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  • drunkenninja
    +5

    There's a third I mentioned as well: not just trolls who think it's fun to be disruptive but ideologues who accept low reputation and penalties as the price for accomplishing their goals such as the Digg Patriots and the Libertarian downvote squad on reddit in 2012. That such behavior is technically against site rules doesn't stop them from risking banning, shadowbanning or other penalties.

    While I believe the negative effect that low reputation score individuals have on the community should diminish the lower their reputation score gets (ie. their down votes would have no effect on rep), I don't think we should do more in the form of creating additional functionality that automatically bans these members. The reason why I think it's important that these individuals shouldn't be banned is the same reason why Ellen Pao is having a hard time on reddit, and else where.

    People shouldn't be afraid to express themselves and their opinions no matter how ridiculous they may appear to a majority. As long as their form of expression follows rules set fourth to keep things flowing, we shouldn't as administrators interfere in those interactions, let alone go around banning everyone with an unpopular opinion. Having said that, anyone that breaks the ToS by trolling, abusing, doxxing and or harassing others should still expect to get the good ole boot.

    I agree, it's a silly accomplishment. And yet there are people who like to play that way.

    It's human nature to try and be different, even if it means to harass other people in order to reach the opposite end of the scale. That type of activity needs to be dealt with on a case by case basis with full transparency so that the community can be aware of what happens.

    I have no clue. I agree that the system should be community driven as much as possible. Even when it gets gamed I think the community should decide what it wants to see and what it considers appropriate. That attitude does not make me popular with so...

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  • spaceghoti
    +4
    @drunkenninja -

    While I believe the negative effect that low reputation score individuals have on the community should diminish the lower their reputation score gets (ie. their down votes would have no effect on rep), I don't think we should do more in the form of creating additional functionality that automatically bans these members. The reason why I think it's important that these individuals shouldn't be banned is the same reason why Ellen Pao is having a hard time on reddit, and else where.

    I think you misunderstand me. I don't think anyone should be banned unless they're demonstrably disruptive. Reddit identified a group of people whom they could demonstrate were genuinely disruptive and brought the hammer down on them. I don't disagree with that action.

    But bans should be used sparingly and only as a last resort. Certainly the conditions under which someone can be banned should be clearly spelled out. I absolutely don't think anyone should be banned for espousing an unpopular opinion. Automatic bans should never be done. But I think there are ways that people who just want to be contrary can be discouraged from being disruptive.

    The people that have "an axe to grind" will do it within the rules set fourth by our administrators, if they break any of those rules they will become a part of the "case by case" process. Otherwise, everything else should be left for the community and our system to mitigate.

    I enthusiastically approve.

    • drunkenninja
      +5
      @spaceghoti -

      I think you misunderstand me. I don't think anyone should be banned unless they're demonstrably disruptive. Reddit identified a group of people whom they could demonstrate were genuinely disruptive and brought the hammer down on them. I don't disagree with that action.

      I didn't misunderstand you, and I know you aren't in favor of automatic banning. I just wanted to clarify this for anyone else reading our exchange. I'm happy we're in agreement /u/spaceghoti.