Re^4: Blocking users

[MidLifeXis]

Is every post from this point on by a particular user to be ignored, even if there is a complete turn-around in behavior? That seems to be the suggestion being made. "Discipline" without the potential of rewarding good behavior seems to me to be vindictive and at odds with a monastic ethos of self improvement.

I would agree that responding to obviously trollish posts is counterproductive and probably even detrimental to the overall health of the monastery, but I would also suggest that a 100% blackout is as well.

[Argel]

I updated my post a few times, so you probably missed the link and except from tye's post that I just added. If you read those it should be clear that a blackout is the only option. How else do you deal with a troll? Lock the account? He can just create a new one or post anonymously. Blocking an IP address or a range of IP addresses is also easy get around these days thanks to other proxy servers out there. And we risk affecting innocent bystanders with that approach.

So, I'm sorry, but he made the choice to troll. And considering how disruptive trolls are and how hard they are to defeat by any other measure the only realistic option we have is to ignore the troll.

Your concern is admirable, but also naive and misplaced. And if he wants to start behaving like a mature adult then he can make a fresh start with a new account.