/v/gaming is my favorite community on Voat. I've spent more of my time here with more great people than anywhere else online or offline. I've been a member of the community for a year now, and in that time I've always done my best to respect the community, enforce rules fairly, push for more straightforward rules and regularly bring those rules up with the community for revision. I've been an active mod, flairing the majority of posts you've seen in the past year, often the first mod available when someone has an issue or reports spam. Most of the bans in the ban log are mine, and most of the post removals in the modlog are mine. I've always cited a reason for every action, and been quick to reverse an action the few times I've made a mistake.
That's what brings me to today. Rule 3 (harassment) has always had the support of the /v/gaming community. It's definition has been tightened to require bullying that is both targeted AND sustained. This definition has remained unchanged the past few times the rules have been up for review, and as I'm writing this I'm replacing the previous sticky which was a review of rule 3 specifically, up since yesterday. That said, rules are only a proxy for the community's will, and they're imperfect. Sticking with an unpopular rule despite community outcry shows disrespect for that community at the highest level.
For that reason, I'm setting aside any stubbornness or pride and reversing any and all of my subverse bans that include only harassment as a cause. I'd like to take that a step further, but because /v/gaming's rules are owned by the community, I need to ask you first: may I have your permission to suspend rule 3 indefinitely and remove it from the list of /v/gaming's rules? Rule 3 also includes doxxing and brigading, which should both already be covered by the site-wide terms of service.
I'm still reading through my inbox, but I promise that each and every comment will receive a reply. I apologize for the delay, but I'm just waking up in Alaska this morning.
Finally, I'd like to personally thank the /v/gaming community for being a place for everyone and the best place on the web to talk video games. The past year has been relatively drama-free, and more a testament to your hard work and level-headedness than mine.
As always, let me know if there's anything I can help with, and happy gaming!
Edit: also, what do you think of a site-wide user block button? No one likes hecklers, especially when they follow you around. The downside of handling that a subverse level is that everyone's definition of harassment is different. So why not put user blocking tools in the hands of each individual? Then they can make that decision on their own, in a way that doesn't affect others. I know a block button has been on the to-do list for Voat for a while, but I've made a request in /v/IdeasForVoat just as a reminder of why this functionality would benefit the community: https://voat.co/v/ideasforvoat/comments/1211887
Edit 2: in light of the overwhelming feedback we've received, the anti-harassment rule (and the superfluous doxxing/brigading section of the same rule) has been removed.
I appreciate everyone who took the time to weigh in on this change, and encourage everyone in the community to make their voice heard whenever we bring any and all of these rules forward for review.
Sort: Top
[–] [deleted] 1 point 15 points 16 points (+16|-1) ago
[–] ChillyHellion [S] 1 point 8 points 9 points (+9|-1) ago
I think that's a good perspective to have. I don't expect the community to have to vote on every rule violation (that's what moderators are for) but if the community decides that harassment isn't a big deal, we can strike that rule asap and play it by ear. /v/gaming's rules evolve with the community and are regularly put up for review. I appreciate you and everyone who chooses to weigh in as a part of the community's decisions.
[–] Namrok 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
I'm enormously put off by having public discussion about individual proposed bans. I don't know if you've ever seen a wikipedia arbcom drama, but it's probably the most neurotic, cringy, spergy drama you can imagine.
[–] ChillyHellion [S] ago
That is an excellent point :P
[–] 5987580? 2 points 13 points 15 points (+15|-2) ago
Throw out rule 3 and let people downvote it if they want. After -4 it's collapsed anyway.
[–] ChillyHellion [S] 0 points 5 points 5 points (+5|-0) ago
I appreciate the feedback! Part of rule 3 was mainly not wanting people to have an inbox flooded with comments if they pick up a stalker - that's why "sustained" is in the criteria, so collapsing the comment or downvoating it doesn't resolve that issue. But it's also a situation that happens fairly infrequently since I've been here.
[–] 5987512? 2 points 13 points 15 points (+15|-2) ago
I think it's a good idea to stay away from deciding on what harassment is. Maybe instead of arguing we can all get together when the admins come back and ask them if they have time to implement some sort of block function that doesn't rely on a browser addon.
[–] ChillyHellion [S] 0 points 3 points 3 points (+3|-0) ago (edited ago)
I think that's an excellent suggestion!
Edit: You've inspired me: https://voat.co/v/ideasforvoat/comments/1211887
[–] Kadynce 8 points 0 points 8 points (+8|-8) ago
We wouldnt even need the rule if the block feature was implemented. We've been asking for it for a year at least T_T
[–] Cynabuns 0 points 5 points 5 points (+5|-0) ago
Consider suggesting that users add v/AVE to their browsers; the ignore feature works really nicely.
[–] 5987431? 2 points 12 points 14 points (+14|-2) ago
No one but the admins can prove brigading anyway so that's a bit of a useless rule to have for a mod to enforce. Doxxing is something for the admins to handle also if they wish and I think harassment is too subjective for a few people to interpret.
[–] ChillyHellion [S] 1 point 4 points 5 points (+5|-1) ago
You've channeled my thoughts on brigading to a T. And you're right that doxxing is already in the TOS. The TOS does expressly require mods to enforce the site-wide rules (including doxxing), but that's no reason for us to double-cover a site-wide rule in the sidebar.
[–] 5987464? 2 points 11 points 13 points (+13|-2) ago
Yea, I don't think rule 3 is needed and just causes trouble. No need to reply to my comment in the other thread, I'm sure you have a lot.
[–] ChillyHellion [S] 0 points 4 points 4 points (+4|-0) ago
I do, but I'm adament about going through each comment and replying personally. It's taking a long time, and I apologize if I miss a few.
[–] [deleted] 2 points 10 points 12 points (+12|-2) ago
[–] Code-x 1 point 7 points 8 points (+8|-1) ago
Your opinion just as good as anyone else around here bud. Don't think otherwise
[–] ChillyHellion [S] 0 points 3 points 3 points (+3|-0) ago
I sincerely appreciate the positive feedback :) waking up to an inbox full of hate was a shock, and my only thought at the time was how it might affect the /v/gaming community. It's a lousy feeling to feel like I've simultaneously let people down and put the community I love in the line of fire. /v/gaming has always been great to me, and I will continue to do all I can to respect each and every one of you.
[–] Cynabuns 3 points 9 points 12 points (+12|-3) ago
AGREE, Rule 3 should be removed.
And thank you for the ban removals and the open discussion :)
[–] ChillyHellion [S] 0 points 8 points 8 points (+8|-0) ago
You're a top notch voater, Cynabuns; I appreciate your level-headedness.
[–] Cynabuns 0 points 7 points 7 points (+7|-0) ago
Very kind of you, Chilly, likewise. Like I told @reacher elsewhere - this whole discussion could have become an @eggnogg or @she shitshow in a hurry but you two have been open and willing to listen to the community. Sincerely, thank you both for helping to make Voat fucking awesome.
[–] [deleted] 1 point 6 points 7 points (+7|-1) ago
[–] Cynabuns 1 point 3 points 4 points (+4|-1) ago
Haha! You Dick!1!! Too funny, Reacher :D, lmao
[–] CheekyMonkey 0 points 8 points 8 points (+8|-0) ago
I had noticed the comments in the last couple of weeks and was ok with the ban at first. I got involved in the discussion thread and had my mind changed.
That whole thread was great and full of people with totally different opinions talking through the issue, not being dicks about it and generally acting like adults.
Then we get this, a mod modding the way it should be done.
Its so refreshing and great to see happening.
I love Voat.
[–] Cynabuns 0 points 6 points 6 points (+6|-0) ago
I'm curious if you ever came to a decision of your own after reading and being involved all the comments.
[–] CheekyMonkey 0 points 5 points 5 points (+5|-0) ago
I think so :)
Originally my being ok with the ban was me reacting and not thinking, reacting to seeing the guy I'd noticed doing something I don't like "getting his comeuppance". It really only took someone to make me think to let me realize this. I've said before, one of the things I didn't like about Voat (seeing the front page filled up with stuff I really didn't like or agree with) is actually just a demonstration of the thing I like most about Voat, freedom of speech done properly. I've found in the past that its quite easy to get carried away with something I don't actually agree with just because "my feels" and when I just take a second to think I see it for what it is. So I generally try to keep that in mind, I guess today I just let it slip a little.
[–] ChillyHellion [S] 0 points 3 points 3 points (+3|-0) ago
I'm happy to be part of your positive experience, friend :)
[–] CheekyMonkey 0 points 5 points 5 points (+5|-0) ago
Oops I forgot about the rule 3 thinger, I'm for removing it.