We all pretty well know what is and isn't trolling. The problem becomes the practical application.
What I do is type up a full response to a post and then hit preview. Then I read my post and sometimes I just hit the back button and back myself all the way out of a thread without leaving any reply at all.
Even when I really wanted to say something or score some points. I just say no. Once you've done it a couple times it gets real easy to do.
When I'm doing that I can relax because I know I'm not trolling.
Same here.
Over the past few years I have deleted about half of the posts I've typed out, including some long ones.
I've developed a few "philosophies" for posting on forums, and they are as follows-
1. The world doesn't need to read my every opinion.
2. Just because I disagree with someone doesn't mean I have to publicly express my disagreement.
3. Just because someone posts something that is factually incorrect doesn't mean I have to correct them.
4. Don't be a jerk.
In regards to this thread, unless the video posted by RX-79G contained profanity, nudity, or racial or sexist slurs, then I don't see the cause for an infraction (I didn't watch the entire video). I was reading that thread, and a "red card" infraction seems a bit harsh.
I keep seeing people say that there is no way of knowing if someone else is receiving infractions, but the little yellow and red infraction cards appear in the lower left hand corner of the offending posts for all to see. I don't know if it's possible for a mod to issue an infraction privately.
I've received a total of two infractions during my 13+ years here, the last one was in May 2013, and both times little yellow and red cards appeared in the corner of my posts (my last infraction (red card) was issued by a guy who was stripped of his moderator status, and later banned, so take that for whatever it's worth).
The following are universal comments, and not directed at anyone in particular-
I'm 46 years old, and a few times in my life I have been in positions of authority over other men (both in the free world, and while incarcerated). Among other things, I've been responsible for arbitrating disputes and issuing punishment to those who were in the wrong (sometimes
harsh punishment). I am currently in a position of authority again, I have a dozen employees working for me. My point is- I know a thing or two about being in a position of authority over others.
I also have a lifetime of witnessing how different people exert their authority over others, including LEO's, prison guards, and various employers and supervisors, etc. And from my own experience, and observations, I've learned the following-
Every person in a position of authority shares at least one common characteristic- we are all mere mortal humans. And as such, we are all imperfect and fallible. We are all capable of having biases and prejudices, we are all capable of showing preferences and favoritism towards those we like, and acting unfairly and harshly towards those we don't like. And we are just as capable as anyone else of acting, sometimes unfairly, out of frustration, irritation, and anger.
I never met anyone who is perfect, and being given a position of authority doesn't make one perfect, or grant them immunity from pettiness and all other manner of human flaws. The fact is- power doesn't erase a mans flaws, in many cases it amplifies them.
I believe that people in positions of authority (including myself), if they truly believe in being fair in the execution of their authority, will continually evaluate their decisions, actions, and the motivations behind them, and make a concentrated effort to overcome those basic human flaws and carry out the duties of their authority in the fairest manner possible.
And speaking for myself, I appreciate it when someone under my authority tells me when they think that I have treated them, or someone else, unfairly. Because being an imperfect human I don't always recognize my own flaws when they are in action. And if no one ever points out my unfairness, I may not notice it, and miss the opportunity to correct it and prevent it in the future.
Of course, some people in positions of authority believe that they are above question, and that they should never be criticized or have their actions evaluated. I consider such attitudes to be quite unreasonable, and I consider those people to be beyond reason.
Something else I've learned is- if a person cannot carry out the duties of their authority fairly, without bias, and without succumbing to anger and frustration, then they should save themselves the irritation and headaches and step down from that position of authority.
As someone in a position of authority, I strive not only to be fair in the execution of my authority, but to also maintain the appearance of fairness. But that's me.
Yeah I know, long post. But hey, no one forced you to read it.
