"Ignore user" button

It all sounds a bit IRC to me - you'll be wanting a [SLAP] button next

To tell the truth, I'm against ignoring users in principle.  I believe very strongly in the free exchange of ideas, and discussing things out with those whom we find disagreement with.  Using that ignore-button is a kind of self-imposed censorship.  Too often people ignore others because what they have to say makes them uncomfortable.  It is one's right to ignore, but that doesn't make ignoring right in my opinion.

Having been involved with message boards for six years, I'm happy to say that I've never comes across someone I felt that I needed to ignore.  I think the problem tends to lie more with the ignorer more than the ignoree and ignoring can make one an ignoramus.

Having one's perceptions challenged is a good thing; taking things too personally is a bad thing in my opinion.  I'm far more likely to laugh at someone's board antics than cry or feel anger about them  (or I may pity them which is rather depressing).  Words; just words I tend to think, though there are real people with real problems on the other side of the looking-glass which should not be forgotten either.

Besides, I'd rather know if someone is criticising me or my posts (in fact, I'd rather they say it outright than keep their mouths shut -- I might learn something valuable if open to the critique).  Some are even bothered by those who they feel are disrespectful of their musical tastes, which is an attitude that is quite alien to my way of thinking.  

Ah, but we all have our own philosophical views/ ideologies and ways of living our lives.  If ignoring people is good for one's mental well-being, who am I to say it's wrong?  Good to follow one's bliss as long as it is not harmful to others.  If ignorance is one's bliss, then blissful ignorance may be best (but the truth will out, as it's said -- hard to live one's life in a shell...).  I have a sudden urge to hear Supertramp's "Hide in your Shell".

PS... Sorry for being a bit over-the-top and dramatic.


Edited by Logan - August 22 2007 at 18:40

darqdean wrote: Logan wrote: To tell the truth, I'm against ignoring users in principle.  I believe very strongly in the free exchange of ideas, and discussing things out with those whom we find disagreement with.  Using that ignore-button is a kind of self-imposed censorship.  Too often people ignore others because what they have to say makes them uncomfortable.  It is one's right to ignore, but that doesn't make ignoring right in my opinion. Having been involved with message boards for six years, I'm happy to say that I've never comes across someone I felt that I needed to ignore.  I think the problem tends to lie more with the ignorer more than the ignoree and ignoring can make one an ignoramus. Having one's perceptions challenged is a good thing; taking things too personally is a bad thing in my opinion.  I'm far more likely to laugh at someone's board antics than cry or feel anger about them  (or I may pity them which is rather depressing).  Words; just words. Besides, I'd rather know if someone is criticising me or my posts (in fact, I'd rather they say it outright than keep their mouths shut -- I might learn something valuable if open to the critique).  Some are even bothered by those who they feel are disrespectful of their musical tastes, which is an attitude that is quite alien to my way of thinking.   Ah, but we all have our own philosophical views/ ideologies and ways of living our lives.  If ignoring people is good for one's mental well-being, who am I to say it's wrong?  Good to follow one's bliss as long as it is not harmful to others. I agree wholeheartedly. There should be a [THINK] button that forces a poster to think before issuing a knee-jerk reply to certain posts - often the original post wasn't that inflamatory, but the reply made it worse.

Well said; absolutely. 

Incidentally those little misunderstandings of intent are often resolved (when someone responds before thinking things through), but sometimes misunderstanding are perpetuated by a person's pride which can cloud judgment (people go on the defensive or offensive, and anger clouds judgment).  Before criticising someone, one should always read a post several times (sometimes there are multiple ways to read it -- I tend to choose the more positive way when possible).

Something to remember is that everyone has a bad day, and sometimes we make apparently abusive posts unintentionally... Sometimes our intent/meaning is misconstrued (not clear enough) which leads to unpleasantness -- it's because of this that I believe that people should generally try to apply the "principle of charity" when responding.

I've often found the worst posts to be reactions to perceived bad posts.  But really, I'd rather just not make that big a deal out of it (care much) even if it was meant to be cruel.  It's easy enough not to respond back if one chooses, but it can be entertaining.

Think first; abuse later!