What sort of technological teeth?

I'm not sure that technology exists, because you're all down on the effectiveness of IP banning. And other boards don't seem to be able to lock out Freepers. But if we can't enforce the suspension automatically with technology, it doesn't really stop anyone from posting -- as we saw immediately after suspending Michael/mieskie. Waiting to assemble circumstantial evidence like word-frequency counts will allow as much damage as the original suspension process.

Maybe we don't really need a completely effective suspension technology -- the discipline process is pretty stigmatizing. But we do need Marcie if people can slip back through the cracks to cause more trouble. It'll grant me and maybe Rob some technological patience to keep us from trying to accelerate the process with angry posts like mine above.

But we do need Marcie if people can slip back through the cracks to cause more trouble.

Pretty please. I'd PAY for MARCIE at this point.

I'd PAY for MARCIE at this point.

I can't help but wonder if MARCIE would just help create a subculture of asswipes who would multiply like rabbits without the stompy foot of social norms. I assume that capital letter Stompy Feet can't really use MARCIE, because they have to see what's doing to whitefont and such.

You have a point, Allyson. One I don't really know how to address, but it is a sticky thought.

Bugger, I'm going to have to do it again. I hate looking all noble and tolerant, it makes people I don't like think they can talk to me.

I'm on Schmoker's side. The situation as I see it: He came in and attempted to to match the snark-level of the old timers, and as I saw it, some folks were quite surprised to find a relative newby immediately attempting to sound like a veteran. I personally dislike the idea of "You're new here, be quiet until you earn your stripes." No, no one used that phrase or even something close to it, but anytime I see "It takes time to fit into a community" or "you might need to watch a bit to figure out how to fit in" or words to that effect, I twitch.

No one should come here, hat in hand, and have to hang around on the doorstep waiting for some mythical time when they "fit in", "understand the community," or some other phrase that makes the people here into an "us/them", "oldtimers/newbies." More power to the people who arrive with confidence, stride into conversations, and have the courage to have their own personalities.

I laughed at his "panties in a twist" remark and was prepared to watch a bit of classic interpersonal snark. Instead all sorts of stuff blew up.

Ignore people at whim. But whenever an us/them divide appears, don't look for me on the "us" side.

I can't help but wonder if MARCIE would just help create a subculture of asswipes who would multiply like rabbits without the stompy foot of social norms.

Yes. This is what I'm waffling over. I think I'd only be able to MARCIE hypothetical people I felt sure I held only totally irrational hypothetical hatred towards, because the seriously problematic people, you know, they could get worse and worse and I'd never be able to be around to say you know it's my considered opinion that this person ought to be stomped. Because I think it's better if we're a self-cleaning community, and are awake to all flush out people that are seriously bad.

Also, I'll just admit it, I'd see [ignored post here] and get curious and click right through to see it.

connie, for me it's not so much the contents of his posts (though 'panties in a twist' struck me as very dismissive and offensive'), it's how he reacts when people are offended by the posts.

I can't help but wonder if MARCIE would just help create a subculture of asswipes who would multiply like rabbits without the stompy foot of social norms.

Why? Didn't really happen on TT. Especially if people can resist saying, "I'm putting your on MARCIE."

The situation as I see it: He came in and attempted to to match the snark-level of the old timers, and as I saw it, some folks were quite surprised to find a relative newby immediately attempting to sound like a veteran.

Wow. If this really how you feel, it's distressing. I hope we're better than that.

AS someone who wants to defend his point of view? I found his reaction fairly understandable. Ill chosen words, on occasion, but it takes some time to knock off rough edges. And rough edges come off when tumbling against other stones. Not a peaceful process. t /end possibly over clever metaphor

With Elena. There wasn't something wrong with the comments, it was as John pointed out, the passive aggressive comebacks. Always having the last word.

Also calling me a liar. That was annoying.

I also disagree with a characterization that we're not nice to newbies. I will admit there's a condescending "we know offensiveness when we see it" but I also think that's true, and old-timers are a helluva lot more likely to know it when they see it, and if you can't take a poster telling you he's offended, you don't belong here.