net, I'll pay you $1000.
The idea that posters must be "civil" to other users but need not be civil to anyone else is a very strange concept.
You can say that Bernie Sanders or Donald Trump are idiots, but of either of these persons create a (real or fake?) account, then you can't speak frankly about them anymore.
Yes @justme you're right that that is an unusual rule. But that's the rule.
Put another way, just don't get into flame wars with the other users.
If either the real Bernie Sanders or the real Donald Trump gets on patrick.net, I'll pay you $1000.
19
Goran_K
2017 Nov 17, 3:39pm
Goran_K
2017 Nov 17, 3:39pm
@justme
The rules are pretty simple. Not sure what you're not understanding or why you have to have weekly lessons on why the rules are the way they are.
If you read my original #Politics rules set, I didn't even want to censor personal attacks. I wanted everything to stay the same except #NSFW material. But Patrick wanted to try something different, and I agree that maybe it's time for a change to the way PatNet was say 5 years ago when ALL personal insults were just nuked.
justme, I've tried to give you and others lots of leeway. One of your crew made racial slurs, and went on a tirade that was very explicit. You've been less "aggressive" about your dislike, but it's all still very biased commentary. There are plenty of members on the forum who are able to follow the rules and not turn things personal.
But you even here, still find a way to try and turn things personal with "I don't think you have the acumen" to be a moderator. Maybe, maybe not.
But if you simply follow the rules, and don't personally insult someone (which you have done regularly), then there won't be a problem. Even "errrc" has stepped down his personal insults, maybe you should try the same.
The rules are pretty simple. Not sure what you're not understanding or why you have to have weekly lessons on why the rules are the way they are.
If you read my original #Politics rules set, I didn't even want to censor personal attacks. I wanted everything to stay the same except #NSFW material. But Patrick wanted to try something different, and I agree that maybe it's time for a change to the way PatNet was say 5 years ago when ALL personal insults were just nuked.
justme, I've tried to give you and others lots of leeway. One of your crew made racial slurs, and went on a tirade that was very explicit. You've been less "aggressive" about your dislike, but it's all still very biased commentary. There are plenty of members on the forum who are able to follow the rules and not turn things personal.
But you even here, still find a way to try and turn things personal with "I don't think you have the acumen" to be a moderator. Maybe, maybe not.
But if you simply follow the rules, and don't personally insult someone (which you have done regularly), then there won't be a problem. Even "errrc" has stepped down his personal insults, maybe you should try the same.
20
justme
2017 Nov 17, 3:44pm
justme
2017 Nov 17, 3:44pm
Look, Some dickweed just jailed me for uncivilty again. That was also not a personal insult, BTW, because nobody was named among the current set of users.
21
Goran_K
2017 Nov 17, 3:48pm
Goran_K
2017 Nov 17, 3:48pm
anon_61c8a says
That was wrong of me to not clarify. I should have made clear that I hate leftism, but not the individual.
I'll try to be better in the future.
Goran can say that he fucking hates leftists, but if I say that anyone who characterizes the proposed tax cuts as a cut for the poor is a liar or moron, it is straight to jail. Clear as day.
That was wrong of me to not clarify. I should have made clear that I hate leftism, but not the individual.
I'll try to be better in the future.
22
anonymous
2017 Nov 17, 4:38pm
Goran_K says
Should I say 'a liar, a moron, or indoctrinated?' you characterized the left as indoctrinated in another thread, so is that ok?
I'll try to be better in the future.
Should I say 'a liar, a moron, or indoctrinated?' you characterized the left as indoctrinated in another thread, so is that ok?
23
Goran_K
2017 Nov 17, 4:48pm
Goran_K
2017 Nov 17, 4:48pm
anon_61c8a says
Sure, you can say the "right is indoctrinated", just don't aim the insult at an individual.
Should I say 'a liar, a moron, or indoctrinated?' you characterized the left as indoctrinated in another thread, so is that ok?
Sure, you can say the "right is indoctrinated", just don't aim the insult at an individual.
24
mell
2017 Nov 17, 6:07pm
anon_7c0c9 says
I don't see many people raging, only a select few. The same ones. It's just one of many forums. Maybe ask Patrick to create a Politics2 topic and make JustMe moderator and see how he fares. There are so many things to discuss, why rage on in this thread just because one person you don't like became a moderator and is following the rule of no personal attacks? Don't get hung up on one person or rule (which is not that hard to follow btw.)
Patrick, you've created so much rage here that I think it's time you said something about it. Do you think it's better now? I think it's a toilet now.
I don't see many people raging, only a select few. The same ones. It's just one of many forums. Maybe ask Patrick to create a Politics2 topic and make JustMe moderator and see how he fares. There are so many things to discuss, why rage on in this thread just because one person you don't like became a moderator and is following the rule of no personal attacks? Don't get hung up on one person or rule (which is not that hard to follow btw.)
25
mell
2017 Nov 17, 6:18pm
anon_7c0c9 says
Took a quick look, can't go through many, but noticed that 4,9.10 seemed fine to me. There should be a way to bring them back.
mell saysI don't see many people raging, only a select few. The same ones. It's just one of many forums. Maybe ask Patrick to create a Politics2 topic and make JustMe moderator and see how he fares. There are so many things to discuss, why rage on in this thread just because one person you don't like became a moderator and is following the rule of no personal attacks? Don't get hung up on one person or rule (which is not that hard to follow btw.)
Take one look at the jail and tell me this hasn't become an embarrassment.
Took a quick look, can't go through many, but noticed that 4,9.10 seemed fine to me. There should be a way to bring them back.
27
Goran_K
2017 Nov 17, 6:40pm
Goran_K
2017 Nov 17, 6:40pm
anon_7c0c9 says
Uh I didn’t delete that comment. You do know that uncivil is available to everyone. If I had the ability I would actually unjail that comment and a few others.
I only delete comments where it’s becoming a back and forth off topic personal battle. Even then I try to be very judicious about it.
Its a pity for the last 70 odd years under American leadership, the world has been a peaceful and prosperous place. Now thanks to Trump, he has hastened the decline of America and gladly handed over the reins to Russia and China. The worst president ever.
^^^ Deleted by Goran to enforce the site's political agenda ^^^
Just another alt right echo chamber censored to prevent people from disagreeing.
Uh I didn’t delete that comment. You do know that uncivil is available to everyone. If I had the ability I would actually unjail that comment and a few others.
I only delete comments where it’s becoming a back and forth off topic personal battle. Even then I try to be very judicious about it.
28
anonymous
2017 Nov 17, 6:41pm
29
mell
2017 Nov 17, 6:49pm
Goran_K says
Ah that explains. Thought the comment was ok. Then it's not Goran's issue.
anon_7c0c9 saysIts a pity for the last 70 odd years under American leadership, the world has been a peaceful and prosperous place. Now thanks to Trump, he has hastened the decline of America and gladly handed over the reins to Russia and China. The worst president ever.
^^^ Deleted by Goran to enforce the site's political agenda ^^^
Just another alt right echo chamber censored to prevent people from disagreeing.
Uh I didn’t delete that comment. You do know that uncivil is available to everyone. If I had the ability I would actually unjail that comment and a few others.
I only delete comments where it’s becoming a back and forth off topic personal battle. Even then I try to be very judicious about it.
Ah that explains. Thought the comment was ok. Then it's not Goran's issue.
30
anonymous
2017 Nov 18, 7:36am
The performance being done is that the right is trying to drive away the left so that patnet can become a right wing think tank. @patrick if this is your intention just tell us now and we will stop fighting for patnet. If you are planning to remake patnet into a right wing think tank then Goran is a perfect moderator. Is that your intentions?
31
Goran_K
2017 Nov 18, 7:39am
Goran_K
2017 Nov 18, 7:39am
anon_13ce6 says
I encourage you to keep "fighting". Bring out the ideas of the left and show them for their real value. If the value of leftism is so important, you should have no problem presenting and debating leftism on PatNet without resorting to personal insults.
Get out there and fight! (but keep the personal attacks minimal)
The performance being done is that the right is trying to drive away the left so that patnet can become a right wing think tank. @patrick if this is your intention just tell us now and we will stop fighting for patnet. If you are planning to remake patnet into a right wing think tank then Goran is a perfect moderator. Is that your intentions?
I encourage you to keep "fighting". Bring out the ideas of the left and show them for their real value. If the value of leftism is so important, you should have no problem presenting and debating leftism on PatNet without resorting to personal insults.
Get out there and fight! (but keep the personal attacks minimal)
32
anonymous
2017 Nov 18, 7:44am
anon_13ce6 says
If you are planning to remake patnet into a right wing think tankregurgitation tank, maybe. It's a safe space for cud.
33
anonymous
2017 Nov 18, 7:45am
mell says
Maybe it’s your own love of Republicans and disdain of Democrats that has you seeing this with such bias. Goran treats people who aren’t rabid right wingers way differently than he does those that he views as being on his team. It’s plain as day to anyone with a brain who doesn’t participate in the silly partisanship
anon_7c0c9 saysPatrick, you've created so much rage here that I think it's time you said something about it. Do you think it's better now? I think it's a toilet now.
I don't see many people raging, only a select few. The same ones. It's just one of many forums. Maybe ask Patrick to create a Politics2 topic and make JustMe moderator and see how he fares. There are so many things to discuss, why rage on in this thread just because one person you don't like became a moderator and is following the rule of no personal attacks? Don't get hung up on one person or rule (which is not that hard to follow btw.)
Maybe it’s your own love of Republicans and disdain of Democrats that has you seeing this with such bias. Goran treats people who aren’t rabid right wingers way differently than he does those that he views as being on his team. It’s plain as day to anyone with a brain who doesn’t participate in the silly partisanship
34
anonymous
2017 Nov 18, 7:49am
anon_13ce6 says
Right wing think tank lol lol lol lol lmao lmao lol
Where they all whine and cry about how some 120lb dweeb at Berkeley is keeping them from sharing their ideas and restricting their free Speech, and then never ever present any unique ideas?
The performance being done is that the right is trying to drive away the left so that patnet can become a right wing think tank. @patrick if this is your intention just tell us now and we will stop fighting for patnet. If you are planning to remake patnet into a right wing think tank then Goran is a perfect moderator. Is that your intentions?
Right wing think tank lol lol lol lol lmao lmao lol
Where they all whine and cry about how some 120lb dweeb at Berkeley is keeping them from sharing their ideas and restricting their free Speech, and then never ever present any unique ideas?
35
anonymous
2017 Nov 18, 8:05am
Goran_K says
I encourage you to follow the rules and not take posts off topic. I am specifically referring to where you said
"To leftists ... I fucking hate these people."
What exactly did your comment have to do with China, the OP? Lead by example, Goran, or tell Patrick you resign because you are unfit for the job.
I encourage you to keep "fighting". Bring out the ideas of the left and show them for their real value. If the value of leftism is so important, you should have no problem presenting and debating leftism on PatNet without resorting to personal insults.
I encourage you to follow the rules and not take posts off topic. I am specifically referring to where you said
"To leftists ... I fucking hate these people."
What exactly did your comment have to do with China, the OP? Lead by example, Goran, or tell Patrick you resign because you are unfit for the job.
36
FortWayne
2017 Nov 18, 8:07am
FortWayne
2017 Nov 18, 8:07am
APOCALYPSEFUCK_is_ADORABLE says
You are the forums favorite poster AF.
Poobah Pat oppresses me all the time.
It is the price of FREE!dom.
You are the forums favorite poster AF.
37
anonymous
2017 Nov 18, 8:12am
errc says
errc says
I know, right?
Kept hearing how the left was trying to do that, turns out it was the right. What a bunch of disingenuous trumpcuck fucks. With skin as thin as Trumps skin.
Maybe it’s your own love of Republicans and disdain of Democrats that has you seeing this with such bias. Goran treats people who aren’t rabid right wingers way differently than he does those that he views as being on his team. It’s plain as day to anyone with a brain who doesn’t participate in the silly partisanship
errc says
Right wing think tank lol lol lol lol lmao lmao lol
Where they all whine and cry about how some 120lb dweeb at Berkeley is keeping them from sharing their ideas and restricting their free Speech, and then never ever present any unique ideas?
I know, right?
Kept hearing how the left was trying to do that, turns out it was the right. What a bunch of disingenuous trumpcuck fucks. With skin as thin as Trumps skin.
38
Goran_K
2017 Nov 18, 8:28am
Goran_K
2017 Nov 18, 8:28am
anon_13ce6 says
Just a quick perusal of your post history shows...
About 50-60% of your post are complaints about moderation or trying to determine the limits of "uncivil".
About 10% actual real content that is not "tinged" with personal attacks.
The rest of your post are either about "Dan" or "ironman" or myself.
So perhaps if you want a better community, one with the type of quality content you seek, maybe you should look in the mirror and figure out what you can do to personally improve the communities quality first. Just a suggestion!
I encourage you to follow the rules and not take posts off topic. I am specifically referring to where you said
"To leftists ... I fucking hate these people."
What exactly did your comment have to do with China, the OP? Lead by example, Goran, or tell Patrick you resign because you are unfit for the job.
Just a quick perusal of your post history shows...
About 50-60% of your post are complaints about moderation or trying to determine the limits of "uncivil".
About 10% actual real content that is not "tinged" with personal attacks.
The rest of your post are either about "Dan" or "ironman" or myself.
So perhaps if you want a better community, one with the type of quality content you seek, maybe you should look in the mirror and figure out what you can do to personally improve the communities quality first. Just a suggestion!
39
Onvacation
2017 Nov 18, 8:38am
Onvacation
2017 Nov 18, 8:38am
anon_13ce6 says
BS. Your opinion is welcome.
There has never been a push to ban anyone but Ironman and TPB as far as I can remember.
The performance being done is that the right is trying to drive away the left so that patnet can become a right wing think tank.
BS. Your opinion is welcome.
There has never been a push to ban anyone but Ironman and TPB as far as I can remember.
40
Onvacation
2017 Nov 18, 8:41am
Onvacation
2017 Nov 18, 8:41am
Onvacation says
Or maybe you want Patnet to be a left wing echo chamber?
anon_13ce6 saysThe performance being done is that the right is trying to drive away the left so that patnet can become a right wing think tank.
BS. Your opinion is welcome.
There has never been a push to ban anyone but Ironman and TPB as far as I can remember.
Or maybe you want Patnet to be a left wing echo chamber?
41
anonymous
2017 Nov 18, 8:42am
Goran_K says
I have and I'm doing it. I am fighting for patnet to not become just another right wing think tank. You should have no more power over me than I have over you. You shouldn't be using your power lopsidedly. If @patrick can't see that you are posting off topic with comments that are inflammatory then maybe it is time to let patnet go to the dark side. I don't think a moderator should be allowed to exhibit such characteristics.
So perhaps if you want a better community, one with the type of quality content you seek, maybe you should look in the mirror and figure out what you can do to personally improve the communities quality first. Just a suggestion!
I have and I'm doing it. I am fighting for patnet to not become just another right wing think tank. You should have no more power over me than I have over you. You shouldn't be using your power lopsidedly. If @patrick can't see that you are posting off topic with comments that are inflammatory then maybe it is time to let patnet go to the dark side. I don't think a moderator should be allowed to exhibit such characteristics.
42
Goran_K
2017 Nov 18, 8:50am
Goran_K
2017 Nov 18, 8:50am
anon_13ce6 says
Prove it. I know you CAN do it, but are you doing it? I'll wait and see. Lots of interesting topics out there. Iron sharpening iron.
I have and I'm doing it.
Prove it. I know you CAN do it, but are you doing it? I'll wait and see. Lots of interesting topics out there. Iron sharpening iron.
43
anonymous
2017 Nov 18, 9:05am
Onvacation says
as he should be in this place and deservedly so.
Actually, Ironman was number one liked
as he should be in this place and deservedly so.
44
Blurtman
2017 Nov 18, 9:09am
justme says
Yes, I posted a similar idea a while ago - an attempt by Patrick to show how easy it is to get people to acquiesce and even become partisan goons. Even if that was not the intent, it certainly has delivered the above.
I wonder if @Patrick has just staged a piece of censorship Performance Art by instituting omnipotent censorship, under the guise of "moderation", and crowd-sourced mass-silencing (encouraging the use of the "uncivil" button) on patrick.net.
Yes, I posted a similar idea a while ago - an attempt by Patrick to show how easy it is to get people to acquiesce and even become partisan goons. Even if that was not the intent, it certainly has delivered the above.
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It is more than a little ironic (but should not be surprising to any serious student of human nature) that right-wingers appear to be every bit as eager to censor their opponents as they have recently been accusing the left-wingers of being. And by that I mean the last several years of talk about liberals and their desire for "safe spaces" on and off university campuses, calling them "special snowflakes", and so on.
Well, the right-wing has in recent days been out in force on Patnet, trying to enforce a "safe space" , free of "uncivility" and "NSFW" material, and acting like special snowflakes themselves. And boy, are these right-wing special snowflakes melting down Patnet in a volcanic eruption of censorship actions.
The famous 1960s psychological experiment known as the Stanford Prisoner Project comes to mind as an analogy of sorts. That experiment showed what happens when you give authority for random people to control other random people. What soon happened was not pretty. Read up on it if you want.
Finally, I will revisit and highlight a suggestion I have made several times this year:
What I would like to see is to have free speech, and at the same time avoid massive storms of low-quality comments. For a blog, I think that means to make threads and comments a limited commodity for all posters. Specifically, to limit the number of threads that a user can post on any given day to 1 or 2, and to limit how many comments every user can post on every thread to 10, or 10% of the total number of comments on the thread, whichever is larger.
The purpose of moderation should not be to censor certain forms of expression, but rather to make everyone's time (or space) on the proverbial soapbox a valuable commodity. That way, users are more likely to spend their posting currency wisely. Users who wastes their currency by posting low-quality drivel will lose esteem, or at the very least not be able to dominate the discussion based on volume posted only.
Think of it as rules of order, a very lightweight and blog-adapted version of Robert's rules of order. (By the way, a quite well-known now former pat-netter just mentioned Robert's rules just days ago, and is hereby recognized.)
PS: I very well understand the meta-question as to whether the impact of a blog, as measured by commercial value or informative value, or even political/propaganda value(!), is reduced when the number of threads or comments are somewhat limited. I think many people may think so, perhaps even Patrick himself. Personally, I will take quality over quantity any day.
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