Emile comments on The noncentral fallacy - the worst argument in the world? - Less Wrong

157 Post author: Yvain 27 August 2012 03:36AM

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Comment author: Bugmaster 13 September 2012 04:57:13PM 6 points [-]

I dislike this solution, for several reasons.

  • I realize that we want to get rid of trolls, and I agree that this is a worthy goal, but one single person shouldn't be in charge of deciding who's a troll and who isn't.
  • Now that everyone knows that downvotes can cause a person to lose their ability to comment (I assume that's what "ban" means, could be wrong though), unscrupulous community members (and we must have some, statistically speaking, as unpleasant as that thought is) can use their downvotes offensively -- sort of like painting a target with a laser, allowing the Eliezer-nuke to home in.
  • Downvoting a comment does not always imply that the commenter is a troll. People also use downvotes to express things like "your argument is weak and unconvincing", and "I disagree with you strongly". We want to discourage the latter usage, and IMO we should encourage the former, but Eliezer's new policy does nothing to achieve these goals, and in fact harms them.
Comment author: Emile 13 September 2012 05:51:17PM 0 points [-]

one single person shouldn't be in charge of deciding who's a troll and who isn't.

There are several moderators, I don't think Eliezer is the most active.

Now that everyone knows that downvotes can cause a person to lose their ability to comment (I assume that's what "ban" means, could be wrong though)

It doesn't, "ban" just means the comment is hidden.

I agree that there are downsides, they just don't seem that terrible..

Comment author: Bugmaster 13 September 2012 06:47:39PM 4 points [-]

There are several moderators, I don't think Eliezer is the most active.

I am aware of this, but Eliezer came off as being particularly invested in personally combating people whom he perceives as trolls.

It doesn't, "ban" just means the comment is hidden.

Ah, I stand corrected then, thanks for the info.

Comment author: mrglwrf 13 September 2012 08:58:20PM 0 points [-]

I agree that there are downsides, they just don't seem that terrible..

What about the never-ending meta discussions, or are you counting on those dying down soon? Because I wouldn't, unless the new policy is either dropped, or an extensive purge of the commentariat is carried out.

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