Acceptable Free Speech and Expression

Todski—I see your viewpoints as well, but to bring in another thing that Craic said about wanting to see an example of bullying , I’d have to say that unless people have seen certain poems of late, before they were removed , then no, it would be wrong of us as mods to copy/paste some of the things we see, for the rest of DUP to see in complete transparency.  There are privacy issues that must be upheld for both the target an even the bully—there is no need to pour salt on the wound by broadcasting it for everyone’s show.  

Sometimes you just have to trust that we’re doing our jobs with everyone’s best interest in mind.

Bear in mind that the/us Moderators are not machines and do come with some common sense, meaning that we do not simply go off numbers or loudest voices.
The main problem with Free Speech is that it has hidden costs and barriers that some people like to push; sometimes for the better, sometimes just because they can.
It would be utter idiocy to say that people should be free to say absolutely what they want to whoever they want without any constraints or limits or repercussions. Not going to get very far talking about Quantum Physics sprinkled with excessive colloquialisms to a 4 year old foreigner (though hats off to you if you can). It is all based on context and conversation.

The Mod squad is not demanding total obedience and servitude, we're just trying to keep the place nice. Now regardless of your interpretation of nice or acceptable or morality or all that jazz, we are trying to do the unequivocally good. Sometimes that means becoming the bad cop to smack people into line and laying down the law; its not about punishing all. Basically think of Mr incredible from the Incredible movie "No matter how many times you save the world, it always manages to get back in jeopardy again. Sometimes I just want it to stay saved! You know?! For a little bit. I feel like the maid: "I just cleaned up this mess! Can we keep it clean for, for 10 minutes?! Please?!".

Lost my train of thought and direction there, so more garbled nonsense trying to do a quick rundown of morality and behaviour without getting bogged down in details. Damned if you do, damned if you don't!?

" silence is golden if you don't want to listen to things you can't handle, or opinions you cant deal with."

100% No! Sounds like a bullies charter, sounds like if anyone who has issues with that someone expressing their feelings can, with impunity, be driven into the ground like a tent peg (Not on my Watch, no sir!)

Its always strange how this kinds debate, I have been involved in quite a few and as always the subject gets widened out to encompass everything and anything. This for me is a simple one issue question, it's not difficult at all and does not affect or bleed into other areas.

I have written many, what some would call offensive poems and expressed offensive ideas - they are all still up there for folks to read, never had a poem removed, never been banned. I think that speaks volumes for the system of moderators that we have in place.
Anyway back to the one simple issue, on which I thought I had been crystal already. What I am talking about is direct and clear personal attack on another member. A poem about Jesus fucking Mary M would not phase me in the slightest. As a MOD I have to read and review the extreme content poems on a daily basis I don't care about my feeling about these poems regardless of how sick I may see them as, they are not banned or hidden. However if you were to write a poem about a genuinely legless person being a cunt and that person was and active member then away it goes and for a short while so would you. You can insult my beliefs, my morals my opinions you just can insult me, I apply that rule to everyone, whether or not they are strong or "Weak" ( man I fuckin hate how that word gets used sometimes)
You may be fine with a personal insult or two but I am not, it's the stuff of the playground where all bullying arises. Your stance at best seems to be 'Let em have at it' at worst pro bullying or pro watching bullying from the side lines, could that ever be right or entertaining?

There is a lot members don't see the content of private messages, emails, messenger conversations, searches for immunity and special treatment, the lies and hate, the people who enjoy bullying and enjoy trying to hide it from supporters. Nothing would give me more pleasure than to take all these, tie them up in a nice package, tie them in a bow and put then out there for the membership to see.
I have no doubt that it would be a game changer and people would see people for who they 'really are'. But all we do is bully a bully then that's wrong, part of the reasons many things are not seen. Seeing bullying and doing nothing about it is the epitome of hard cruelty of low morality.

If a person has a brain the ability to have heated debates is not hindered in the slightest. Those who  chose the path of personal insults and are pro bullying should not have a place here in this 'community'

Freedom of speech can only go so far, for example it is illegal to shout "your poetry sucks" in a crowded poetry reading room.

rabbitquest said:Freedom of speech can only go so far, for example it is illegal to shout "your poetry sucks" in a crowded poetry reading room.

You can say it in a polite manner, and speak softly don't shout.

todski28 said:for me I agree with Craic, the well intentioned eventually become pawns of the weakest members, having to run around and police the masses because the majority acquiesce to the vocal and often violent minority.


correct me if I'm wrong but I think the point the mods are trying to make is basically that, freedom of speech doesn't grant people the right to harass or mentally abuse others on DU. (They..ie, the mods, all seem like rational people, and if they think something is abusive then it probably is.)

just my opinion

Umm said:

correct me if I'm wrong but I think the point the mods are trying to make is basically that, freedom of speech doesn't grant people the right to harass or mentally abuse others on DU. (They..ie, the mods, all seem like rational people, and if they think something is abusive then it probably is.)

just my opinion

Well said.

I’m gonna leave this in the capable of hands of somebody who can summarise much better than I can:

https://youtu.be/p5HZLqdKxu0

hullo

See, i had thought this thread was posted in the spirit of conversation and transparancy, and had thought opinions were welcome. But when differing opinions were voice they were waved aside


Viddax, i'd no idea the site had just been fixed or that my posts could break it again. certainly wasnt having a go at the mod entity  


its dissapointing to see a thread which had potential for a decent convo and debate be plauged with the stonewall again.

perhaps next time simply ask for opinions which reflect that of the host


thanks, you're all lovey people

go ahaid and give me a Time Ban
for my misdeeds
but I dare you to Ban Time

I can understand that, usually when I see what may or may not be bullying online I leave it alone, .. it's somewhat up to the individuals involved in any given situation to decide when a line has been crossed. .

..and I don't feel like I have experienced being infantilized, so can't really comment on that part