Fan Forum - View Single Post - Three Strikes Policy Regarding Shipper Threads

sum1 · 05-31-2007, 08:46 PM

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Originally Posted by Liz01 (View Post)

Sum, I know you're a strong supporter of anti-ship threads, but there is a reason they don't exist on this board. Constant complaints and PM's like this are already happening...and we don't even have anti-shipper threads yet. The thought terrifies me, and Katie who had to deal with it on the OTH board.

So you can allow some ship-bashing on the appropriate character unappreciation threads. Fair compromise.

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Look above all, this forum is about respect

What about respecting the right to express differing views in one's own style, such bashing a ship? I'm sorry but I think it's disrespectful toward the posters to silence such a basic form of fan expression. I'm personally offended.

There's nothing disrespectful toward any real person in bashing a ship. You might disrespect the characters in the process but you're not disrespecting anybody else (or anybody real) unless you break the rules and bash them too, which ISN'T bashing a ship. There's nothing whatosoever disrespectful about bashing a ship. I think bashing is being unfairly vilified here.

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and it has always been a peaceful environment. This is how we're trying to maintain that peace,

That sort of argument can be used to justify all sorts of tyrannical measures (and it has been used that way in many societies), it's a false argument. All sorts of draconian measures can get justified in the name keeping the peace. Peace isn't worth all that much if you take away too much freedom. And you just don't need to take away all that much freedom.

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and I know it sucks, and while I understand the right to vent about a couple, we have to balance that with a peaceful environment.

I'm sorry but I don't see any such balance in this. There's no balance in saying "absolutely no bashing of ships allowed anywhere on this board". Balance would be saying "Ok, we'll allow bashing of ships on the appropriate character unappreciation threads". That would be balancing freedom of expression and peace and giving something to both. And they both need to be given something, freedom is as essential as peace if the board's to be a true fan and discussion board. Peace without freedom is the peace of the grave. I don't want to post on a board like that.

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The fact is, we'd allow anti-ship comments if posters just stuck to their threads, but they don't.

If you can enforce a rule saying no bashing then you can enforce a rule saying keep it to thre right threads.

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In fact when a poster ships both couples it can be difficult.

Posters on an unappreciation thread for a character are unlikely to ship the character with anybody, so they're not likely to have a problem with bashing a ship the character is in. Heck, if they do somehow ship the character they hate with somebody they probably have issues with the ship themselves and won't mind the ship being bashed. Any problem in this area (with ship bashing on the appropriate character unappreciation threads) is small and not enough reason to totally a ban a major form of expression.

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And while there are a handful of mature posters like yourself, it would simply turn into an all out warzone in the end.

It wouldn't. It HASN'T. People have been bashing couples on the appropriate character unappreciation threads for years and that's not where your big problem has been. It hasn't turned into a war zone. Your warzone has been elsewhere. I can't see any justificiation for not letting the practice continue as it has for years.

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And there is a huge difference between constructive criticism and bashing. It's pretty obvious, you can draw comparisons between the ships, explain why you think one would be better than another, but you don't need to start attacking it. There's no need.

There most definitely is need. There's no grounds for saying there's no need. There's need because it's a basic form of fan expression and it's only fair to allow fans to express their views and feelings like that. It's a big chunk of fan expression and it shouldn't be silenced like that.

And really the difference between criticism and bashing is by no means so clear, the borderline is a very grey area. That uncertainty can restrict people even more.

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Perhaps it should be, but the fact is, it isn't. Understand, it's difficult enough to moderate these threads (Jate, Skate & Jacket) managing anti-threads would be next to impossible with this board.

So allow bashing of ships on the appropriate character unappreciation threads. I think if anti-ship threads are not going to be allowed then AT LEAST some ship-bashing on the appropriate character unappreciation threads should be allowed.

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And what would anti-shipper threads be filled with? The same thing. They're just counterproductive all around.

That's a totally unfair comment. I could just as easily say that shipper threads are filled with the same thing so they're counterproductive. These threads only look counterproductive to people who don't like them. Just because somebody doesn't like something doesn't mean it shouldn't be allowed. Anti threads serve a purpose and are enjoyed by lots of people. You yourself enjoyed bashing Ana Lucia for a long time. BASHING her, not just "constructive criticism".

Anti-ship threads aren't necessarily counterproductive all around. They haven't been on Buffy board, for example. They've been very helpful on that board. And I don't see how allowing ship-bashing on the appropriate character unappreciation threads would be counter-productive. Remember, bashing a ship the character is in is often PART of unappreciating the character. I think it's unfair to take that away from the character unappreciation threads.

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Like I've said countless times, you can enjoy your couple perfectly fine without bashing the other ship. It's not needed.

I don't see what it has to do with enjoying a couple. Bashing a ship is not about enjoying the opposing couple it's about disliking the ship you're bashing. And yes such bashing is needed. It's needed because it's a basic and natural form of fan expression and it should be served on a board that claims to serve a wide range of views and posting styles. Tolerance and allowance for such bashing is needed same as it's needed for any other basic type of fan view and expression.

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We understand this is harsh, and yes while I can understand it's censoring people, it has to be done.

I have to disagree. I don't think such a total ban is needed at all. I can understand a less absolute ban but not a total one.

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The amount of drama from this past week alone has just piled up on us

Did it come from people bashing ships on the appropriate character unappreciation threads? Was there big drama from that? Because that's been going on for years and I don't think it's caused any big drama. I don't see why it shouldn't be allowed to continue.

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We're sorry if this will deter posters, it's not our intention but this is our last resort.

I don't think the total ban on ship bashing is a necessary part of that last resort.

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This board has become so negative, almost all the threads have become so negative, it's *kept* people from posting, as we've seen.

Harsh censorship is a very big negative.

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It's a double edged sword either way.

To me that means one should be careful going too far either way with it.

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There has to be some level of cooperation from all groups, it'll be better for the board all around.

I don't think eveybody will agree that ALL the restrictions will be better for the board.