Yesterday somebody asked "Why do atheists seem to be obsessed with with converting others to their 'religion'?"
I replied "I don't give a damn what you believe - trust me! But why shouldn't I involve myself in these discussions? I have an alternative POV and it's just as valid as yours."
And Yahoo gave me a violation! So what are they saying - my POV is NOT as valid as the "religious" people? Is it because I used the word "damn"? I mean, I thought for a while that they had actually gotten better about this, but this is the third "violation" I've received in as many days that is NOT a violation of anything in their TOS.
2007-10-15 05:33:26 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I had another one yesterday where some Muslim guy was asking for help because he couldn't stop masturbating, so I have him a nice reasonable secular answer to the effect that sex is really not filthy dirty after all, and then he started attacking me personally and insulting me in his "details," so I edited my response to say "Have fun masturbating then, loser." I can see why that got deleted, but after all, he was attacking me! I had been perfectly gentlemanly in my original answer. The unfairness of these violations is extremely irritating.
2007-10-15 05:40:15 · update #1
And BTW, yeah, I appealed that one. That was in fact my entire response. It's really the limit if you can't even say "damn."
2007-10-15 05:42:44 · update #2
I also agree that a "Wiki" style self-modding format would be much more fair and balanced. I know this is just a bunch of "Christians" taking it upon themselves to police all opinions contrary to theirs, but then Yahoo just blindly backs them up rather than investigating. And in the past when I've appealed a violation, I just get their form letter telling me to read the TOS, as if I never have. We'll see what happens this time.
2007-10-15 06:22:02 · update #3
I agree with you. I have gotten several violation notices just for asking religious questions. It seems *we* have to be open minded and non judgmental, but Yahoo can be severely discriminatory without even thinking about it. Go figure.
2007-10-15 05:37:27 · answer #1 · answered by Y!A P0int5 Wh0r3 5 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately, Yahoo has instituted an "automatic violation" system. If you get reported by a "Top Reporter," whether or not you broke the TOS, you may get a violation notice.
If you have pasted the entire response above, it doesn't sound like a TOS violation to me. Make sure you argue the "violation" with Yahoo to get it removed, and so that you aren't building up points toward a possible suspension.
Your answer was mainly a different point of view, and did not insult the questioner.
2007-10-15 05:38:52 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the one who responded to your Q by saying that it was some violation trigger happy people that can't take it, but can sure dish it out! If one is going to be at times insensitive to others, then don't be so ultrasensitive as to push the panic (otherwise known as the "report abuse") button, right? I agree with having some censorship (i.e., a pattern of making totally unrelated remarks, unrestrained use of profanity, threats, etc.), of course, but your examples sound like Yahoo! wasn't involved. I got one violation and I never have used profanity, let alone any of the other things that could possibly be censorable, and always attempt to be as courteous and fair as possible. In fact, to my amazement, now almost 10% of my answers are chosen as the best answer. So, how could it possibly also be Yahoo! in your case? Who or what else do you think it could possibly be, other than the aforementioned?
2007-10-15 06:04:47 · answer #3 · answered by Tom 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I got one for something even more minor.
It was from a Muslim (probably - he asked the question)... hmm... now there will be bad blood...
I mean what is yahoo up to, we come in here talking about freedom and personal belief and yahoo run this like the nazi party.
You're opinion is WRONG. Violation!
I wish there were smart, decent people high up at yahoo who decided to put a stop to it. It just needs more sensible moderation. Perhaps there is a way for it be self-policing, like a wiki of some sort.
2007-10-15 05:43:05 · answer #4 · answered by Leviathan 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
As far as yahoo answers goes I think that the yahoo team must be a bunch of idiots. I had some religious nut case advocate me getting shot. I responded with that she needed to get the cross off her neck and use it to pry out the demon that she had in her yahoo. Well they took this and basically said that I was not following their ridiculous rules. So I would not put to much into thier rhetoric. Know that that when soemone ask your and then does not want to know what you might say well F*CK them. Yahoo answers has made it when I want to look at another question it send me right to best answers. So I have to manually have to go each time to see another answer. I guess that is supposed to deter me from answering some dumbasses question. Si I say YAHOO ANSWER TEAM can suk the crap from my *ss.
2007-10-15 10:32:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't blame the whole thing on Yahoo Answers. Anyone can click on the report flag. In fact both questions and answers can be "reported" by anyone. I would expect Yahoo to err on the side of caution, and there is a good chance the whole thing is automated anyway. Maybe the objection was to the word d*mn. You may have been better off wording your answer differently. Perhaps it would have been better to say "I don't concern myself with your beliefs!"
2007-10-15 05:45:20 · answer #6 · answered by Incognito 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I too have gotten violations that made no sense whatsoever to me other than just that I assume someone objected to my POV
I have appealed to Yahoo!Answers staff but never even got an acknowledgment
In my opinion we are subject to robotic computer programs and some people know how to work them and enjoy using the power/victim game
2007-10-15 08:02:30 · answer #7 · answered by genntri 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Well I've gotten two or three of those in a single day before. At least they seem to have cut down on the silliness.
Go post an appeal. Sometimes they fix it.
2007-10-15 05:38:16 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Happens all the time. Since the change in reporting style, now the community can gang up on someone like never before.
2007-10-15 05:46:58 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm sure it wasn't Yahoo. It was some Violation trigger happy person who was offended by you.
Update: Okay, now I'm not so sure--I just got two violations that, as near as I can see, didn't violate any rules at all. Maybe I made someone mad and they're being vindictive?
2007-10-15 05:38:22 · answer #10 · answered by average person Violated 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋