what's inappropriate?

[Anonymous]

I was looking at that offtopic thread on "unmanly men" and my own personal opinion is that the thread has degenerated into fairly unpleasant territory (but then I didn't really think it had any merit to begin with). So I was curious what sort of standards are used for determining what's inappropriate? I know we're always free to skip over threads, but at a certain point the nastiness on the board makes it an unpleasant place to visit.

[jsteele]

I have not read a single post in that thread (partially from fear that I would find myself on the "unmanly" side of things), so I can't comment on those messages specifically. But, in terms of general nastiness, we don't really have any guidelines. It would be nice if everyone would act like grown-ups, but the reality is that they don't. Maria and I don't have time to read every single message and ensure that they meet a standard of decorum. I will intervene when people are seeking assistance with parenting-related issues and responses are rude and unhelpful. But, if people want to argue and call each other names in an off-topic thread, I'm not really concerned. Beyond that, the question of what is inappropriate is very subjective. Like Potter Stewart so famously said, "I know it when I see it". Of course, if I don't read the threads, I won't even see it.

[Anonymous]

I agree that the thread is offensive. I hate the whole censorship thing, but it is an entire thread devoted to bashing a certain gender - or those who do not conform to certain gender-specific expectations. I voiced my distaste for it within the thread already - but I have to admit that, if it were about "unwomanly women", I would be raising hell on here about it.

[jsteele]

Ok, now I have read that thread and have emerged with renewed confidence in my manhood (mainly thanks to the person who said you had to be able to drink beer and drive a stick shift). I actually think the thread is fairly tame compared to some. Sure its not fair to guys and it displays some pretty astonishing attitudes, but what do you expect with a topic like that? I'm surprised it hasn't been spoofed in the farce thread yet (or maybe it has and I missed it).