Threads should not be locked due to a few flamers

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From the hentai thread in Womens' Discussion:
"I found the subject very interesting and hoped to see less hateful/more substantial discussion by moving it here. Considering how loaded the subject is civilised discussion free of personal attacks doesn't seem possible so I'll just lock it."

I don't believe locking interesting topics due to inappropriate users is a good policy. Locking topics creates a censorship of ideas. Why don't you remove specific inappropriate posts, warn the poster, and ban them for repeated offenses? The rest of us who are not troublemakers will then be able to enjoy the topic.

I realize this is more work than just locking the entire thread and you may need to watch some threads more closely. But having moderated many different groups since 1998, I still feel this extra effort is worthwhile in the spirit of civilized discussion of open ideas.

In a way I agree with you - I went out of my way to keep that thread going. We did talk to people privately but some subjects are pushing their buttons so strongly they can't seem able to control themselves. You must take into consideration that many people here were sexually/physically/emotionally abused as children - personally I can understand why they can't have a calmer reaction to the subject. I admit I'd rather lock a thread than let it escalate to the point where we'd had to ban or suspend several old/regular members who contribute to the site in many other ways (it's not about not making an extra effort either, we're already doing that even if it doesn't show in the public thread).

Keep in mind that the OP's question was aimed towards women and the thread went partly off topic into a general debate on the subject, despite the OP and I asking not to do it. We already have a thread discussing the subject - the one started by Beauty_pact

I would gladly unlock the thread if the participants would join this conversation and express willingness to behave in a more civil manner.

I think banning people would give them more willpower to control themselves better or to restrain themselves.

The subject matter presses too many hot buttons for too many people for the thread to be re-opened, in my opinion.

I agree - it is very bad that that thread was closed (this one, by the way: www.wrongplanet.net/postt164458.html)... I find it to be very bad, despite the fact that what he is asking is heavily skewing the reality of the matters brought up in the thread he is referring to (www.wrongplanet.net/postt152107.html).

This same person tried to stir up trouble in that same thread (my thread) about manga and anime, that he links to, pointing fingers in every direction. Does that mean that it may end up risking to be locked, if he, or anyone else like him, continues to start pointing fingers in it, or otherwise stir up trouble? That's exactly what people of the like of him want. If you don't like a thread, is the recommendation that you stir up trouble in it, so it "has to be locked"? To me, that seems like a very good way to end a discussion you don't appreciate.