Goodbye OTB

 

Don’t be a Troll

A reminder (and a warning).

Steven L. Taylor · Thursday, November 7, 2024 · 

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I will be blunt: I am tired of certain commenters who feel the need to insult rather than argue. I would name them here, but I get the impression that that would make them happy. Despite their protestations about the uselessness of the authors of this site, they clearly want us to pay attention to them.

Here’s the deal: we do this for free. It is an outlet and a hobby. It serves certain needs and uses, but there is nothing that requires this place to exist. We don’t need to have comment sections, nor is there any requirement to engage.

I engage because I enjoy it. And, yes, I actually think I have something to say. I know no one has to read it, let another engage me over it. I can live with the fact that comments can sometimes be annoying. I am self-aware enough to know that I, too, can be annoying.

This post is not about annoying.

I have no problem with disagreement.

I would honestly welcome a useful debate from a different perspective.

I understand that locking metaphorical horns with someone who disagrees with you can be cathartic.

BUT.

I do not enjoy sneering complaints and insults.

I see no need to constantly deal with people who can’t even be bothered to engage with the contents of the post.

I have tried to be patient.

I have tried, in some cases to point out that engagement is not happening.

In some cases over the years I have actively tried to help such people learn to engage.

I would note, as I have in the past, commenters are guests. I am not asking for deference, but I am at the end of putting up with rudeness and the derailing of conversation. Life is short and my time is valuable, at least to me.

SO.

Starting right now I will delete any comment that is rude or simply oppositional for the point of being oppositional.

Anything deemed derailing will be gone. Anything that hints of insult will be trashed.

And soon, commenters who can’t act like adults will be banned.

We provide a free and open space for anyone who can behave.

So. Behave.