Politics and moderation

[JuliusHackebeil]

I am not engaged enough to be able to fully judge the bans and moderations as fair or unfair. And I never read the rules. Just as a disclaimer. Here is what I think anyways.

It is always wrong to censor people on an anonymous forum. Sure, you cannot scream fire in a theatre or incite violence. But on here? I cannot think of an example where I would be for censoring anybody, even if the content of the post hurts somebodys feelings. That is actually a huge part of how we grow as people, to have our feelings hurt and still be able to function. A cushy bubble for your brain is the antithesis of resilience.

Also, someone posted these as forum rules: "Racist, sexist, hateful, toxic, or otherwise demeaning comments will not be tolerated." What if (just as an example) someone is for abortion and comments that, but another person thinks this is "hateful, toxic and demeaning" (to unborn children and anybody who regrets having had an abortion)? What exactly counts as "toxic" and "demeaning"?
-These rules are completely vague and their application seems arbitrary.

But those rules are not exactly applied on a personal whim, their application is not completely arbitrary, because they are applied in a certain socio-political climate. Every get-together of a number of people develops this. This website has one too and as other commenters have alluded to, that climate is not exactly a hallmark of diversity and individuality when it comes to hot button issues people love to dissagree about. Such a climate assures that vague rules are interpreted in a particular way and not in another. I am glad that many people can see how bent towards one narrow path the climate around moderation on this website is and that a thread like this exists. Let's see for how long.

I'll close with this thought: People demanding tolerance and inclusivity are seldom tolerant and inclusive themselves. "Like, why cant you just not be hateful, oh my god? It is not that difficult, just shut up if you know your opinion is not to our liking."