Done A Few Warnings Before Being Banned

[Karnik]

It would be fair if, before banning someone immediately, you could send one or two warnings to him, to give the culprit a chance to apologize, and constructively change their attitude toward others. Here, as in reality, it is nice, humane and fair to give another chance to those who make mistakes, isn't it?
On the grandfather of this site (GBAtemp), they give 1 or two warnings (with a specific message, and with a specific entry in the profile) before banning someone.
I have received two over the years: one for a download link of copyrighted material (which is not a crime here, It seems ?), and the other for questioning a decision of a mod.??‍
You could associate this warning with a specific icon like or ? on the user's profile, to keep an eye on a given user and inform others of the possible "danger" about him.
Moreover, I would also like to have one of these among my trophies on the "shelf" of my profile. ?
The important thing in all my speech is to give at least one chance for redemption, before an expulsion.
What do you all think?

 

[ciro64]

The mod team seems pretty chill already. Did something specific happened?

I've heard about people being outright racist in their first post being instantly banned, which I wholeheartedly approve of.

 

[Karnik]

Did something specific happened?

Nothing that I know of. But it seems to me a fairer and more balanced system than drastic punitive decisions, regarding possible future problems.?

 

[Bobmeboi]

I don't know why but I'm getting Yin and yang vibes

 

[Karnik]

I don't know why but I'm getting Yin and yang vibes

Bravo. An apt image of justice: the Tao.

 

[Stingy Perry]

At least a warning would be nice, a second chance so to speak to change his/her ways and if after that still they won’t budge a proper action must be taken. At least that’s my take on the matter.

 

[Laura Zonih]

I know it is the job of our respected moderators.
However, I think it's a good idea.

Although we should not forget that there are more serious expressions and attitudes that would not admit a second chance or warning

Post automatically merged: Jan 25, 2025

Nada que yo sepa, pero me parece un sistema más justo y equilibrado que las decisiones punitivas drásticas, en vista de posibles problemas futuros.?

Good point.
However I still think it is important to evaluate and review how serious an offense may be in this forum and based on that take action.

Although it also requires more responsibility...wow how SERIOUS this is getting!?

 

[CaptainToad]

You are already banned.​

 

[χKai]

Oh look
The only time I'd ever want the Dislike button back.

 

[Karnik]

If your just pure raciest insta ban.
If your pure activist insta ban.

That kind of shit had nothing to do with gaming. Keep your political crap to your self it has jack shit to do with game it´s enough they are killing games with politics.

How banal! In reality, things are never that simple. What is considered racist in one country is not in another. This is cultural relativism. For example, in my country, unlike others, calling a colored person "black" is not an offense; it is an observation. No offensive intent.
I find your constant mention of shit more annoying. ?

 

[Spike's iconSpike]

We do have a 3 strikes system.
You can make mistakes.
Being racist is not a mistake, that's just you.
And it won't change with 3 or 3000 warnings.
For that reason behavior like that gets instantly banned.

 

[Karnik]

We do have a 3 strikes system.
You can make mistakes.

What do you mean by this? Is there a standard warning message sent? Is it marked on the profile in some way?

 

[Spike's iconSpike]

The person that receives a DM when that happens.
they appear here.

 

[Karnik]

The person that receives a DM when that happens.
they appear here.

I see. The heading "Warnings" didn't exist before here, or am I wrong?

 

[miguk]

That kind of shit had nothing to do with gaming. Keep your political crap to your self it has jack shit to do with game it´s enough they are killing games with politics.

Depends on what you mean. Political extremism is making gaming worse (especially in multiplayer online games where you can talk to others), but writers who actually have some understanding of the real world can craft better stories. And some games turn out worse if the writer lacks any political education. I've seen some JP games written by totally tone-deaf ignoramuses who decided it was okay to use Nazi aesthetics as window dressing or to say incredibly dumb things about socio-economics. If a game can intelligently consider how socio-political and economic concepts work within its world, it can potentially make the story a bit more immersive without making it cringeworthy.

 

[Spike's iconSpike]

I see. The heading "Warnings" didn't exist before here, or am I wrong?

It was just enabled, before only mods could see it.

 

[Dyne]

It does't matter what I think because this isn't my site.
But since we're having a conversation, I'll put in my 2 cents.

I don't think people should be punished for what their opinions are. People have a right to their opinions. But if certain things are not allowed to be discussed here, then that should be respected. So while I would strongly disagree with a racist on their opinions regarding race (for example) I don't think they should be booted for their opinion alone. Maybe they have great things to contribute to the conversation on different topics, like you know - retro gaming. However if they cannot refrain from discussing things that are not allowed, then they should be treated like anyone else: warnings first and then ban.

No I'm not a fucking racist and I'm not defending racism. (I say this because some people are so black-and-white minded with this sadly) Racism is stupid and ignorant. But I recognize that I do not have the authority to tell another person what they can feel or what they can believe, nor punish them for whats in their heart.

In other words, punish actions not opinions.

But also, this site has a great vibe for the most part and I wouldn't want to see that ruined.
So what the hell do I know?

 

[Karnik]

It was just enabled, before only mods could see it.

Thanks chief for all the clarifications, and for your attention to this topic. ?

 

[Cerealfreak]

It would be fair if, before banning someone immediately, you could send one or two warnings to him, to give the culprit a chance to apologize, and constructively change their attitude toward others. Here, as in reality, it is nice, humane and fair to give another chance to those who make mistakes, isn't it?
On the grandfather of this site (GBAtemp), they give 1 or two warnings (with a specific message, and with a specific entry in the profile) before banning someone.
I have received two over the years: one for a download link of copyrighted material (which is not a crime here, It seems ?), and the other for questioning a decision of a mod.??‍
You could associate this warning with a specific icon like or ? on the user's profile, to keep an eye on a given user and inform others of the possible "danger" about him.
Moreover, I would also like to have one of these among my trophies on the "shelf" of my profile. ?
The important thing in all my speech is to give at least one chance for redemption, before an expulsion.
What do you all think?

I think that is only fair, and has been pretty much standard procedure on any message board I have used in the past, especially as they might not even be aware that something thye said/did was against the rules at all. I am not saying that ignorance of the forum rules are a valid defence but, the decency to be given the chance to rectify the situation, apologise where necessary to any parties involved, including the Mod who contacts you, and to ensure that they don't make that mistake again. As they were ignorant of the fact it was a problem in the first place, they can't be expected to not do something, if they didn't know that issue was even a problem in the first place.

As for not questioning a Mods decision, that is a very poor rule that will only push forward the attitude that Mods can't be wrong and they are all powerful, incorruptable, never angry and acting irrationaly on that anger at all. We all know that is BS, whilst Mods are generally great, they have usually been made a Mod for their contribution to the forum but, they are still only human and therefore aren't infallible, they will make mistakes and as such it is necessary to sometimes question their decision, asking for clarification on their position and the punishment they have doled out, is a necessity in the world of a democratic group. If you aren't able to quesiton a Mod about something they have done, that would mean they have absolute power and we all know that means they will eventually be absolutely corrupted and that is never good, especially in a community, where interaction is the very lifeblood on which the boards are run. So someone with absolute power would eventually kill the entire community and no one wants that to happen.

Fair and equitable discussion over issues is the logical, correct and adult way to handle issues anyway. Obviously threats, racism and oterh simlar issues shouldn't be tolerated at all and an instant ban would be more than fair in those circumstances. I am new to posting and using but, I have read enough so far to see the Mods seem pretty chill anyway.

 

[Spike's iconSpike]

It does't matter what I think because this isn't my site.
But since we're having a conversation, I'll put in my 2 cents.

I don't think people should be punished for what their opinions are. People have a right to their opinions. But if certain things are not allowed to be discussed here, then that should be respected. So while I would strongly disagree with a racist on their opinions regarding race (for example) I don't think they should be booted for their opinion alone. Maybe they have great things to contribute to the conversation on different topics, like you know - retro gaming. However if they cannot refrain from discussing things that are not allowed, then they should be treated like anyone else: warnings first and then ban.

No I'm not a fucking racist and I'm not defending racism. (I say this because some people are so black-and-white minded with this sadly) Racism is stupid and ignorant. But I recognize that I do not have the authority to tell another person what they can feel or what they can believe, nor punish them for whats in their heart.

In other words, punish actions not opinions.

But also, this site has a great vibe for the most part and I wouldn't want to see that ruined.
So what the hell do I know?

We only act based on what you guys post.
Even if you were racist, I'd be disappointed but is ultimately none of my business.
Just don't come here posting propaganda cos you'd be banned immediately.

 

[χKai]

It does't matter what I think because this isn't my site.
But since we're having a conversation, I'll put in my 2 cents.

I don't think people should be punished for what their opinions are. People have a right to their opinions. But if certain things are not allowed to be discussed here, then that should be respected. So while I would strongly disagree with a racist on their opinions regarding race (for example) I don't think they should be booted for their opinion alone. Maybe they have great things to contribute to the conversation on different topics, like you know - retro gaming. However if they cannot refrain from discussing things that are not allowed, then they should be treated like anyone else: warnings first and then ban.

No I'm not a fucking racist and I'm not defending racism. (I say this because some people are so black-and-white minded with this sadly) Racism is stupid and ignorant. But I recognize that I do not have the authority to tell another person what they can feel or what they can believe, nor punish them for whats in their heart.

In other words, punish actions not opinions.

But also, this site has a great vibe for the most part and I wouldn't want to see that ruined.
So what the hell do I know?

Well, with things like racism, anything anti-LGBT has been a longstanding problem with biased discrimination throughout history; most of us are at the age and maturity that our experiences ought to have opened our minds by now, especially in the modern age, so I understand why there is a zero tolerance policy on those particular sort of stances; there are those of those mindsets that simply can't be reasoned with, and that's been proven throughout time. So rather than risk it and allow the behavior to occur up to 3 warnings, it's better for the community as a whole to merely avoid the problems and arguments that would arise from allowing such behavior to even exist in what is designed to be a safe and open public setting for people from all walks of life. If they want to be that way, they can do so somewhere else; we simply don't want/need that here.

 

[AnonymousCookieMonster]

It's a delicate balance it seems.

Over the years I've moved further towards anti-censorship, and banning is a form of censorship. Granted if they deserve it then fine, it's your platform to decide on, though leaves a sour taste in my mouth. But if the content isn't illegal or putrid/disgusting then it should be allowed. (though we don't need threads bleeding unrelated stuff or spam, etc).

The answer to bad speech and bad ideas, is more speech. Bad ideas get dismantled when challenged. Speech that can't be challenged is either a cult, or a religion.

And some topics... should just be left at the door, topics that people tend to get heated over, namely politics and religion. I've seen it derail discussions many times (of which i am sad to say I've probably been party to once or twice, but never initiated it), and while they can be very important conversations (like informing people of the pushed PIPA and other government bills that can affect our internet as a whole) they really can't consume our time, sanity and life. Being aware of something is fine, but you should mostly concentrate on something you CAN affect rather than what you CAN'T. 'Oh my god Taylor Swift did XXX'... which has zero effect in your life other than wasting energy talking and worrying about it.

Anyways that's my two cents.

 

[Xeno]

Well, with things like racism, anything anti-LGBT has been a longstanding problem with biased discrimination throughout history; most of us are at the age and maturity that our experiences ought to have opened our minds by now, especially in the modern age, so I understand why there is a zero tolerance policy on those particular sort of stances; there are those of those mindsets that simply can't be reasoned with, and that's been proven throughout time. So rather than risk it and allow the behavior to occur up to 3 warnings, it's better for the community as a whole to merely avoid the problems and arguments that would arise from allowing such behavior to even exist in what is designed to be a safe and open public setting for people from all walks of life. If they want to be that way, they can do so somewhere else; we simply don't want/need that here.

Ironically, we had better video game discussions on forums when we were teenagers. The only thing we cared about was video games! However, many posters these days are more concerned with current events. People have differing opinions so it always leads to fighting.
RetroGameTalk Forums is the closest I've seen to the old GameFAQs days. Finally a place where we can just discuss our love for video games!

 

[miguk]

It does't matter what I think because this isn't my site.
But since we're having a conversation, I'll put in my 2 cents.

I don't think people should be punished for what their opinions are. People have a right to their opinions. But if certain things are not allowed to be discussed here, then that should be respected. So while I would strongly disagree with a racist on their opinions regarding race (for example) I don't think they should be booted for their opinion alone. Maybe they have great things to contribute to the conversation on different topics, like you know - retro gaming. However if they cannot refrain from discussing things that are not allowed, then they should be treated like anyone else: warnings first and then ban.

No I'm not a fucking racist and I'm not defending racism. (I say this because some people are so black-and-white minded with this sadly) Racism is stupid and ignorant. But I recognize that I do not have the authority to tell another person what they can feel or what they can believe, nor punish them for whats in their heart.

In other words, punish actions not opinions.

But also, this site has a great vibe for the most part and I wouldn't want to see that ruined.
So what the hell do I know?

This sounds very roundabout. If you agree with the site's rules, why make such a long-winded argument about agreeing with them? Why throw in "nuance" that within your own argument effects nothing?

We only know if someone is a racist by their actions. Opinions do not suddenly pop out like a sneeze. They have to deliberately choose to express such views. We can't punish people for their opinions without regards for actions because action needs to be taken for us to even know about them in the first place. "Punish actions not opinions" in this context is as meaningless as a "live, laugh, love" decoration.

And actually, yes, those who have informed opinions have every right and reason to tell those with uninformed opinions that they are wrong. Racism isn't just another opinion. It's a logical failure based in pseudoscience which gets used to harm others. It should be called out for the safety of the community, especially because its most hardcore followers have a history of destroying communities. Nobody has the right to be coddled for presenting a danger to others.

(Side note: One rule you learn if you work in bartending is that if you see any signs that a customer is a neo-Nazi — tattoos, clothes, etc — you kick him out immediately regardless of behavior. Otherwise, he'll bring more with him every time he returns, causing you to lose all your normal customers and have to shutter the business.)

As for their potential ability to contribute to the community, I'd like to share a quote from George Orwell:

If Shakespeare returned to the earth to-morrow, and if it were found that his favourite recreation was raping little girls in railway carriages, we should not tell him to go ahead with it on the ground that he might write another King Lear.

Note: Orwell was talking about Salvador Dali, who he considered a good artist, but ultimately worthless because he was a fascist (and a woman abuser as well).

 

[Strategist's iconStrategist]

I agree that there should be some leeway for topics that relate to gaming that touch on politics or religion. Such as censorship, localization, writing, etc...

But there's no way you can convince me racism or hatred is acceptable or relevant in a gaming forum.