I'm sure a lot of us are here because we are dissatisfied with how another site has been handling disagreements lately, but it's an unfortunate truth that anywhere you have a barrel of people, you're going to have a bottom of that barrel.
Given that the site's culture is firmly committed to free speech, AS AM I (just to make that clear before we continue), how do you think we should proceed?
For instance, I recently came across a particularly vitriolic MRA-type individual with very poor behavior, but whose comment was somewhat on point, so it wouldn't be removable under most definitions of reasonable moderation. However, when I replied to him with disagreement, it prompted a series of incredibly crass PMs that would under some other site's definition of harassment.
I don't think this user should be banned, as there's nothing illegal about trying to get people to come chat on a crappy forum, but I do think there should be some way for us voaters as a community to do something about the bad apples among us. I'd suggest a public-shaming subverse, but that would just turn into witch-hunts and popularity contests, so that's out.
So, given that shadowbans, actual bans, and witch-hunting are out, what would be your favored way to handle people with nothing meaningful to contribute and an exceptionally unpleasant manner of expressing themselves in public?
Bonus topic, whether this should be something left to the mods, the mobs, or something else entirely and what the advantages are of your pick.
Edit for example in the wild: https://voat.co/v/ideasforvoat/comments/140317/331534
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[–] oftenmakesbadposts 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago
So the situation you speak of is in the complicated area of free speech. You wish to discuss topics but some people are overzealous. You wish they would stop but forcing them to would be a violation of what you believe and believe me I get it.
Being a long time gamer (which I'm sure you're suprised to see here) I've had my share. You can always attack a chink in their armor but that leads to flame wars. acting smug sometimes calms them or makes it worse. It's a shitty position.
I personally found giving them nothing works. Starve the troll, find amusement in the fact that they absolutely rely on what you do, you have the control though you may feel like the victim. They are the one dedicated enough to try and argue with a serious of letters (and/or numbers) on the internet after all.
[–] myrrlyn [S] 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago
Yeah the guy I ran into is up to 8 PMs now, all of them a rehash of calling me a stupid cunt crying behind mommy's keyboard. I'm now to the point where I'm bothered more by the lack of originality and cleverness than the actual content. Step up your GAME, son.
This would all be so much easier if people would just be civil. It's like that one fly that won't stop buzzing around your face but you can't swat the thing and it won't go away. Gah.
[–] oftenmakesbadposts 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
Hah great analogy in my mind since that is an experience fresh in my mind. Also, correct their grammar. It shows less interest in their point and just the petty way they present things. For those obsessed enough it's like wiping with sandpaper. Or if you respond "K" works well. Who hates receiving that in a text message let alone your thought out attempt to incite somebody.