The problem with that approach is that people like Ken can outshout everyone else's comments, rendering the space worthless for actual discussion. You'll notice that is was in fact the readers of VFTW who asked that Ken be banned - and the reason was that he was making numerous rude comments in every thread, comments that added nothing to the discussion at hand and which everyone else got tired of having to skip over. If he'd stuck to only one comment per thread, I doubt he'd have been banned.

Persistent trolls are every bit as destructive to online communities as spammers are, and should be banned for the same reasons.

True -- and I think most of us can at least understand why VFTW took steps to ban that particular commenter. But please let's not confuse blogs (where only the bloggers get to start 'threads') with online communities.

That's a fair point.

Also a good point.

IME, the best way to kill a troll is to ignore him until he gets bored. Banning him just incents him to sneak back in.

Hm.

Well, I'm not going to change the wiki. But neither would I change it back someone else does.

I don't think there is a sharp distinction between blogs and other online communities. Many of the blogs I read have a regular group of readers who have gotten to know each other via the comments. And while the blogger is the only one who can start a new blog entry, the comment threads can wander quite a bit (and are often the most interesting part of the blog). Also, many online communities have official moderators who can step in to nuke whole threads as well as individual comments, so even though anyone can start a new thread, they are not in total control of it. So the distinction between the two is more a matter of degree than an absolute difference.

Technically it's still censoring, sure. Though a couple of Ken's posts were, to me, beyond simply mean, and sounded threatening/stalker-ish.

I don't know...what is the ultimate purpose of this thread and wiki - just to track any and all censoring? Or censoring done by a blogger to hide better links, to save face when the blogger posts incorrect information, and stuff like that?

My vote is the latter, personally. Because over time any blog could end up needing to ban a stalker or other really bad actor - especially if readers themselves are upset over it. Or family-friendly blogs that want to keep the language G-rated.

That's true -- but it's good to remember who benefits most when blog readers start feeling they're part of a "community".

+1 Completely appropriate to have VFTW's actions noted here but no need to go further IMO.

Maybe add a new section to the Wiki, with wording like:

Censors (trolls only),
Censors (hides better offers, silences critics)
Does not censor

Previous posts have outed Delta Points and Miles Professor for censoring links to better offers, showing complete disgust toward their readers. Seems important to track these offenders.

That's a better breakdown. ^

It's a wiki! Edit away! ^^^

I disagree completely; I don't think there is any point in breaking down people who censor trolls/abuse vs those who don't.

Are we actually saying that a blogger deserves to be put on a list of censors if they decide to ban someone who writes, for instance, "The flowers outside your house smell nice, see you again tomorrow"? Really? What point does that serve? What about the fact that they all delete spam posts, is that censoring too?

Assuming they don't censor on-topic posts/replies/critiques and limit it to true harassment, I'd say leave them in the 'don't censor' category.

Just had a comment deleted from TravelSkills. Not surprising as it was calling him out for providing bad advice in exchange for a paid product placement, but still disappointing.

Surprised anyone still reads that worthless site.

Seems a number of people do: https://www.quantcast.com/travelskil...qcLocale=en_US.

Turns out I was blocked from the site. I guess pointing out mistakes isn't taken so well.

As if we needed another reason to not trust that blog.

Has BA banned you from commenting?
 

Just noticed that any time I leave a comment it no longer goes through. I don't believe I've ever left any type of inappropriate or mean spirited comments. I don't actually comment very often, but do jump in on a conversation from time to time. I have been know to leave feedback if a blogger is using click-bait, copy and pasted a Yahoo Travel article, etc... I did leave a comment once about the OMAAT UA ban. I'm guessing that is what did it?

Anyone else banned? What made them do it?

There is no such thing as Boarding Area banning someone from commenting. Each blogger manages that individually.

Some of the bloggers have blocked me, usually for calling out unironic hypocrisy.

And good for you for doing that. ^

My Comments Never Seem to Post Either
 

I have had the same problem when I have tried to post value-added comments.

Instead of ThreadTripping, maybe they should have a blog that posts the most "value-added" comments.

The Points Guy deleted some comment that suggested people follow TheFlightDeal instead of the points guy if they wanted to find fare deals.

That is my experience as well. Delta Points has blocked me from commenting after my attempt to correct his misinformation.

How do they block you?

Can't you just enter a different name/email address?

DP may have one of the more confusing and disorganized layouts, but they sure have IP blocking down ;) I get most of my DP updates from DL execs so it's not worth my time to fake or proxy IP.

http://files.mom.me/photos/2015/03/2...1427247056.jpg


Censor? What censor?

I Doubt DP has anything to do with it (the IP blocking being good that is, he definitely censors), the in built Akismet filters do a great job after you mark one comment as spam.

Akismet won't default block IPs. There are several other plugins which are very good at that, but Akismet isn't one.

milesforfamily gave up blogging last week...http://milesforfamily.com/2015/04/14...oints-blogger/

One down, one thousand more to go...

Any updates?

I know of one update on the censor list (I don't care about the other list since it's subject to change) not listed already, but I'd be more comfortable doing it on a throwaway account, which is not supported in the wiki. This is one of the few cases where throwaways should be allowed.

does anybody care?

#FAKENEWS
 

Well now this is #FAKENEWS now as TBB is both censoring and blocking folks.

PS - Click his CC links as well... :rolleyes:

Wow, talk about an obsession with my blog hey?

We all evolve. Two commenters were censored after finally going over my (very high) threshold of tolerance. It was them attacking each other viciously and my readers just don't need this crap and asked me to do it. And I did not do it proudly.

Every time someone clicks on my links, this guy is hurting...and that is good for humanity!

Still waiting for the lawsuits you threatened me with #yawn

kinda weird bumping this thread that hasn't had a post in over a year.... and kinda creepily obsessive quoting a post MUCH older then that, but I'm sure George is probably thankfully that you read his blog ever day!! ^

Well if we're bumping this.... OMAAT just started censoring people. I can't update the wiki though :(

Can we be more clear about what is meant by "censorship"? Deleting comments from flamers and trolls is not the same as deleting comments just because you don't want to hear them.

"You are blocked from following @RenesPoints and viewing @RenesPoints's Tweets."

People living in block houses shouldn't throw stones...

Shameful attack to one of the few blogs who tells it like it is. I'm sure you were waiting for George to delete some serious inflammatory post, just to come here and post this. Utterly Embarrassing, especially checking from whom this attack is coming from.

FYI a reader alerted me that TBB stated he is now censoring. Sure enough, after a rare pop over to his "blog" he admitted it.

I have had a consistent and published statement about censoring attacks on me or other readers. It has never changed.

TBB said he would not and does not censor (clearly untrue). He has for a long time censored but never publicly confirmed it. Now he has. Worth and update IMO when the truth comes out.

A "rare pop over", he claimed...