BigBird, if you see something you think violates board rules, please report the post. Every post contains a link to do so. We may or may not agree, but you can be sure the issue won't be missed.
Criticism of a player, including inaccurate criticism, obviously does not automatically equate to a violation. It's up to other board members to refute or agree with opinions.
For there to be a violation (described in the board rules as "trashing" the player) there has to be something more, such as:
- A disrespectful tone. Mocking the player, making snide comments about her ability or effort or supposed mindset.
- Any comments at all, direct or implied, about a possible transfer that should or might occur. That's also its own category of violation.
- Piling on the criticism. This refers to harping on a particular player. Enough can be enough, even when the criticism is otherwise acceptable.
Related topics to which you may be referring, but aren't dealt with as rules violations, include:
- General critics. People who just have to exude negativity and can't seem to say anything positive. These are pretty unpopular people here and probably elsewhere, but they seem to delight in their chosen (or compulsive) role. Peer pressure and/or a private talk can sometimes have at least a temporary effect. Note the qualifiers.
- Game thread ogres. People who don't react well to the stress of game situations, particularly adverse events, and have to lash out stridently or repeatedly at particular players. Their numbers may be small but the irritation and embarrassment they generate are enough to spur ameliorating board changes.
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