Well, Cindy, here's the thing:

1. In our first incarnation, we did have people in that role. They worked for Salon, not for the board, but they were there. In fact, I think the first person with the Stompy Foot line in her tag was Mary Beth.

2. Hashing everything out in the current way in Bureaucracy is clearly not working.

My proposal was meant to be as community-based, non-authoritarian, and consensus-driven as possible while still empowering people to act against disruptive forces. But if we wait for consensus in dealing with trolls, every single one of them will end up like this one has been, and I can't think I'm alone in feeling like that might kill me.

Oatmeal!

Allyson, one problem a lot of people have with TWoP here is that the moderators stomp people for, really, no good reason at all. And I think that it's worth stressing that we'd need a system where individuals would be less empowered than the mods are at TWoP, because I don't want a board where, say, Jengod could get booted because Victor didn't like her style, or amych could get stomped for signing her posts. I do, however, want a board where we don't tear ourselves to bits trying to deal with a two-bit troll.

Well, except TVWOP seems to stomp one and delete threads for people accidently posting in the wrong place-- so a little overboard...

I can see where Michele is coming from, and I in some ways agree. It very, very difficult for this many people to discuss things, as we have seen. I can't see the Buffistas as a whole going for that much of a culture change. Maybe if everyone served?

That was my hope, Sophia -- that everyone who wanted to would serve at some point.

They worked for Salon

I think that's the difference.

But if we're an independent board, we need to do this for ourselves. Which was my point with the Giles and Buffy conversation quotage.

Allyson, one problem a lot of people have with TWoP here is that the moderators stomp people for, really, no good reason at all

And you think that we'd do that?

And you think that we'd do that?

I think there are some people here who might. I don't think 98% of the people would, but there are certainly some who I could see going overboard. Not full-on TWoP on their ass, but overboard.

I don't understand how either the words of a troll or the discussion can kill anyone. I am not trying to stop people from feeling that way, but I honestly don't see where the feeling comes from. I scroll if it gets boring, and I assume Buffistas who get hot with each other will find a way to Doblerize, as has always happened so far. The conflict in this commmunity has been very civilized and polite, thank God, and I hope we can keep it that way. People sometimes get short with each other but they always find their way back to understanding eventually.

Discussion is also extensive and rambling, but I just don't see the harm in that. Sure the endless discussion gets tedious as hell, but then don't read it. The fact that Buffistas need to analyze a thing to death is part of the way we approach anything--be it corsets, grammar, or one specific line from an episode.

As for Anathema, I think he came in to stir up trouble, was banned, came back to stir up MORE trouble and found himself actually getting to know the board, to dig the Buffistas, and to like being here. For this reason I am not angry at him. He stayed around long enough to find out he would like to be a member of this community, but he lied so he can't. He screwed himself royally, and he doesn't need any help from me. He should not have come back, and his exile from the board feels like perfect punishment for him--even worse now that he KNOWS what he's missing.

Allyson, I gather that what you like about the TWoP system is that it is a no-muss, no-fuss, no-drama sort of system, correct?