If you click the “x” a little window will open that allows you to hide that user’s clip and/or comments as well as block them from commenting on your clips.

This is a gutsy move Eric.

Lastly, I’m hopeful that simply knowing that others can block you from
commenting on your clips will spur people to maintain a greater level
of respect for each other…even through their debates and disagreements.

This would be a nice result. I hope clippers use this power judiciously. I really like being able to read many differing views on clips, and I'd hate to lose that. However, I also hate seeing really nasty comments when a better word choice would work (or even s...

If you click the “x” a little window will open that allows you to hide that user’s clip and/or comments as well as block them from commenting on your clips.

This is a gutsy move Eric.

Lastly, I’m hopeful that simply knowing that others can block you from
commenting on your clips will spur people to maintain a greater level
of respect for each other…even through their debates and disagreements.

This would be a nice result. I hope clippers use this power judiciously. I really like being able to read many differing views on clips, and I'd hate to lose that. However, I also hate seeing really nasty comments when a better word choice would work (or even silence).

I know you've put a lot of thought into this, so I hope it works the way you want (or you find out quickly that it doesn't.)

My 2 cents contribution:

Feature popper: I don't see this adding value.It may induce people to pop just for the sake of seeing their names posted.

List of followers: I like it. It gives a sense of how interesting this person's clips might be.

Hiding the users I don't like: It's good. I like to have that power. Just to avoid seeing what I don't like is good and I don't affect anybody else's view of those clips.

Blocking them to comment my clips: I don't like it. It give us a power to silence everything we don't like. Nasty people is everywhere and we learn to deal with them. The Clipmarks universe should be the same. I believe it has the potential of greatly ...

My 2 cents contribution:

Feature popper: I don't see this adding value.It may induce people to pop just for the sake of seeing their names posted.

List of followers: I like it. It gives a sense of how interesting this person's clips might be.

Hiding the users I don't like: It's good. I like to have that power. Just to avoid seeing what I don't like is good and I don't affect anybody else's view of those clips.

Blocking them to comment my clips: I don't like it. It give us a power to silence everything we don't like. Nasty people is everywhere and we learn to deal with them. The Clipmarks universe should be the same. I believe it has the potential of greatly diminish the value of the site. As I commented before, good Clips, in many cases, have more value in the comments than in the clips themselves. You know I'm opposed to censorship and I feel this feature as giving us the power to become censors. To silence the dissenting voices. I don't want that power. I'm human, and, as such, prone to abuse of any power I may have.

Anyway, I hope I'm wrong and it will work as intended.

Cheers,

Kwon.

"A crazy idea came to my mind right now. Since we can see the list of followers of every clipper, why not be able to see the list of people that same clipper banned? I know, it is crazy but..."

Doesn't this defeat the purpose of banning that person? Why give them the opportunity to shine?

Anyway, Eric, I think these new features are GREAT! Like Bignosemousie and Kwonsu, I have some doubts about some people's use of the blocking comments feature, but I think most people will use it wisely. Personally, I don't have a problem with dissenting comments. I have a problem with people who are making consistently rude comments and aren't bringing any constructive dissension to the table. Calling c...

"A crazy idea came to my mind right now. Since we can see the list of followers of every clipper, why not be able to see the list of people that same clipper banned? I know, it is crazy but..."

Doesn't this defeat the purpose of banning that person? Why give them the opportunity to shine?

Anyway, Eric, I think these new features are GREAT! Like Bignosemousie and Kwonsu, I have some doubts about some people's use of the blocking comments feature, but I think most people will use it wisely. Personally, I don't have a problem with dissenting comments. I have a problem with people who are making consistently rude comments and aren't bringing any constructive dissension to the table. Calling clippers names, putting down different opinions, providing false facts to back up opinions, etc. are things that need to be blocked.

When I'm in the mood for a debate, I visit convinceme.net.

Feature popper: I like this. It could be away to find clippers of interest.

List of followers: I like this. It will help give us a broader insight into a clipper, range/areas of interest.

Hiding the users I don't like: Both this and the next feature are excellent! I think they will remove some of the burden of subjective censorship from you all, and put more individual choice and responsibility in the hands of all clippers.

Blocking comment to my clips: This also is good if another clipper is consistantly baiting, rather than engaging. It could be useful, especially if it's independant from "hiding". Some clippers tend to bait a particular clipper or two,...

Feature popper: I like this. It could be away to find clippers of interest.

List of followers: I like this. It will help give us a broader insight into a clipper, range/areas of interest.

Hiding the users I don't like: Both this and the next feature are excellent! I think they will remove some of the burden of subjective censorship from you all, and put more individual choice and responsibility in the hands of all clippers.

Blocking comment to my clips: This also is good if another clipper is consistantly baiting, rather than engaging. It could be useful, especially if it's independant from "hiding". Some clippers tend to bait a particular clipper or two, while being perfectly civil on other clips. If one is being trolled it would allow one to stop that, while still reading the "good" dialogue that the blocked clipper is contributing to other clips.

I also think that kwonza's idea might work

why not be able to see the list of people
that same clipper banned? I know, it is crazy but...

Again, it would provide insight to the clipper in question, (if for instance one banned everyone out of alignment with their views. I wouldn't care to read a clipper who was that closed to dialogue, and it would alert me in advance to the possibility that my comment might be "wasted". It could also encourage judiscious banning, if who one bans is public knowledge.

Also, I mentioned in an unrelated clip my suggestion for a numbered rating system for clips. Sometimes the discussion is good, but the clip that started it is of questionable reliability or is otherwise objectionable. I don't care to pop something that I feel that way about, but if the discussion is good, it would be cool to keep it up top. A system by which one could indicate "why" you popped it could help. IE: -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3. Like "I popped it because I thought it was REALLY great, or I popped it because I thought it was REALLY bad.

Like Kwonsu said, the "Comment removed by moderator" isn't actually new. Last night we had a pretty bad spammer on the site so we had to remove a whole bunch of comments.

And Dorine, i agree with you that the "X" next to every username is a bit much. I do think that it should be in the location that it's in so that people are aware of it. But i think that right now it's way too prominent. We're going to redesign that tomorrow and put up something new that isn't so heavy on the eyes.

Regarding the issue of popping clips for reasons other than the actual content of the clip, that is something we've discussed pretty often. Quite h...

Like Kwonsu said, the "Comment removed by moderator" isn't actually new. Last night we had a pretty bad spammer on the site so we had to remove a whole bunch of comments.

And Dorine, i agree with you that the "X" next to every username is a bit much. I do think that it should be in the location that it's in so that people are aware of it. But i think that right now it's way too prominent. We're going to redesign that tomorrow and put up something new that isn't so heavy on the eyes.

Regarding the issue of popping clips for reasons other than the actual content of the clip, that is something we've discussed pretty often. Quite honestly, we haven't really felt conviction about any of the potential ways to implement this and also haven't felt that we could yet justify the time to develop it (at the expense of working on other things). But in theory, we totally agree that it would be cool to have.

Regarding the issue of popping clips for reasons other than the actual content of the clip, that is something we've discussed pretty often.

I have always felt that if a clip sparked an interesting string of comments, any pops were justly deserved even if the pops were for the comments and not the clip itself. The interest has to start somewhere. I don't see where any sort of pop scale would be necessary.

The simplicity of the pop system is part of its beauty. You want others to see a clip (for the content or the comments) then pop. I don't understand the need to add weight to a pop or indicate that the comments are "more pop-worthy" than the clip.

Does anyone ever rea...

Regarding the issue of popping clips for reasons other than the actual content of the clip, that is something we've discussed pretty often.

I have always felt that if a clip sparked an interesting string of comments, any pops were justly deserved even if the pops were for the comments and not the clip itself. The interest has to start somewhere. I don't see where any sort of pop scale would be necessary.

The simplicity of the pop system is part of its beauty. You want others to see a clip (for the content or the comments) then pop. I don't understand the need to add weight to a pop or indicate that the comments are "more pop-worthy" than the clip.

Does anyone ever read a clip and not read the adjoining comments? Does anyone question why another person popped a clip? Why complicate a system that is easy to use and easy to understand? I fear that additions like a rating system, blocking comments, and showing "blocked by user" lists are divisive. They could promote cliques and pack behavior. These things could drive away new and interesting clippers.

I want to believe that this community can exist in relative harmony and promote a culture with many differing views and beliefs. A place for everyone to learn and share responsibly and respectfully.

I hope other clippers that don't want these features speak up, as well as those that do (because I still don't see the value).

It's not always the Clips that are bad, it's going back to the original site to check out the actual meaning of the Clip and why the clipper, clip it! Sometimes, we as clippers draw the wrong conclusion from what we are reading as a clip........then the comments is where we take off.........with very nasty language, which really surprised me but have to say as upsetting as the one clippers language/comments had become it was several other clippers who brought hxx (him/her) back to reality to the point that they had found a little humor in their comment...........Are you going to police the world or just your site.....do you think being kick off your site...has to do with why nasty's are usi...

It's not always the Clips that are bad, it's going back to the original site to check out the actual meaning of the Clip and why the clipper, clip it! Sometimes, we as clippers draw the wrong conclusion from what we are reading as a clip........then the comments is where we take off.........with very nasty language, which really surprised me but have to say as upsetting as the one clippers language/comments had become it was several other clippers who brought hxx (him/her) back to reality to the point that they had found a little humor in their comment...........Are you going to police the world or just your site.....do you think being kick off your site...has to do with why nasty's are using your site just to mess with your mind. It is better to TEACH the Mind then to try to POLICE the Mind; otherwise, make the clipper site a religious site.....no mental lunatics allowed..

Sorry, Eric, I felt like a 6-year old child the night you posted after me; and said that hxx was being banned from Clipper's for the 2nd time and wouldn't be let back in.........I know the comments hxx made were most astounding at first but hxx was lighting up with the aide of others.

I was more upset with the way you handle that situation then what wording the clipper used. Eric, you made me feel guilty that I even made a comment at all.

Eric, I love your site, I love the social atmosphere of your clippers, as well as, you and your staff. I love reading the clip's of the day but I don't like being commented on that this clipper is going to be kicked off and never allowed to come back........are you really into policing the site.

Don't you think sooner or later those people who use that type of language will get bored with the site (your site) and leave.....

If you are going to censorship your Site then make it a religious site with rules and regulations that read:

I accept ............................... I decline

Its a God Complex and I contributed to it. I first noticed this about a year ago and I changed my clipping style.
Its not all the fault of the clipmasters. Clipmarks success has had a lot to do with this. When a social network gets big it attracts a wider range of people. People in general are rude and crude on the internet due to annonimity.
By attempting to hold people accountable for their conduct the clipmasters are trying to keep clipmarks friendly and available to all. Since I paid nothing for this privledge to use this service I try to stay inside the guidelines they establish whether I like it or not.
If someone doesn't like the rules of clipmarks then I say stop using it. Noone i...

Its a God Complex and I contributed to it. I first noticed this about a year ago and I changed my clipping style.
Its not all the fault of the clipmasters. Clipmarks success has had a lot to do with this. When a social network gets big it attracts a wider range of people. People in general are rude and crude on the internet due to annonimity.
By attempting to hold people accountable for their conduct the clipmasters are trying to keep clipmarks friendly and available to all. Since I paid nothing for this privledge to use this service I try to stay inside the guidelines they establish whether I like it or not.
If someone doesn't like the rules of clipmarks then I say stop using it. Noone is making you come here.
One more thing:
If you are rude and crude anonomously, You are rude and crude. Perhaps you will want to look at that. If you get banned or blocked from a social function you have deeper problems with your personality.
Time to reawaken the CLIPMANDMENTS

I have always felt that if a clip sparked an interesting string of
comments, any pops were justly deserved even if the pops were for the
comments and not the clip itself. The interest has to start somewhere.
I don't see where any sort of pop scale would be necessary.
The
simplicity of the pop system is part of its beauty. You want others to
see a clip (for the content or the comments) then pop. I don't
understand the need to add weight to a pop or indicate that the
comments are "more pop-worthy" than the clip. - bignosemousie

A system by which one could indicate "why" you popped it could help.
IE: -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3. Like "I popped it because I thought it was REALL[b]...

read more»

I have always felt that if a clip sparked an interesting string of
comments, any pops were justly deserved even if the pops were for the
comments and not the clip itself. The interest has to start somewhere.
I don't see where any sort of pop scale would be necessary.
The
simplicity of the pop system is part of its beauty. You want others to
see a clip (for the content or the comments) then pop. I don't
understand the need to add weight to a pop or indicate that the
comments are "more pop-worthy" than the clip. - bignosemousie

A system by which one could indicate "why" you popped it could help.
IE: -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3. Like "I popped it because I thought it was REALLY great, or I popped it because I thought it was REALLY bad. - Thorne

I agree with Bignosemousie that the simplicity of the pop system is very appealing. However, if people are popping clips because of the comments, then the opposite could be true, too. What if people like the clip but not the comments, and don't pop the clip because they don't want to promote the comments?? It could be a good clip with good information, but won't get as much recognition as a "bad" clip with "good" comments. That just seems...unfair somehow.

So even though the pop system suggested by Thorne seems a little complicated, I think this clipmarks phenomena should be addressed.

And while we're suggesting new features, is there some way you can introduce a feature that allows us to view comments in list form (arranged by post times and displaying commenters' names)? Clips like these with a lot of comments are hard to scroll through to find the exact one we're looking for. The "top" and "end" buttons are nice, but only help if we're trying to find a comment that's near the top or towards the end.

Its a God Complex and I contributed to it. I first noticed this about a year ago and I changed my clipping style.
Its
not all the fault of the clipmasters. Clipmarks success has had a lot
to do with this. When a social network gets big it attracts a wider
range of people. People in general are rude and crude on the internet
due to annonimity.
By attempting to hold people accountable for
their conduct the clipmasters are trying to keep clipmarks friendly and
available to all. Since I paid nothing for this privledge to use this
service I try to stay inside the guidelines they establish whether I
like it or not.
If someone doesn't like the rules of clipmarks then I say stop using it....

Its a God Complex and I contributed to it. I first noticed this about a year ago and I changed my clipping style.
Its
not all the fault of the clipmasters. Clipmarks success has had a lot
to do with this. When a social network gets big it attracts a wider
range of people. People in general are rude and crude on the internet
due to annonimity.
By attempting to hold people accountable for
their conduct the clipmasters are trying to keep clipmarks friendly and
available to all. Since I paid nothing for this privledge to use this
service I try to stay inside the guidelines they establish whether I
like it or not.
If someone doesn't like the rules of clipmarks then I say stop using it. Noone is making you come here.
One more thing:
If
you are rude and crude anonomously, You are rude and crude. Perhaps you
will want to look at that. If you get banned or blocked from a social
function you have deeper problems with your personality.
Time to reawaken the CLIPMANDMENTS
- Sky....

Amen! What's so hard about being civil towards other people? Let's face it, some people are just plain unruly and exhibit extreme anti-social behavior. These traits are even more abundant on the Internet because of the cloak of anonymity. Some people need to be policed. If everyone were able to treat others civilly, the concept of "police" wouldn't even be necessary in any society, let alone on a website.

I'd like to address the comments from wiccantexan and TCW. While I can understand why you would view these changes as you are, i don't believe your perception will become reality. Specifically, I don't think you're giving clipmarks users enough credit. I will be very surprised (shocked actually) if this new capability results in people "suppressing all opposition in their clips" as TCW puts it. I genuinely believe that nearly everyone who frequents clipmarks enjoys and appreciates the diversity of opinions that are shared here via clips and comments. I don't expect that to change. And those that do choose to supress ...

I'd like to address the comments from wiccantexan and TCW. While I can understand why you would view these changes as you are, i don't believe your perception will become reality. Specifically, I don't think you're giving clipmarks users enough credit. I will be very surprised (shocked actually) if this new capability results in people "suppressing all opposition in their clips" as TCW puts it. I genuinely believe that nearly everyone who frequents clipmarks enjoys and appreciates the diversity of opinions that are shared here via clips and comments. I don't expect that to change. And those that do choose to supress oppossing views will not, in my opinion, gain much of a following on the site.

Rather, i believe the ability to block people from commenting on your clips will be used sparingly in those few occassions when someone's pttern of commenting becomes harrassing or inappropriately antagonistic or personal.

I believe that <1% of all commenters on a web site can have a disproportionately negative impact on the entire system. It is with this potential problem in mind that I further believe that enabling users to block those few people is imperative to the growth of this platform.

i am more bothered by people being unable to prevent others from personally attacking them within minutes of each clip they post

You created a public forum... It's not your job to stop people from attacking, if that were the case this would be a moderated forum.. but instead of taking on the responsibility of creating moderators, you've effectively made anyone a moderator. This doesn't work in public forums because it can be abused. It's easier to reprimand a one of 5 or so chosen/hired moderators, then hundreds...

whether or not you feel the vast majority of clippers will use this power only in the most dire of circumstances, it only takes on clipper who posts clips th...

i am more bothered by people being unable to prevent others from personally attacking them within minutes of each clip they post

You created a public forum... It's not your job to stop people from attacking, if that were the case this would be a moderated forum.. but instead of taking on the responsibility of creating moderators, you've effectively made anyone a moderator. This doesn't work in public forums because it can be abused. It's easier to reprimand a one of 5 or so chosen/hired moderators, then hundreds...

whether or not you feel the vast majority of clippers will use this power only in the most dire of circumstances, it only takes on clipper who posts clips that invite reaction to ban those who want to & should be able to react to effectively create a one-sided forum. That will make it not fun & people may leave...

Also, what your now saying is that if you see people "abuse" this you will do what? ban them? So now people have to b fearful of who/when they ban, if they ban too much they might get banned? Very slippery slope.

PS: I don't doubt you have the best intentions, its just that this feature scares me, and I tend to see worst case scenarios (ie: so i may be blowing it out of proportion)

As it can be read in my earlier comment, I strongly support the points of view of wiccantean and TheCatWhisperer. I do believe that allowing people to censor other's opinions is wrong and will, at the end, work against Clipmarks. I would certainly lose interest in being member of a community where such a behavior is tolerated.

What would be the value of the comments if I have no idea if some of them are being blocked? I still can ignore the nasty or demeaning ones if they do exist.

We all may get offended for things we don’t like even if the intention was not such. Why should I be able to silence a person because I felt like it.?


Many of you know my posit...

As it can be read in my earlier comment, I strongly support the points of view of wiccantean and TheCatWhisperer. I do believe that allowing people to censor other's opinions is wrong and will, at the end, work against Clipmarks. I would certainly lose interest in being member of a community where such a behavior is tolerated.

What would be the value of the comments if I have no idea if some of them are being blocked? I still can ignore the nasty or demeaning ones if they do exist.

We all may get offended for things we don’t like even if the intention was not such. Why should I be able to silence a person because I felt like it.?


Many of you know my position about censorship and –from my point of view- this blocking is just that, censorship.

As I said before, we, human beings, are prone to abuse of whatever power or authority is given to us.

If, however, Clipmarks decides that the best way to proceed is to allow the blocking, would it be possible to replace the blocked message with a caption reading "Message from xyz blocked by clipper" ?

In that way we will, at least, know there was a message and its origen. (I still preferr not blocking at all)

Cheers,

kwon

If you consider this as a "censorship" Kwonsu, I'm afraid I must say I support this censorship. The diversity of opinions does not mean a chaotic platform that you could go and post your hate messages on a clip that you don't like. Maybe it would be good to remember that Clipmarks is not a "forum". We post here what we find on the web, not our own articles or papers. Comments make this experience getting rich and add another dimension, which makes Clipmarks an "information community". But I usually see, the commenting feature is used by some, as if the whole web site was a "forum". It's not.

Since the very beginning, what made Clipmarks very valuable for me, has been the wide variety of t...

If you consider this as a "censorship" Kwonsu, I'm afraid I must say I support this censorship. The diversity of opinions does not mean a chaotic platform that you could go and post your hate messages on a clip that you don't like. Maybe it would be good to remember that Clipmarks is not a "forum". We post here what we find on the web, not our own articles or papers. Comments make this experience getting rich and add another dimension, which makes Clipmarks an "information community". But I usually see, the commenting feature is used by some, as if the whole web site was a "forum". It's not.

Since the very beginning, what made Clipmarks very valuable for me, has been the wide variety of the clips themselves, reflecting very different views and opinions. I post clips which I find "important", with the people who would like to read them, on my mind. I have been using the Internet for 12 years and fed up with all that neverending discussions, fussings, insults, hostilities that eventually kill every good community. So Clipmarks is a very different thing for me, kind of fresh air in the Internet chaos.

I personally believe, our clips speak here, not us.

Look, I totally understand the various challenges this decision presents. Wiccan asked, "is there a way that a Clipmarks forum could be established where potential new features could be examined and commented on before application? Then any bugs could be ID'd and worked out."

Quite honestly, it is my opinion that the Internet at large is exactly that. It is a work in progress where we all react in real-time trying to do our best to make it better. The decisions we've made regarding user moderation are not only based on our observations on clipmarks, but on the conduct that takes place on other services as well.

I am bothered by the type of discourse that prevails on some of our 'competi...

Look, I totally understand the various challenges this decision presents. Wiccan asked, "is there a way that a Clipmarks forum could be established where potential new features could be examined and commented on before application? Then any bugs could be ID'd and worked out."

Quite honestly, it is my opinion that the Internet at large is exactly that. It is a work in progress where we all react in real-time trying to do our best to make it better. The decisions we've made regarding user moderation are not only based on our observations on clipmarks, but on the conduct that takes place on other services as well.

I am bothered by the type of discourse that prevails on some of our 'competitor' sites. I never want to see clipmarks turn into a nasty, immature place where people consistently attack each other. There is no proven method for preventing that, so we are going to consistently try things that we believe would help. If that gets termed "censorship" then so be it.

TCW just wrote, "I use clipmarks to gage opinion on what people all over the world think about topics." Nothing makes me happier than reading those words. That's not only why i use clipmarks, it is why i helped create it. All of our decisions are made in the hopes of enabling an environment where that type of learning can flourish.

After all, the clips are not just "public elements", we own them
individually, we keep and save them in our collections. I wouldn't
bother saving and archiving harassment, aggressive comments, which
usually has no point at all.

I agree with this point of view. While I enjoy seeing different perspectives, there is a way to express a differing opinion that is not antagonistic or belligerant. How is reading these types of comments worthwhile? Reading through clips that have deginerated into verbal catfights can get very tiresome, very quickly.

This clip is a perfect example of how different opinions can be expressed in a civil way. There are many points of view represented in ...

After all, the clips are not just "public elements", we own them
individually, we keep and save them in our collections. I wouldn't
bother saving and archiving harassment, aggressive comments, which
usually has no point at all.

I agree with this point of view. While I enjoy seeing different perspectives, there is a way to express a differing opinion that is not antagonistic or belligerant. How is reading these types of comments worthwhile? Reading through clips that have deginerated into verbal catfights can get very tiresome, very quickly.

This clip is a perfect example of how different opinions can be expressed in a civil way. There are many points of view represented in this comment section, but no one has name-called, put anyone down, etc. to make a point. And with only one blocked comment? Nice!

It's pretty clear that everyone has a point when he or she is willing to "walk away" from clipmarks. Some have stated that they would leave if there is too much censorship of comments. Well, I personally feel censored when I post a clip and get attacked for an opinion that I haven't even stated, yet. Censorship goes both ways and, unfortunately, some less evolved people have made the blocking/ignoring feature a necessary (albeit, welcome, in my case) evil.

I say let's test the new feature (and Eric's faith in us clippers), see how it's being used, and make changes if necessary.

As my grandmother used to tell me, "You can't get right what you don't bother to get wrong."

Well, I personally feel censored when I post a clip and get attacked for an opinion that I haven't even stated, yet. - Jdfodio

You may "Feel" censored, but in fact your comments are still there for
anyone to read. If this system they have put in place is abused, then
comments of people the blocker simply dislikes for whatever reason will
be censored for real. - The Cat Whisperer

It (imo) would be more accurate to say you feel attacked or belittled then censored... - The Cat Whisperer

Who would know better how I feel - me or you? As I wrote earlier, I feel CENSORED when I am attacked for a clip that I post, because I feel less free to keep pos...

Well, I personally feel censored when I post a clip and get attacked for an opinion that I haven't even stated, yet. - Jdfodio

You may "Feel" censored, but in fact your comments are still there for
anyone to read. If this system they have put in place is abused, then
comments of people the blocker simply dislikes for whatever reason will
be censored for real. - The Cat Whisperer

It (imo) would be more accurate to say you feel attacked or belittled then censored... - The Cat Whisperer

Who would know better how I feel - me or you? As I wrote earlier, I feel CENSORED when I am attacked for a clip that I post, because I feel less free to keep posting clips in the future. I chose that word because it describes how I feel perfectly and accurately. I didn't say I WAS censored (objective). I said I FEEL censored (subjective). And FYI, if we were having this back-and-forth on a clip of mine, I wouldn't block your comments, even though I disagree with them wholeheartedly.

As for the block feature, I like the suggestion someone had to put in a notation "this comment written by _____ was blocked by ______" If someone's curious about the blocked person's point of view, he or she can visit the commenter's profile and read clips from there. Personal opinions and points of view will surely be transparent after visiting the commenter's site.

I'm all for free speech. However, the rights of one person's free speech end when they begin to violate the rights of someone else not to be discriminated against and attacked for personal opinions. I'm glad that Eric and the rest of the clipmarks crew understand this.

For anyone that has a problem with this feature, there's plenty of web space for someone to create his or her OWN website where he or she can include (or not include) any features he or she sees fit. Other like-minded people will surely follow you there.

I think i'd rather this:

Person A posts a clip.

Person B is a know antagonist & posts a snotty comment.

Person A clicks "hide comments from Person B in my clips".

From that point on, Person B's comments are hidden., but anyone may read them by clicking "show this comment". That way:
- people know that person B has offended Person A and person A has chosen to hide their clips
- person B is not truly censored & still has a voice, but they are at the mercy of clippers to choose to read them or not.
- at some point should person B come around & person A takes a look at their comments and sees they have changed, they can un-hide them in their clips.

This is an in-between my personal prefere...

I think i'd rather this:

Person A posts a clip.

Person B is a know antagonist & posts a snotty comment.

Person A clicks "hide comments from Person B in my clips".

From that point on, Person B's comments are hidden., but anyone may read them by clicking "show this comment". That way:
- people know that person B has offended Person A and person A has chosen to hide their clips
- person B is not truly censored & still has a voice, but they are at the mercy of clippers to choose to read them or not.
- at some point should person B come around & person A takes a look at their comments and sees they have changed, they can un-hide them in their clips.

This is an in-between my personal preference of not censoring at all (Bans would happen by clipmarks admins if the user warranted it only) and the system they seem to have put in place already which I still contend is heavy handed and doomed to be abused

I think i'd rather this:
Person A posts a clip.
Person B is a know antagonist & posts a snotty comment.
Person A clicks "hide comments from Person B in my clips".
From that point on, Person B's comments are hidden., but anyone may read them by clicking "show this comment". That way:
- people know that person B has offended Person A and person A has chosen to hide their clips
- person B is not truly censored & still has a voice, but they are at the mercy of clippers to choose to read them or not.
-
at some point should person B come around & person A takes a look
at their comments and sees they have changed, they can un-hide them in
their clips. - The Cat Whisperer

...

read more»

I think i'd rather this:
Person A posts a clip.
Person B is a know antagonist & posts a snotty comment.
Person A clicks "hide comments from Person B in my clips".
From that point on, Person B's comments are hidden., but anyone may read them by clicking "show this comment". That way:
- people know that person B has offended Person A and person A has chosen to hide their clips
- person B is not truly censored & still has a voice, but they are at the mercy of clippers to choose to read them or not.
-
at some point should person B come around & person A takes a look
at their comments and sees they have changed, they can un-hide them in
their clips. - The Cat Whisperer

PS could be an option to hide in "this clip" or "all my clips"... - The Cat Whisperer

Good idea! It's a good balance between the two extremes of no blocking vs. full user-controlled blocking. With your idea, Person A can let it be known she strongly disagrees with Person B's participation, but other clippers could choose to read Person B's comments if they're curious (which, I'd predict, would be true at least 90% of the time).

I also like a previous commenter's (can't remember who) idea that every time Person A "ignores" or "blocks" Person B, it should be sent in to the clipmarks team for review, including the name of Person A, Person B, and the clip under which Person B is being blocked/ignored. The numbers will speak for themselves. If Person B is a habitual antagonist, some actions should be taken restricting their privileges or membership on clipmarks.

I also like a previous commenter's (can't remember who) idea that every time Person A "ignores" or "blocks" Person B, it should be sent in to the clipmarks team for review, including the name of Person A, Person B, and the clip under which Person B is being blocked/ignored. The numbers will speak for themselves. If Person B is a habitual antagonist, some actions should be taken restricting their privileges or membership on clipmarks.

I like that. It also helps prevent a "cry wolf" scenario.. if person A keeps blocking people that he/she disagrees with (as opposed to people who are man, etc) then the clipmarks user may start to ignore their clips as one-sided. Also admins wi...

I also like a previous commenter's (can't remember who) idea that every time Person A "ignores" or "blocks" Person B, it should be sent in to the clipmarks team for review, including the name of Person A, Person B, and the clip under which Person B is being blocked/ignored. The numbers will speak for themselves. If Person B is a habitual antagonist, some actions should be taken restricting their privileges or membership on clipmarks.

I like that. It also helps prevent a "cry wolf" scenario.. if person A keeps blocking people that he/she disagrees with (as opposed to people who are man, etc) then the clipmarks user may start to ignore their clips as one-sided. Also admins will see clearly who people are finding offensive, without truly censoring people. Those who are found to be repeatably offensive could then be warned/banned.

My last words on this:

We go to Technorati and claim our clips as our "blog", right? So my clip collection is in a way, "my blog". It's open to public, like most blogs and now CM admins are giving me a "blog management tool", to moderate comments (if I see it necessary), again, like most blogs.

I don't say "I'll use this feature" but "I may want" to use it from time to time. It's *my* clip collection and I must have the right to moderate comments on it, like I do on my blog. (Thanks again to CM team for this feature again.)

I use Clipmarks for collecting & sharing information AND constructive comments and views that add a value on them. Actually, I am not very happy to have some of my cli...

My last words on this:

We go to Technorati and claim our clips as our "blog", right? So my clip collection is in a way, "my blog". It's open to public, like most blogs and now CM admins are giving me a "blog management tool", to moderate comments (if I see it necessary), again, like most blogs.

I don't say "I'll use this feature" but "I may want" to use it from time to time. It's *my* clip collection and I must have the right to moderate comments on it, like I do on my blog. (Thanks again to CM team for this feature again.)

I use Clipmarks for collecting & sharing information AND constructive comments and views that add a value on them. Actually, I am not very happy to have some of my clips filled with hostile comments.

Of course, your clip collection is yours and "your Clipmarks usage / understanding" can be very different than mine. Then, you can do whatever you like. If you don't want to use this feature and see it as "censorship", then don't use it. But please don't try to decide for me, like which feature I should or should not use at Clipmarks. You get your "free speech" and I get my "censorship", deal?

One thing I find surprising is, most people speaks about "comments" as if it's the most important community tool here - and forget or underestimate the powerful POP feature. It's the POPs that add a great value to Clipmarks - and nobody's trying to stop POPs.

Boy, I have to comment here with a different twist.

Having been a CM member for quite awhile, I have to tell you that CM owners have to be vigilant in maintaining a site that is welcoming, friendly and mature if they want it to succeed and be presentable and welcoming to not only a mature adult audience but to children as well. Consider for a moment please, the positive publicity they have received over the last several months and the schools that allow their students access to CM for research and as a learning tool. Also consider the ultimate 'goal' of Clipmarks proper.

As members of CM, we too must be vigilant in our responsibility of self control; and respect for the CM site which w...

Boy, I have to comment here with a different twist.

Having been a CM member for quite awhile, I have to tell you that CM owners have to be vigilant in maintaining a site that is welcoming, friendly and mature if they want it to succeed and be presentable and welcoming to not only a mature adult audience but to children as well. Consider for a moment please, the positive publicity they have received over the last several months and the schools that allow their students access to CM for research and as a learning tool. Also consider the ultimate 'goal' of Clipmarks proper.

As members of CM, we too must be vigilant in our responsibility of self control; and respect for the CM site which we all use 'freely.'

The bottom line for me as I read through Eric's clip and the subsequent comments is this:

There is a difference between verbally abusive harassment and just plain arrogant opinions. The latter are usually tolerated to a greater degree. Harassment is never tolerated well anywhere and there isn't a human on this planet that would not censor this type of behavior in some fashion.

Consider this:
If I was being verbally harassed in a public place, I would walk away from my harasser. In a sense, I have just covered my ears; closed my eyes and turned off the emotions in an attempt to censor the harasser from intruding in my space.

So, ask yourself.... if you feel that you would be censored because of your opinions.... then is it really worth commenting on that person's clips? So move along and let 'em go. No need to hang around and get nasty just because we might feel offended.

Alternatively, if you are censored because you have begun to call someone names and have pushed too many buttons in an extreme way, do you feel you should not be censored? Do you honestly believe that you should be given free reign on a website that you pay no dues for; and that you should be allowed to interact with inappropriate public behavior?

Continued...

No one likes censorship and I'm betting it is not the goal of CM's to babysit those that do not know how to control themselves in a public or internet domain.

But they do have a responsibility to the CM's members at large; and have put our feelings in the forefront of making CM's a place to clip, enjoy and interact in positive and constructive ways (even for the arrogant or opinionated).

For that reason, it should be easy to see that 'true censorship' is not their intention. And pardon me if I used this word too much. There are areas of my comments that I could have used 'block' or 'hide.' But I'm hoping you understand what I'm saying regardless.

I have learned a lot here through...

No one likes censorship and I'm betting it is not the goal of CM's to babysit those that do not know how to control themselves in a public or internet domain.

But they do have a responsibility to the CM's members at large; and have put our feelings in the forefront of making CM's a place to clip, enjoy and interact in positive and constructive ways (even for the arrogant or opinionated).

For that reason, it should be easy to see that 'true censorship' is not their intention. And pardon me if I used this word too much. There are areas of my comments that I could have used 'block' or 'hide.' But I'm hoping you understand what I'm saying regardless.

I have learned a lot here through the differing opinions whether I like them, asked for them or otherwise. And I wholeheartedly support the team for going out of their way on more than one occasion to keep everyone happy and moving forward.

Just my 2 cents and thanks!