Posted by Dr. Bob on January 30, 2014, at 3:46:52
In reply to Re: strange goal » Dr. Bob, posted by Twinleaf on January 28, 2014, at 19:55:13
> The reason she won't drink the water is that she thinks the civility rules are biased excessively against reasonable freedom of speech as well as reasonable standards of communication. The moderator can decide that anything he does not wish to hear constitutes a civility violation; he may also misunderstand or misinterpret what has been said. None of that ever matters; the community member is invariably punished even though he/she may honestly not understand what is wrong. To object to the fairness or reasonableness of a PBC means incurring progressively severe punishments.
>
> This type of arbitrary punishment, unmodified by anything resembling a clarifying discussion, is very similiar to what people who have been traumatized have already experienced in their past lives. Part of becoming healthier in therapy is learning what is and is not compatible with good mental health, as well as learning what behaviors ( one's own and others') are to be avoided. I feel that acceding, without speaking up, to arbitrary, dictatorial punishments which one does not always understand or feel to be appropriate does not meet the standards one needs for healthy self-confidence and self- esteem.
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> The old nag will probably get so thirsty that she will have to go elsewhere in search of safe, clear water.Of course reasonableness is in the eye of the beholder and misunderstandings and misinterpretations are always possible. I think the old nag's reasoning is sound, but she's starting from extreme premises:
1. The moderator can decide that anything constitutes a civility violation. Punishment is arbitrary.
2. The community member is punished even if she does not understand what is wrong.
3. To object means incurring progressively severe punishments.
4. Nothing resembles a clarifying discussion.
I agree, that sounds like a recipe for trauma. People who have been traumatized may be hypervigilant. Part of becoming healthier is learning what does and does not need to be avoided, what's poisoned and what's safe.
Hmm, the old nag may already be in a club with Lou and Ahab.
Bob
a brilliant and reticent Web mastermind -- The New York Times
backpedals well -- PartlyCloudy
poster:Dr. Bob
thread:1058993
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20131217/msgs/1059930.html