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Original poster

Replacing Thread Deletions with simply highlighting the post.

60 replies

MadameDefarge · 01/08/2014 20:41

So often deleting an offensive comment does nothing to aid the person being attacked, and leaves great holes in the narrative of the thread.

I am suggesting leaving all posts that MNHQ would normally have deleted, but highlighting them in a special colour.

This would signal that MNHQ do not consider the post within the guidelines, with making some threads like confetti.

I do think people should stand by their posts, and deleting them allows people to be quite vile, without any real consequences.

I say this as someone who has been deleted many many times. I think if I knew what I was saying couldn't be pulled at all, it might well serve as break, or at least prompt an apology once I had cooled down and realised I was a twit.

Its not quite naming and shaming, but is showing an MNHQ decision most people will understand on reading those posts.

It might well prompt more self regulation.

As it stands, anything vile gets deleted, and the poster can continue being horrible without anyone really knowing why they were deleted (if they come to a thread after a deletion.

So, what do people think of this as an idea?

OP posts:
Coconutty · 01/08/2014 22:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
MadameDefarge · 01/08/2014 21:25

Exactly Lunchbox. So often we spend a lot of time trying to work out what the offending post was, was the attack 'justified', was the attackee being unfairly targeted etc etc.

If the attackee feels robust enough to let the post stand, but highlighted, it would be really helpful for all round. Attacker is penalised, context is maintained.

OP posts:
NotAnotherPackedLunchBox · 01/08/2014 21:22

I like the idea of leaving personal attacks where the target is happy for it to stay - as well as showing up the offender for what they are it also gives context for the responses.

Original poster
MadameDefarge · 01/08/2014 21:18

Suspending ability to namechange for repeat offenders is a terrific idea.

OP posts:
Original poster
MadameDefarge · 01/08/2014 21:17

Those are great ideas Lunchbox.

And still allowing the attacked person veto on the deletion of a personal attack with highlighted post? then people would know it had been deemed unacceptable by mnhq but allowed to stand at the request of the attacked person.

OP posts:
NotAnotherPackedLunchBox · 01/08/2014 21:15

Leaving racist and disablist comments up is unacceptable, but perhaps the offending post could be deleted and the deletion message with the posters name on it could state why it was deleted.

To improve things further the worst offenders could have their ability to namechange suspended so they can't escape their nasty posting history.

Original poster
MadameDefarge · 01/08/2014 21:13

I suppose I am thinking that if posters knew that their hateful bile would stick around for people to see, they might think twice about posting it. MNHQ would always have the option to ban the poster who repeatedly offended like this.

Maybe in the case of PAs, giving the person attacked the right of veto on whether the post is deleted or not would be good? still highlighted, but allowed cos the attacked person beleives it is better to leave it?

OP posts:
Ethelswith · 01/08/2014 21:04

I don't think this is a good idea.

It could leave hateful bile there for all to read.

You see to be assuming that people who post it would care what is thought of the username under which they did so. I don't think they will. And leaving it would turn MN into BigotsRUs as anyone could then post anything.

Original poster
MadameDefarge · 01/08/2014 20:54

hm. good point there. I can see there will always be exceptions, but on the whole...

I do think people should stand or fall on their posts.

OP posts:
mipmop · 01/08/2014 20:50

The idea of identifying people who have their comments deleted is interesting. I think some stuff should be deleted. On Property and Good Housekeeping it's not unusual for old threads to be reanimated by people plugging a company or product- sometimes it seems they reanimated every old thread they could find that has a tenuous link to whatever they want to plug. Those comments about how great company X is need to go!