h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi Alex
Is there a thread where we can discuss this possible science project?

Is it worth advertising for people who work or have qualifications or an interest, to become a panel of experts who can answer questions? I hope it is okay that I would have to consult some of my old textbooks maybe, I have forgotten so much!

Yeah HonestIago. Why not. We'll need help setting it up.

Alex.

Mr Dreadfull I really dont think that is a fir summary of the situation as it simply does not in any way take into account how this started.

If preceding your explanation of:-

"Basically what happens is Apple posts an opinion about something (and is perfectly within her rights to do so), instead of asking Apple to justify/clarify her posting the others shoot her down in flames and call her stupid. And then, rather than attempting to justify/clarify her posts, Apple then does a 'woe is me' act which is then shot down in flames. Ad nauseum."

It should have been proceeded with

"This started because the researchers who end up shooting Apple down in flames grew to acutly dislike her over a period of time due to her woefull behavior. This included call a black researcher a "w*gger" as an insult. Issueing a death threat against him, then saying it was serious. Repeatedly posting racist anti american insults, and homophobic rants."

Then it is fair. I dont doub that your summary is a fair summation of what has been happening for the last six months or so but it is clearly *HALF* the story and thus in no way a fair summary.

<>

Your carefully biased and slanted version of events! You know the real story about both the first two 'incidents' but of course, the real story isn't dramatic enough. As for anti-American, give me a break! Anti-Bush, yes, anti-American, rubbish, but you know that as well.

Homophobic, well you say so!

Hey guys...

Any chance of keeping Della Wars stuff in the della Wars thread?

Alex.

I posted at the time of the w*gger comment, that it started in US colleges and was initially used as a term of endearment. It was not initially used as an insult. I do not know how the term is used now though, maybe that has changed. At the time of Apple using that phrase the bbc did a news story on it, asking whether it was racist, they concluded that it wasn't then.

I posted this back then and it was ignored, so I expect either to be ignored again or perhaps flamed this time.

I am sorry if the phrase is now used as a racist term and this upsets people, but it wasn't being used as an insult back then, in real life that is where the phrase originated, not h2g2.

Sorry I didn't even realise that had changed the subject, hope its back now.

No worries Kaz.

"has views and beliefs which are not EXACTLY THE SAME AS EVERYBODY ELSES!!!!!!"

I don't think this is the reason for the response Adelaide gets. At all. As has been pointed out before, the threads these take place on are debate threads. We don't go there to sit and agree with each other. There is a bit of a concentration of Lefty Liberal Scum (R), but there's certainly no consensus nor any alliances going on. If you get pounced on by a lot of people then the chances are you've just said something really unpopular or really stupid.

The response Adelaide gets is for:
1) Downright offensive opinions. Such as aforementioned homophobia.
2) Debating style. Such as getting really defensive about debating points.
3) Lies and misrepresentation of other people's viewpoints.

I will agree that sometimes she gets jumped on for no reason simply because people are expecting it on the basis of previous behaviour, or are just plain looking for it. Generally I don't think there's been a lot of bullying going on. As I've said, I certainly don't think there are any gangs.

On a separate train of thought. To those who don't like the serious style of debate in The Forum, why would you go on the threads there?

Oops, I was a little while writing that one and some others, so I missed your request, sorry Alex.

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As I said in my previous post I haven't seen any evidence of this behaviour.

remember that any one of you have possibilities express your opinion. each of you know that you are on website with restriction, not because they want to be enforcers, but they need have rules, because the organisation they are. I think that h2g2 changed considerably since I joined. one is from active moderation to self moderation.

I know Hoo from some good postings and some "teasing habits" posting which are on the edges of the rules. I have not read any lately, but from reading this thread he did not stop his "teasing habits".

in my opinion this is realy getting old. it is time find a new egde to get h2g2 forward to more freedom.

"do not let cow catch the rabbit, but keep the rabbit on the loose. it keeps cow busy!"

How about if I start a thread in my journal for now about the Science project?

Or can anyone suggest another place?

Alex.

Sounds good to me Alex

Thank you to everyone for your varying explanations of the Della War. Sorry if I kicked off something that could have been avoided there. I wasn't aware that the protagonists were around. I thought it was something that had happened a long time ago and was all done and dusted, like the Somme.

I'm now off to put a box on my head so I never mention it again.

yaay, pheloxi*


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Just wanted to clarify that the Eds *did* give warning to those involved, here:

F135418?thread=524287&skip=2200&show=20


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Yalson, I too don't think you got a very good explanation of the D wars. If you want to ask further questions try this thread: F19585?thread=606523&skip=0&show=20

(you don't have to read the backlog necessarily, but it'd be fine to ask for clarification if you need it).

Science project: http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/brunel/F1931511?thread=646259&post=7077959#p7077959 there you go Alex.

Yesterday, after numerous warnings both onsite and in personal emails, we reluctantly had to impose restrictions on the accounts of a number of h2g2 Community members. As there seems to be some confusion as to why we took this cause of action, we thought that you might appreciate a little clarification.

Far from doing 'nothing' during this 'war', we have in fact posted warnings that this would happen in conversations across the site for months now. Indeed individual members of the h2g2 team have tried unsuccessfully to steer conversations away from flaming, and in a few instances suggested that premoderation might be a solution. As a consequence we feel that sufficient warnings were given to all participants before we took further action. Additionally, both automated and personal emails have been sent to many h2g2 contributors warning against posting in anger and recommending that using the complaints system is the best way of avoiding a change in the moderation status of individual accounts. Despite these urgings, certain individuals chose to both continue their course of flaming and send abusive emails to the h2g2 team.

In the instance of the flame war, we decided that, as previously stated, premoderation would be the best course of action. However, the moderation history of one of the individuals involved was such that the time for premoderation had already passed. That individual had also posted intentions to disrupt the running of the site and flood the moderators with complaints if pre-moderation was imposed upon that account. With such a clear and decisive threat to the safety of h2g2, we had no alternative but to resort to a stronger penalty. This is in accordance with BBC policy and if truth be told has been a long time coming.

There is only so much abuse we will tolerate before the position becomes untenable. We are disappointed that the individuals concerned have reacted as if this decision came out of the blue. Considering the sheer volume of warnings issued and the abuse we've suffered from both sides during this 'war', we feel we've been more than tolerant. Perhaps too much, if last night's barrage of emails is anything to go by.

As we stated in yesterday's announcement, we would once again ask all members of the h2g2 community to take heed of the House Rules regarding anti-social behaviour, if for no other reason than it takes up valuable time to deal with these wars, time that we feel would be better spent on improving the site and creating new features, such as h2g2 Mobile.

We sincerely hope we can consider this matter closed. People who don't get on with each other should avoid posting in the same threads. We do not wish h2g2 to lose its very lenient approach to transgressions, and will take whatever steps we feel are appropriate to protect the freedoms we already have.

Regards,

The h2g2 Editors

From someone who has lost his temper on occasion on this site may I say *Well done and well explained*.

Kea I still think they should have added what the or else was, and made it time specific.

A

"Cut it out now, or any further posts from this point will result in an instant one month ban" would have been more effective.