From time to time people query why a certain Post appears on this site. To me, asking this question is akin walking into a bar without knowing it is Open Mike Night and asking why everybody is laughing at something a wannabe comedian said because you also didn’t get the joke or didn’t think it was funny.
The kaupapa of this site is robust debate. You can read about this in the About section (https://thestandard.org.nz/about/) and also in the Policy section (https://thestandard.org.nz/policy/)
The various Authors of this site write on their own behalf. Nobody is paid to do so. Everything on this site is done by volunteers and some spend an awful lot of time and energy here to keep this site running as smoothly as possible.
The Authors are wedded to their Posts in various degrees. Some have rather strong views on the topic, will join in the debate and tend to actively moderate their Posts. Others not so much. What they all have in common is the comment section under their Posts. All Posts are invitations and encouragement to participate in healthy debate.
Posts on controversial and heated topics such as the Covid protest in Wellington or the situation in the Ukraine can evoke strong responses from the commentariat on this site. Especially when commenters don’t agree with the Author’s opinion or thesis or when they are surprised and confused by the contents and/or style of the Post.
When this happens commenters should not attack the Author for having written the Post in the first place or in a certain manner, but they should take the opportunity to start or join the debate.
I get particularly upset when commenters accuse an Author of being a paid shill or propagandist. Remember, this is a free forum run by volunteers who give their time freely for the greater good. I am likely to hand out an instant ban when I see someone accusing an Author here of being on a payroll to write a Post.
If you have no sense of humour then don’t visit a Comedy Club (or maybe you should). Similarly, if you have no interest in (the) debate or particular topic you should not join the debating team unless you want to come across as a heckler. Go read some of the other Posts on this free forum or join in Open Mike.
A good debater can switch teams and argue the opposite view well and convincingly enough. The key is listening and having an open but critical mind. Good literacy skills help but honesty and being genuine here are more important for robust debate in good faith. Agree to disagree, with mutual respect, if possible. As far as Moderation and banning go, we don’t ban on/for opinions, not even when controversial, but on/for behaviour and usually after plenty of warning (which can be quite time-consuming for Moderators who are also volunteers) – read the recent Post on Moderation (https://thestandard.org.nz/some-notes-on-moderation/)
Happy commenting and be grateful that you live in a place where you can do this freely! Never take these freedoms, rights & privileges for granted and never ever abuse them for your own selfish gain!
*This Post is entirely my own personal opinion and assumptions are all mine too.
Powered by WPtouch Mobile Suite for WordPress