(With apologies to TeddyPig, there aren’t any torn nylons or running mascara involved… that I know of, at least)

So. No sooner do I wince at the latest cyber flounce than I find myself pondering whether to say something about my disappointment with a particular online venue, and my reluctance to lurk—let alone post!—there anymore.

Hypocritical of me, probably, because I also find all sorts of reasons and justifications to post a long screed. Things like, “I’ve belonged to this community for a number of years” and “I’m a frequent contributor” and “I have not indulged in hyperbole or name calling.”

Thankfully, the decision has been made for me. Someone extremely level-headed, respectful, articulate, professional, and kind has been banned from that forum for ohmygawdhowdareshe! asking questions about what appears*** to be a new moderating policy: holding people accountable in that forum for what they say elsewhere online. Considering that I agreed with her—only I would have probably worded it a bit more *ahem* forcefully—all down the line, all my posting on the issue would get me would be a) post deleted, followed by b) banning, with a corollary of c) “we are doing the best we can but all those mean people keep coming here to provoke us.”

***I use the word “appears” advisedly, because while it is not stated anywhere it’s been used on more than one former community member during the past few weeks.

All of the above, plus the whole “no cyber flouncing for you!” thing, made me refrain from commenting on the… well, drama in progress.

And in the end, does it matter what I think?

Probably to very few people, to be sure, but hey! when has that stopped me?

So here you have some disjointed thoughts on the matter—skip at will. (more…)