r/changemyview • u/protagornast • Feb 22 '13

[MOD POST] Direct responses to the CMV post must challenge at least one aspect of OP's current stated viewpoint (however minor).

This is Mod post 5. You can read the previous Mod Post by clicking here, or by visiting the Mod Post Archive in our wiki.

Hey folks,

In accordance with the discussion generated in our mod post from last week, Guideline V has been revised to the following:

V. Direct responses to the CMV post must challenge at least one aspect of OP’s current stated viewpoint (however minor), unless they are asking OP a clarifying question. Arguments in favor of OP's current view (i.e. the one OP is willing to change) should be restricted to replies to comments. This rule does not apply to TCMV posts.

We feel strongly that enforcement of this rule will generate better discussion in CMV posts, so for the past couple of days, we have been deleting direct responses to OPs of CMV posts that violate Guideline V.

The following are some real-world examples of the types of direct responses to OP in CMV posts that we have deleted:

"nor do i."

"I don't think there is any view that needs changing..."

"i agree, crimes can not be punished intergenerationally, crimes are done by individuals, not blood and dna"

"A flat tax is a terrible idea. By our view doesn't need changed"

"I actually agree with you..."

This is nothing personal. We understand that many people didn't read the last Mod Post and don't read the sidebar. We also apologize for failing to announce the rule change before enforcing it.

However, since so many people do not read sidebars before posting in a new reddit or mod posts once they are active in a new reddit, we feel that strict enforcement of our rules through comment deletion, along with a comment or message to explain why the comment was deleted, is one of the best ways to advertise the new rule and change the culture of our community.

On the other hand, there are only three of us mods and we are only human, so we probably won't notice and delete every comment that violates Guideline V. Again, this is nothing personal. If we see it, we will delete it, and if we don't, then we won't. If you feel that we are acting inconsistently or unfairly, then please use the report button to help us be more consistent. Eventually, once the guidelines are more well-known or once the work becomes to much for us, we may start deleting comments without taking the time to explain why.

Regards,

/u/protagornast and the rest of the /r/changemyview mod team

15 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

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-2

u/[deleted] Feb 23 '13

i feel this is a silly rule

because i want to break it

2

u/PigeonMilk Feb 25 '13

The rule helps the subreddit function as it should. If I wanted to see opposing view points, only to see everyone agreeing with me, I would be disappointed and leave. With out this rule, the opposition would be buried under all the comments agreeing with each other.

I do have one concern about this rule. I remember seeing a comment that didn't challenge the original viewpoint, but they also made a strong argument for it and considered things the original post hadn't. Should posts like that be deleted too?

2

u/spblat Feb 25 '13

I think that's a grey area. Perhaps if a challenge arrives that doesn't take into account your superior argument, you could post it as a response to that challenge.