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

...just how stupid some people are, even on this site. I mean don't get me wrong - most people here are simply excellent human beings, but some of them have truly lost - if they ever had it - the ability to form a rational argument. I've met several chickens that could out-manoeuvre some of these hysterical 'Big Brother censorship' comments...

This whole thing is an EXPERIMENT by the BBC to see how a community this size behaves, and how well it can police itself. They can't be seen to lead children to pornography or bad language in the same way that no-one can be seen to do that in a public forum. Sure, they'd love to let everyone have freedom to do and say what they want, but until the rest of the world is prepared to absolve itself of responsibility and accountability for what everyone else finds offensive, the BBC is not going to stick its head above the parapet to be shot off by the lawyers. I thought that was pretty obvious.

The upshot is that moderation only makes a difference to you if you're the kind of person that *needs* to swear or be otherwise unsociable to get the attention, respect or security you crave. It's sad, but some people can't work out how to *earn* respect, which is the only way it's ever delivered. If you have to be seen to ask for it, you've probably already forfeited it.

Yeah well I think your argument is a load of crikeyblowoffpants

*grins*

*wonders if any of that is too rude to say*

LOL! Ant, you prick the balloon of my pomposity.

*suspects that's pretty rude as well...*

One thing you have to keep in mind, Chris, is that some people (myself included) hold a deep-seated fear of all things corporate and "faceless". I am not entirely pleased that the BBC took over H2G2... the fruits of this merger are yet to be seen. I am, however, willing to be patient and see how this "experiment" turns out. I agree that some people can be exceedingly rude in coversation, both here and in other online communities, but I'm slowly learning that that is a part of *community*, unfortunately. Oh well, if it's any consolation, I still like you best.

I don't like the fact that one of my pages was turned into a BLOODY GUIDE ENTRY (pending) without my notice, but that's another matter altogether.

Well, I sincerely hope your fears are not justified. The BBC Online unit is far from faceless - you can talk directly to the people who run it, and they'll answer right back. They're nice, real people, just like they were at the original h2g2 - and they're still fighting for us.

Not all faceless companies are the same, and your patience is a tremendous virtue. It will, I am sure, be rewarded.

And it's nice to see you again, too! It's been much too long!