Content Unjustifiably Removed by Overzealous Mods

LaughingStapler·10/15/2017, 10:36:55 PM·11 votes·852 views

I hope this won't be silenced too. That would prove a clear abuse of power and attempt to sweep under the rug. I wasn't even given the text of my post. It was not a personal attack. It was exactly as I felt and a fair assessment of the situation. In fact, the player I was responding to even ADMITTED he was being unreasonable and grossly exaggerated in order to make a point. He felt that this is how his chat was analyzed by support and so was trying to do it to the OP.

Here's the thread: https://boards.na.leagueoflegends.com/en/c/player-behavior-moderation/Q9PfXWUx-ok-riot-please-tell-me-what-on-earth-in-this-chat-log-justified-an-instant-feedback-ban-for-flaming?show=flat

Here's who I was replying to and a sample (curiously, his post appears to have been deleted too for no apparent reason because, in the end, it was just a nonsensical opinion):

> I can understand your discontent on this topic. Let me make this clear. There is a difference between being verbally abusive, and grifing/flaming. Let me bring up some other concerns with your logs. > > Slamurai Jack: 12% MS is a ton > Slamurai Jack: its a lot better than nothing > Slamurai Jack: he also has tenacity on his W > > It seems that you were bickering about PD on mundo. While I understand that the other player may have asked about it or said something like "how does mundo catch me." it is never okay to act in this manner. If someone is arguing about something like itemization, just mute them. > > Slamurai Jack: the time has passed > Slamurai Jack: the karthus twitch team is ahead > Slamurai Jack: its done > > Here it seems that you took the time out of playing the game to tell your team that they shouldn't try because the game is already over. This is a form of harassment, and giving up/telling your team to give up is uncalled for.

And here's the line that was supposedly a personal attack and prompted removal by the mod:

"You must be professionally offended. You're actually crazy as a bat. I cannot believe this was written by a human being."

I have zero regrets about that line and will never accept such absurd censorship. It actually did shock and baffle me, as it would any rational human being. Not everything someone doesn't like is a personal attack. That's exactly how I felt and still feel about anyone holding those opinions. Likewise, I am also disgusted by serial killers or child molesters. I find it repulsive that humans can treat each other that way and I won't apologize for feeling that way. I will also not apologize for the assessment in the post - which was in response to an affront on rationality. I get that mods want to be useful but this level of censorship is not necessary (nor would I ever express that phrasing if presented with a remotely coherent opinion).

21 Comments

Chermorg10/15/2017, 10:46:32 PM11 votes

As you were informed in your deletion message, your post was literally full of personal insults. Telling someone they are "crazy as a bat" for a legitimate analysis of your punishment is not okay.

Per the Universal Rules, "Harassment and insults will not be tolerated (“just playing” is NOT a catch-all excuse)."

If you'd like to discuss this in real time, you can visit us in the Moderation Discord here.

ModUlanopo10/16/2017, 12:11:27 AM6 votes

I have zero regrets about that line and will never accept such absurd censorship.

Given I was the person who removed that post, perhaps I can provide some context.

You're actually crazy as a bat.

Calling someone crazy is a personal attack. You could have found any number of other, boards-acceptable phrases to express this sentiment:

  • I'm completely baffled by this.
  • This makes zero sense.
  • Never has a statement been so devoid of reason.
  • I read this and wept for the future of humanity.

You may note the common quality among them: they attack the argument or idea, never the person. That's how the boards work.

I cannot believe this was written by a human being.

This is borderline, as it makes a statement about the qualities of the person rather than the thesis. By itself, it probably would not have been objectionable, but it should have been avoided nonetheless.

It actually did shock and baffle me, as it would any rational human being. Not everything someone doesn't like is a personal attack. That's exactly how I felt and still feel about anyone holding those opinions.

Emphasis mine.

Again, calling people irrational is unhelpful, especially when the matter is subjective, as it was in this case. "You're irrational because you don't share my opinions and perspectives" is not a viable argument.

Likewise, I am also disgusted by serial killers or child molesters.

An unworthy comparison, bordering on offensive. Those who seek to sway others would be well advised to learn better, less inflammatory, rhetoric.

Nik Nikerson10/15/2017, 10:46:22 PM4 votes

They haven't locked the thread, and they removed a post that added nothing to the discussion other than a personal attack on someone else (even if it wasn't that egregious). I'm not sure what the big deal is here.

TrulyBland10/15/2017, 10:51:08 PM3 votes

How is it anything but a personal attack?

If you feel that what they write is "an affront on rationality", how about you actually counter their point with rational arguments rather than insults?