I’ll be posting some ideas in the thread
Ideas and resources for people practicing and promoting better online behavior?, in response to discussions in the thread
Important Questionnaire #8: Reporting Rules Violations. In this thread I’ll be putting my ideas about behavior issues in a larger context of what I’m aiming for.
I might have interests opposed to the interests of most or all of the people complaining about other people’s behavior or violations of forum rules. For example when people only complain about the behavior of their adversaries across some religious or political divide, I have some interests opposed to theirs. When people are only concerned about losing members, I have some interests opposed to theirs. When people’s ideas revolve around changes in the rules or in staff actions and policies, I have some interests opposed to theirs. When people think it’s okay to disparage a person’s character or capacities or to vilify their motives and intentions in public discussions, I have some interests opposed to theirs. When people’s concerns revolve around.protecting themselves or some groups or categories of people from feeling hurt or offended, I have some interests opposed to theirs.
I’m imagining Internet discussions becoming more friendly and fun for every person reading and posting, and more beneficial to them and to all people everywhere. I’m imaging community life in online neighborhoods becoming healthier, happier and more loving for every person reading and posting in them. I’m thinking of all that as an end in itself, and not as a way to keep people coming back, or to benefit me and people that I like or want to protect.
I’m thinking that people will be learning more and more to value all people everywhere and care what happens to them, including when they’re reading and posting in Internet discussions. I’m thinking that people will be learning more and more not to think of themselves and other people in terms of religious and political identities and categories, in their interactions with people.