... I just had a sad but interesting email and conversation with yet another (now former) Alembic Club member who has left the site for good in disgust. That person explicitly asked not to be identified, nor to copy/quote the email text.
Perhaps in time, that person's absence will be noted; perhaps not. Perhaps that person will be missed; perhaps not.
For any who care, however, I was told it would be okay to mention the issue that led to the person's decision to leave the site.
The punch line was that it's not a fun place anymore.
Part of the frustration pertained to the topic of trolls. Actually, that's not quite correct. It had to do with a specific troll -but naming that troll might be considered an attack, so the troll shall remained unnamed.
The frustration pertained partially to frustration over interactions with the troll -how, on the one hand, many people who it might be hoped would know better choose to feed the troll, thus encouraging the troll to do what trolls do when fed (continue being trolls and continue being fed); part of the frustration was over the fact that, when people choose not to exercise option A for dealing with a troll (ignore/don't feed the troll) and exercise option B (identify the troll for what they are, possibly with appropriate indignation and/or condemnation), that will be held against them by the moderator(s).
The perception of the person leaving was that the moderator(s) is/are worse than the troll himself. The troll himself can come and cleverly and successfully wreak havoc with impunity; but calling the troll out and expressing the natural irritation and indignation that some may experience can not be permitted. Thus, the victims of the troll are effectively silenced, while the troll can push, pull, prod, and provoke.
Whatever. The absurdity of it all seems lost on many here. Censorship in the name of civility is a contradiction that not only undermines its supposed goal, but in fact encourages the exact opposite of it. This site would be infinitely better off allowing personal attacks than prohibiting/censoring offensive communication(s).
The Alembic Club has lost a lot of intelligent and wonderful contributors; actually... it's chased them away. And as long as it continues to treat the adults who come here like they're in kindergarten or elementary school -by subjecting their communications to thought-police moderators -it will continue to do so.
Good luck with that. Hope those who are willing to interact under these conditions are happy with the consequences. I guess the thinking is that those who simply aren't willing to put up with that don't matter, and their absence won't be missed.
I know there is a double digit number of such individuals -because I've had over 10 people email me (in response to posts I've made and my position on this issue) and they all say the same thing: it's not fun here anymore because of the thought police moderators and their intelligence-insulting generic lines that implicitly attack the intelligence and character of posters here -ironically in the name of civility. (Such as, what XYZ wrote may not have been their intention and/or as your designated censor, it is my duty to remind you that the thoughts you've expressed are forbidden, etc.)
It is a sad spectacle that those who lack the maturity to engage in adult interactions -including sometimes heated tempers and even personal attacks succeed in taking away eliminating the precondition of such discourse for those who do not lack that maturity.
Speaking for myself, I have no fear of being subjected to personal attacks; I learned a rhyme called sticks and stones several decades ago, and took it to heart long ago. Personal attacks not only don't hurt me, but are ultimately constructive. If/when, on rare occasions, an attack is warranted, it can serve as a wakeup call that I'm being a jerk or insensitive. If the attacker is being a jerk or insensitive, it presents the opportunity for me and/or others to point this out, and indeed, on more than one occasion, I've experienced people apologizing for personal attacks. On more than one occasion, I myself have apologized for something I've said/written. Such examples can and do lead to better understanding, stronger relationships, and personal growth.
On the other hand, censorship -in the name of civility- undermines/prevents all of this.
Censorship is worse than any personal attack anyone can level at me, and is far more offensive. It undermines and negates some of the most important and wonderful benefits of online forums. I would much rather hear the honest opinions of people here -however offensive they may be- than to know I'm only seeing/hearing what is permitted.
Peace, Mark
(Message edited by masterofmanystrings on October 29, 2010)
