Summary:

  • @[email protected] was posting at a high volume to [email protected]
  • there is no written rule on [email protected] about post volume
  • there is no written rule on ponder.cat about post volume
  • !news is the one single community Cat was this active in
  • !news has no ponder.cat mods
  • from my understanding, all rules Cat did break were unrelated to volume (correct me if I am wrong)
  • ponder.cat admin @[email protected] reaches out to Cat via comment and then DM essentially threatening account deletion if Cat doesn’t lower their activity level
  • Cat understandably deletes their account because who wants that

Of course, PhilipTheBucket had the right to do this, but I also think it’s exceedingly bad form and people have a right to know that this admin is willing to go above the community mods’ head like that.

Internet etiquette has dictates for dealing with undesirable yet not rule-breaking behavior that was just ignored here. Communication should be chosen before simple fist waving and threats.

I agree with this comment that this is a bait-provoked reaction. Next time I recommend:

  • at the instance/admin level, the creation of instance rules about volume
  • at the community level, advocacy for community rules about volume (i.e. “[Meta] Petition: Limit daily submissions to !news to ensure community quality”)
  • avoid personal slapfights to get your way
  • avoid escalation directly to account termination threats

Source: https://ponder.cat/post/1731587

  • @[email protected]English
    2•10 hours ago

    However, let it be noted that the post is in violation of the sidebar rules

    This is certainly a valid point, however, your words are equally true of PhilipTheBucket’s original report where they are also fully a third-party.

    Are you also claiming that PhilipTheBucket acted in bad faith? Would you report both posts (if you’ll finaly decide to take an action), not just this one? Could you please clarify your position if your answer is “no”.

    • @[email protected]
      3•9 hours ago

      My comments requesting for the user please to not spam were also deleted, which formed a relevant part of my original report. I was in no way an uninvolved party.

      It’s true that I felt that banning the other user was a lot more bullshit than deleting my comments, and talked about that too (as well as the leaving of the spam in place for some fuckin’ reason). But I had also received some sanction from the mods, my post was 100% within the letter of the rules.