for me I find trolls who visit sites not relevant to what they do or have interests in, and purposfully try to belittle other peoples beliefs (based on solid expieirence) totally bannable.

Example i do not go onto MMA forums/sections and belittle MMA as a sport/art. I have some respect for what others do and have confidence that what i do meets my needs.

intelegent debate is a different story though and I always welcome that.

Its the trolls motivation for posting thats the issue.

Dear Harlan:

In Western Culture, and most specifically in American culture there are two sins that transcend nearly any other taboo.

1.) Accountability: On the part of the perp, a person who commits some injury must never allow himself to be held accountable for what he has done. To allow this to happen almost relegates that person to a population of intellectually deficients.

2.) Illusion Busting: On the part of the observer, it is almost guarenteed that while being the young boy in the crowd shouting that the emperor has no clothes smacks of honesty and candor, we never hear of the fate of the boy in that bedtime story. I submit that he was ostracized from his community for failing to show appropriate respect for his sovereign by a population who likewise knew the emperor was naked but wanted to believe in an incredibly fine suit of clothes.

The term "trolls" originally probably had a function in Internet society for identifying individuals who stirred-up chaos simply for its own sake. The term now seems to be used by perps who want to avoid being held accountable, and by a community working to protect its illusions about itself or its behaviors. My sense is that without adjustment the term has outlived its usefulness. FWIW.

Best Wishes,

Bruce

let's forget about labels...I'd like to hear what everyone's opinion is as to what constitutes ban-able offenses/behavior (on this forum).
It could be a one-time unforgivable act (perhaps after a warning) or a series of habitual behavior (perhaps after several warnings).

on a separate issue...
Bruce, You bring up valid points. I've left what I read and wrote about you to lay to rest with the thread on bullshido. It was wrong of me to invoke personal issues no matter how offended (real or perceived) I felt at the time and saw an opportunity to jump on a bandwagon. The temperment of both of our posts since then has changed a bit for the better wouldn't you agree? If anything good came out of it, I'd say that I've learned that any forum is the wrong place for personal attacks, and while I don't appologize for my feeling offended, I appologize and take responsibility for my subsequent behavior. Still, what else can people do after the damage is done (if any)? I'm not looking for a response...just thought I'd mention where I'm at.

also, practicing to filter out people's tone is helping me read what someone writes as oppossed to how they say it. Actually, thats not entirely true...I still read posts the same way, it's how I respond that has changed a bit.
FWIW.

-Ed

Kin -

You and I are walking down that same path of trying to filter info from tone. It is not always easy when confronted by opinions that are contrary or personalities that clash.

I have also had something of a sea-change in my opinion on ban-able offenses. The forum rules are pretty clear on what are offending traits in posts. Pointlessly inflammatory, political, religious or personal attacks are verboten.

The gray areas are the informational posts that walk the line of the other clear offenses. I am more inclined to allow those (edited as neccessary), to keep the debate honest for everyone. Contrary opinions should not be deleted, as long as they are not to the level of trolling (ie; hammering MMA opinions in a kata forum).

Banning people is a last "nuclear" option, IMHO, left for the habitual violators, who disregard warnings.

But then again, ask me when I have a headache.

My approach is to hit hard and fast if I think a person is behaving trollishly.
I'll delete a number of posts. I feel it serves to immediately let a person know what I won't put up with on the threads I moderate. If they want to try again fine. They have the opportunity to modify their behavior. If I had the power to ban individuals I would do it early and often, without remorse.

Oldman....the Trollenator!!!!!!

How you like me now B@&otch!!!

Takes two to troll?

Stop derailing my thread.