[This thread is being posted on behalf of x via the Adopt-A-User program. This topic is a little touchy, so I do want to express I am only a surrogate in this post.]
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When ResetEra launched, and talk amongst users, mods and admins promised change: "A time to reset" as many declared, I had hope that the restrictive moderation that hindered discussion would be expunged. Sadly, however, these short few weeks have shown a regression to the community's old ways.
In order to foster a community that genuinely discusses issues in gaming and life in general, this board should provide a platform that welcomes dissenting thought, as long as it is respectful. If we disagree with users or a particular line of thought, our first instinct should not be to attack their character, nor should mods ban users if they don't like their opinion.
Here is a recent example of a user discussing the use of the N-Word. In his opinion, the N-word is nothing more than a word. I imagine he thinks the person's intent behind the word's use is the issue more than the word itself. While I don't fully agree with his opinion, if we're going to have a dialogue with people, or try to educate them on why we think their opinion is wrong, how is banning them going to help? In addition, what message is that going to send to the rest of the community? In my opinion, it sends a message that we have to think and behave a certain way in order to remain a member here. That's discouraging because I believe this has bred a groupthink mentality, one that is disingenuous.
i.imgur.com/LCcdfBj.jpg
Another issue is a certain someone that shall not be named, but used to work at IGN. It's understandable that many people here do not like him, but de-platforming an individual and any discussions relating to him is not the correct way to go about it, in my opinion. Again, this type of moderation is cultivating a hive-mind community.
There's an interesting thread I stumbled across on ResetEra, which cites a TED talk by Celeste Headlee. During this talk, she describes how we live in a society where people don't listen to each other, a society where we argue with people we disagree with instead of engaging in a dialogue, or worse, remove them from our lives. In order to have a dialogue with someone, you don't have to like him or her, or agree with what they say, you just have to listen. As Celeste states in her talk: "True listening requires a setting aside of oneself. And sometimes that means setting aside your personal opinion."
I believe this board has an opportunity to improve upon its predecessor and be respected amongst the gaming community. In order to that, we have to be willing to talk to one another despite our differences.
I hope this thread finds you well, and I hope what I had to say at least generates a discussion on this. If the community thinks my beliefs on this matter aren't appropriate, feel free to ban me because I would not want to be a part of a community that restricts free thought.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
When ResetEra launched, and talk amongst users, mods and admins promised change: "A time to reset" as many declared, I had hope that the restrictive moderation that hindered discussion would be expunged. Sadly, however, these short few weeks have shown a regression to the community's old ways.
In order to foster a community that genuinely discusses issues in gaming and life in general, this board should provide a platform that welcomes dissenting thought, as long as it is respectful. If we disagree with users or a particular line of thought, our first instinct should not be to attack their character, nor should mods ban users if they don't like their opinion.
Here is a recent example of a user discussing the use of the N-Word. In his opinion, the N-word is nothing more than a word. I imagine he thinks the person's intent behind the word's use is the issue more than the word itself. While I don't fully agree with his opinion, if we're going to have a dialogue with people, or try to educate them on why we think their opinion is wrong, how is banning them going to help? In addition, what message is that going to send to the rest of the community? In my opinion, it sends a message that we have to think and behave a certain way in order to remain a member here. That's discouraging because I believe this has bred a groupthink mentality, one that is disingenuous.
i.imgur.com/LCcdfBj.jpg
Another issue is a certain someone that shall not be named, but used to work at IGN. It's understandable that many people here do not like him, but de-platforming an individual and any discussions relating to him is not the correct way to go about it, in my opinion. Again, this type of moderation is cultivating a hive-mind community.
There's an interesting thread I stumbled across on ResetEra, which cites a TED talk by Celeste Headlee. During this talk, she describes how we live in a society where people don't listen to each other, a society where we argue with people we disagree with instead of engaging in a dialogue, or worse, remove them from our lives. In order to have a dialogue with someone, you don't have to like him or her, or agree with what they say, you just have to listen. As Celeste states in her talk: "True listening requires a setting aside of oneself. And sometimes that means setting aside your personal opinion."
I believe this board has an opportunity to improve upon its predecessor and be respected amongst the gaming community. In order to that, we have to be willing to talk to one another despite our differences.
I hope this thread finds you well, and I hope what I had to say at least generates a discussion on this. If the community thinks my beliefs on this matter aren't appropriate, feel free to ban me because I would not want to be a part of a community that restricts free thought.
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