FREEDOM OF SPEECH on FIBS
I don't know what the answer is, but I don't think banning people and countries from shouting is the answer.     It reeks of a dictatorships control.   

I'm wondering why "gag and blind" is still not the answer to the whiners who complain?   

I'd even be willing to stop all censoring of Fibsboard if people would stop bugging me when they are offended.     Exception being "profanity" which is in auto place, I believe.    

Further, I think I will refer the complainers to stog in the future.     We seem to have a different agenda on this subject.   

socksey




"tut tut tut that enough children, grow up, I don't want to hear anymore !" -- Anakin, curtesy of don

Live and let live, that's respectful to me. Shout and let shout. Don't like someone's shouts, gag them and ignore them. Yes, that takes some self-discipline. Surely anyone can learn that?

If one starts adapting to who's got the longest toes, there's just no end to it. Anything could be called offensive by someone. One's own opinion about what's offensive or not is just that, an opinion, and should not be considered some kind of objective truth.

That said, there is nothing wrong with Patti stating (and enforcing) some clear rules about what's allowed on FIBS and what's not, because right now, that's far from clear. This lack of clarity might also cause some of the heated debate as certain people strive to push their own morals onto FIBS in general. Also, for about a decade, it seemed (to me at least) that pretty much anything was allowed on FIBS shout. If Patti wants to change that, maybe it would make sense to tell us the new rules?

I welcome this stand - although some guidence on what it was for and how long it will last would be nice...then people can learn from their mistakes, and the mistakes of others.

The nastiness in shouts has long made it a place where decent folk don't hang out, people are afraid for their children and friends to see it, and those who stay for any length of time become part of the problem.

New trolls come along and see what is there, and think 'great - a place where I belong' and set up camp. The cycle becomes self perpetuating.

I am all for adult banter, fun and less censorship - but telling me that if I am offended by someone racially abusing someone else, or otherwise crossing normal moral boundaries, then I should close my eyes...well it aint gonna happen, here or in the real world.  There are limits - and sadly some never want to stay within them.

I would like to see the 'be nice to each other' statement enforced in the PUBLIC areas.  Let people use private tells for any other business, where the gag and blind command works perfectly.

Last night I played a game with kid, and resh spectated.  We used language we were all comfortable with in kibitz and had a giggle [oh, except kid used one three letter word which I had to reprimand him on   , once told, he didnt use it again   ]

You can have your own little shout arena in that way and say what you want, using what language you want.

Lets keep the shout area clean, welcoming to new players and a place where tourney details can be shouted and Missmanners can keep us all up to date with current droppers...

What was the word? oin?

This brings to mind when my mom and I saw "Love Story" together.     It's such a wonderful story, but my mom was aghast at the gazillion use of the "F" word.  She was so upset with it, that she didn't like the movie at all then.     The word is so commonly used in public nowadays that she has gotten used to it and doesn't cringe every time she hears it now.     I'm not saying this is a good thing, but I think we need to stay in touch with what's going on in the world outside ourselves.  We don't have to like it, but we should be tolerant of others. 

For that reason, Fernbrook, I think you should not withdraw from shouts, but rather, join in and let your feelings be know.  Some will respect you and others won't, but at least you can have your say, and that's important.     You might make a difference!   

BTW, I'm told that Patti plans to restore shouts in a couple of days.  YES! 

socksey



No drug, not even alcohol, causes the fundamental ills of society. If we're looking for the source of our troubles, we shouldn't test people for drugs, we should test them for stupidity, ignorance, greed and love of power. - P.J. O'Rourke, writer (1947- )

But Seriously, Folks...

Half of the fun of FIBS is shouting.  I know I play a little rowdy sometimes, but I like to think I play fair, and almost always try to bring Teh Funnay.

I almost never use the actual Bad Words, and try to use clever euphemism.  Sure, I flirt shaelessly, but I think it's harmless, and I respect those who tell me to stop.

Some of you miscreants are actually pretty clever folks and it's fun bantering with you.  Not entirely sure that FIBS will be worth it without that.

Ya morons.

 

I rarely read FIBSBoard-- someone pointed this discussion out to me.

While I'm sure that everyone enjoys guessing, speculating, and throwing around judgments and advice, it's neither a good way to get information from me nor a good way to provide me with feedback.  If you want information about something that I've done with FIBS (such as "How long is 'a bit'?"), or you want to know why something happened, I'm easy to get in touch with.  

If you'd like to tell me how I should be running FIBS, I'll put you in touch with don and you can have a field day discussing it among yourselves.

I'm generally a free speech advocate, but that doesn't mean that I'm obligated to provide people with a platform for obnoxious and asinine behavior.

I won't be following the discussion here, so contact me via email if you'd like to discuss the issue further.

By the way, I've been incredibly surprised by the reaction to this move.  Thanks have outweighed complaints by about 3:1.

I've only heard complaints and general confusion from many FIBSters, so it might depend on the sample.

You say you're easy to contact, but given the fact that you're the one administrator with thousands of people using FIBS, wouldn't it make a lot of sense if you turned it around? FIBS users are easy to contact too, all at once. One single webpage with some text would do.

Lacking any essential information on this latest FIBS surprise (the time-out issue was also not communicated, again causing all sorts of speculations and complaints), it's no surprise people come here to speculate and give you advice.

Are you interested in what FIBS users think FIBS should be? If yes, I'd say communication is essential and saying you're easy to contact isn't quite that.

(messaged to Patti on FIBS also...)

I've seen no mentioning by Patti of this kind. Where can I read what Patti is mentioning?

Just because you're always online, doesn't mean entire FIBS is, jackdaddy.

Given the responses here and in FIBS tells, it's clear that many people have no idea why this happened, just as many people had no clue about the changed time-out settings.

Which was the point: it would be nice if there was a better method of communication.