How Not To Get Banned On TTAC

It is very simple: Stay civil.

Commenters can say anything on TTAC, as long as it is said in a civilized way. It’s not what one says on TTAC that can attract a ban, only how comments are made. Rudeness, bullying, name calling can quickly lead to a permanent bannage.

TTAC is proud to be different than the usual sites on the Internet. A huge part of what sets us apart is the depth and quality of the comments. Sadly, there are a few isolated cases who don’t seem to understand this simple rule. Last week, we had to ban a few commenters because of that. We also received a few letters in the recent weeks, complaining about a deterioration of the general tone in the commenting section.

It always pains me when I have to send someone away. However, sometimes, sacrifices must be made. It pains me when long term quality commenters are shown the door. However, the commenting rules apply equally to everybody, including TTAC editors. (The commenting rules do not apply to TTAC articles.)

Rudeness triggers rudeness, and soon, it brings the whole discussion down. Do you want to go to a party where you know you will be accosted and bullied?

Please read the TTAC Commenting Policy. It works on two very simple principles:

1. When commenting, picture yourself being invited to a dinner party with a roomful of strangers. You probably will not attack or insult the host, or the other guests. You will get annoyed by rude and uncivilized guests. You will understand that the host will not invite people back who violate simple rules of civility. Attacking the host could mean an end of the dinner before desserts are served.
2. You have a right to your opinion, you are immediately wrong if you are rude. Rude, uncivilized remarks mean an immediate loss of the argument. They also can mean a loss of commenting privileges.

To make it even simpler, we have worked principle #2 into the TTAC Law:

“First to get rude loses the argument.”

• If someone gets rude on TTAC, simply say “TTAC Law.”
• If someone calls you a cottonpicking male offspring of a female canine, simply say “TTAC Law.”
• Instead of demanding to bring a banned commenter back, simply say “TTAC Law” when rudeness happens. YOU can prevent bannage: Say “TTAC Law.”

Also, we have new authors, and we will have more. Please go easy on them. Unless you are a very seasoned , long-term professional writer, having your writing criticized in public can be extremely embarrassing. We have lost a few new good writers because of this. From now on, we will rather lose a few bad commenters. By the way: TTAC editors never ever edit comments, we are not here to clean up other people’s messes.

So before you hit SUBMIT COMMENT, check your writing: Is it rude? Insulting? Would saying it get you not invited back to the dinner party? Would it get you smacked over the head in a rough bar? Then DON’T SUBMIT THE COMMENT.