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Two-way block

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Joe Blow

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As many of you will be aware, since the most recent forum software upgrade I have introduced functionality that enables a two-way block, which expands the ignore functionality. Not only can you ignore someone, but you can now block that ignored person from seeing your own posts.

The ignore feature always had one major flaw, which was that the ignored person could continue to comment on the posts of the person that has ignored them. This functionality gives the person who has chosen to ignore another member the option to stop that person from seeing their posts. In effect, they cease to exist on the forum to that person.

I have always held the view that people should be allowed to ignore others and customise their own forum experience by ignoring content that they did not wish to see, such as certain threads and even entire forums if they so desired. From an admin perspective a two-way block just seemed like another way to avoid conflict on the forum, but I have discovered that some people object to it on the basis that it is cowardly and avoidant and encourages an echo chamber mentality.

So I'm putting the issue out there for discussion. It would be useful to know how everyone feels about this new feature. Should a person be able to block someone they have chosen to ignore from viewing their posts? Or is it going too far?

Please let me know what you think.
 
finicky said:
I think an allowance should be made for how petty and pathetic most people are, I vote double block and Joe Biden for President..
Click to expand...
I think if there is a block feature then the double block is essential.... and no, I am not going to add my personal political message here
 
As someone who has used the ignore/block feature to avoid aggressive personal attacks, and then had the members I blocked, stalk me and troll every subsequent post I made, I am a big fan of the 2 way block.

I can only imagine trolls and flamers being against the 2 way block, obviously it disempowers their agenda and so I am not surprised they see it as "cowardly". As for an "echo chamber mentality" I think thats nonsense, I encourage the opinions and views of those who have different perspectives to mine - its the ad hominem attacks and trolling that I object to.

There are plenty of members who I have little in common with as a long term investor, but I enjoy reading their comments and discussing approaches with them.

Seriously, if I couldn't block some of the members here, I would leave the forum. Life is too short for that ****.
 
Just a note re: blocking.
Might have always been the case but not sure?

When you put someone on ignore, that function also ignores whole threads started by that user.
Not ideal, as the thread may be of interest, regardless.

Cheers
 
spooly74 said:
Just a note re: blocking.
Might have always been the case but not sure?

When you put someone on ignore, that function also ignores whole threads started by that user.
Not ideal, as the thread may be of interest, regardless.

Cheers
Click to expand...

I think that makes sense. I don't think it is reasonable to block people off from whole threads just because someone they have disagreed with started the thread.
 
Blocking can make the site generally better.

Here, I have came across a few slanging matches, takes the thread off topic, wastes time, no interest to most other users (assumption).
Other site I no longer visit for that reason.

While it may be marginal now, down the track it may be required.
 
spooly74 said:
When you put someone on ignore, that function also ignores whole threads started by that user.
Not ideal, as the thread may be of interest, regardless.

Cheers
Click to expand...

I have some on block because they never posted anything of interest to me and at times were more than a bit annoyingly aggressive.
I suppose if I thought they may post something of interest, I wouldn't block them
 
If someone chooses to block my posts then that doesn't mean they don't have something worth hearing, it just means they've decided they don't wish to hear what I've got to say.

Find any business with a yes man / boys club mentality, which is just another form of echo chamber, and it runs aground in due course. I expect we can all think of a few high profile examples of that sort of thing and of course there's plenty more that are less well known.

There's a difference between disagreeing with someone's views versus bullying etc and I'll happily say that anyone repeatedly bullying others should be banned from the forum outright. It's not necessary and it's not a good look publicly to have it occur. It's possible to strongly disagree whilst remaining polite and even holding the other person in high regard despite their difference of opinion.
 
Upon reflection I think the functionality has some issues and I have brought those up with the developer.

In most cases, just ignoring someone's posts should be enough. It's a simple idea. Someone is annoying and having that person on ignore removes the annoyance. Fair enough. I think we can all relate to that. Nobody wants to be a part of a community where they feel constantly annoyed or irritated by someone else. It's a reasonable way to deal with a difficult situation.

However, blocking someone else from seeing your own posts is really something that should be something quite rare. The problem with this functionality at the moment is that it's either all of nothing. I'm not sure if that is apparent to everyone who is adding people to their ignore list. At the moment, either there is no two-way ignore or everyone on your ignore list is two-way ignored.

Here's the option in your Ignoring settings.



As you can see, if it is enabled everyone you ignore is also blocked from seeing your own posts. I'm not sure I'm happy with that. A two-way ignore should be an action of last resort and only used in circumstances where someone you find intolerable won't stop commenting on your posts in a way that is causing you serious irritation.

I would suggest that most people uncheck this option for now. I have asked the developer if he would consider separating the functionality so that you can ignore most people, but have the option of a two-way ignore in rare circumstances that you believe warrant it.
 
It may also pay not to annoy others. One consequence of this functionality is that it may convince some people not to conduct themselves in such a way as to cause others annoyance or irritation.

If you are polite and constructive you will likely never be blocked from viewing anyone's posts. If you are aggressive, belligerent and annoying, perhaps you will be blocked.

So please treat others with respect and courtesy at all times.
 
Personally I am happy with the 2 way ignore, its specifically what I want. Maybe the awareness of the ability to toggle this will be a solution in itself, those that only want to use a 1 way ignore have the option available. The functionality you have requested of the developer would be the best option as every possibility is covered, but the toggle is pretty good.
 

I think that would certainly would have been helpful when you know who was flipping out last year.

Sometimes, its best if certain people just don't interact with each other, and a single sided block is not sufficient because one side won't see the constant trash talk the other is doing, and the troll ends up with a stomach ulcer.
 
I see the point of reviewing the two way ignore. Certainly try to add a two stage process. I agree its worth a try. But I also believe there may be some circumstances where it makes sense.

We'll see...
 

I have received a response from the developer who has told me that the option to apply either a one-way or two-way ignore to specific users has been a much requested feature and will be implemented in a future release. However, he did not give me any indication of when that might be.
 
Have I got this right
if I’ve got someone on block I can block my content from them
seeing it?
if so fantastic.
 
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