This is basically a response to Ray Pensador's recent diary, The Daily Kos "Rec" Police which triggered lots of discussion. The diary addresses the perceived problem of
a very small group of users here at Daily Kos creating havoc in multiple diaries. With the pretext of "protecting the reputation of the site" they are bullying people that write diaries they happen to disagree with. They engage in very personal insults, mockery, thread-jacking and logical fallacies, instantly turning comment threads into pie fights.
The diary also references established DK community guidelines, and states that
Being able to share a wide range of views and ideas about important topics, especially in times of crises, adds to the intellectual heft and usefulness of the site.
I ask that commenters practice civility and respect, and avoid insulting or disrespecting other members of the DK community in this diary, in the interest of promoting constructive discussion.
I'm not interested in rekindling the conflict, so instead I'll propose some guidelines for more constructive engagement. I definitely agree that there is some deliberately disruptive behavior on DK, but I believe that most of the conflict is based on well-intentioned individuals who are committed to the DK community, responding protectively.
Unfortunately, it's very easy for well-intentioned behavior to escalate conflict. A careless comment, a well-crafted jab, a casual insult can all be very satisfying for the giver, and easily justified as "just part of the game". However, being on the receiving end is not as pleasant. No-one like being a victim, and most people will respond in kind, or escalate. Humans are very good at conflict - it's been a core component of the human experience for a very long time. When someone crosses our boundaries, when someone attacks an ally, or something we care about, we respond. This is how conflicts escalate.
At the same time, there are some DK participants who are deliberate disrupters, or trolls. They're not well-intentioned participants, their goal is to disrupt constructive discussion. Identifying and neutralizing these individuals is important in protecting the DK community, but engaging them directly risks
1-Collateral damage, by incorrectly targeting perceived disrupters who are well-intentioned members of the community.
2-Escalating conflict, by feeding the fire - providing skilled disrupters opportunities for increased disruption.
So what's a good Kossack to do? Here are some approaches that I've found constructive - please share yours!
-Practice civility. Don't say anything in a comment, that you wouldn't say to that person's face, in polite company. I know, this can really cramp one's style, but these are real people, and we are in polite company (for the most part).
-Write carefully. It may be very clear in your mind what you mean to say in a diary or comment, but there is vast potential for misinterpretation online. If you're writing about a potentially controversial subject, think about how what you write could be interpreted by people with different perspectives.
-Be willing to be vulnerable. It's often much easier to react to perceived attacks in kind, then to show vulnerability, but DK is a fine place to practice vulnerability, since you don't have to deal with anyone here in real life. Responding to attacks with calmness and tolerance instead of conflict can be very empowering, because it gives you active control over your interactions, rather than reacting to manipulation by others.
-You're not alone. When in conflict, it can feel like it's just you against your opponent/s, but there is always an audience. How you behave sets the standard for how you expect to be treated. Instead of focussing on winning the argument against your opponent/s, think about making your case to the broader community that will read what you write. You can lose the battle and still win the war, by making a compelling case to the community. And others will step in, if you're being treated unfairly.
-Give your "opponent" the benefit of the doubt. Someone who responds strongly in the comments may be having a rough day, or responding based on life experiences, or may be in a challenging situation that has nothing to do with the discussion. I have often regretted participating in conflicts on DK, after learning more about the person I was in conflict with. I have never regretted not attacking someone harder.
-Assume good faith on behalf of your opponents, that they are just as smart as you are, and have arrived at their positions through reasoned analysis and not because they've been paid, hired, or duped into disagreeing with you. This can be challenging in my experience, but from the other side of the looking glass, being accused of acting in bad faith when you are genuinely participating in well-intentioned way is profoundly annoying and unconstructive. As a bonus, assuming good faith on behalf of deliberate disrupters can be a very effective tactic, because it allows you to engage the merit of their argument more directly.
-Avoid/Ignore insults. Initiating insults or responding in kind justifies the behavior, and leads to escalation. It also seriously distracts from the discussion, and provides potential disrupters a convenient opportunity. From the audience perspective, a bunch of people throwing pies at each other can be entertaining, but as a pie-thrower, you're not going to earn much respect. Alternatively, one person throwing pies within a group of people that's having a serious discussion is always going to look like an ass.
-Stop feeding the fire. If you're in an escalating conflict, there are alternatives:
1-You can call in Courtesy Kos, "A group dedicated to courtesy, civility, politeness and positivity. Our group motto -- "Killing the Meta Wars - With Kindness" by sending them a kosmail, if you're stuck in a difficult interaction and would like someone to "talk you down". More info here: Talk Me Down -- A New Service to the Kos Community
2-You can walk away - I like to close with "Have a good night!" so whoever I'm talking with knows that I'm done.
3-You can take your energy and apply it elsewhere, like writing a constructive diary on the issue, or another issue, or doing something in the real world. I see plenty of comment wars that get slammed up against the right margin (and have been in some), but I honestly don't think I've ever seen anyone come out with a satisfying conclusion. Personally, I've never woken up the next day thinking "Damn, I really wish I'd done 3 more replies last night! I really could have gotten somewhere!".
-Stand up for people you don't agree with. This is something I need to practice more. Sometimes I see people being treated unfairly, but am less inclined to speak up, because I disagree with their position. This is partly because I try to avoid conflict in general, and am reluctant to step into a pie-fight/flame-war. But I do value and respect many contributors here, with whom I don't agree, and could do more to support standards of fairness here.
-If you suspect someone of being a deliberate disrupter, give them plenty of rope! Engaging in direct conflict with a deliberate disrupter empowers them - you're feeding the fire, and they love fire. It may be satisfying in the moment, but in the long run, staying civil and polite while continuing to engage (within reasonable limits) is far more effective. The last thing a deliberate disrupter wants is to get stuck in a reasonable discussion. They will play their disruptive cards more overtly, making it easier for the community to recognize the pattern.
Any other suggestions? I'm happy to add them to this diary!
I ask that commenters practice civility and respect, and avoid insulting or disrespecting other members of the DK community in this diary, in the interest of promoting constructive discussion.
Update:
JekyllnHyde's Ten "Do's and Don'ts" of Daily Kos Blogging
1. Do remember there is a live human being at the other end of the blog exchange. One who is sensitive, has emotions, and may not react well to constant criticism. Some of us often lose sight of that fact.
2. Don't belittle or disparage anyone in your comments nor hold personal grudges. Even if you had an unpleasant exchange, try to forget it by the next day. Move on.
3. Do have a high level of tolerance for dissenting view points. You aren't the repository of all knowledge and wisdom.
4. Don't expect others to support your blogging efforts if you don't bother to reciprocate.
5. Do try to visit all kinds of diaries and, in particular, support the community diaries. It will strengthen your ties with others.
6. Don't express the first thought that crosses your mind, particularly when responding to an inflammatory posting. Take a deep breath before you do. Sometimes, just as in real life, reticence is a desirable trait.
7. Do rely upon humor to diffuse a thorny situation and gently disarm someone. Even if you disagree with them, walk away after the second or third exchange. Beyond that point, the conversation will usually deteriorate. Simply learn to walk away and don't insist upon having the last word. And, don't worry if you're on the losing end of an argument. In professional baseball, for example, the best hitters fail seven out of ten times and still have a chance to make it to the Hall of Fame.
8. Don't write anything that you wouldn't say to a person's face. This approach will help you restrain yourself.
9. Do recommend generously. Others also put in a great deal of effort in writing diaries and comments. It isn't all about you.
10. Don't ever Hide Rate anyone unless their behavior is very disruptive or egregious such as someone making racist, bigoted, or homophobic comments. HR-ing isn't about making you feel all-powerful.