SocialistPunk
Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
Hi jondwhiteActually "race" is not a material reality. Racism is the actual reality you mention. But just because small minded poorly educated people will direct hatred towards someone because of skin colour, does not give the idea of "race" any concrete scientific validity."Race" is essentially a social construct, a tool to divide humans on the dubious basis of fairly obvious physical traits. The reality of "race" is it masks very real economic divisions in capitalist society.It is a very useful tool, that is allowed to flourish when a distraction is needed to keep us peasants occupied instead of directing our anger and energy into changing society in our favour.I don't have a lot of time to go into this at the moment, but it is an important subject. I did a bit of research into it earlier in the year as a result of debating the issue with a friend. I'll share my findings later.For now here is a link to an interesting article from the Guardian.http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/feb/17/race-is-a-myth-deborah-orr
That isn't going to happen OGW.The worrying trend seems to be, to pretend that censorship is not censorship. So there becomes no need to give a reason for something that is not being done. Perfectly logical, wouldn't everyone agree?
Thanks for letting us know. Much appreciated.I would be interested to know if there are any rules regarding length of suspensions etc. I am sure I was not alone in thinking the usual length for suspension was seven days, yet we saw a member suspended for longer?
In case any one is interested OGW has been on suspension for 12 days so far.I was under the impression the usual was 7 days.I am interested in what is going on.An explanation would be appreciated from Admin?
Hi AdminI am looking for clarification regarding the below post from yourself on Dec 11th.
Admin wrote:ADMIN NOTE: TheOldGreyWhistle has been banned for continual offtopic comments and flaming. See Post #60 above.The member in question, The Old Grey Whistle, as far as I am aware still has not been allowed back on this forum.Is the ban mentioned above permanent?
Hi Admin,Could you help clarify something that I have read on another forum regarding a member of this forum being suspended from this forum indefinitely?I would very much appreciate a reply to this question.I am sure others who are reading this would like an answer as well, because if it is correct it affects us all.Thank you for your time.
In a earlier post about the issue of censorship and moderation on this site, I said the following.
SocialistPunk wrote:Ignore me, but don't censor me!That is fine, if the person being ignored is ranting on about pizzas, by all means ignore.However when someone makes a valid point regarding a topic being discussed (in this case the problems with censorship as moderation) and one party involved in said discussion then refuses to answer reasonable questions and relevant points, then it is not unreasonable to assume that the person doing the ignoring has nothing to counter the valid argument of the other party.How many times have you faced a refusal to debate further, coming from supporters of capitalism when they have no defence left to offer?Silence in such a scenario is priceless.Gearboxes anyone?
AdminI apologise for the misunderstanding but I think the last bit about an alternative to suspension is relative in light of certain recent events.You can delete posts now, so we can't see the offending material. So why is there a need to also suspend?I assume a moderation queue may result in partial or full censorship/deletion? So if the aim is to avoid suspension, why delete and suspend members now?Is not one method enough?
Hi AdminJust wanting some clarification? Suspension or censorship? Or is it to be both?
admin wrote:I also intend to add functionality which will make it possible for posts from certain users to go into a moderation queue before being published. This would provide an alternative option to suspension for moderators.DJPI suspected you would use the Socialist Standard as an example, you have mentioned it before.However the Standard is, as I am sure you are aware, (originally) a monthly paper journal, the flagship of the SPGB. It is meant as a socialist platform, propaganda if you like, with limited space, it is not a discussion platform. It does allow a little room for two or three letters and replies etc.The forum is an open platform, members are free to discuss a number of topics, contribute freely and openly, answer questions and engage in, hopefully informative debate. I need not say the forum has more space than the Standard to allow wider input.As for discussing gearboxes on a pizza internet forum. Members could ignore or engage with that person if they so wished. Someone may fancy learning about gearboxes. If no one is interested and the offending poster continues pointless posting with no relevance to the forum, that person could be confronted by a moderator and asked to desist. It may even lead to suspension.Ignoring posts and/or dealing with the issues as they arise is surely preferable to censorship. Not really a problem as far as I can see.I think most people on this forum know the definition of censorship and how it is a problematic method of controlling people.Do you advocate censorship as part of a blueprint for a socialist society? Probably not, I hope not.But the very party advocating socialism uses censorship to silence people on their forums?
Hi Admin,I am lookingfor some clarification, regarding moderation of this forum.I see a member has had posts censored and is now suspended from the forum.I was under the impression that the whole idea of censorship on this forum was to stop the use of suspensions?Cheers.
DJPDeleting, editing or disallowing posts is a form of censorship. Censors always give "positive" reasons to justify the reduction in free speech.If someone is seen to be disruptive, deal with the issue at hand. I have no problem with warnings and suspensions if people consistently break the rules.If undesirable language or views are faced, destroy their reasoning with better reasoning. It is the socialist way, is it not, to deal with flawed ideas that we consider wrong, by using logical arguments mostly grounded in fact?But do not stop free speech just because it is considered inconvenient by some. Do not stop me from reading, hearing, discussing and expressing just because others think it unsuitable.Ignore me, but don't censor me!
