Please give us a REAL "block" feature instead of a useless "mute"

[Dale]

Failure to do so - encourages & promotes the bratty skateboard nitwits here.

I'm talking of the SAME block feature that every social media platform has:
it works BOTH ways - they can't see or respond to the blocker
thus the rest of us won't have to sift thru their bratty, nitwit crap.

You guys REALLY_DO call it a "discussions" platform for a reason, eh?
Instead, it's a prolific "pass hate mail back-and-forth". We're getting tired
of having their "bad childhood" crap shoved in our faces. Sheesh!

[Start_Running]

Yeah the iossue doesn't revolve around missing m8. WHat it is about is someone else controlling what posts we can or cannot see and imposing limits on how others can interact with the discussion.

That's the issue.
If sopmeone doesn't want to see your posts that's THEIR choice to make in a public forum..And it should be no one else's .

But then this sorta thing always boils down to people wanting to control and limit others... and as one person pointed out, make it hopefully less likely they will be reported for violations...whichb really wouldn't work.

[Dr.Shadowds 🐉]

Originally posted by Pierce Dalton:

Originally posted by Dr.Shadowds 🐉:

Yes I wouldn't miss them, was there more to it?

You don't realize what you just did, right? xD

Asked me a personal question, if I care if you block me, and would I miss your post. I answer, and I asked was there more to it. Are you saying there a point about me out of everyone else on the internet, or this some drag on want to do for no reason?

Originally posted by Pierce Dalton:

Now please do answer my question:

And if I block you, thus making my posts invisible to you, why would you miss them?

[Pierce Dalton]

Originally posted by Dr.Shadowds 🐉:

Originally posted by Pierce Dalton:

You don't realize what you just did, right? xD

Asked me a personal question, if I care if you block me, and would I miss your post. I answer, and I asked was there more to it. Are you saying there a point about me out of everyone else on the internet, or this some drag on want to do for no reason?

Originally posted by Pierce Dalton:

Now please do answer my question:

And if I block you, thus making my posts invisible to you, why would you miss them?

You just confirmed you're arguing for the sake of arguing, you literally don't care in case blocking you makes my posts invisible to you.

I already knew that, but confirmation is always welcome. Thank you.

[Pierce Dalton]

Originally posted by Start_Running:

Yeah the iossue doesn't revolve around missing m8. WHat it is about is someone else controlling what posts we can or cannot see and imposing limits on how others can interact with the discussion.

That's the issue.
If sopmeone doesn't want to see your posts that's THEIR choice to make in a public forum..And it should be no one else's .

Well, I think you don't know the very meaning of blocking, m8:

Imposing limits.

[Dr.Shadowds 🐉]

Originally posted by Pierce Dalton:

Originally posted by Dr.Shadowds 🐉:

Asked me a personal question, if I care if you block me, and would I miss your post. I answer, and I asked was there more to it. Are you saying there a point about me out of everyone else on the internet, or this some drag on want to do for no reason?

You just confirmed you're arguing for the sake of arguing, you literally don't care in case blocking you would make my posts invisible to you.

I already knew that, but confirmation is always welcome. Thank you.

So I answer your personal question directed at me, and that consider arguing for the sake of arguing. Ok, whatever float your boat bud.

[arsenicBumpnip]

Originally posted by turducken abolitionist:

Originally posted by arsenicBumpnip:

a bit far-left

like communists and anarchists?
i don't use Twitter either btw, so i'm just curious

commies, tankies, anarchists and the like for the left, yes. For the right, neo-nazis, manosphere guys, alt-righters, etc.

Conspiracy theorists like flat earthers are another block-happy group. Also people who like to cry "You're censoring me!" when they get deplatformed from private spaces, funnily enough.

Originally posted by FOXDOOD:

Originally posted by arsenicBumpnip:

Tell me that you don't use Twitter without telling me you don't use Twitter

It's mostly political extremists abusing the block function on twitter and they generally fall on that one side of the political spectrum, you know, the kind of person that is a walking meme and wants to "cancel" people who lived 200 years ago because they didn't think or behave exactly like we do in present day.

We debate videogames here, not politics, so I think we're pretty safe.

You'd be surprised how many "free speech advocates" on the right are similarly wildly slinging out blocks. In my experience, only centrists & libertarians, dirty fence-sitters though they may be, are the sorts who tend to avoid blocking folks.

And as a note, while we're not discussing politics, you can be sure that plenty of the users on these forums are those extremist sorts elsewhere. They'd be just as block-happy here as they are on Twitter if given the chance.

Originally posted by Pierce Dalton:

The power to silence people? You mean the power to silence people only for yourself , right? These are different things, keep that in mind.

No Pierce, I very much meant "the power to silence other people", as in "the power to lock people out of public threads by blocking them".

Originally posted by Pierce Dalton:

I'd recommend you to read that article too, you can learn a lot:

"Social media are interactive technologies that facilitate the creation and sharing of information, ideas, interests, and other forms of expression through virtual communities and networks. While challenges to the definition of social media arise due to the variety of stand-alone and built-in social media services currently available, there are some common features:

1. Social media are interactive Web 2.0 Internet-based applications.
2. User-generated content—such as text posts or comments, digital photos or videos, and data generated through all online interactions—is the lifeblood of social media.
3. Users create service-specific profiles for the website or app that are designed and maintained by the social media organization.
4. Social media helps the development of online social networks by connecting a user's profile with those of other individuals or groups."

Why don't you read the rest of it? Maybe then you can construct better arguments...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_media

The only thing backfiring here is that some people have no idea what social media means.

Well, thanks for showing you either didn't read a word I said, or are dishonestly trying to avoid my points for lacking any counterargument!

-Your linked article differentiates between social networking sites, microblogs, and forums as three very different types of social media, y'know.-

So how's about you respond to this bit specifically, yeah? I've bolded some edits/additions that should help you understand it better:

Originally posted by arsenicBumpnip:

While they are all forms of social media, forums are not social network sites nor microblogs. These three very different forms of social media do not operate under the same logic, and would in fact actively undermine their own purpose if they added certain elements of the other site types.

Microblogs and social network sites are examples of -private- social medias, forums are an example of -public- social media. Hence why blocking works one way for the former and another way for the latter.

You would not argue that the preacher who was the first to show up to the town square at 6am should have the power to kick other people out of the town square, because the town square is a public space accessible to all. Forum threads operate under the same principle, where the OP does not "own" the thread, hence why having microblog-style blocking would be antithetical to the forum's purpose

Originally posted by cinedine:

Originally posted by arsenicBumpnip:

Odds are you'll end up on more than a few block lists pretty dang quickly even if you're the politest bastard in the room, just for having an opinion OP dislikes.

And what do you lose by that? Or what do they gain from it?
They are already deep in their bubble and unable to have a civil discussion.
You are no longer subject to their ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ and do you really want to stay in contact with people like this?

I mean, all you have to do is re-read the section you quoted part of in full to answer your own questions.

It's not about being in contact with that person -specifically-, it's about the mini-moderator powers thread OPs would be given that would immediately be subject to abuse.

I could join a popular thread discussing a game's ending, and be having a productive conversation only with people who aren't the OP, yet if OP blocks me because they dislike my opinion, I'm now booted from the thread.

In real life, if you are constantly barging into my conversations without adding anything or spouting insults, I will leave and take the conversation elsewhere. If you keep doing it, I will avoid being near you like you are a plague carrier.
Just because we are on the internet doesn't mean anyone should be subjected to other people's unsolicited opinion. Nor does it mean you should give your two cents about every topic.

But that's the thing, even if you're OP, a forum thread isn't "your conversation". It is a -public- conversation. If you don't like someone spouting BS at you, you're free to ignore them, but you -are not- free to kick them out of the conversation entirely, because it's -not- a private conversation administrated by you, it's -public-.

If you went to the town square to haggle the local preacher, he doesn't have the power to kick you out of the square just because he was the first person there at 6am sharp. The same logic applies to forums. You -do not- own the thread, even if you're OP. If you want that level of control of who can respond, start a blog, not a forum thread.

Originally posted by cinedine:

Originally posted by BaLuX:

There is a huge difference between social media like Facebook and public forums like steam community.

Steam Community is more than the forums, though.

You have profiles with comments, public and private groups with their discussion space, status notifications and a timeline, chats, a friend network and recomendation algorithms based on your friends' activities.
It is undoubtly a social platform. Though less like Facebook or Twitter and more like Instagram for games.
"This game got recommended to you because [Faze]NoScoper360 and xXxD4thK1ll3rxXx like it".

And if you block someone currently on Steam, they're cut off from your private profile comments section and DM chat. Group admins in turn are free to ban anyone they don't want in the group's discussions. Steam's blocks already cut off the person from interacting with you through any of your private pages, you apparently want the block to extend to -public- discussions, which should not and likely never will happen for the forum.

[Pierce Dalton]

Originally posted by Dr.Shadowds 🐉:

Originally posted by Pierce Dalton:

You just confirmed you're arguing for the sake of arguing, you literally don't care in case blocking you would make my posts invisible to you.

I already knew that, but confirmation is always welcome. Thank you.

So I answer your personal question directed at me, and that consider arguing for the sake of arguing. Ok, whatever float your boat bud.

Yes, thanks for answering that question, now everyone can see what you're doing:

You're protesting against the idea of removing something from your dish, but you wouldn't even eat it anyway - you wouldn't miss it at all .

I'm quite sure you can't understand this analogy, so I'll explain in advance:

If my posts were invisible to you, you're fine with that. Yet you're here complaining about such possibility.

[Pierce Dalton]

@arsenic

Except you can't silence people at all. They're still free to make their own threads and say anything they want. No loss.

Also, please do read the Wikipedia page, that may help you to understand what social media is and how the Steam Community fits the term.

[arsenicBumpnip]

Originally posted by Pierce Dalton:

Originally posted by arsenicBumpnip:

No Pierce, I very much meant "the power to silence other people", as in "the power to lock people out of public threads by blocking them".

Except you can't silence people at all. They're free to make their own threads and type anything they want.

edit: Also, please do read the Wikipedia page, that may help you to understand what social media is and how the Steam Community fits the term.

The part I italicized is factually incorrect. With your proposed system, they're no longer free to post anything in a thread you OP'd if you block them. You do not own a thread just because you're OP, Pierce.


Also to respond to your edit- I'm not arguing that Steam isn't social media. Pay attention to what I'm writing: I'm saying that microblogs like Twitter, social networking like Facebook, and forums like the Steam Discussion Boards are three -very different types- of social media.

Now respond to this part, yeah?:

While they are all forms of social media, forums are not social network sites nor microblogs. These three very different forms of social media do not operate under the same logic, and would in fact actively undermine their own purpose if they added certain elements of the other site types.

Microblogs and social network sites are examples of -private- social medias, forums are an example of -public- social media. Hence why blocking works one way for the former and another way for the latter.

You would not argue that the preacher who was the first to show up to the town square at 6am should have the power to kick other people out of the town square, because the town square is a public space accessible to all. Forum threads operate under the same principle, where the OP does not "own" the thread, hence why having microblog-style blocking would be antithetical to the forum's purpose

[Pierce Dalton]

Originally posted by arsenicBumpnip:

Originally posted by Pierce Dalton:

Except you can't silence people at all. They're free to make their own threads and type anything they want.

edit: Also, please do read the Wikipedia page, that may help you to understand what social media is and how the Steam Community fits the term.

The part I italicized is factually incorrect. With your proposed system, they're no longer free to post anything in a thread you OP'd if you block them. You do not own a thread just because you're OP, Pierce.


Also to respond to your edit- I'm not arguing that Steam isn't social media. Pay attention to what I'm writing: I'm saying that microblogs like Twitter, social networking like Facebook, and forums like the Steam Discussion Boards are three -very different types- of social media.

Now respond to this part, yeah?:

While they are all forms of social media, forums are not social network sites nor microblogs. These three very different forms of social media do not operate under the same logic, and would in fact actively undermine their own purpose if they added certain elements of the other site types.

Microblogs and social network sites are examples of -private- social medias, forums are an example of -public- social media. Hence why blocking works one way for the former and another way for the latter.

You would not argue that the preacher who was the first to show up to the town square at 6am should have the power to kick other people out of the town square, because the town square is a public space accessible to all. Forum threads operate under the same principle, where the OP does not "own" the thread, hence why having microblog-style blocking would be antithetical to the forum's purpose

You must be new here, that's why you don't know what people say everytime suggestions like this come up:

"Steam is not social media"

I think they've said that in this very thread, but you forgot about that or simply didn't read it.

[Dr.Shadowds 🐉]

Originally posted by Pierce Dalton:

Originally posted by Dr.Shadowds 🐉:

So I answer your personal question directed at me, and that consider arguing for the sake of arguing. Ok, whatever float your boat bud.

Yes, thanks for answering that question, now everyone can see what you're doing:

You're protesting against the idea of removing something from your dish, but you wouldn't even eat it anyway - you wouldn't miss it at all .

I'm quite sure you can't understand this analogy, so I'll explain in advance:

If my posts were invisible to you, you're fine with that. Yet you're here complaining about such possibility.

So you're saying this whole discussion OP made is only about you? Last I checked it wasn't about you, so not sure how you came to that.

The points I made is how block feature OP wanted works as a double edge sword, where one can block others for any reasons even if it silly reasons, or trolls, and scammers want to block people that want to call them out, and such which is the point I made, unless that what you're argument about being a troller, or scammer? Or just wanted take this personally for some reason agasint me? Seem more like the former, than the letter at this point since keep dragging things on just looking for sake to agure, and think no one can disagree, let alone can share opinion, or point out things, but hey again you do you, I'm not stopping you from blocking me right now if this bothers you.

[Pierce Dalton]

Originally posted by Dr.Shadowds 🐉:

Originally posted by Pierce Dalton:

Yes, thanks for answering that question, now everyone can see what you're doing:

You're protesting against the idea of removing something from your dish, but you wouldn't even eat it anyway - you wouldn't miss it at all .

I'm quite sure you can't understand this analogy, so I'll explain in advance:

If my posts were invisible to you, you're fine with that. Yet you're here complaining about such possibility.

So you're saying this whole discussion OP made is only about you? Last I checked it wasn't about you, so not sure how you came to that.

The points I made is how block feature OP wanted works as a double edge sword, where one can block others for any reasons even if it silly reasons, or trolls, and scammers want to block people that want to call them out, and such which is the point I made, unless that what you're agurement about being a troller, or scammer? Or did just want to take this personally for some reason agasint me? Seem more like the former, than the letter at this point since keep dragging things on, and just looking for sake to agure, and think no one can disagree, let alone can share opinion, but hey again you do you, I'm not stopping you from blocking me right now if this bothers you.

You know, it's really sad that you can't understand basic things: I was using me as an example, nothing else.

In fact, I'm quite sure you don't care about not being able to read the posts of anyone that blocks you. Why would you miss reading them?

Also, don't worry, I won't block you, I have no one blocked and I've already mentioned that more than once.

[arsenicBumpnip]

Originally posted by Pierce Dalton:

You must be new here, that's why you don't know what people say everytime suggestions like this come up:

"Steam is not social media"

I think they've said that in this very thread, but you forgot about that or simply didn't read it.

Yet -I'm- not saying that, so why did you just respond to me as if I was? Is it because you aren't actually reading my posts, and you accusing others of not reading your own is merely projection in that regard? Or are you just deflecting because you're afraid of responding to my counterpoint to your position?


Respond to the below paragraphs, Pierce, or be forever known as a coward afraid to face the hard truth:

While they are all forms of social media, forums are not social network sites nor microblogs. These three very different forms of social media do not operate under the same logic, and would in fact actively undermine their own purpose if they added certain elements of the other site types.

Microblogs and social network sites are examples of -private- social medias, forums are an example of -public- social media. Hence why blocking works one way for the former and another way for the latter.

You would not argue that the preacher who was the first to show up to the town square at 6am should have the power to kick other people out of the town square, because the town square is a public space accessible to all. Forum threads operate under the same principle, where the OP does not "own" the thread, hence why having microblog-style blocking for the Steam Discussion Boards would be antithetical to the forum's purpose.

[Dr.Shadowds 🐉]

Originally posted by Pierce Dalton:

Originally posted by Dr.Shadowds 🐉:

So you're saying this whole discussion OP made is only about you? Last I checked it wasn't about you, so not sure how you came to that.

The points I made is how block feature OP wanted works as a double edge sword, where one can block others for any reasons even if it silly reasons, or trolls, and scammers want to block people that want to call them out, and such which is the point I made, unless that what you're agurement about being a troller, or scammer? Or did just want to take this personally for some reason agasint me? Seem more like the former, than the letter at this point since keep dragging things on, and just looking for sake to agure, and think no one can disagree, let alone can share opinion, but hey again you do you, I'm not stopping you from blocking me right now if this bothers you.

You know, it's really sad that you can't understand basic things: I was using me as an example, nothing else.

In fact, I'm quite sure you don't care about not being able to read the posts of anyone that blocks you. Why would you miss reading them?

Also, don't worry, I won't block you, I have no one blocked and I've already mentioned that more than once.

Me personally I do care about seeing trolls trying to serious cause problems to others, or even harm others, and scammers trying to con people, but hey you think I don't care that just your opinion, last I check you're not me, and I'm not you, we have nothing to do with each others.

If just want to drag things on for no reason, I wouldn't care if you block me, because this isn't harm, or scam anyone from this discussion, as again unless this was to defend, or aid trolls, and scammers, then we got a problem, so you figure out what you're arguing about, I been mostly pointing things out in this discussion besides your personal questions that only related between you, and me since it only about if you block me, or not, and has nothing to do with anyone else.

[Pierce Dalton]

Originally posted by arsenicBumpnip:

Originally posted by Pierce Dalton:

You must be new here, that's why you don't know what people say everytime suggestions like this come up:

"Steam is not social media"

I think they've said that in this very thread, but you forgot about that or simply didn't read it.

Yet -I'm- not saying that, so why did you just respond to me as if I was? Is it because you aren't actually reading my posts, and you accusing others of not reading your own is merely projection in that regard? Or are you just deflecting because you're afraid of responding to my counterpoint to your position?


Respond to the below paragraphs, Pierce, or be forever known as a coward afraid to face the hard truth:

While they are all forms of social media, forums are not social network sites nor microblogs. These three very different forms of social media do not operate under the same logic, and would in fact actively undermine their own purpose if they added certain elements of the other site types.

Microblogs and social network sites are examples of -private- social medias, forums are an example of -public- social media. Hence why blocking works one way for the former and another way for the latter.

You would not argue that the preacher who was the first to show up to the town square at 6am should have the power to kick other people out of the town square, because the town square is a public space accessible to all. Forum threads operate under the same principle, where the OP does not "own" the thread, hence why having microblog-style blocking would be antithetical to the forum's purpose

That's an empty gun, my friend, I'm not afraid of anything.

As I've explained before, marketing and social media experts broadly agree that social media includes the following 13 types:

Blogs (ex. Huffington Post, Boing Boing)
Business networks (ex. LinkedIn, XING)
Collaborative projects (ex. Wikipedia, Mozilla)
Enterprise social networks (ex. Yammer, Socialcast)
Forums (ex. Gaia Online, IGN Boards)
Microblogs (ex. Twitter, Tumblr)
Photo sharing (ex. Flickr, Photobucket)
Products/services review (ex. Amazon, Elance)
Social bookmarking (ex. Delicious, Pinterest)
Social gaming (ex. Mafia Wars)
Social network sites (ex. Facebook, Google+)
Video sharing (ex. YouTube, Vimeo)
Virtual worlds (ex. Second Life, Twinity)

Are they different from each other? Of course, YouTube is very different from Linkedin, still both are social media. All of them are social media because they share the following aspects:

1. Social media are interactive Web 2.0 Internet-based applications. (applies to Steam)
2. User-generated content—such as text posts or comments, digital photos or videos, and data generated through all online interactions—is the lifeblood of social media. (applies to Steam)
3. Users create service-specific profiles for the website or app that are designed and maintained by the social media organization. (applies to Steam)
4. Social media helps the development of online social networks by connecting a user's profile with those of other individuals or groups. (applies to Steam)

Apparently, you're the one afraid to face the "hard truth":

The Steam Community is social media, just like Facebook or Twitter.

Therefore, the old and silly argument that "blocking on Steam shouldn't work like it does on social media because Steam is not social media" lies dead.

By the way, "hence why" is incorrect, you can cut that "why".