Thread etiquette/community disruptors

[HoneysuckIejasmine]

I wonder if there needs to be an addition to the guidelines regarding general thread etiquette?

I've recently had cause to report posters who are coming on to threads with the express purpose of disrupting discussion, relentlessly spreading misinformation and generally being an arse. Unfortunately, this isn't against talk guidelines but has a very detrimental affect on the thread.

In teaching we call this "low level disruption" - the kind of stuff that sounds ridiculous ("he was talking when I asked him not to") but when it adds up and adds up and never ends it's really very damaging.

Is there anything that can be done? I know FWR in particular have their own strategy for it, and I know Westminsterenders also have an agreed policy... But isn't the fact that posters have to take things in to their own hands a sign that there's a problem?

Is it possible to have a "time out" or to temporarily suspend people from certain threads? Or what can we do about people who stick to the letter of the guidelines but definitely not the spirit of them?

Btw I'm not talking about people disagreeing with each other - I mean a sustained campaign of being a PITA and contributing nothing valuable to the debate at hand. For example, a poster going to the Dog House and answering every thread repeatedly with how dogs are rubbish and everyone should just get a cat, no matter what the thread is actually about, no matter how often people try to keep a relevant discussion going.

Hi OP

We completely understand where you're coming from here. It's one of those things that tends to be a bit trickier. As you said, it isn't necessarily against talk guidelines.

That said, what we do in these cases is keep an eye and build up any evidence that might be needed to chat to these posters, so that we have a leg to stand on, sort of thing.

We certainly do take these reports seriously and whilst action can rarely be taken right away, we do tend to step in when the time is right.

I think there does need to be a guideline referring to keeping threads on topic

Thanks Lily, I appreciate that there is need to build up a case so should we be encouraged to report persistent disruptors so you can see the picture? I don't want to create extra work for you but it is so, so, so irritating when people are only posting in order to start a fight or derail.

@InterfectoremVulpes

I think there does need to be a guideline referring to keeping threads on topic

Yes I think that's worthwhile. Although it's open to interpretation with some of the more far reaching threads. For example Westminsterenders is in the Brexit area but actually it's about UK politics in general so would want to avoid posters being penalised for asking about the budget, for example, rather than just our ongoing relationship with Europe.

You just have to give them enough rope tbh
It gets to a point even mnhq can't ignore the batshittery

Mnhq needs to carefully think a la fb and twitter what lies and disinformation it allows to stand.

It's a tricky one. In most cases (other than where outright lies and dangerous misinformation is being peddled) I think the main posters on the thread should arrive at a consensus where the disruptive poster is simply ignored. It's difficult though, because they can be goady and irritating. I think the banhammer needs a very light touch.

I understand that this is tricky and subjective. However, a pattern that seems to stand out is when a poster continues to post on linked threads, attacking the posters rather than engaging with the discussion.

The internet is a big place. A genuine poster wouldn’t continue to post on multiple threads if they had such a low regard for the thread content.

I have an opinion on this. I’m now scared to post on the thread because 1 of our 2 disrupters jumped on to something I said, twisted it almost out of recognition and 2 threads later is still referring to it. I didn’t respond at the time because I know that’s a source of satisfaction to them, but it really is upsetting and horrible.

Zebra do think about reporting the post that twisted what you were saying (haven't seen it so can't comment on the content) so HQ can see a pretty much current example.

There is a line between me-railing/ waving to your mates onthread.

Noting a sealion/being goaded into a sharp retort is next level stuff worthy of a proper look at.

Terrible ramble, awful, hope you all get my meaning!

It's getting really annoying now. All caps tirades.