Should mass deletion of one's own posts be permitted?

[Laird]

In any case, I think my question still stands: what alternative approach (to a poll) do you suggest?

Ignore it.

This is obviously an issue that concerns the community, so are you suggesting that we ignore issues that concern the community? Where would that get us?

"Whether it should occur at all" was answered long ago when you gave people the ability to delete their posts.

Speaking personally, I think people should definitely have the ability to delete individual posts. It is only when that right is abused that problems occur. I have myself deleted individual posts. There are many reasons why a person might want to delete an individual post. For example, "Gosh, I revealed more private information than I wanted to in that post. Quick, let's get rid of it!", or "Oops, I got a little overheated and lashed out too harshly in that post, better cancel it before too many people see it!". And I am therefore willing to allow for individual posts to be deleted on some sort of basis like those.

But mass deletions? I think you have to have a very, very good reason before the forum community permits you to do that.

I had half-a-dozen people in mind, but your response made me realize that we have a quite different perspective on where we are now and where we would like to be.

Oh, well, it's too bad that you're unwilling to provide specific examples. It might have been helpful.

Seriously, there's no point in going there, if not even Chris counts.

I'm not sure what you mean by Chris "not counting". Are you suggesting that the most prolific members should be able to dictate forum policy? Where do you think that that would leave you? How merciful on you do you think that Chris would be if he were granted that latitude?

Because this isn't about whether or not people have reasons to delete posts that you don't agree with. This is about not giving people a choice to differ from you.

I disagree.

I voted no, because...

If everyone did it, the forum would be hopeless. 
Its about not giving people who participate in the forum a childish way of making a protest.
It’s about having respect for all other users, whatever their view. 
My opinions should stand, if they change I can update them in a later post.
If it’s written in the forum rules, that ought to suffice.
If someone feels they have a good reason for wanting their total content deleted, then they ought to put their case to the admin team. (Perhaps a surviving spouse for example)
A short period of grace should be allowed, for reasons such as Silence brought up.

Whatever the debate/motion is, doesn't matter whether Linda (in reality) actually (secretly) agrees with it or disagrees with it, she will go to the most extreme lengths to stir things and muddy the water. She's a master at it and I sincerely believe that she enjoys it wholeheartedly. Weaving would indeed be a useful euphemism for her modus operandi.

Anyone who thinks they can have a sincere and honest discussion with her is being naïve. By all means, carry on though.

I know that deleting posts in such a way disrupts continuity but some things in life are just tough luck.  You have no automatic right to my posts any more than I have automatic right to yours and at the end of the day, PQ is not essential and neither therefore is the continuity of threads.  Life will go on without these posts.  If I have a reason to delete my posts, then I have a right to do so, and it is nobody else's business why.  This is not a matter of opinion, it is a matter of fact!

Whatever the debate/motion is, doesn't matter whether Linda (in reality) actually (secretly) agrees with it or disagrees with it, she will go to the most extreme lengths to stir things and muddy the water. She's a master at it and I sincerely believe that she enjoys it wholeheartedly. Weaving would indeed be a useful euphemism for her modus operandi.

Anyone who thinks they can have a sincere and honest discussion with her is being naïve. By all means, carry on though.

Never mind all that...have you voted? 

[Laird]

Whatever the debate/motion is, doesn't matter whether Linda (in reality) actually (secretly) agrees with it or disagrees with it

Tim, I do believe that Linda is being honest in and true to her beliefs here. Whether or not they are valid is a matter for discussion, but perhaps you're being a little harsh here.

[Laird]

I know that deleting posts in such a way disrupts continuity but some things in life are just tough luck.

Tough luck. Hmm. That cuts both ways. Like, say, if posts you'd mass deleted were restored by admins and there were nothing you could do about it. That might equally be considered to be "tough luck"...

If I have a reason to delete my posts, then I have a right to do so, and it is nobody else's business why.

That's debatable. You are posting in a voluntary community. You choose to be here, as does everybody else, and, commensurate with that choice, those who choose and volunteer to be here have a collective right to decide the basis on which others may join and remain in the community. The community might very well decide that part of that basis is a commitment to not wreck the continuity and integrity of threads by mass deleting one's posts in those threads without a reason acceptable to the community (or to those who moderate the forum on behalf of the community).

Tim, I do believe that Linda is being honest in and true to her beliefs here. Whether or not they are valid is a matter for discussion, but perhaps you're being a little harsh here.

Sorry, Laird but I've seen it (her acrobatics) too many times. Linda has me on ignore, you may be aware but we go back quite a long way and she has a rich history of winding (sincere) people up, including my friends, just for the fun of it. So I don't think it's harsh, no.

I don't know why but she reminds me of Norman Bates in psycho (without the murderous intent of course)

And, just out of interest, Silence, in that eventuality, what course of action would you take?

Thanks Laird, I didn't finish that point.

No, I wouldn't.  I can remember my younger self thinking and saying some pretty different things than I believe now.  Many of which would be embarrassingly different.  The lesson in this digital age?  The same thing I try to teach my kids: Do not post anything online that you don't want to be part of your permanent, digital record.  Pictures, comments, tweets, etc.  Employers, friends, family, professional networks, will all have access.

Its where things are going and all of us have to adjust to it.  I actually think its a good thing considering the volume of harmful trolling that is done online.  You better be damn well prepared to answer any questions regarding your digital history.  Even, as in my example, if they are embarrassing.  Most of us know what its like to grow, mature and evolve.   If you made a post in good faith without malice, it may be embarrassing later but that's about it.  If you aren't sure?  Don't post it.

So, again, no I wouldn't as my default presumption is that there is (or soon will be) no way to go back and "delete" any part of my digital footprint.

Are you saying that because you feel a certain way, then everyone should be obliged to follow your feelings, even if they feel differently?

Because this isn't about whether or not people have reasons to delete posts that you don't agree with. This is about not giving people a choice to differ from you.

Linda

Fair question Linda.

While my feelings are pretty well stated now, I also think its a disservice to the community for posts to be mass deleted except in case of obvious malice/abuse.  Whatever learnings folks may take from a dialogue, whether positive or negative, are put at risk by mass deletions.  And, again, I would make it clear that you as a poster do have a choice:  Don't make the post if you don't want it to be permanent.

Again, in the days of public written discourse, before the online platforms, what methods were available?  You could write a letter to the editor of your local paper.  You could write a member of the legislature or executive branch.  You could write to a university or college.  In none of these cases did you have the option of "mass deleting" what you had written.  I used a verbal conversation as my example before and I think its still relevant: In a group discussion corollary to what we do here you can't "unsay" what you said.

Finally, I have yet to hear a strong rationale for why one would want to mass delete other than the easy to hide behind shield of "personal choice".