what is the point of bans?

Yet you disrespect everyone and anyone here - mods included - when they call you out on your shit and then complain when they decide to just give you points instead of try to call you on it simply because they're sick of your shit? Not sure what you're getting at here.

For the record the rules as well as the way moderation is handled is being completely overhauled, so you'll see changes soon.

I never said consistency is infracting every reported post... each reported post is reviewed and decided upon... the fact that you report someone for something that you yourself do is quite comical... like it was stated earlier... we can't catch every post made on the forum.. but when one is reported, we do look into it.. and not just the post that was reported but the previous ones and the ones made there after as to get an idea why said post was made or if there was a disagreement between posters... if you have no issues with reports you have made than why did constantly IM me and rage on me to infract before I could even reply to your IM or get a chance to even look at the report... you straight out demanded for action to be taken... I myself as well as other staff members have had long discussions with you where we are pretty chill with you but all you can do is rage on us... I remember when I was a mod and I'd get an IM from you out of the blue raging on me for an infraction that was given to you by someone else... I caught so much shit from you constantly for that... and I never once "raised my voice" or put you down.. but you could start an IM with "you motherfucker...." Hell man.. you even raged on someone who wasn't even a mod cuz you thought that they were...

It would be cool if these initiatives and changes were more transparent to everyone. Even limited involvement is ownership.

My point is that the line you speak of is completely intangible and invisible. In fact, it's mostly just arbitrary.

The issue here is the pointlessness of our disciplinary system: Infractions & Bans. These methods of discipline are supposed to deter posters from "breaking the rules", however, the rules we apparently governed by are rarely enforced, and often given a pass, depending on the circumstances. Even the moderators, who are supposed to enforce the rules, will consistently break them, and that's mainly due to the nature of this forum.

So we have a system that is supposed to deter posters from breaking rules, but those rules are clearly undefined and arbitrary. Beyond that, the enforcers often break them and bend themselves. So in a setting in which we cannot, with any confidence or accuracy, define a "post that breaks the rules" without disciplining the whole forum, the system of infraction per rule broke goes to shambles.

There is not a deterrence, because there is no negative consequence to every action, only every so often is there any disciplinary action taken. This just leads to more confusion since previously, and consistently, you've been able to make posts of that nature without anything being said.

Then you get banned. Now you can't post for 1 day, and you can deal with that. You will be back tomorrow, you go on with your day. But you still aren't deterred because the way in which you were dealt was flippant and arbitrary, you can't possibly be certain of what behaviors landed you in the temporary shitcan, because you "get away" or are "given a pass" all the time with posts of the same content/intent.

So, the only solution I see is to throw away this system entirely. Since the rules are arbitrarily enforced it makes sense for the moderation team to deal with every post, or set posts, on a case by case basis. Talk to member's personally if they're "breaking the rules" make it known WHY those actions are not acceptable, and if they continue that behavior then warn them. That may not seem harsh or effective, but I assure you it's much more of a deterrent than any infraction ever will be.

Infractions are faceless and random. They don't seek to solve problems, they are instant gratification for posters like E_D & Jonas who masturbate furiously as they report posts that insult them, whilst more offensive posts go under the radar and are never dealt with.

Deal with posters like people, after all, most of us interact outside of the forum and intimately within it. It only makes sense to discuss an issue and resolve it, rather than rack up pointless infractions that result in single day bans all while not FIXING anything or rectifying any behavior.

Everything's still in initial discussion. For the most part the rules will remain the same but simply be rewritten in sections that are easier to read/reference/understand. As it is right now a lot of the rules are just a giant wall of text. Moderation is going to be more about moderating a thread and less about infract this or that - part of that for example is that infractions are no longer publicly visible, as having them visible just causes fights between members and members as well as members and mods, simply because some people are incapable of thinking they might be wrong.

Bam. Pretty much exactly what's being done.

How does calling anyone on anything get them to stop? C'mon, use your noggin.

Cool, tell me more.

Only if you change your damn avatar. I keep thinking you're Cam.

It'll be posted up in a few days.

The system works fine.

The line is just common sense. Most people here have no problem with this. Do you think you have the right to be an insulting, argumentative asshole?

You can debate, argue, and elaborate on your opinion without being a dick. Learn to respect others.

Eric, I hate to say this, but can you...read? I mean, I know you can, but you seem to continue making the same argument that I've already addressed.

It's not comical. The reason I do it is to make a point of how ludicrous and arbitrary the system is as a whole.

When did this happen? Do you have logs I can read? Are you absolutely certain about my motivations and actual level of care?

Grunge changed it...you can change to something else if you like.

It's not common sense, it's arbitrary, and YES.

YES, I can, but the entire atmosphere of 5/8 is based on being a dick, and my attitude is merely a mirror of the individuals I'm interacting with. If you actually dig up a thread where a reasonable discussion is taking place it's highly unlikely that I'm being a dick.

God dammit I'm posting too much in this thread. I must stop. I stand by my points, but I don't have any interest in arguing about it or explaining myself any further.

I am interested in the new system that Thal is working on, and I hope it proves more useful than the current one.

Anything to do with my suggestion?

If you're on staff IRC you should know what's going on.