Jackson Heights Life

So just for Clarity sake...

Would the thread started on Dec. 26th  Homeless Indian man at 73rd St, 37th Ave entrance to subway have been subject to the new rule ? And should it be removed ? 

If you read the book pay special attention to their control of free speech.

Avela, it is my sad duty to inform you that you have committed reductio ad Hitlerum, a logical fallacy.

The offending dialog:

Read about the rise to power of Nazi Germany. One good book is "The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich".

As per the procedures set forth in Godwin's law, which is a de facto law of internet discourse, this discussion is hereby concluded and you have lost the argument.

Godwin's law as per the Jargon File:

“As a Usenet discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches one.” There is a tradition in many groups that, once this occurs, that thread is over, and whoever mentioned the Nazis has automatically lost whatever argument was in progress.

Would the photo of Hitler in khakis posted in "The Last Word" thread apply to this form of thought?

We'll have to get Michael B to explain this one for us.

so the fastest way to kill a conversation is to bring Hitler into it. very interesting. who is this Godwin guy?

Hi, I agree that community building in an online forum inevitably requires editorial control. 

     In order to accurately reflect and foster the community's culture (the fundamental interests that bond the community), minimal content control is key.  At the same time, the moderator's role is essential in protecting the community's interest by flagging content that either (1) offends the majority of the community's mores, or (2) could foreseeably threaten the safety of its members.

INTEGRITY

     That said, I think that the real issue here lies not in editorial control per se, but rather in the integrity of the community.  Some communities are perfectly comfortable with the type of conduct that can be characterized as gossip, exclusivity, embarrassment, chastising, and ridiculing, whether or not the victim of such conduct is aware of what is being said or whether he or she has been given the opportunity to respond.  These features of humanity are found everywhere, and as awkward as it is to face, I would find it difficult to believe that anyone can truly 'throw stones' here with regards to that conduct.  We've all had days where saying something awful about someone, or in some way wearing at someone's dignity or reputation, has been the best cure for a bad mood.

     Additionally, some communities are also perfectly comfortable with the conduct described above, whether or not it is done privately at a dinner table of like-minded individuals, or publicly in an online forum.  I think this is in big part why moderating online content proves challenging.  Given that online communities with password-protected content fall somewhere between public 
forums and private dinner parties, it is hard to say what elements of a community, such as this website, are perceived as deviating from the community's interest and therefore subject to censorship.

     I realize that yet a grayer area here is whether a community generally believes that pointing out where a particular person generally hangs out, homeless or not, is harmless or embarrassing to that person.  And whether such conduct is sufficiently deviant to warrant censorship in this particular online community.

MY VOTE

     Personally, I am hoping to find this blog to embody a relatively high degree of integrity.  I'd like for guests to view the content and perceive this community as a mindful and dignified one where people can exchange interesting ideas, announce and review neighborhood events, offer helpful tips, and recommend the very best that Jackson Heights has to offer.  If the emerging flavor of the blog is neighborhood gossip - where people hang out, who wore what, etc., - I'd probably be turned off by it and not want to be associated with it.  I also wouldn't recommend the blog to any nice people I meet who is new to the neighborhood.

     To be clear, I have nothing against people expressing personal opinions.  In fact, I think it is an essential factor in community building.  I do see it as taking the low road however when actual names and identities are revealed in order to express such views. (e.g., the difference between saying "I can't stand loud and obnoxious people" versus "Beware Ms. X - that loud and obnoxious individual that without fail can be seen at X shop every day at X:XX p.m.")

     I'm not saying the way I think is the way this blog community should think.  I'm just saying that (1) every community has its standards, (2) editorial control is inevitable in a community building setting, and (3) I hope that Jackson Heights Life can foster a community that takes the high road.  If the prevailing culture ultimately ends up being the JH online version of Jerry Springer, then I'm sure another blog can serve me better.  But I would be sad about that, and embarrassed to be a JH resident.

DISCLAIMER

     I have read neither "Classic Characters" nor "Skid Row."  I only stumbled upon this thread and wished to offer my opinion on the topic of speech, privacy, and online communities.