- dibbs089
- |
- Elder Mythic Member
Posted by: Deathtrap462
Posted by: dibbs089
Even without the problem of feasibility, I still have a problem with giving users the ability to ignore other users because it's just wrong.How is it wrong? We don't have an ignore option now, but I ignore many different topics anyway. I don't ignore posts based on who posted them, but I don't see why that's wrong. Rude, perhaps, but it would cut down on flaming in many cases and would provide a quicker solution to problems like shock site spammers.Of course topics will get ignored. I would expect people come here to read topics they are interested in. No one can read everything on this site, nor should anyone be forced to (if that was even possible). I would have no qualms with an advanced search feature that would be able to filter topics to your specifications - to allow you to get at what you enjoy reading or discussing in a better way than the current system.
Making an individual user disappear is an entirely different matter. I have to operate with the assumption that the hidden posts which accompany a ban are seen as a severe punishment (presuming, of course, that what the moderators say in relation to it isn't entirely bull-blam!-). With that in mind, having your posts removed is punishment for violating the rules. I am exceptionally uncomfortable with giving users the ability to do that for people who do not break the rules (since they would be taken care of by the moderation team anyway) but whose presence is for one reason or another an inconvenience for them. I don't want to make generalizations but in many, many threads I see that people say that they judge based on the content of the post; not who is posting. I have to wonder why people are so ready to exclude privately but not announce their moral failings (and it is a moral failing) publicly. I'm well aware that you could easily block it out by seeing the name and simply not reading the post, but why should we make it easier to do? The point of a discussion is to see viewpoints which you may potentially hate and disagree with but which hopefully allow you to thoroughly examine your own.
I know you guys demand completely thorough and perfect answers in regards to statements of belief, but for this specific point I really can't put it into words. I feel, deep down, that a feature like this would simply be wrong.
[Edited on 11.09.2011 1:04 AM PST]