Why are the "Posting outside PRSI" rules applied unevenly?

[Stephen.R]

On a fairly regularly basis, a story in the "news" forum has somehow involved a social element - either Apple donating to some cause, or Apple stores closing due to local conditions under COVID etc.

On multiple occasions, the conversation has taken the predictable course, to the actual topic - equal rights, or responses to COVID, what have you.

That conversation carries on for many pages, with much heated "debate". The moment a person (in my experience, me but I find it hard to believe others aren't seeing the same thing, unless this is a particular mod looking for any excuse to "hit" me) makes even the briefest mentions of anything to do with government or leadership, it's a suspension for:

making posts that are about political, religious, or social issues, outside the "Politics, Religion, Social Issues" (PRSI) forum, and are likely to steer discussions to those types of topics

Now, I'm not a sociology major, but I find it hard to believe anyone can claim with a straight face that Apple supporting gay rights or closing due to a global pandemic are not inherently "social issues".


So which is it? Does M.R. somehow have some special definition of Social Issues that doesn't include things that affect the entirety of human society on earth, or could it just be that maybe moderation is not

almost always correct, appropriate, and done fairly.

??

 

[apple_unreal]

I am not a sociologist but I am 45 and my mom is... all I can tell you is that you are spending too much time in the internet and forums and you should investing your time on something useful, that would be the best contribution to yourself and to others. Stop looking at places where people drop their disfunctionalities, it is a matter of choice. Let those people be, you are not resolving anything by being there other than just this... filling your brain with crap and nothing constructive.

Download a new software like Unreal or something where you can create anything and have fun, cut the plug.

 

[S.B.G]

You know, maybe the mods weren't alerted, via the Report button, by a member, that a PRSI-esque post was in the non-PRIS forums.

 

[apple_unreal]

You know, maybe the mods weren't alerted, via the Report button, by a member, that a PRSI-esque post was in the non-PRIS forums.

As I am saying... "get a life". People want to come to "the forums" and they want the world to change for them. I keep saying it... "get off the internet and get a life!". Is this some sort of schisofrenia where they do not realize they are wasting time in a web site texting to a bunch of anonymous nobodies, some kids, some adults, from different countries... who knows. Time to close the lid and got to get a beer.

 

[S.B.G]

As I am saying... "get a life". People want to come to "the forums" and they want the world to change for them. I keep saying it... "get off the internet and get a life!". Is this some sort of schisofrenia where they do not realize they are wasting time in a web site texting to a bunch of anonymous nobodies, some kids, some adults, from different countries... who knows. Time to close the lid and got to get a beer.

I don't necessarily disagree with you there, however your definition of "life" is your own, and not universal to every other person.

What I choose to do with my life, just as @Stephen.R chooses to do with his, is our own choice. If he wants to devote a significant portion of his time and effort here or elsewhere on the Internet, that's his choice.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

And sometimes, the circumstances of the life that one has already got, (such as being responsible for a parent with dementia, or a child with autism) means that one cannot "get a life" that is not online, because one's own life, is, by its very definition, confined to - and constrained by - and determined by - and restricted to - domestic concerns.

And much of this has been further exacerbated, if anything, by the sort of conditions experienced when living under - and with - the world of Covid-19.

 

[TiggrToo]

As I am saying... "get a life". People want to come to "the forums" and they want the world to change for them. I keep saying it... "get off the internet and get a life!". Is this some sort of schisofrenia where they do not realize they are wasting time in a web site texting to a bunch of anonymous nobodies, some kids, some adults, from different countries... who knows. Time to close the lid and got to get a beer.

Do as I say, not as I do?

Ahh, sweet bitter irony... 🤔

 

[adrianlondon]

The solution should be to monitor the threads and if more than one or two people post social and/or political posts then move the thread where it obviously now belongs. In PRSI.

 

[Apple_Robert]

In my opinion, when a member has been given a timeout, he or she should use the “contact us” form to discuss the issue(s) surrounding the moderator action, if he or she has questions relating to action taken in whatever forum.

Contact us

forums.macrumors.com

 

[I7guy]

The solution should be to monitor the threads and if more than one or two people post social and/or political posts then move the thread where it obviously now belongs. In PRSI.

Maybe the thread doesn’t belong in PRSI and the posts should be moderated as needed. Not every thread that has a connection to social issues needs to be derailed with PRSI type comments or treated as a PRSI thread.

 

[adrianlondon]

Maybe the thread doesn’t belong in PRSI and the posts should be moderated as needed. Not every thread that has a connection to social issues needs to be derailed with PRSI type comments or treated as a PRSI thread.

That implies threads which have connections to social issues can't contain posts about social issues. It's a fine line, and I'm glad I'm not a mod on here!

 

[I7guy]

That implies threads which have connections to social issues can't contain posts about social issues. It's a fine line, and I'm glad I'm not a mod on here!

“Those” types of threads end up in the political news section. For example COVID-19 is a social issue; eg Apple reclosing stores....but the political aspect about the ineptness of the current administration to handle the pandemic effectively would/should be moderated. To cite a made up example.

 

[adrianlondon]

“Those” types of threads end up in the political news section. For example COVID-19 is a social issue; eg Apple reclosing stores....but the political aspect about the ineptness of the current administration to handle the pandemic effectively would/should be moderated. To cite a made up example.

That's clear! Thanks for explaining.

 

[Stephen.R]

I am not a sociologist but I am 45 and my mom is...

Good for you, good for her, I don't care. Please take your weird conversation elsewhere.
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You know, maybe the mods weren't alerted, via the Report button, by a member, that a PRSI-esque post was in the non-PRIS forums.

I tried that. I reported half a dozen or so posts in the thread, that make zero mention of Apple, how the situation affects Apple, only about the "social issue" itself, and each one was deemed "no action required".

Not every thread that has a connection to social issues needs to be derailed with PRSI type comments or treated as a PRSI thread.

I don't disagree in theory, but when there are no comments that aren't related to the "social issue" I'm not so sure that's derailing as it is, a whole different set of rails.

For example COVID-19 is a social issue; eg Apple reclosing stores....but the political aspect about the ineptness of the current administration to handle the pandemic effectively would/should be moderated. To cite a made up example.

So you at least understand the background of the explanation I'm trying to get, from someone who can speak with authority.

If the rule says, no "PRSI" posts outside PRSI, why are only the "P" posts deemed to require moderation in a thread such as the type you mention, while the "SI" posts that don't mention "P" make up.. 95+% of the posts.

 

[I7guy]

...

If the rule says, no "PRSI" posts outside PRSI, why are only the "P" posts deemed to require moderation in a thread such as the type you mention, while the "SI" posts that don't mention "P" make up.. 95+% of the posts.

I can only hazard a guess. Some of the stories in the MacRumors news thread could be considered "SI". All stories revolving around covid-19; stories revolving around Apples' donations; etc. Some of these stories end up in the political news forum, others remain in the MR news feed. There's a way to discuss these stories as it relates to apple, apples' customers, apples' products, apple pricing, apples' suppliers etc. As soon as the thread becomes politicized is when these threads cross the line into PRSI.

The line sometimes requires some interpretation, imo. But if one understands the rules of the site, one should understand what type of post would trigger a moderation action. People who participate in this forum and follow the threads, especially what the staff has posted in the last year or so as to their thought processes, should be able to distinguish the types of posts the could trigger some moderation.

 

[Stephen.R]

There's a way to discuss these stories as it relates to apple, apples' customers, apples' products, apple pricing, apples' suppliers etc.

Ok, so then why are posts that have zero relation to Apple, and 100% relation to the "social issues" around COVID19 (or in fact, just debating whether it even exists), and comparing the situation in different countries considered "OK", but merely mentioning that the response of government leaders has contributed to that difference of situation is "not OK".

As soon as the thread becomes politicized is when these threads cross the line into PRSI.

Why? Why is the P in PRSI more important than the SI? Is it more or less important then the R?

But if one understands the rules of the site

Well, the rule says no posting about social issues outside PRSI, and yet you've just said that it's OK so long as it's not political, and the mods have clearly done nothing about it, in spite of what the rules say.

So either you have to be a psychic, you have to learn what the rules really mean by guesswork based on how they're actually (read:inconsistently) applied, or you have zero chance to 'comply'.

People who participate in this forum and follow the threads, especially what the staff has posted in the last year or so as to their thought processes, should be able to distinguish the types of posts the could trigger some moderation.

Great so the Almighty rules are in fact not enforced as written, but enforced as interpreted. So why bother having rules if they're just going to make it up as they go along?

 

[V_Man]

Ok, so then why are posts that have zero relation to Apple, and 100% relation to the "social issues" around COVID19 (or in fact, just debating whether it even exists), and comparing the situation in different countries considered "OK", but merely mentioning that the response of government leaders has contributed to that difference of situation is "not OK".


Why? Why is the P in PRSI more important than the SI? Is it more or less important then the R?


Well, the rule says no posting about social issues outside PRSI, and yet you've just said that it's OK so long as it's not political, and the mods have clearly done nothing about it, in spite of what the rules say.

So either you have to be a psychic, you have to learn what the rules really mean by guesswork based on how they're actually (read:inconsistently) applied, or you have zero chance to 'comply'.


Great so the Almighty rules are in fact not enforced as written, but enforced as interpreted. So why bother having rules if they're just going to make it up as they go along?

And that’s the problem. Rules are enforced sometimes for some people. And others can post nearly anything and never a issue.

 

[TiggrToo]

(Reads circular thread, wonders why OP just don’t ask all this in a Contact Us question instead)

 

[V_Man]

(Reads circular thread, wonders why OP just don’t ask all this in a Contact Us question instead)

Well there is clearly a mod issue here. Some ban for the smallest thing while others let major rule violation slide. Hmmm
Favorites?

why would you reach out to the mods for a problem with them. Keep it public so it can’t be buried.

 

[I7guy]

Well there is clearly a mod issue here. Some ban for the smallest thing while others let major rule violation slide. Hmmm
Favorites?

why would you reach out to the mods for a problem with them. Keep it public so it can’t be buried.

While this is the right forum for discussing these types of things....there is NOT clearly a mod issue here. The site has nothing to gain and everything to lose by not providing an environment that is hospitable and friendly and welcoming to people wanting to participate. Maybe the mods don't get everything 100%, but the posters sure don't either.
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Ok, so then why are posts that have zero relation to Apple, and 100% relation to the "social issues" around COVID19 (or in fact, just debating whether it even exists), and comparing the situation in different countries considered "OK", but merely mentioning that the response of government leaders has contributed to that difference of situation is "not OK".


Why? Why is the P in PRSI more important than the SI? Is it more or less important then the R?


Well, the rule says no posting about social issues outside PRSI, and yet you've just said that it's OK so long as it's not political, and the mods have clearly done nothing about it, in spite of what the rules say.

So either you have to be a psychic, you have to learn what the rules really mean by guesswork based on how they're actually (read:inconsistently) applied, or you have zero chance to 'comply'.


Great so the Almighty rules are in fact not enforced as written, but enforced as interpreted. So why bother having rules if they're just going to make it up as they go along?

Not sure what you are saying. Have you had an opportunity to read/review the contents on this page? https://macrumors.zendesk.com/hc/en-us

 

[V_Man]

While this is the right forum for discussing these types of things....there is NOT clearly a mod issue here. The site has nothing to gain and everything to lose by not providing an environment that is hospitable and friendly and welcoming to people wanting to participate. Maybe the mods don't get everything 100%, but the posters sure don't either.
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Not sure what you are saying. Have you had an opportunity to read/review the contents on this page? https://macrumors.zendesk.com/hc/en-us

I agree the posters make mistakes too. I have as I’m sure you have also. The problem is the rules are enforced with no rhyme or reason at times. I can report someone for something and am told it ok. But then Someone gets suspended for basically nothing.

yet some here can insult members and nothing.

 

[AustinIllini]

I don't mind PRSI being limited, but I don't think people should be banned for it unless it becomes a problem.

 

[I7guy]

I agree the posters make mistakes too. I have as I’m sure you have also. The problem is the rules are enforced with no rhyme or reason at times. I can report someone for something and am told it ok. But then Someone gets suspended for basically nothing.

yet some here can insult members and nothing.

Yep, I have had my fair share here, and I now post deliberately, minding my words. I do not believe rules are enforced randomly. But sometimes maybe in a vacuum* it can appear that way. I do not believe people get suspended for basically nothing.

*In a vacuum means a limited view of what the moderators see daily. And what you posted in bold, seems like an insult to me.

I don't mind PRSI being limited, but I don't think people should be banned for it unless it becomes a problem.

Rules violations, trolling and insults are not problems?

 

[V_Man]

Yep, I have had my fair share here, and I now post deliberately, minding my words. I do not believe rules are enforced randomly. But sometimes maybe in a vacuum* it can appear that way. I do not believe people get suspended for basically nothing.

*In a vacuum means a limited view of what the moderators see daily. And what you posted in bold, seems like an insult to me.

Rules violations, trolling and insults are not problems?

Violations or real trolls sure that’s a problem. The problem many have here is the lack of consistency when enforcing rules

 

[TiggrToo]

Violations or real trolls sure that’s a problem. The problem many have here is the lack of consistency when enforcing rules

The problem here is that you’re not using the best method to resolve this.

If you truly want this to be examined by the editors, then the contact us form is the way to go.

You complaining that it won’t work is just an excuse.