Accountability and the abuse of power

[ShadowHand2]

I wish to post a understanding of the inherent and utter lack of Accountability that over the course of just the last few days has shown me the lack of such concept. It has been made clear to myself with the repeated abuse of power extended my direction that the real purpose of the forums and certain persons in them have removed themselves from any accountability.

"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men"

and

"Unlimited power is apt to corrupt the minds of those who possess it"

Both of which mean nearly the same that the abuse of power or authority may be the prime source and true essence of moral EVIL. One can say Moral evil begins to show when someone refuses to accept responsibility for the welfare of those under them. More so if for those who are under their direct care. When you can decisively influence (the) reality (of others), you have power over them. When one unjustifiably uses that power to EXPLOIT or HARM those others, or through lack of action, ALLOWS exploitation or harm to occur to them.

It follows that someone who does not have any form of power cannot abuse it.

It also follows that the main (and perhaps the only) principle of human ethics and morality should be to avoid the abuse of the power. It is unethical and extremely wrong to put one's self in a position of conflict of interest. As is putting a subordinate in a position of conflict of interest demonstrates a complete ignorance of ethics. Yet if one does not put basic ethics into his/her position as a general rule of governing, you allow yourself no standard to be judged on. In other words you remove your self from reproach.

Also, it stands to reason that if those who want to stop or impede the abuse of power (or those who are charged with this duty) do not have sufficient power (even if it were only moral power), they and their efforts will only serve as a source of amusement to those who abuse it.

If said person(s) where in fact in a lower position (lower points as well), then they would be more appreciative of the concerns of others. When one is removed from and lifted above normal population with a position that promotes a culture of fear, control and exclusion, they maintain from being held to any answerability, enforcement or blameworthiness.


Culture of fear:

Such abuse of authority thrives in a culture whose people fear one another. Leaders are afraid of losing power. Subordinates know the danger of confronting those in authority. Loyalty is emphasized to distract from what is really happening. Mutual intimidation lies just under the surface of what seems safe to talk about or question.

Culture of control and exclusion:

When those with power and authority are not held to any real standard or scrutiny in a fair process with the normal checks and balances....they are allowed free reign to impose their wills in ways that are beyond their rightful sphere of influence. Such person(s) may then remove any noncompliance undesirables from the group. Not for the sake of the group, but as a means to protect their on "leadership" or power base.

By threatening exclusion for noncompliance, "leaders" can require submission in matters that are more personal and bias. Funny enough, these same "leaders" that abuse will claim their own accountability is a given from the mere fact of the position they hold with a iron fist. They will also claim they are above criticism and question, without granting the same freedom to others.

Perhaps, later in life when karma flex's its POWER...those who abuse their power and authority will know fair and balanced in life. Winning in here is not a sweet as when one loses in the real world. I will merely laugh inside of your karma to come. We take our victories even the small ones.

[Minor_Threat]

cool story bro.

[Spisey]

Karma Chameleon?

[monkeypoopie7]

[Braegan]

Well stated and with thoughts I have had myself. The ability for ones peers to give negative points to one another only breeds contempt. That should be a power reserved for the moderators themselves and NO player. It should be Turbine officials that decide what post or poster has crossed the line (otherwise as a player use the report button or pm them), giving that power to a select few will only promote more discontent.

[captain1z]

Shadow,

In the past we have had a disagreement or 2 but I say this with no Ill will in mind what so ever.

- Your post was written well enough but too philosophical for most to get the point or even attempt to read

- I hear what u are saying and I agree that your peers should not have the power to publicly diminish you in such a way that is visable every time you log on (or even when logged off for that matter)

My advice:

- If u feel the system is not working well or being abused, you really should PM a moderator and have them review the situation. Making a post and taking this stand publicly only singles you out and makes you a target for more of the same (possibly).

Turning off your rep was a good way of saying you dont believe the system is a good idea publicly but to affect a change you need to work internally, appealing to the forums wont help much at all.


My 2 cents, meant with no disrespect at all, for what its worth

[bobbryan2]

What does it feel like to be you?

[Jonny_D]

Well stated and with thoughts I have had myself. The ability for ones peers to give negative points to one another only breeds contempt. That should be a power reserved for the moderators themselves and NO player. It should be Turbine officials that decide what post or poster has crossed the line (otherwise as a player use the report button or pm them), giving that power to a select few will only promote more discontent.

-1 rep

[Braegan]

-1 rep

/cries!


Thanks for the laugh

[mediocresurgeon]

Too long, didn't read.

Well actually, I started reading it, but was too lazy to see how it applies to DDO. Perhaps a direct, concise post is best?

[Gelandor]

Too long, didn't read.

Well actually, I started reading it, but was too lazy to see how it applies to DDO. Perhaps a direct, concise post is best?

He is saying that he does not like the fact that other players can give neg rep on the forums.

I agree 100%.

OP: +1 Rep.

[sephiroth1084]

Karma Chameleon?

Hard to say. They come and go.

[sephiroth1084]

He is saying that he does not like the fact that other players can give neg rep on the forums.

I agree 100%.

OP: +1 Rep.

...but his rep is off...

Just as society as a whole feels the need to point out individual members who somehow detract from the whole, that others may recognize those individuals for what they are and avoid them (The Darwin Awards, Jon Stewart, sex offender and no-fly lists), so too may we on the boards point out to our fellow gamers and potential new recruits those few whose posts extend beyond trolling, not merely derailing or being unrelated to a thread, but actually causing a net decrease in the intelligence of those who have mistakenly read a post, or a thread, seeking enlightenment only to find mind-numbing stupidity, ignorance or aimless derision. (+1 rep for anyone who actually reads this drivel of mine!)

If you don't want negative rep, try the same things that would have gotten you an 'E' on your report card in kindergarten: playing well with others, paying attention, not being disruptive, napping during nap time, and not verbally attacking those less childish than you. Oh, and try flushing all of the **** that comes out of you in the potty instead of on the forums.

[Gelandor]

...but his rep is off...

I know, but still....

[sephiroth1084]

I know, but still....

Added somewhat to my post. Not directed at you.

[Gelandor]

...(+1 rep for anyone who actually reads this drivel of mine!)...

I read it lol

[sephiroth1084]

I read it lol

+1 rep for you!

For someone who really hates reading Melville's parenthetical-ridden, never-ending-yet-not-a-run-on sentences, I tend to produce a fair number of my own.

[Gelandor]

+1 rep for you!

For someone who really hates reading Melville's parenthetical-ridden, never-ending-yet-not-a-run-on sentences, I tend to produce a fair number of my own.

It wasn't that bad

[sephiroth1084]

It wasn't that bad

Maybe you're just a glutton for verbal punishment...I don't wanna know!

Now that I'm thinking about rep, and happen to be reading XKCD, where's A_D? I need to give him a point for that argument-ending XKCD comic he threw at me a few months back!

And in that vein:



We need this on the DDO forums. ELADRIN! I'm lookin' at you! This totally needs to be introduced along with the launch of DDO: EU.

[Borror0]

(+1 rep for anyone who actually reads this drivel of mine!)

I never read your nonsense.