I object to the terms 'children' and 'adults' in this context, montgomery. We are all adults here. What you're really talking about is maturity level. Mature people are confident enough in their views to voice them without putting others down. A good argument does not depend on insulting those who disagree. Immature people think the way to drive home their view is to insult those who disagree. (Not very convincing, but they don't care.) Others simply get off on abusing others. They are frustrated because their politics does not work for them. They have to demonize and hate. Abusing someone with whom they disagree is a way to vent their frustrations over their politics not working. As if either the left or the right is ever going away or can be shut up. (Not!) They blame 'the other side' for all the nation's problems, and seek to eliminate 'the other side.' Silly! And totally unrealistic... But they keep trying.
And one may tend to believe that is all that is going on here. But that would be incorrect.
There's plenty of civil discourse at JPP. I use my own PIP to filter out incivility, and still I can't possibly keep up. There is plenty of civil discourse. More than I can keep up with.
The tools are available to customize one's own posting experience, even in the main forum.
Some people have a hang-up over using the Ignore feature. That's their problem. They just need to get over it. There's nothing wrong with judicious use of the Ignore Feature. If they can't get over the hang-up then they become plateaued. They will never rise above that level of maturity. They hold themselves back from higher thinking. Only they can change that. Others cannot do it for them.
There is also this bizarre disdain for using the Ignore Feature. Some take pride in either not using it, or only using it in a limited fashion. What's that really worth to be able to say you don't use the Ignore Feature or you 'only have x entries on Ignore?' I'll tell you what that is worth. Exactly nothing.
People who put down others for using the Ignore Feature are probably trolls who are frustrated because the Ignore Feature is so effective. The Ignore Feature ends online abuse. It takes two for abuse to occur. The abuser and the enabler. The abused must read what the abuser writes or the abuse doesn't work. Refusing to read it shuts it down. If somebody harasses you and you don't place them on Ignore, you are enabling them. You are sending the message that the abuse can continue.
APP and the Ignore Feature both accomplish the same thing. They prevent unwanted posters from harassing somebody. Two tools for essentially the same purpose.
I don't expect much out of APP. It has a stigma. People think there is something wrong with anyone who would want to post in a limited forum. They want to act 'tough.' They want to be able to 'take it' in the unrestricted forum. What does that mean? All that means is that one can immerse themselves in a discussion with the most immature people who think debating politics is all about insulting those with whom they disagree.
I'm not into insults or being mean. I see no purpose in that and few shallow rewards. I just want to talk about politics, stay informed, and learn what motivates other views. By avoiding the insults and flaming, by sticking to the point of discussions, I am able to draw out the part of people that actually does want to talk about politics. I'd love it of others maintained a minimum level of decorum, but that never happens in a wide-open forum, so they only way it can be maintained is with increased moderation activities. That's what APP demands if it is going to flourish. By using a PIP like mine, no additional moderation load is required. It's an example of self-moderation. Each poster designs their own experience.
I'm sure some people put me down for stringent use of the Ignore Feature. That's their choice. Mine is to simply not respond to them. I didn't come here to talk about how to post. I came here to talk about politics. The site is wide open enough to allow me to do that in my own way. If others agree and want to do it in a similar fashion, wonderful. If not, wonderful. I don't really have to care. I get what I come for. And that's why any of us stays and makes the place what it is. We get what we came for. People simply come here for different reasons and it shows. I contribute in my own way, just as everyone else does. Together, we make JPP what it is.
Personal Ignore Policy PIP: I like civil discourse. I will give you all the respect in the world if you respect me. Mouth off to me, or express overt racism, you will be PERMANENTLY Ignore Listed. Zero tolerance. No exceptions. I'll never read a word you write, even if quoted by another, nor respond to you, nor participate in your threads. ... Ignore the shallow. Cherish the thoughtful. Long Live Civil Discourse, Mutual Respect, and Good Debate! ps: Feel free to adopt my PIP. It works well.
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