A self imposed ban starts today, noon.
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My disclaimer, I am a huge fan of PCGS and of this forum. If I did not care I would not be writing this.
Banning.
Censorship.
Moderators.
Monitoring.
The above all mean the same thing to me: a filtered controled refined product which may not be the truth.
I guess I am one of those Mr. Hall says who don't "get it". Granted, it is the PCGS venue and he is the top guy. What he says goes and I have no intention of usurping that authority. Not my style.
However, the new policy will remove the "edge" the forum has, what gives it life and makes it interesting. As one other forum member calls it, "provocative". Less participation [from those banned or afriad to be banned] means less information.
I am an adult and can make my our judgements about trollers and those who "bag" on PCGS. What I find assuming is the ones who slammed PCGS the most were still contributing to the forum and making garding submissions! Maybe they were just chronic complainers?
If you are looking to ban something how about banning those dealers who join the "Collector's" Universe to promote their inventory without adding any significant contribution to the forum? Are they really "collectors"? To head off any confusion, Coinguy1 / Legend / Anaconda are the exceptions who do add significantly to the forum.
I am banning myself [as a participant and eventually a reader] because to stay and contribute and be censored would only be frustrating. On a go forward basis how do we know what has been sanitized for our consumption?
Before we could question what someone was posting and make judgements, now we can only wonder why some are not commenting on important issues. Could it be the messenger and his message has been silenced? This will create only more innuendo and suspicion.
Sayonara Time for me and a great big thanks [especially Coinguy1 and Anaconda] to all who have helped me learn so much from this great hobby.
DL
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Comments
Edited for proper grammar ("may I" insted of "can I")
We really don't know what kind of censorship is going to occur. They yanked a few people to get our attention and it certainly worked. If they are going to edit messages when trolls go out of control that's ok with me. If they are going to edit for language that's ok. If they edit messages just because they aren't in line with PCGS's world view I'm out of here. I'm going to wait and see and hope for the best.
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Howdy from Houston...
Can't keep my eyes
from the circling skies
Tongue tied and twisted
Just an earthbound misfit,
I
">my registry set
Brian.
The bottom line is if you treat fellow boardmembers with respect and your posts are topical and not offensive there should be no problems. Look back at the agreement that we all agreed to before becoming boardmembers... it really is not much different. Its just that now the agreement is being enforced to the fullest extent possible. You should consider lifting the self imposed ban and participate in a meaningful way that will help the forum over the long term. The self impose ban is a clever card to play, however, play your hand at the right time...its still too early and it may not even be necessary. Lets give this a chance... its better than having the whole thing closed isn't it? Just some thoughts from the cheap seats.
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
Keep in mind, I have made comments that I thought were critical but constructive for PCGS. Specifically, I have been a supporter of a designation for original surfaces for type coins, including gold, that truly are original. I am not trying to kick a dead horse here, but after various threads and posts, I even asked HRH about in the Q&A Forum recently and he is of the opinion that the market does not want it. I still disagree with him but I still respect his opinion. Am I going to get censored and kicked off? I doubt it.
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.