The Land of TOE Fungus

[Robert]

Attention Questers,

I've decided not to ban members anymore unless they are spambots. Instead, all incorrigible members will be banished to the Land of TOE Fungus. To escape and return to the Land of TOE you must act civilly in this land of the uncivil. You must be polite and helpful in this land of the rude. You must be rational in this land of the irrational. Only then will you be allowed to return to the Land of TOE. If you think this is not so bad, beware that there may be beings in the Land of TOE Fungus who's only purpose is to irritate and harass you. They will tempt you to respond in kind which you must resist if you are ever to be allowed back in the Land of TOE.

The Land of TOE Fungus will be hidden from other members and guests. Banished members will be allowed to view but not participate in the regular forums. The idea is to remove the distracting members so the rest of us can get on with the quest. Although regular members can neither view nor participate in the Land of TOE Fungus, TOE Club members will be allowed to view these forums for entertainment purposes.

Good idea? Bad?? Be sure to vote in the poll and let me know. Voters will be anonymous.

Also, if you have any ideas to improve the process or items that you think should be added to this new land post them here.

--Robert

[Mikal]

You could make differing Toe colored toe fungus to identify level of incorrigible acts..lets say the symbol of a colored toe represents your actions...red for bruised, yellow for shock and lets say black for the worst...etc...maybe as the pictured TOE heals...it will make an impression on really learning about banishment....chuckling here...this is a great idea you have come up with...getting back to the toe would be a quest in itself...

[leskey]

I agree with Mikal...maybe purple for bad language - ooops that's it, I'm gone...

[neutralino]

Sounds crazy, and a lot of extra work to me. For example, you have members like POK who are incredibly rude, but then will "seem apologetic" until you let them back into the main site, who will then launch attacks at people.

[Robert]

In a case like PoK this would be a form of Anger Management. In fact, PoK was the reason I added the beings that harass people. They would poke at your vulnerabilities to see if and when you are under control and can keep from lashing out at people.

Another benefit is that the threshold is lowered. Banning is such a big step that the tendency is to let rude behavior slide for a while and only ban a member when repeated warnings don't work or the member does something so far over the line that banning becomes the easy choice. With banishment it becomes easier and maybe even tempting to banish members when they become offensive or otherwise distracting.

[austintorn@aol.com]

Will let you know when the first "fool" or "idiot" spews forth, as that was the germ recently; however, I have a feeling that no one will be doing this or anything close for quite a long while now… which was the purpose… of the drill…

[dleviwing]

ToeQuest is a Cybersociety and its members are here by choice; that choice comes with an understanding to abide by the rules of the Kingdom of Toe as set down by our great King Robert; rules that are enforced by his battalion of moderators.

It is sometimes difficult to separate rude behavior from frank honesty but when it comes to vulgarity, it is not difficult no matter how members spell it. (Ph or F) The rules of the Kingdom of Toe are nothing more than common courtesy but sometimes obstinate ignorance can negate one’s right to receive such civil response from members; in such cases, who should be banned?

Robert: If you wish to treat members as the children that they sometimes behave like, then this is a great idea; otherwise:
ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND!

You just need more active moderators; moderators that don’t cave to the whining of discourteous members. Maybe you can talk neutralino into taking his old position back.

BTW: welcome back austin.

[Wick]

I know you mean well, Robert. But I fear those who make the TOEQUEST an uncomfortable place are the kind of people who will revel in making their way to your version of TOE HELL. The problem is we live in a day when people have stopped caring about whether they govern themselves or not. In the past few months, I have left this forum on two different occasions with the intention of not coming back. Were it not for the work I have done here, and in which I feel invested, I would not have returned.

The reason I'm here is because Physics Forums is too restrictive. The reason I'll be likely to leave is because TOEQUEST is not restrictive enough. Just use an iron hand, Robert. If a user can't use discretion and good manners (as they agree to when they join the TOEQUEST), ban them permanently. If those who come here don't have honor enough to keep the promises they make when they join, they probably don't have the discipline to help us find our way to the TOE.

[analog]

Perhaps, if members choose to act like children (no offense to my two buddies, well..........), they should thus be treated accordingly. Maybe we could take some cues from a kindergarten class whereby just telling them they don't have to come to class for a few days isn't really punishment. Perhaps, they should have to show their desire to regain their status in the community by the worst punishment of all; humiliation.

1)Give them an avatar that says they are back in school learning manners for a week or so.
2)Instead of saying "banned" put "in the corner" under their avatar....ROTFLMAO
3)Start a blackboard thread and make them stand up in class and write lines apologizing to another member or for whatever the offense. Something that is progressive and can't be copied and pasted.
4)Make them write a report on some subject which they must post to a new thread and we'll all get a laugh out of it.
5)Let the offended party choose the punishment in some cases.

This all seems extremely childish, but it would require something that isn't currently being asked of them; a desire to be a part of a good intellectual community shown by having to exert effort to be taken back in. If they refuse to do such then ban them for life. I think deterrence is the main objective and embarrassment is probably the easiest route to such. Otherwise, there's not much that can be done, IMHO, short of becoming cold and impersonal like so many other forums, and having a zero tolerance policy, which I'm sure has been tried to be avoided.

For the most part though, I think we all govern ourselves pretty well considering the level of discussion/debate we often stay at, and the personal nature of certain subject matter.

Just my thoughts.

regards to all,

Tim

[Wick]

1)Give them an avatar that says they are back in school learning manners for a week or so.

These are grown-ups we're talking about. They will wear their dunce caps proudly as a badge of honor.

2)Start a blackboard thread and make them write lines apologizing to another member or for whatever the offense. Something that is progressive and can't be copied and pasted.

Takes more bandwidth than these people are worth.

3)Make them write a report on some subject which they must post to a new thread and we'll all get a laugh out of it.

Why give them another platform to express themselves. We all ought to have enough honor that we keep the word we give when we join.

4)Let the offended party choose the punishment in some cases.

Risks making us like them.

Please. If they are not keeping their part of the agreement made in good faith, just invite them to leave.

Sorry if I seem unyielding. I'm normally not like this. I feel as frustrated as Austin has been. I am just disinclined to use enlarge and lurid letters to make my point. Enough is enough. I have no doubt that we are chasing away some of the people we really need to get answers to our critical questions. They see the unprofessional way we manage ourselves and throw in the towel before they even have a chance to contribute. The loss of such contributors is not worth enduring ugly language and obscene pictures. Please, Robert, help us to keep this place clean!