Hi everyone!

As a mod, I started getting some reports on people commenting doomer stuff under posts. They’re not really great, they’re demotivating and most importantly not really fit this communities vibe. I’m not fond of them, but I can’t go removing comments and banning people left and right, because technically, they not breaking any rules. So I feel that the community discussion is in order.

If we going to implement a rule against doomers, I think it is very important to define the rule clearly, for it not to be too broad. So I propose the phrasing “blatant doomerism”. Here are examples:

  • Blatant doomerism\doomer trolling (comment gets removed, user banned if spams to many comments like this):

  • adequate discussion with some doomerism (nothing gets to be done by mods, discussion in the comments goes as usual)

So, the discussion is welcome. If I missed anything, or even if it’s not needed and there should be no change to the rule set, or you have anything to add, feel free to comment.

  • clickyello@lemmy.world
    151·
    2 days ago

    I think it needs to be defined with more specificity than “blatant doomerism”, both to make it more clear when to enforce rather than “I know it when I see it” and also to prevent unfair bans to people talking about something that’s a bummer in good faith.

    I don’t think an environment of toxic positivity is healthy and I fear such a broad definition could foster one, i.e. “oh I can’t say that or I might get banned”

    on the whole though I like the idea of an additional rule added of the sort. it doesn’t seem like the person(s) in the first examples given was saying anything in good faith.

    I also think the punishment should give a lot of grace, like first a warning and comment removal before any ban.

    edit: a word

    • Elle@lemmy.world
      5·
      2 days ago

      Tend to agree with this, particularly leaning towards warnings first given limited moderation tools.

      @[email protected], I think specifying nonconstructive over constructive comments may help here. The first comments you highlight roughly fit the nonconstructive type, being dismissive or not citing any sources to back their resignation.

      Deleting those comments and banning them immediately misses an opportunity to encourage them to reevaluate their thinking. A warning first, followed by a temporary ban if they choose to be rude about it, and ultimately a permanent ban if they continue, seems like it may be a decent approach. If it went any further, bring in admins.

    • UltraHamster64@lemmy.worldOPM
      71·
      2 days ago

      I absolutely agree that it should be defined specifically, I’m just can’t quite figure out how it can be articulated more clearly. I’ll think about it more and then update the post.

      I also think the punishment should give a lot of grace, like first a warning and comment removal before any ban.

      Yes, indeed. I think ban is justifiable if the person in question caught doing it under every post. Other than that, comment removal and warnings are enough

      • verity_kindle
        5·
        2 days ago

        I concur, I just don’t want to conciliate the few (I think, very few) who are also trolls. It’s ok to comment here when in a bad mood or having a rough day, I think the contemptuous responses to other commenters are over the line, given the CONTEXT of being a community that is here to lift each other up, not tear each other down.

      • clickyello@lemmy.world
        3·
        2 days ago

        yeah I’ve been chewing on it for a minute and I can’t really think of anything other than like you said spamming it under every post makes it obvious that it’s a troll and I agree that definitely deserves a ban

    • verity_kindle
      13·
      2 days ago

      Why hang out in hopeposting, of all places, with concerns about “toxic positivity”?

      • clickyello@lemmy.world
        11·
        2 days ago

        from this link.

        “Imagine for a moment that you could truly embody the “good vibes only” mantra. No single negative thought is allowed to enter your mind and you are feeling nothing but bliss – sounds pretty great right? And then, you hear about your dog getting sick and… you feel nothing but happiness? Or perhaps, you hear of the passing of a loved one, or read about a tragedy occurring in the world. These are just a few examples where “good vibes only” starts to feel unproductive and unhelpful.”

        further reading if you’re interested.

        TL;DR: if you ignore the reality of upsetting things in favor of good vibes, it’s not hope it’s gaslighting. hope comes from acknowledging upsetting things and keeping a positive mindset despite them.