Rule Changes + New Restrictions

[Angrboda]

Now the bad. Because the rules are much more open and there is much more potentia for abuse of them, their application can go weird in unexpected ways. Figuring out where in the rules to add breathing room, and how, and why, is more an art than a science. And rules interact with each other, creating a dynamic whole that is very complex. Sometomes, many times, even though there is an intention to improve things with such a rule change, because of the change from rule based less people-centric guidelines to those that are more based on personality, it's harder to predict results. What may have seemed an innocuous change when it was written on the blackboard during discussion of it, may morph into a monster of unseen proportions in actual practice. And what seemed like a potent stick for combatting some ill, may be dicovered to be useless in practice. Many of the consequences of a rule change are unpredictable and only known in hindsight. It's practice which will tell whether a significant change to the rules will result in better health and productivity of the community, or if it will bite the hand that feeds it by creating chaos, dissent, and unhappiness?

As I said, clear as mud. There's little point to publicly posting such "rules." They'd make more sense as internal mod guidelines.

ETA: A real rule would be more along the lines of: posts which only insult and do not add to the discussion are not allowed and will be deleted. The poster will receive a warning on the first offense, a suspension on the second, and will be banned on the third.

May I ask you what your experience is with a) leading people b) moderating or facilitating discussions, c) resolving or negotiating disputes, and what venues were those experiences in?

[John V]

@ LP: Yay, our first test case! I reported your last post as it was two in a row which insulted me and added nothing to the discussion, and so presumably violate the flaming rule. Let's see what happens...

[Captain Colostomy]

Christians are lost without commandments, I see. John's frustration also goes a long way towards reinforcing the fact many christians are uncomfortable with 'gaps' in understanding.

[Angrboda]

John, these discussions tend to be difficult enough without the drama. It's not an easy subject to work through from either side. Please temper your responses.

[John V]

May I ask you what your experience is with a) leading people b) moderating or facilitating discussions, c) resolving or negotiating disputes, and what venues were those experiences in?

I'm a professional who frequently leads face-to-face meetings and conference calls, I have several direct reports and one formal mentee. A common saying in my office is "if we can measure it, we can manage it," i.e. experience has shown us that ambiguity is counter-productive. We set goals using the SMART method.

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John, these discussions tend to be difficult enough without the drama. It's not an easy subject to work through from either side. Please temper your responses.

Interesting that you chastise the person insulted for making a report.

[Captain Colostomy]

Business management and forum moderation are two different animals. I have a familiarity with both, if that matters.

[Angrboda]

May I ask you what your experience is with a) leading people b) moderating or facilitating discussions, c) resolving or negotiating disputes, and what venues were those experiences in?

I'm a professional who frequently leads face-to-face meetings and conference calls, I have several direct reports and one formal mentee. A common saying in my office is "if we can measure it, we can manage it," i.e. experience has shown us that ambiguity is counter-productive. We set goals using the SMART method.

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John, these discussions tend to be difficult enough without the drama. It's not an easy subject to work through from either side. Please temper your responses.

Interesting that you chastise the person insulted for making a report.

Thank you for your answers, John. I wasn't trying to chastise you, just trying to point out that a discussion like this can be very volatile, and if we don't all try hard, it can easily get out of hand, to the detriment of any potential good that might have resulted. There is an interfaith dialogue going on here, so there's plenty of kindling lying about if you want to start a fire.

[John V]

Business management and forum moderation are two different animals. I have a familiarity with both, if that matters.

I don't see that it really matters. I was just answering the question. It's not rocket science.

[LastPoet]

@ LP: Yay, our first test case! I reported your last post as it was two in a row which insulted me and added nothing to the discussion, and so presumably violate the flaming rule. Let's see what happens...

Whatever happens and contrary to what you do, I'll respect the staff decision. Infact, I'm hoping that the staff decides to punish me, if only to stop your neverending whining.

[Angrboda]

And I will add that the same suggestion goes to LP, who, seems to be implicitly, if not explicitly, expressing some regret about his recent change of status (not speaking of solely in this thread).