I always believed myself to be an individual until I realized that I actually do conform to many of the societal norms that exist on the Internet. One of the more obvious societal norms that I conform to exists on a little known site known as television without pity. More specifically, I engage in the forum called "Veronica Mars fanfiction."
One of the norms that exists is the fact that one must register in order to post in the forums. Along with the aforementioned norm exist the rules that dictate behavior in the forums. When registering for the account, one is presented with the rules to read. However, just in case one forget the rules ever, the rules are also outlined clearly in another forum titled "Dos and Don'ts." This forum goes through the rules for each and every section of the forums as well as the different actions one could take on the forums. For example, there are rules for starting new threads, for how to state opinions, and how to post spoilers among others. Although these rules are necessary in order to maintain decorum, some of them do require the users to give up individual freedoms so that the greater good of society is preserved.
There is a section entitled "Good Manners Dos and Don'ts," which includes the following statement as a rule, "DON'T talk about the boards on the boards." This statement blatantly violates the first amendment which allows individuals to speak their mind. However, in order to keep peace on the forums, this type of rule must exist. In the word of their FAQ, this rule exists since talking about the boards on the boards (which include talking about other threads, self praising oneself etc) causes the discussion to move away from something of substance.
There is also a FAQ that delves deeper into the reasonings for the rules that exist in the do's and don't's thread.
The Leviathon can be described in two ways. The first is that the users themselves are Leviathons since the site asks the members of the forums to report anyone who is breaking the rules. This is noted in the "Warnings, Bans and Trolls Dos and Don'ts" section of the rules. It can be done by posting on a thread known as "Troll Patrol." Since you can read the forums without an account (you only need one to post), guests can also email the moderators to report the "trolls". The second way is that the moderators and administrators also search through forums to find rule breakers.
Each user starts out with a note/warn level of zero. With each warning/note, the level increases. After a certain amount is reached, or if the same rule is broken repeatedly, the user is banned. There are essentially two types of warnings. They are called notes and warns. Notes are helpful hints that tell a poster that he/she has broken a minor rule. Once the poster acknowledges the note, there "note/warn level" goes back to what it was. However, the note remains there so that other moderators can view it. The other type of warning is more severe. They can result in you being banned from the site. They also increase your note/warn level, however they remain on the level presumably forever (unless a moderator removes it at his/her discretion). If a user is banned, then they are never allowed to post on the forums again.
In Chapter 4, Wallace talks about how "netiquette" is shown to us through a "sign on the door". In the aforementioned example, there is the forum of dos and don'ts as well as the FAQ that act as the specialty signs for newbies to learn the rules. There are also many reproaches that exist on this forum. Breaking the rules can cause you to get warned, banned but also severely criticized by other users on the forum.
Wallace describes the Leviathon as something that emerges so that orderliness can be maintained in an online space. As mentioned above, the Leviathon in the chosen online space can be both the users and the moderators. She mentions that it is easier for a Leviathon to emerge when the online space is eager to be moderated. This leads to why the troll patrol thread on the forums is one of the most visited one. Television without pity forum users want orderliness so that discussions stay on topic, and that no newbie ruins the experience
First comment
http://comm245green.blogspot.com/2007/10/62-post-principles.html
Second comment
http://comm245green.blogspot.com/2007/10/a61-and-you-thought-you-ran-show.html
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2 comments:
Radhika, I have actually been on televisionwithoutpity.com, and I think that it is a great site. I used it occasionally to read recaps of shows that I missed, but I do remember that there were forums on the site. I never posted on them, but I read through a few of the threads, and I remember that people were pretty diligent about regulating each other’s posts. You did a great job with explaining how both moderators and posters on the site act as the Leviathan; I fully agree with you. You made a great point in mentioning how the people on the forums were willing to give up some of their freedoms in post content in order to maintain stability and peace. It looks like the people on the forums have found a good way to act as a Leviathan.
Good example Radhika! I agree that the stated rules of the forum combined with the reliance on members of the forum to enforce the rules is certainly a good representation of a Leviathan. You brought up a good point at the end of your post, "Television without pity forum users want orderliness so that discussions stay on topic, and that no newbie ruins the experience." I find this to be true with most forums that are in this context. (entertainment/discussion). For the most part, the people in these forums aren't there to meet people, rather they are in them to discuss shows and catch up on what they missed. I think this leads to conformity and the goal of orderliness among group members. Staying on topic is key to these types of forums. Thanks for the post!
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