GA Pilots: Make your voices heard. Block Function

[rookiepilot]

PLEASE.
PILOTS who’s primary Connection to aviation is GA….COMMENT ONLY.

We would all like to see more engagement on this forum, especially I believe from the GA community, where the mentoring to other GA pilots is most needed. It would enhance safety and provide a greater pool of shared experiences.

It’s no secret what is holding this back, threads are held hostage too often by a small degree of trolls, dominating and criticizing with petty personal attacks. It massively discourages broader participation.

I have a simple proposal to greatly increase civility on this site. Best of all it's almost completely self governing and takes most of the load from moderation. Both options here are from the Twitter universe.

The best one (I think) is have everyone post under their real names. Verified accounts with ID. After all, anything said here should be able to be said in front of everyone. I have zero to hide, myself. However that is a lot of work for the mods.

The simplest solution is enact a BLOCK FUNCTION where offenders cannot see what anyone who blocks them posts, or respond. Very simple, be polite or be blocked. Works great on Twitter, I have a very polite feed with over 2000 followers. Completely self governing, and the trolls will quickly find themselves ostracized.

GA, make your voice count. Don’t let the trolls win.

[digits_]

Weren't you involved in the last 5 threads that got moderated recently?

[rookiepilot]

Weren't you involved in the last 5 threads that got moderated recently?

At my request on at least 3 of these. I don’t know about the others.

That’s the whole point.

I, or others, could block instead as I do on Twitter with abusive posters, which never is needed. The sheer ability to do so maintains a polite feed.

What’s the downside?

Moderation Won’t largely be necessary any more.

[pelmet]

Is this your role model kind of post.......

Do as I say not as I do?

http://www.avcanada.ca/forums2/viewtopi ... 7#p1267647

[rookiepilot]

Is this your role model kind of post.......

Do as I say not as I do?

http://www.avcanada.ca/forums2/viewtopi ... 7#p1267647

I’m proposing a lasting resolution anyone can use.

You’d be free to block me too. Sound fair?

This is exactly my point.

You also read me on Twitter but never troll there, unlike here, cause you know the outcome. Instantly.

[pelmet]

Is this your role model kind of post.......

Do as I say not as I do?

http://www.avcanada.ca/forums2/viewtopi ... 7#p1267647

I’m proposing a lasting resolution anyone can use.

You’d be free to block me too. Sound fair?

This is exactly my point.

You also read me on Twitter but never troll there, unlike here, cause you know the outcome. Instantly.

On Twitter, you act is a respectable manner.

It is like a different person. Different subject too.

[rookiepilot]

Is this your role model kind of post.......

Do as I say not as I do?

http://www.avcanada.ca/forums2/viewtopi ... 7#p1267647

I’m proposing a lasting resolution anyone can use.

You’d be free to block me too. Sound fair?

This is exactly my point.

You also read me on Twitter but never troll there, unlike here, cause you know the outcome. Instantly.

On Twitter, you act is a respectable manner.

Making the case for me to have a block function enabled on this site.

Respect to me earns respect back. There, if that doesn’t happen, I block immediately. No arguing, ever.

Doesn’t that sound good?

[pelmet]

I think of you were to do an analysis of the kind of posts that you are talking about, you would find just as many(per capita) for incidents involving professional pilots as involving non-professional pilots on this forum.

One could set up a forum where only real names could be used. I suspect that won't happen here because I think advertising dollars are based on clicks or posts or something like that.

You could purchase the forum and make changes. I actually asked the owner once what the price would be. Never got a response. But I read somewhere he wants a lot.

But for a successful businessman(any here?) looking to influence a sector of society, it might be worth it. And it will cost much less than the 44 billion paid for Twitter.

And you could change the name from AvCanada to X.

[PilotDAR]

I've read the proposal, and comments. This is not the first time this has come up. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I have mine. I think that a change to the nature of the site is a solution looking for a problem, and not necessary.

I will now use a word in a reply, which I have not felt that I have needed to use in just short of 4000 posts, in 11 years participating here: Troll. I have never called a poster a troll, and I have respectfully avoided behaving in a way which could be perceived as being one, and I have never complained to admin about one. A few time I did not like the direction a thread was going, so I either posted a polite comment discouraging unkind responses, or, I have just ignored that thread. I have not thrown my toys out of the sandbox and stormed off, I just switched off.

I post here for the benefit of those who might like to consider my opinion about something to do with flying. Those who need to find out a name for me, are able to do so. Might knowing my name add credibility to what I post? I expect not, I think I'm known more broadly by "Pilot DAR" across several aviation communities than my name would ever take me!

Ultimately, I choose what I read, in part by the identity of the poster. I read many with appreciation, and ignore a few - so far, so good.

So change? My one vote would be no thank you, we're able the way we are....

[rookiepilot]

So far, the vote is for continued anarchy, rewarding the trolls, and against increased civility.

How sad, and its the whole community that suffers for it.

Except for the not insignificant number that are here solely to troll, and not contribute in any positive way. They should not be rewarded, but banned, either officially, or with this self policing method.

I care not what the vote is. I will be advocating for this change, it is the correct course of action for this site.

[PilotDAR]

I see a problem. If anyone voted for:

So far, the vote is for continued anarchy, rewarding the trolls, and against increased civility

.....I didn't see it! I don't think anything I posted pointed toward that at all - so why is what I did post being characterized that way?

[rookiepilot]

I see a problem. If anyone voted for:

So far, the vote is for continued anarchy, rewarding the trolls, and against increased civility

.....I didn't see it! I don't think anything I posted pointed toward that at all - so why is what I did post being characterized that way?

I am discussing the vote count. This is an absolutely black and white issue to me.

I have received more than one absolutely disgusting, I mean vile DM’s as well. I will not even repeat what was said. I cannot block that poster nor the DM’s. That poster is still active here. That is wrong. They are rewarded for vile, disgusting personal attacks. And I am certainly not alone in this regard in having experienced this.

This is anarchy. Period.

When I write on Twitter, and I have a small but significant following, (2400 people) I have complete control. My DM’s are blocked. Any rude responders are blocked. Discussions are kept on point. This isn’t just fair for me, its for the community, who don’t need that kind of garbage.

I (and others) should have the same rights here.

I do respect your very articulate contrary opinion, but disagree.

A blocking function has zero downside I can see and would vastly increase civility, suppress the trolls and increase engagement by new users.

There is literally almost zero GA active engagement on this site. I would think you would be in favour of seeing this improved. This is how.

Twitter:
https://help.twitter.com/en/using-twitt ... g-accounts

Instagram:
https://help.instagram.com/426700567389543

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/help/573359136015141

Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/ ... er?lang=en

GA: Don’t let the trolls win.

[pelmet]

I have received more than one absolutely disgusting, I mean vile DM’s as well. I will not even repeat what was said. I cannot block that poster nor the DM’s. That poster is still active here. That is wrong. They are rewarded for vile, disgusting personal attacks. And I am certainly not alone in this regard in having experienced this.

If someone has sent you a disgusting and vile DM, perhaps you should out them right here or at least send it to the moderator for a complaint. After all, you have been sending complaints to them for posts on threads with resulting intervention. Which seems to show that the mods are listening to you.

I'm sure someone can be banned for improper private messages as well as public ones. I would suggest a first step of making a complaint to a moderator about the disgusting and vile DM's and let us know the results.

[rookiepilot]

I have received more than one absolutely disgusting, I mean vile DM’s as well. I will not even repeat what was said. I cannot block that poster nor the DM’s. That poster is still active here. That is wrong. They are rewarded for vile, disgusting personal attacks. And I am certainly not alone in this regard in having experienced this.

If someone has sent you a disgusting and vile DM, perhaps you should out them right here or at least send it to the moderator for a complaint. After all, you have been sending complaints to them for posts on threads with resulting intervention. Which seems to show that the mods are listening to you.

I'm sure someone can be banned for improper private messages as well as public ones. I would suggest a first step of making a complaint to a moderator about the disgusting and vile DM's and let us know the results.

Thank you — Not good enough.

I’ve proposed an effective solution to the broader issue.

[digits_]

This isn't twitter. And I hope this site turns into anything *but* twitter.

However, the quote below demonstrates what I believe is the root cause of your discontent.

So far, the vote is for continued anarchy, rewarding the trolls, and against increased civility.

How sad

The vote or discussion doesn't go your way, and you automatically assume the people on the opposite side of the argument are the worst possible version of themselves.

What actually happened: people are voting against a proposal to block users.
What you claim happened: people want anarchy and are rewarding the trolls.

Those 2 things are objectively and factually different. Not everybody has the patience and eloquence displayed by PilotDAR to respond to those statements with grace. And after encountering that same pattern in multiple threads I can understand people might get a bit upset and respond in a bit of a more aggressive way. That doesn't mean it's right. However, if you constantly see the worst in your debate partners, then don't be surprised they will start acting that way.

[Reinhard]

The best one (I think) is have everyone post under their real names. Verified accounts with ID. After all, anything said here should be able to be said in front of everyone. I have zero to hide, myself. However that is a lot of work for the mods.

Absolutely not. This is one of the most disgusting things I've read on this site.

The internet was originally used to circumvent centralization and censorship, and have free exchange of ideas.

You are more likely to have authentic interactions in an environment where people are free to express themselves and have free exchange of ideas. Not somewhere that has heavy handed moderation and censorship. Forcing people to post using their real name would certainly have a chilling effect on what people are willing to post.

My proposal would be to add anonymous posting on avcanada. Give users the ability to post while redacting their usernames. Judge others by the content of their post, not who said what.

[Reinhard]

When I write on Twitter, and I have a small but significant following, (2400 people) I have complete control. My DM’s are blocked. Any rude responders are blocked. Discussions are kept on point. This isn’t just fair for me, its for the community, who don’t need that kind of garbage.

I (and others) should have the same rights here.

Why not go to twitter and stay there? Why spread that garbage here?

The internet is already largely a corporate wasteland, platforms like twitter, google, youtube, facebook etc, use algorithms to selectively promote and curate what the masses are allowed to see. 90% of the internet is censored like in china, but they pretend we live in a free world. There isn't truly anywhere you can go to not be censored anymore, except on the deep web or a tiny website with a likeminded community such as this one.

[PilotDAR]

Rookiepilot,

The first paragraph of your opening post was positive and engaging, and drew me in. It is the type of sentiment I feel, and would also like to encourage here. I like positive discussion about aviation, which engages the group, and grows a feeling of comradery!

Is there anything you have written since which is positive, and engages the group? I'm looking for the positive in what you have written, which perhaps I have missed, so I can focus on that. In the spirit of being positive in the group, I'm simply going to look away from anything I read which seems negative - I choose not to consider it.

[Bede]

Can you just add the user ss a "foe"? Then you can't see their posts. (Don't worry, I removed your foe setting.)

[Rooster69]

Just use the foe setting, then you don’t have to read moronic, or the aviation safety public service comments from posters. Unless of course someone “quotes’ the parties on your foe list.

[rookiepilot]

Can you just add the user ss a "foe"? Then you can't see their posts. (Don't worry, I removed your foe setting.)

Here’s my take on that.

On Twitter, where I write on finance, attempt to share my ongoing thought process, reading this content is a privilege. My peers there, almost all American, feel the same.

If a responder is abusive, they should lose the right to read the content I provide. Its the most fair solution to my followers, who do choose to read what I write, and deserve a peaceful environment.

I don’t argue on Twitter ever. Zero strike policy. And it works great.

[rookiepilot]

Rookiepilot,

The first paragraph of your opening post was positive and engaging, and drew me in. It is the type of sentiment I feel, and would also like to encourage here. I like positive discussion about aviation, which engages the group, and grows a feeling of comradery!

Is there anything you have written since which is positive, and engages the group? I'm looking for the positive in what you have written, which perhaps I have missed, so I can focus on that. In the spirit of being positive in the group, I'm simply going to look away from anything I read which seems negative - I choose not to consider it.

Dar, fair comments.

I am rightly accused of being direct when called for. This is one of those times.

What broke the camels back for me, really, this time, was the PA32 thread.

Instead of analyzing the accident, it became trendy to mock that young pilot directly, his stupidity and his faith. This is VERY over the top hurtful should this young man, who leaves behind a widow, a young baby, and sadly took 5 other men with him.

What if that man’s family or friends read that thread? Are we as a community — your words — to be proud of what we have become?

This pilot’s poor decision making (apparently) does NOT give this forum the right to trash his life and drag his name through the mud for laughs. He’s dead. That is NOT funny.

The moderators purged the thread at my request. That isn’t good enough, I don’t want to have to leave when I can’t stand the trolling (even when not directed at me) and I don’t want to argue either.

GA pilots! If you’re tired of it like me, make your voice heard!!!

In a perfect world mocking someone, their life and faith, not their flying, would result in a permanent suspension here. Not likely. This is an eloquent, self governing, alternative solution.

[No Smoke, No Fire]

This isn't twitter. And I hope this site turns into anything *but* twitter.

However, the quote below demonstrates what I believe is the root cause of your discontent.

So far, the vote is for continued anarchy, rewarding the trolls, and against increased civility.

How sad

The vote or discussion doesn't go your way, and you automatically assume the people on the opposite side of the argument are the worst possible version of themselves.

What actually happened: people are voting against a proposal to block users.
What you claim happened: people want anarchy and are rewarding the trolls.

Those 2 things are objectively and factually different. Not everybody has the patience and eloquence displayed by PilotDAR to respond to those statements with grace. And after encountering that same pattern in multiple threads I can understand people might get a bit upset and respond in a bit of a more aggressive way. That doesn't mean it's right. However, if you constantly see the worst in your debate partners, then don't be surprised they will start acting that way.

+1

[pelmet]

Rookiepilot,

The first paragraph of your opening post was positive and engaging, and drew me in. It is the type of sentiment I feel, and would also like to encourage here. I like positive discussion about aviation, which engages the group, and grows a feeling of comradery!

Is there anything you have written since which is positive, and engages the group? I'm looking for the positive in what you have written, which perhaps I have missed, so I can focus on that. In the spirit of being positive in the group, I'm simply going to look away from anything I read which seems negative - I choose not to consider it.

Dar, fair comments.

I am rightly accused of being direct when called for. This is one of those times.

What broke the camels back for me, really, this time, was the PA32 thread.

Instead of analyzing the accident, it became trendy to mock that young pilot directly, his stupidity and his faith. This is VERY over the top hurtful should this young man, who leaves behind a widow, a young baby, and sadly took 5 other men with him.

What if that man’s family or friends read that thread? Are we as a community — your words — to be proud of what we have become?

This pilot’s poor decision making (apparently) does NOT give this forum the right to trash his life and drag his name through the mud for laughs. He’s dead. That is NOT funny.

The moderators purged the thread at my request. That isn’t good enough, I don’t want to have to leave when I can’t stand the trolling (even when not directed at me) and I don’t want to argue either.

GA pilots! If you’re tired of it like me, make your voice heard!!!

In a perfect world mocking someone, their life and faith, not their flying, would result in a permanent suspension here. Not likely. This is an eloquent, self governing, alternative solution.

Illogical argument. You complain about comments on the accident pilots faith which were not in line with how posts should be(quite true). Yet, you somehow are transitioning this to being an attack on GA when there are likely plenty of airline pilots that are religious.

While you may very well have felt insulted by the religious comments, it is much more likely(based on previous comments from you in multiple threads), that you are upset because of comments made toward businessmen pilots. I suppose it would be similar to a doctor wanting to ban us because of comments about doctor pilots. Then you are twisting this into an attack on all GA pilots from professional pilots, who should band together to fight off the attack.

I vote NO to the attempt at cancel culture, which ironically is coming from a person that I believe has criticized it in the past.

The truth is harsh sometimes....we should welcome harsh truths.

[rookiepilot]

Rookiepilot,

The first paragraph of your opening post was positive and engaging, and drew me in. It is the type of sentiment I feel, and would also like to encourage here. I like positive discussion about aviation, which engages the group, and grows a feeling of comradery!

Is there anything you have written since which is positive, and engages the group? I'm looking for the positive in what you have written, which perhaps I have missed, so I can focus on that. In the spirit of being positive in the group, I'm simply going to look away from anything I read which seems negative - I choose not to consider it.

Dar, fair comments.

I am rightly accused of being direct when called for. This is one of those times.

What broke the camels back for me, really, this time, was the PA32 thread.

Instead of analyzing the accident, it became trendy to mock that young pilot directly, his stupidity and his faith. This is VERY over the top hurtful should this young man, who leaves behind a widow, a young baby, and sadly took 5 other men with him.

What if that man’s family or friends read that thread? Are we as a community — your words — to be proud of what we have become?

This pilot’s poor decision making (apparently) does NOT give this forum the right to trash his life and drag his name through the mud for laughs. He’s dead. That is NOT funny.

The moderators purged the thread at my request. That isn’t good enough, I don’t want to have to leave when I can’t stand the trolling (even when not directed at me) and I don’t want to argue either.

GA pilots! If you’re tired of it like me, make your voice heard!!!

In a perfect world mocking someone, their life and faith, not their flying, would result in a permanent suspension here. Not likely. This is an eloquent, self governing, alternative solution.

Illogical argument. You complain about comments on the accident pilots faith which were not in line with how posts should be(quite true). Yet, you somehow are transitioning this to being an attack on GA when there are likely plenty of airline pilots that are religious.

While you may very well have felt insulted by the religious comments, it is much more likely(based on previous comments from you in multiple threads), that you are upset because of comments made toward businessmen pilots. I suppose it would be similar to a doctor wanting to ban us because of comments about doctor pilots. Then you are twisting this into an attack on all GA pilots from professional pilots, who should band together to fight off the attack.

I vote NO to the attempt at cancel culture, which ironically is coming from a person that I believe has criticized it in the past.

The truth is harsh sometimes....we should welcome harsh truths.

You’re gaslighting. Telling ME what I actually think, and deliberately lying to boot.

One of the most disgusting forms of trolling there is.

You make the case for a blocking function for me.