Random ban?

[Elementary - Dear Watson]

I don't think I have seen any non justified suspensions or warnings on this site! Looking at the one used in this OP example, I can see 2 others which are a lot worse from that same user. One which is a very flippant remark about pirating:

I'm just gonna pirate it, and get everything for free... Cuz it doesn't matter how much you see it EA always tries to screw the costumer up... so i'm just returning the favor..

is particularily against the:

Similarly, posts including, advocating, or linking to illegal or adult material are a very quick way to end your time as part of The Escapist community.

Sooo.... That pretty much wraps up this question before more people are coaxed into saying something stupid, and following suit with suspensions!

Oh, and I agree with the anti generalisation arguement! I don't pirate music either! I prefer to support my favourite bands, especially the lesser mainstream stuff that would probably do with my money more!

 

[ZeroMachine]

You've been here for over a year and you don't understand that advocating piracy is a warnable/suspendable/bannable offense?

Not to mention, he called someone a "retard".

That's just plain mean.

 

[TheVioletBandit]

Got to say that it is really easy to get banned from this place. Alot of people that have no warnings probably should and vice versa. Literally feels like your playing the lottery on here when it comes to stuff that will get you banned. Very long time ago, but I got a warning for cussing. After seeing other people cuss, I figured it was alright. Now there is the other crap where you are one post away from being banned, they just find any reason to get rid of you. The piracy thing is not what they like then I suppose you throw the ban hammer at him. Yeah but it still seems to me that alot of people are getting banned for just stating their opinion. Like the fact that they don't want you to go after people and start trolling. Alot of the posts on here from different people are rude as shit, they have perfect health meters.

'Don't be a jerk' is the most important rule here, from what I've gathered, along with putting effort into your posts. As long as your posts are reasoned, not massively inflammatory, and aren't calling other users morons etc then you're fine. The strict rules are worth it as they allow very good discussion in comparison to other forums.

If the most important rule here is "don't be a jerk" it's not working. What I think the most important rules actually are, in regards to getting along with others on this site and not getting banned are quite different from "don't be a jerk".

 

[Bomberman4000]

This seems pretty clear to me why he was suspended for that post. I don't know why this subject has gotten to 20+ posts, but I guess it's a somewhat valid discussion on the discretion used when stating one's opinions, but that discussion seems like it should be saved for another time. This seems cut and dry. He outright stated his support and admission of committing piracy, hence the suspension.

Also, as a musician, I'm offended that you make the blanket statement that everyone pirates music. Everything I own I've paid for unless offered through legitimate means. (friends handing out free CD's, artists offering free songs, etc)

Also...again, you going to bat for someone who was banned for completely understandable reasons isn't a "random good deed for the day." I hope the patting of your own back felt good though.

Ok, that may have been a bit harsh, but this whole topic seems meaningless at this point.

 

[TheVioletBandit]

Yes you should not pirate a game but that is no reason to ban him.

You DID type "I AGREE" to a list of rules before you were able to post, on that list was "Thou Shalt Not Advocate Piracy".

This isn't infringement on free speech, you HAVE to follow the rules when posting on private forums. End of.

EDIT: Wrote "public" instead of "private". Derp.

Was he advocating piracy or talking about his personal experience? From what I read it didn't seem like he was trying to get other people to join him in his activity as much as he was simply talking about it. Maybe the rule should be "don't talk about piracy" instead, and while were at it a don't talk about religion or politics rule could be useful as well if we're censoring the forums.

 

[lacktheknack]

Yes you should not pirate a game but that is no reason to ban him.

You DID type "I AGREE" to a list of rules before you were able to post, on that list was "Thou Shalt Not Advocate Piracy".

This isn't infringement on free speech, you HAVE to follow the rules when posting on private forums. End of.

EDIT: Wrote "public" instead of "private". Derp.

Was he advocating piracy or talking about his personal experience? From what I read it didn't seem like he was trying to get other people to join him in his activity as much as he was simply talking about it. Maybe the rule should be "don't talk about piracy" instead, and while were at it a don't talk about religion or politics rule could be useful as well if we're censoring the forums.

1. He stated what he thought was a solid case for pirating ME3. That's the DEFINITION of advocacy.

2. They already kindly request that you keep your religious/political conversations on the Religion and Politics board.

3. It's not "censoring the forums", it's keeping illegal content off of it. End of.

 

[JochemHippie]

It's against the rules.

They're not asking you to like it or agree with it, just to follow it and censor your opinion

 

[ZeroMachine]

You've been here for over a year and you don't understand that advocating piracy is a warnable/suspendable/bannable offense?

Not to mention, he called someone a "retard".

That's just plain mean.

I do think he is free to call people not on this site retards though. It was directed at some random person on youtube. Though maybe that person is on this site.

I was mostly trying to be funny with that part, he was undoubtedly banned for advocating piracy.

Captcha: Search Inventory

Spoiler: Boomerang, check. Hero's Bow, check. Master Sword, check. Oh, shit...

 

[TheVioletBandit]

Yes you should not pirate a game but that is no reason to ban him.

You DID type "I AGREE" to a list of rules before you were able to post, on that list was "Thou Shalt Not Advocate Piracy".

This isn't infringement on free speech, you HAVE to follow the rules when posting on private forums. End of.

EDIT: Wrote "public" instead of "private". Derp.

Was he advocating piracy or talking about his personal experience? From what I read it didn't seem like he was trying to get other people to join him in his activity as much as he was simply talking about it. Maybe the rule should be "don't talk about piracy" instead, and while were at it a don't talk about religion or politics rule could be useful as well if we're censoring the forums.

1. He stated what he thought was a solid case for pirating ME3. That's the DEFINITION of advocacy.

2. They already kindly request that you keep your religious/political conversations on the Religion and Politics board.

3. It's not "censoring the forums", it's keeping illegal content off of it. End of.

1. I can agree with this point as I am not to arrogant or pigheaded to bend.

2. not really the same thing as censoring it all together.

3. Telling people what they can and cannot say is the DEFINITION of censoring.

Why did you have to put "end of" at the end of your post? Was that suppose to be "bad ass"? Was I suppose to see that and be like wow, I shouldn't mess with this guy hes a total bad ass internet genius that knows the definitions of things? It is possible to disagree without being a dick, you know that right? Anyway, end of. fail. thread over, or whatever.

 

[lacktheknack]

Yes you should not pirate a game but that is no reason to ban him.

You DID type "I AGREE" to a list of rules before you were able to post, on that list was "Thou Shalt Not Advocate Piracy".

This isn't infringement on free speech, you HAVE to follow the rules when posting on private forums. End of.

EDIT: Wrote "public" instead of "private". Derp.

Was he advocating piracy or talking about his personal experience? From what I read it didn't seem like he was trying to get other people to join him in his activity as much as he was simply talking about it. Maybe the rule should be "don't talk about piracy" instead, and while were at it a don't talk about religion or politics rule could be useful as well if we're censoring the forums.

1. He stated what he thought was a solid case for pirating ME3. That's the DEFINITION of advocacy.

2. They already kindly request that you keep your religious/political conversations on the Religion and Politics board.

3. It's not "censoring the forums", it's keeping illegal content off of it. End of.

1. I can agree with this point as I am not to arrogant or pigheaded to bend.

2. not really the same thing as censoring it all together.

3. Telling people what they can and cannot say is the DEFINITION of censoring.

Why did you have to put "end of" at the end of your post? Was that suppose to be "bad ass"? Was I suppose to see that and be like wow, I shouldn't mess with this guy hes a total bad ass internet genius that knows the definitions of things? It is possible to disagree without being a dick, you know that right? Anyway, end of. fail. thread over, or whatever.

"End of" signals that I intend to have no give in my position, unless you can convince me otherwise.

And I suppose it IS censorship, but censorship isn't a bad thing in small scale. There's reasons you can't yell "FIRE" in a theater, "I HAVE A BOMB" in an airport, or "I'M GOING TO INSULT YOUR SPONSORS NOW" in an ad-driven forum.

 

[TheVioletBandit]

Yes you should not pirate a game but that is no reason to ban him.

You DID type "I AGREE" to a list of rules before you were able to post, on that list was "Thou Shalt Not Advocate Piracy".

This isn't infringement on free speech, you HAVE to follow the rules when posting on private forums. End of.

EDIT: Wrote "public" instead of "private". Derp.

Was he advocating piracy or talking about his personal experience? From what I read it didn't seem like he was trying to get other people to join him in his activity as much as he was simply talking about it. Maybe the rule should be "don't talk about piracy" instead, and while were at it a don't talk about religion or politics rule could be useful as well if we're censoring the forums.

1. He stated what he thought was a solid case for pirating ME3. That's the DEFINITION of advocacy.

2. They already kindly request that you keep your religious/political conversations on the Religion and Politics board.

3. It's not "censoring the forums", it's keeping illegal content off of it. End of.

1. I can agree with this point as I am not to arrogant or pigheaded to bend.

2. not really the same thing as censoring it all together.

3. Telling people what they can and cannot say is the DEFINITION of censoring.

Why did you have to put "end of" at the end of your post? Was that suppose to be "bad ass"? Was I suppose to see that and be like wow, I shouldn't mess with this guy hes a total bad ass internet genius that knows the definitions of things? It is possible to disagree without being a dick, you know that right? Anyway, end of. fail. thread over, or whatever.

"End of" signals that I intend to have no give in my position, unless you can convince me otherwise.

And I suppose it IS censorship, but censorship isn't a bad thing in small scale. There's reasons you can't yell "FIRE" in a theater, "I HAVE A BOMB" in an airport, or "I'M GOING TO INSULT YOUR SPONSORS NOW" in an ad-driven forum.

If "end of" signals that you intend to have no give in your position then what was the point of having a discussion in the first place? I recommend a change in attitude as the "My opinion is correct, end of discussion thing" doesn't facilitate learning or any sort of personal growth. You should always be open to the possibility that your wrong. I was wrong about the definition of advocating something, you brought that to my attention, and I learned something, see how that works.