Things that need to be said and heard - Part 2

[MOD]Polleus
[MOD]Polleus
in CrossFire Barracks
Going to dive in to a couple more delicate subjects for this part of the series. I respectfully ask, once again, that if you can not contribute to the discussion/debate in a healthy manner that would encourage the life of this thread rather than destroy it, please do not even post. These are observations and topics I feel should be addressed, discussed, learned, and applied. Enjoy.

I. Freedom of Speech: I have the right to say what I want, where I want

United States Constitution Amendment I
  • Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Article 19 of the UN declaration of Human Rights
  • Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
  • Freedom of Speech, as I understand it, applies to restrictions that the government is able to impose. This does not apply to private property, which includes web sites that an individual, or a organization may possess and operate. For example, if someone is protesting and holds up a sign that states a belief or opinion that you don't personally agree with, and they're on a public street, you can't do anything about it. However, if that same person later breaks into your home and gets "in your face" about it, then you can remove that person from your home. The reason is that he is then on your private property. This still holds true even in the case of areas that are open to the public, even if they are in fact private. A web site is similar. What that law means is that if you don't like the content of a particular web site, or if you don't like the message of a particular individual, then too bad. It's their right to promote that message, using their resources. What it does not mean, is that an individual has the right to simply come into the community and act in a manner that the administrators of Z8Games don't like.
  • Freedom of speech means you have the absolute right to voice your opinion, but you have to do it in a way that doesn't violate anyone else's rights, and more importantly for this website, it has to be done in a way which conforms to their forum rules. You must understand that although the constitution of the United States of America and the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights guarantees freedom of public speech for citizens of their states and countries, this website is not a US state, nor a UN country. The behaviors and activities of members of Z8Games are governed by the established rules and Terms Of Service agreement.
  • The GM’s and Moderators have every absolute right to control the content of these forums, in whatever way they deem necessary as per the guidelines laid forth. We are in their world. We must conform to their rules and policies. No ands, ifs, or buts.

II. Let the Moderators do the moderating
  • I have in fact been guilty of this on more than one occasion. I try to catch myself when I can, but do not always succeed. Moderator instruction is the exclusive domain of forum staff. Posing as or impersonating staff is not really encouraged. We are to participate in and enjoy the forum as members. It's for a good reason citizens aren't all given police badges, guns and the right to arrest each other.
  • Members have no business with each others' violations. These are matters specifically between forum staff and the members. The usual logic is that letting members act like Moderators creates a lot of bad blood between members, therefore promoting a very unfriendly atmosphere.
  • Let's try to think about this one, all of us. As I said in the beginning, I am guilty of this one as many others are as well. The GM's and Moderators are there for a reason. Let them do their jobs. I am not discouraging people from helping out, but leave the Moderation actions to those who have been given the responsibility to do so.

Enjoy. Discuss. Debate. Keep it clean. Keep it polite. I'd like this one to stay open as well :)
Flag · Disagree Agree Like Vote Up Awesome LOL
«1

Comments

Categories