Should the ignore feature be eliminated?

[mongo]

[Burma Jones]

1. I have two people on ignore

and it ain't because of their ideas....

[mongo]

2. Ok, then why?

Because I know a few people who do have me on ignore because of my views on certain subjects.

There is also a movement in a certain forum for the clique with the "correct" viewpoints to systematically put people on ignore they do not agree with.

[Burma Jones]

4. One because of name calling

One because they put me on ignore......

[maveric]

57. Just ignore there posts. Like when you dont like a show on TV...

just change the channel.

[Orsino]

62. Hence "ignore."

Great feature, though I have never used it.

[unhappycamper]

3. The ignore feature helps keep my foot out of my mouth. I'd vote

twice if you'ld let me..........

[Just Me]

5. No. I'm wondering,...has the hide feature been eliminated?

I hit "hide" about a dozen times on a couple of posts that pissed me off,...and they just kept popping back up,...which also pissed me off.

[DrDebug]

13. We are at level 1

The features that are turned off at Level 1 are the following:

* Advanced search
* Hide thread feature
* Signature lines

During the inauguration I saw this site hit level 4. That was so funny. There was nothing left but the name and the post and that was all :rofl:

The idea is that some things are disabled to save processor time if there is a lot of traffic.

[Walt Starr]

6. I think it should be enhanced

My proposal:

If you have somebody on ignore, they cannot post in any thread in which you were the original poster.

[mongo]

10. Hmmm....

I would think this would be used as a tactic to control the debate.

[Walt Starr]

12. I think it would lead to higher degrees of civility on DU

Seriously, it would empower every last DUer to have the capability of "banning" specific people from their threads.

The result would be a bit chaotic to begin with, but would mellow with time. Obvious trolls would be unable to post anywhere. Those who use it to spite others would end up being ignored themselves, thus reserving it for use in extreme situations.

[Just Me]

18. I agree, Walt.

At minimum, I wish the "ignored" would just be disappeared from my sight.

Your suggestion would make an excellent experiment.

[hfojvt]

28. why are some people on ignore?

what if you put me on ignore (or maybe I should say this the other way around) - What if I put you on ignore because you have the nasty habit of refuting my ignorant, bigoted, simplistic, hyperbolic rants? If I can keep people out of my threads who might set me straight, that allows foolishness to go unchallenged. Or do we not have any of that on this board?

I am puzzled because I have never even been tempted to put somebody on ignore, although sometimes I have to refrain myself from responding in kind to personal attacks.

[Walt Starr]

31. If you put somebody in ignore who consistently presents decent arguments

you would end up dissacociating yourself from more than just that person as others would learn of the fact that you have that person on ignore.

Peer pressure would force you to remove the person from ignore or end up with nobody posting in your threads and you being unable to post in other threads.

Basically, if you put somebody on ignore, my enhancement forces you to allow that person to know you have put them on ignore.

[ComerPerro]

41. Yeah, but Walt, wouldn't that just lead to "calling out" threads

Where people go into the lounge, and say "______ has me on ignore and I can't post in their thread about ________"

Wouldn't that divide the site and detract from discussion?

[Walt Starr]

64. Calling out is against the rules

It would lead to PMs about being put on ignore, but the calling out threads would still be against the rules.

[cestpaspossible]

45. I don't see how anyone is going to be able to tell who you have on ignore

just by the fact that they don't post in your thread? Maybe they're just not interested, or went fishing or something.

[Walt Starr]

65. Go back to my suggested enhancement

If I put you on ignore, you cannot post in a thread I start.

So, I post a thread you want to respond to and BAM, you are not allowed to post because I have you on ignore.

Now you know I have you on ignore.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

27. Wow! Are you sure you're a democrat?

I didn't think silencing voices of dissent was one of our goals.

Just like anything else in life... If you don't like someone, don't hang out with them, if you don't want to see something on TV, turn the channel. If you don't like what someone posts, then ignore them. But stop them from speaking? Would you feel different if you were the one who was not allowed to voice your opinion?

[Misunderestimator]

51. That'd be nice, but I'm sure people would abuse the heck outta that idea.

Can you imagine? Trolls coming in here and ignoring anyone who appears to be posting, so that they can prevent any discourse, then posting flamebait after flamebait? Or drama queens gossiping about or slandering someone they're ignoring who can't defend themselves in the thread. Definite potential for that here lately. :)

[sweetheart]

7. Ignore thread is a godsend

I've been ignoring every thread with "andy" in the title after donating
twice to the cause... i don't want to know. It should not be a public
discussion. It should be in private. That is my arrogant opinion,
because there is a trace of ill-will in public that does not belong
in someone's private medical concerns.

It's been quite a bit of work hiding all these threads, cropping up
like crabgrass.... and geez, for all those folks who gots me on ignore
well, what would they do without that! :-)

Frankly, mate, this thread is bordering on moderator "lock" for
discussing how DU is moderated... best of luck... cheers!

[uppityperson]

8. I have had 2 people on ignore, now both ts'd

It was too confusing trying to figure out what people were responding to, so took them off. Now they are both gone. Now I just ignore them on my own, put them on my buddy list, and check back to see if they're gone.

The 2 I had ignored were disruptors on purpose. "oh yeah!" "well back to you you ^*$^*!@#" sorts.

[mongo]

11. Isn't name calling and personal attacks what the alert function is for?

[uppityperson]

32. Yes, but it doesn't always seem to do much

So I put them on "ignore" and then they went away. Moderators do what they can, but what I take as a personal attack may take low priority at the moment.

[Misunderestimator]

60. Yep... sometimes it can take hours to have a resolution of an alert.

[geniph]

9. I'm one of the people who originally begged for it

so, no. ;-) I don't use it to screen out those with opposing viewpoints, I use it to screen out the equivalent of howler monkeys flinging feces. There's posters that come on here with no better intentions nor results than if they were simply throwing crap at the wall. The type of people who piss you off at the mere sight of their username, because you know all they'll do is argue the same idiotic childish line of BS, no matter what facts are presented to them - and they do it in myriad threads. The people who turn every possible thread into some kind of juvenile, out-behind-the-woodshed, nudge-nudge-wink-wink misogynistic horsecrap. The people who are obvious disruptors. Those all go in my killfile.

I don't come here to have my blood pressure raised and I don't come here to read the uninformed opinions of emotionally stunted 12-year-olds. If you don't think there's some of those posting here, you haven't been reading the same threads that I have. DU's a more civilized place without the shrill voices screeching PILE OF POO! PILE OF POO! in the background.

[mongo]

15. Yes, there are some idiots on DU

but I prefer to call them on it than ignore them.

[shanti]

47. well

some of us are not as confrontational. i love the ignore feature and it's fun to check the list out periodically to see who's been tombstoned. i'm getting good at it too!;-)

[Misunderestimator]

52. I prefer to call them on it until my patience runs out...

then ignore them, especially if it's wasting too much of my energy to keep responding. Some people have a knack for finding and pushing buttons and then resorting to childish non-answers when debating. That's hardly worth any time, right? People do that to me in life, I walk away from them. I ignore them. I do it here too.

[Kurovski]

16. geniph can't see this post.

But :hi: everybody!

[geniph]

24. Actually, I think my ignore list is empty right now

but there have been occasions when it was very long indeed. ;-)

[shanti]

54. i clean it out

every so often too....

[maveric]

14. "Ignore is for elitist snobs who have no respect for the opinions of

those who may have posted something that may have annoyed them or that they may have disagreed with.
Its censorship and bookburning IMO!

[hughee99]

22. I disagree...

Although I do not "ignore" anyone, the ignore feature is not censorship. Censorship is when group/person A tells group/person B what they can and can't see or read, like if someone came to your house and removed all the books and blocked all the channels that they found objectionable. To use "ignore" for your own personal use is not censorship, it's the same as not choosing to go to Rush Limpballs website, or read Jackass O'Reilly's next book. It's a personal choice that only impacts you, and you can change your mind at any time. I support the feature not because I find any use for it, but because I think others can use this effectively to improve their DU experience, and it doesn't impact those who don't want it. JMHO anyway.

[geniph]

25. It would be censorship if I were telling people they couldn't say it

not if I chose not to listen to it. Is it censorship if I choose not to listen to Rush? Hardly. He's on my "ignore" list too; it's just a less effective ignore than the one here.

I wish to god I could put * and all his minions on TV ignore, so the TV would skip over their ignorant smirking faces every time they were on.

[mongo]

30. I guess that's the difference

I always listen to snippets of RW hate radio when I'm in the car during the day. Since they all talk about the same thing - I get a good feel about what is being said in 20 mins of errands.

It drives my wife crazy...She lets me listen to Glenn Beck on the drive in to work. But keeps me away from fox news (or Scarbourgh) at night.

The only one of them that ever gets under my skin is Hannity, because I know what a huge following he has - and his perception of being such a "nice guy" - and resonable. He is much better at propaganda than even the pompous Rush.

Too me it's irratainment. I guess I like being irritated. And I always want to know who/what they are gunning for this week.

[Misunderestimator]

53. It's also to prevent people from harrassing you in PMs... one of the

reasons I've used it. He was tombstoned later, so very glad I didn't waste any thought on that.

And it's a good idea sometimes to take a step back and ignore someone who is punching buttons but offering no constructive discourse. For me, those are sometimes only temporary ignores, but they are useful.

[Zomby Woof]

17. I love opposing viewpoints

I have NEVER used ignore for that reason. I suspect the reasons people use it as are varied as DUers themselves. :-)

[Goldmund]

19. Same here, on all counts.

[blondeatlast]

34. You said it perfectly. nt

[Misunderestimator]

56. I love opposing viewpoints, but I don't like harrassing PMs or

posters who intentionally push buttons and offer no viewpoints at all. (On edit, to be clear... Not you buddy... :))

So... I don't use it often, but if I'm about at the end of my exasperation rope and about to get myself banned because of what I might say... I ignore.

[Zomby Woof]

68. I would agree!

When I say "opposing viewpoints", I mean those still presented with clarity, logic, and insight, without a whiff of disrespect or assholery. :D

I wouldn't think you are talking about me. I don't recall ever sending you a PM, and I certainly wouldn't be cowardly enough to abuse it that way. And if there is one thing I DO, it's offer my viewpoint. :spank: :-)

[Misunderestimator]

69. One of the things I respect most about you, Zombywoof!

:)

[Gemini Cat]

20. No!!!

Having the ignore feature keeps my blood pressure down. I've not put many on, but those that I have have generally been trolls and were eventually banned anyway. Some sooner than later.
I've not put anyone on ignore if there's a minor disagreement.

[lukasahero]

21. Assuming you are talking about the discussion on the Women's Issues forum

The "clique" consists of one person making a suggestion. One of the other "regulars" who were asked to use the ignore feature has noted that she will not do so. No one else has chimed in.

My own take? I will argue with people for a certain amount of time and then just let it go. I don't need the ignore function for that.

[mongo]

26. As per DU rules, I really can not say...

but I'd like the opportunity to counter bad information, discuss the methodology of flawed studies (mostly from RW sources), etc. when I get the chance.

It really doesn't matter, I guess. I'll keep posting and other people will see what I wrote and at least they will get two sides to the argument.

[Book Lover]

23. God no

Ignore is what keeps me from flaming certain folks and getting banned. Not everyone has self-control...

[KansDem]

29. How do you know if you're on someone's "ignore list?"

Some posters here claim that they're on an ignore list. How do they know? If we knew we were on xyz ignore lists, we might use that knowledge to improve our behavior...

[KansDem]

35. Hello?

??
:(

on edit: For a moment there, I thought I had answered my own question!

[Misunderestimator]

58. I think you can only know by attempting to send them a PM...

it will be refused from you if you are ignored.

[mongo]

37. I personally know because of other posts from these people

where they have said they put that "disrupter" who said XYZ in the abc thread on ignore.

If I said XYZ in the ABC thread, I'm pretty sure it's me.

[KansDem]

38. I figured that was one way...

Seems like a roundabout way, though...

[blondeatlast]

33. No, even though I don't personally use it. nt

[SmokingJacket]

36. I voted yes, but...

actually, I don't have an opinion.

I have never put anyone on ignore, have never ignored a thread, nor felt any need to.

But if someone's ignoring me -- I'd like to know about it! How irritating to never get a response from someone and not know why!

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

39. Depends on how you define "objectionable"

I don't block the posts of people I strongly disagree with, though I will often hide threads they start.

The members I ignore are invariably spammers who post like they've lost control of their fingertips as well as their reason. They clutter the board with redundant, half-baked thoughts, most of which could have been posted within related threads instead of whole new ones whose subject lines bristle with caps, exclamation points and profanities - but where's the glory in that, eh?

Of the members I have put on ignore for this reason, all but one have been T/S'ed as disruptors...and I still hold out hope for the one.

[cestpaspossible]

40. It's not for ignoring people whose opinions I don't respect.

It's for ignoring people who don't respect mine.

[Ladyhawk]

42. If the ignore feature goes, I go.

I don't have many people on ignore, but the ones who are on ignore absolutely deserve it, in my book. I don't mind hearing differing viewpoints, but there are those on DU who come to the edge of flaunting the rules and get away with it. Every person on my list has insulted me or someone else personally in some way. One person kept trying to sell some kind of magical cure-all for everything. Another kept telling me to "get over" some of the hurts I've been through. Um, I'm getting over them, but I'm going about it my way and in my own time, so STFU. And interestingly, I've noticed that when the "ignored" pop up in my threads, they often become "name removed" shortly thereafter. I've also noticed that the people on my "ignore" list have sometimes been tombstoned, even after thousands of posts. I'm developing a good gut feeling for people.

As a sensitive person, I have the right to decide who is and who is not good for my personal growth. Different viewpoints, fine; name-calling and childish behavior, not fine. My choice.

[mongo]

46. Good point

I guess that is one thing I didn't consider. A lot of folks post personal issues/problems for general brainstorming/suggestions and then get hassled.

I was mostly thinking about more issue oriented posts. But you are absolutely right - there is no reason for you to have to put up with rude people when you are discussing a personal issue.

[Misunderestimator]

59. Well said, Ladyhawk...

:hi:

[MisterP]

43. not only no but hell no!

it's like an abortion: don't want one, don't have one!

[LoZoccolo]

44. No way. It helps you reclaim your time.

Without it, reclaiming your time might very well involve quitting DU.

The people who have you on ignore probably won't listen to you or admit they were wrong anyways, plus if they could see what you write they could send you on a wild goose chase trying to argue with them.

I had over 180 people on ignore once.

[bertha katzenengel]

48. No. It's a big help to those of us who can't help themselves. eom

[Mutley]

49. is there a way to know if you've been put on ignore?

[LeftyMom]

50. My experience with the ignore button.

I don't go nuts with it, but I think ignore is a useflu and positive thing.

Months ago one poster was annoying the shit out of me by launching into the same woe is me I'm oppressed pity party on every thread vaugely related to thier pet issue. Since I couldn't reach through the phone line and slap this person, and had no desire to get my still fairly new self TSed by telling said person what I thought of thier victimization routine, I hit the ignore button.

A few weeks later, I decided to clear this person from ignore, thinking perhaps I had over-reacted because nobody could be that annoying. I was wrong, and within minutes I put that one person on ignore again, where they've remained.

With ignore, both this person and I can enjoy DU, whoever wants to read our posts can, and I stay off blood pressure meds. Everybody wins.

I've also used ignore while waiting for pizza delivery, but that's a short-term solution when the mods are busy, and I only have to bother during board invasions.

[Bouncy Ball]

55. NO! Hell, I think people should use it more often.

I don't have anyone on it now (I don't think!), but I have in the past. If I use it, it is usually a temporary thing, as in someone who is temporarily annoying the shit out of me and I mean they have to be REALLY annoying the shit out of me to land on it.

BUT, I know a lot of DUers who forget about the ignore option and probably really should use it. It should NOT be gotten rid of, no!

[NorthernSpy]

61. I've never put anyone on ignore...

It's pretty easy for me to choose not to take the bait if I don't wish to.

But for those who find this feature useful, it might as well remain.

[last_texas_dem]

63. I wouldn't mind, for me personally

I have yet to use it.

However, it seems to work for many, and if it serves its function for them I guess it's worth keeping.

[RevolutionaryActs]

66. In a word, no.

[El Fuego]

67. If I ignore your post, is it some kind of zen paradox?