New features

"It is now possible to hide comments on news article posted by specific users."
I'm not sure of the circumstances that brought about this change (it's probably an entertaining tale) but this will be very useful; there's certainly one user whose comments I won't have to scroll past anymore. Likewise, if it helps people avoid my inane ramblings, then... :-)

Thanks for the continuous improvements, Huw.

Edit: just tried it; they've gone! Shame they're still there in quotes, but it is a definite improvement.

Absolutely superb added feature. Second only to the vaccine for covid! Thank you very much indeed.

Is there any possibility that posts containing replies to a hidden person could also be hidden?

Ohhhh, part 2 is VERY, VERY usefull. This I've been missing for a long time :) Thank you @Huw

@sjr60 said:
"Absolutely superb added feature. Second only to the vaccine for covid! Thank you very much indeed."

I had no idea that was Huw! The man is talented indeed.

Strange, there are no comments on this article...

@MegaBlocks said:
"Strange, there are no comments on this article..."

Ha ha! I like it. Pity you can't see my reply

@LegoAndWhisky said:
" @MegaBlocks said:
"Strange, there are no comments on this article..."

Ha ha! I like it. Pity you can't see my reply"

He can now.

Freedom is a beautiful thing. Community is also a beautiful thing. It's a pity that we humans are such imperfect creatures that the two don't always function in harmony.

To those who block me, I'm sorry I failed to restrain myself or entertain yourself. I have no desire to block anyone. I come here for fun and community, but also to get a sense of AFOL opinions (however disjointed, repetitive, or annoying). I like to think that each and every one of you has helped to inform me. Thank you.

I hope the community grows from this, but I wonder.

@gunther_schnitzel said:
" @LegoAndWhisky said:
" @MegaBlocks said:
"Strange, there are no comments on this article..."

Ha ha! I like it. Pity you can't see my reply"

He can now."

Life finds a way. - Dr. Malcolm

@Huw Have you set it up so that if anyone tries to hide/block your comments they are automatically ejected from the site, added to Interpol's most wanted list, and a SWAT team immediately dispatched to their last known location?

Why just ignoring a comment isn't enough? Hidding it isn't the same as the ostrich does?...
...just a thought... feel free to block me... I guess it's just the second time I post, anyways... I am more of a reader...

Happy building everyone.

Is there any chance Huw that you could extend the new features across the entire internet?

FANTASTIC! I was thinking about the option to mute certain users just a week ago, and voila, @huw reads my mind. Some users are pure haters, some have strange sense of humor and some are too involved in replies. This will improve my 'user experience' a lot, thank you.

Facebook hiding my posts from my friends is the main reason that I don't use the platform anymore. Now Brickset is doing it in a very "high school drama" way. This isnt a good feature and will make Brickset an echo chamber in the long run.

Now go ahead and hide my comment -- those that disagree -- and we can get this started.

@MegaBlocks said:
"Strange, there are no comments on this article..."
User name checks out :)

I believe it's a bad development. As a grown up you should be able to just ignore a comment and continue reading the rest, without getting all worked up. It's what happens in real life too right? If you have a colleague that's super irritating, are you going to tape his mouth shut or block his cubicle with barriers?
BTW I've seen a few posts of mine removed entirely from this board by the moderators, just for being a bit too critical of the LEGO company and/or the free sets given out to be reviewed, so this new feature isn't even needed.

One can just ignore comments from a particular member, but when Member 1 asks Member 2 to stop replying to Member 1's post, but Member 2 keeps replying, then Member 1 gets notifications about Member 2's replies. That's harder to ignore.

So, here we are.

@bobaphat107 said:
"I believe it's a bad development. As a grown up you should be able to just ignore a comment and continue reading the rest, without getting all worked up. It's what happens in real life too right? If you have a colleague that's super irritating, are you going to tape his mouth shut or block his cubicle with barriers?
BTW I've seen a few posts of mine removed entirely from this board by the moderators, just for being a bit too critical of the LEGO company and/or the free sets given out to be reviewed, so this new feature isn't even needed."

Oh man where have you been? People of all ages these days can’t deal with anything, let alone opinions they don’t like.

I’m surprised they haven’t asked Huw for a list they can curate to keep certain people off the website!

Then again, Huw has stated multiple times that the comment section isn’t really for going back and forth - that’s what the forums are for.

But on the third hand, I thought that was naive even then. Who visits forums anymore? Thanks to Twitter, every website is just a drive-by opinion section.

I can’t believe that I’m the first to comment on this article! :o)

This new feature was clearly on the wish list for many so kudos to @Huw for making it happen. That being said, it’s not for me. @StyleCounselor , imho, said it best above. I can’t imagine ever using it, especially with no current ability to take it back. I look forward to reading everyone’s comments, even those with which I rarely if ever agree. I also don’t go hunting for usernames so I read them all in a vacuum and often only look at who said what when the comment really resonates.

I think a better way to avoid some noise in the comments is to have threaded / nested comments. So people could go wild on their random topic not related to the post and we can collapse it and move on.

But I get that Huw isn’t running a social platform here, and that would be quite a bit of development resources.

FIRST COMMENT WOO

@bobaphat107 said:
"I believe it's a bad development. As a grown up you should be able to just ignore a comment and continue reading the rest, without getting all worked up. It's what happens in real life too right? If you have a colleague that's super irritating, are you going to tape his mouth shut or block his cubicle with barriers?
BTW I've seen a few posts of mine removed entirely from this board by the moderators, just for being a bit too critical of the LEGO company and/or the free sets given out to be reviewed, so this new feature isn't even needed."

This isn't real life. It's illegal to shut a person's mouth with tape and office rules prevents from blocking their cubicle or door. However, it's very common in social media and website to block a user/page. It's just making life a bit easier and using the site more fun, so why not? :)

@elangab said:
" @bobaphat107 said:
"I believe it's a bad development. As a grown up you should be able to just ignore a comment and continue reading the rest, without getting all worked up. It's what happens in real life too right? If you have a colleague that's super irritating, are you going to tape his mouth shut or block his cubicle with barriers?
BTW I've seen a few posts of mine removed entirely from this board by the moderators, just for being a bit too critical of the LEGO company and/or the free sets given out to be reviewed, so this new feature isn't even needed."

This isn't real life. It's illegal to shut a person's mouth with tape and office rules prevents from blocking their cubicle or door. However, it's very common in social media and website to block a user/page. It's just making life a bit easier and using the site more fun, so why not? :)"

The real question becomes if it is illegal to tape a person's mouth and/or block his/her cubicle, why is it not illegal to censure/shot them down in electronic format?

@StyleCounselor said:
"Freedom is a beautiful thing. Community is also a beautiful thing. It's a pity that we humans are such imperfect creatures that the two don't always function in harmony.

To those who block me, I'm sorry I failed to restrain myself or entertain yourself. I have no desire to block anyone. I come here for fun and community, but also to get a sense of AFOL opinions (however disjointed, repetitive, or annoying). I like to think that each and every one of you has helped to inform me. Thank you.

I hope the community grows from this, but I wonder. "
I couldn't have said it better.
I bet there are lots of users who will be more than happy to be able to block my comments, but the feeling is not mutual.
I consider myself adult enough to be able to deal with differing opinions.
Plus I quite enjoy reading almost all of the replies. It's part of what makes Brickset so entertaining to me.
I appreciate that Huw is listening to users and trying his best to accommodate our wishes, but this is a feature I can see dividing opinions.

@AustinPowers and @StyleCounselor

I agree. I get why it's being done, but I hate to see the "Filter Bubble" effect spread. More and more, people just want to be in their own, homogeneous world. There will always be trolls, but there are also differing but legitimate opinions that will never be seen due to this tool. On the other hand, I ask myself right now "will I use this tool to block people who consistently offer up the same differing opinion and bring little more to my experience?" And I have to be honest: yes, I will.

I for one am incredibly grateful for this new feature. The vast majority of commenters are great, and being able to "mute" the very few who are not will return the site to a more positive space.

I understand people's concerns, but giving users this option is nothing like major platforms censoring content. In real life, you can just walk away from people who are being disruptive or aggressive, this is just the digital equivalent.

I think it is clear something has changed the last few years on the internet and that this feature has become necessary for even the most niche site that has public participation. Even in the most positive online communities, some people seem to have forgotten that they are communicating with other human beings. It has been sad to see this negativity creep into online Lego communities as well.

Will I see also on my page the list of users which blocked me ?

@Sobuuulek said:
"Will I see also on my page the list of users which blocked me ?"

Yes, listed under “It’s time to look inward”.

Just kidding. That is an interesting question though. Most sites won’t let you know if you’ve been “muted”. I could see potential value in “muted by X number of users” but not specify who. It might help to answer “Am I the jerk?”

It's sad I've only seen a very few positive comments here. By positive I mean people who are against censorship. Are people's wittle fee fees so hurt they can't stand to hear someone of opposing opinions or facts? People who are in such a rush to get rid of an opposing point of view are the same people who would rush into communism because they aren't very tolerant of others. How depressing. I guess the best course of action is to not comment or just ignore the main page and let it die the slow agonizing death the forums are going.

If you deny to anyone else the right to say what you think is wrong, it will not be long before you will lose the right to say what you think is right. Defense of the freedom of others is self-defense. Voltaire stated this fact as a genius can: “I wholly disagree with what you say and will contend to the death for your right to say it.” "So this is how liberty dies, with thunderous applause".

I have gladly used the blocking feature on another non-LEGO site I frequent.

I don't use it to avoid reading posts from people with differing views.

I use it to avoid wasting time on and becoming frustrated by a few folks who post repetitive, illogical, nonsensical, and/or unrelated comments on every article.

I use it to avoid wasting time on and becoming frustrated by a few folks who type/write at the level of a first grader. I teach college students how to write. I can only tolerate so many typos and errors without becoming agitated.

Why spend your leisure time becoming perturbed when you can avoid such annoyances?

Thank you @Huw!

I'm sure this will only be used on extremely limited occasions. For persistent 'know-it-all's who don't, and for people who you know what their post will contain without even reading it. Basically just a very handy automation tool for dealing with posts that you would skip over anyway.

I very much doubt that anyone will get hidden just for having a different opinion, although there do seem to be a few with egos inflated enough for them to think they might be.

@oldtodd33 said:
"It's sad I've only seen a very few positive comments here. By positive I mean people who are against censorship. Are people's wittle fee fees so hurt they can't stand to hear someone of opposing opinions or facts? People who are in such a rush to get rid of an opposing point of view are the same people who would rush into communism because they aren't very tolerant of others. How depressing. I guess the best course of action is to not comment or just ignore the main page and let it die the slow agonizing death the forums are going.

If you deny to anyone else the right to say what you think is wrong, it will not be long before you will lose the right to say what you think is right. Defense of the freedom of others is self-defense. Voltaire stated this fact as a genius can: “I wholly disagree with what you say and will contend to the death for your right to say it.” "So this is how liberty dies, with thunderous applause". "

You heard it here first folks, Brickset is descending into communism.

Honestly it's rants like this are a prime example for wanting to hide a user's posts.

No one's "wittle fee fees" are getting hurt here (how outlandishly condescending), and a single user choosing not to see someone else's negative tirades does not constitute any grand censorship towards you.

If someone chooses to hide your posts, it doesn't deny you the right to anything. You can continue to post as normal, that one person has just exercised their own right to completely ignore you.

No one is being denied anything here. Users are being given more freedom to curate their experience within the community. Don't want to see "USERX" constantly post about nonsense? Hide their posts. "USERX" is still free to post and the vast majority of other users will still see it. I support your freedom to express youself, but I also support people having the freedom to ignore you.

I have no interest in blocking anyone, I enjoy reading bad or opposing takes, but I certainly don't blame anyone for wanting to hide anything like this.

This is a hobby site, not a political forum, and I would imagine people generally come here to stay informed on the happenings in the Lego world/community, and to catalog their collections, not to see you froth at the mouth about the slippery slope to rights being taken away.

I get a kick out of it though, so post away, I'll still see them!

@FuddRuckus said:
"I have gladly used the blocking feature on another non-LEGO site I frequent.

I don't use it to avoid reading posts from people with differing views.

I use it to avoid wasting time on and becoming frustrated by a few folks who post repetitive, illogical, nonsensical, and/or unrelated comments on every article.

I use it to avoid wasting time on and becoming frustrated by a few folks who type/write at the level of a first grader. I teach college students how to write. I can only tolerate so many typos and errors without becoming agitated.

Why spend your leisure time becoming perturbed when you can avoid such annoyances?

Thank you @Huw!"

Totally agree with this. I only have so much time in the day and there are some who frequently have long-winded posts that generally waste more of my time than add to my enjoyment or understanding of the topic at hand. I do this in the real world as well (as do many others I know, especially at work). Unless I know I need something specific, I will avoid (not go out of my way, though) interacting with them, unless I have a lot of free time to spare. Sure, some will likely use this feature to "censor" those they disagree with, but I don't see the majority of participants using it in this fashion. Frankly, it's just a more efficient way of "just scrolling on" (or is that considered censorship now, too?). What about not paying attention to someone you disagree with? [sarcasm] End brain censorship now. [/sarcasm]

@MLF said:
"I for one am incredibly grateful for this new feature. The vast majority of commenters are great, and being able to "mute" the very few who are not will return the site to a more positive space.

I understand people's concerns, but giving users this option is nothing like major platforms censoring content. In real life, you can just walk away from people who are being disruptive or aggressive, this is just the digital equivalent.

I think it is clear something has changed the last few years on the internet and that this feature has become necessary for even the most niche site that has public participation. Even in the most positive online communities, some people seem to have forgotten that they are communicating with other human beings. It has been sad to see this negativity creep into online Lego communities as well."

Well said. I was looking at an article here on Brickset from maybe 10 years ago, and was pleasantly surprised to see a lack of negative comments or nastiness on the post. I think something definitely has changed, and not for the better.

Hovering over a link to details page now showing whether I own or want the item is an excellent improvement. Thanks.

@Hangfest said:
" @oldtodd33 said:
"It's sad I've only seen a very few positive comments here. By positive I mean people who are against censorship. Are people's wittle fee fees so hurt they can't stand to hear someone of opposing opinions or facts? People who are in such a rush to get rid of an opposing point of view are the same people who would rush into communism because they aren't very tolerant of others. How depressing. I guess the best course of action is to not comment or just ignore the main page and let it die the slow agonizing death the forums are going.

If you deny to anyone else the right to say what you think is wrong, it will not be long before you will lose the right to say what you think is right. Defense of the freedom of others is self-defense. Voltaire stated this fact as a genius can: “I wholly disagree with what you say and will contend to the death for your right to say it.” "So this is how liberty dies, with thunderous applause". "

You heard it here first folks, Brickset is descending into communism.

Honestly it's rants like this are a prime example for wanting to hide a user's posts.

No one's "wittle fee fees" are getting hurt here (how outlandishly condescending), and a single user choosing not to see someone else's negative tirades does not constitute any grand censorship towards you.

If someone chooses to hide your posts, it doesn't deny you the right to anything. You can continue to post as normal, that one person has just exercised their own right to completely ignore you.

No one is being denied anything here. Users are being given more freedom to curate their experience within the community. Don't want to see "USERX" constantly post about nonsense? Hide their posts. "USERX" is still free to post and the vast majority of other users will still see it. I support your freedom to express youself, but I also support people having the freedom to ignore you.

I have no interest in blocking anyone, I enjoy reading bad or opposing takes, but I certainly don't blame anyone for wanting to hide anything like this.

This is a hobby site, not a political forum, and I would imagine people generally come here to stay informed on the happenings in the Lego world/community, and to catalog their collections, not to see you froth at the mouth about the slippery slope to rights being taken away.

I get a kick out of it though, so post away, I'll still see them!"

The problem as far as I'm concerned is the automatic blocking of anyone. If you don't like someone in particular, skip over their post. Auto blocking is just pure laziness and an excuse for people with little to no internal fortitude. I completely disagree with everything you said but I will NEVER block someone for any reason. And yes, it's a slippery slope to Hell but society is going that way in a hurry.

Goodness, who knew giving people the freedom to choose whether to use a new feature would be so contentious?

And I thought we were all friends here. Sad times :(

It’s mind blowing that there are people who think freedom of speech means freedom to force everyone to listen to their speech no matter what. And that the alternative is a slide into communism.

So if a solicitor comes to your door and you say you’re not interested but they refuse to leave, you’ll just stand there listening to them until they decide they’re finished?

@oldtodd33 said:
"If you deny to anyone else the right to say what you think is wrong... "

Nobody is being denied the right to speak. This is not censorship. Users are being given the option to walk away from people who are saying things that are off topic, or disruptive. I very much look forward to having a comment section free of the bloviating and bickering that has been perpetuated by a tiny number of users.

If someone is using this tool to hide from opinions they don't want see, that's on them. If someone feels that this tool will significantly impact their ability to be heard on this site, that's also on them.

It's the predictable "Online disinhibition effect" or "Greater Internet FW Theory". Communities above a certain size need tools to facilitate useful discourse between anonymous strangers. It is a testament to the general positivity of the Lego community that it's a pretty great place with the most basic of tools.

The alternative to good user tools is heavy handed moderation, which is something that has ruined other sites, and I hope that we will never see here.

Believe me, I share your concerns in terms of the wider internet and western society in general. I've had my fair share of content on major platforms "curated" over the last few years. However this is not the time or place for that discussion.

" @oldtodd33 said:

The problem as far as I'm concerned is the automatic blocking of anyone. If you don't like someone in particular, skip over their post. Auto blocking is just pure laziness and an excuse for people with little to no internal fortitude. I completely disagree with everything you said but I will NEVER block someone for any reason. And yes, it's a slippery slope to Hell but society is going that way in a hurry."

Everything?

You disagree that this is a hobby site, not a political forum, and that people generally come here to get Lego news and track their collections?

You disagree with the fact that even if another user hides your posts you can continue to keep posting as though nothing changed for you (and most other users will still see them)?

You disagree with people having the right to ignore you (but are ok with your opinions being forced on them)?

Sure, they can scroll by, but if you were to constantly post like this, why would they want to even bother? I could browse the web full of ads and pop-ups, but I prefer to use ad-blocking software so the experience is more enjoyable. I'm sure my internal fortitude just lost a lot of street-cred by admitting this.

Do you have no conveniences in your life? Nothing that makes things easier or more enjoyable? Your internal fortitude must be truly grandiose. Do you purposely wait in the longest/slowest lines and take the longest routes to get home?

Anyway, again, I support your freedom of expression and I certainly do not advocate for your posts to be blocked/removed from the site as a whole, but I do also support the freedom of those who wish to ignore you.

To everyone else, sorry for the walls of text, but seeing someone equate a basic and common forum/social media feature to communism, using the slippery slope fallacy, and using it as an excuse to imply others are weak or lacking in fortitude, well, that really rubs me the wrong way.

I'm here for the Lego, much like I'm sure the vast majority of you are as well.

This discourse is a perfect example of why the feature is being introduced in the first place haha

I wouldn't block someone simply because I disagree with them. I'd block someone who baselessly insults the integrity of this site, someone who uses every discussion as a political soapbox, someone who's always being contrarian just to get a rise out of people. And I think most people on this site are mature enough to make the same call.

If there's anyone who really doesn't want to hear any dissenting opinion, then it's their life, and their loss.

On an existential level, is it possible to block yourself?

Edit: I just checked, and it appears to be an option. I'm too scared to test it. What if I never come back?! :o

@oldtodd33 said:
"It's sad I've only seen a very few positive comments here. By positive I mean people who are against censorship. Are people's wittle fee fees so hurt they can't stand to hear someone of opposing opinions or facts? People who are in such a rush to get rid of an opposing point of view are the same people who would rush into communism because they aren't very tolerant of others. How depressing. I guess the best course of action is to not comment or just ignore the main page and let it die the slow agonizing death the forums are going.

If you deny to anyone else the right to say what you think is wrong, it will not be long before you will lose the right to say what you think is right. Defense of the freedom of others is self-defense. Voltaire stated this fact as a genius can: “I wholly disagree with what you say and will contend to the death for your right to say it.” "So this is how liberty dies, with thunderous applause". "

I think you're a bit confused, so let me help you: This is a Lego-based website. Not a "political freedoms" website. Please leave your Voltaire and "give me liberty or give me death" attitude at the door. Nobody really wants to hear about it here.

Thank you for coming to my TED talk, and have a nice day / night.

Now, back to the topic at hand: I think new feature will be useful.
Hateful? Blocked.
Spiteful? Blocked
Too political? ...you get the point.

Imho even just thinking one needs such a feature is a sad fact in and of itself.

Honestly, some say this is just going to be used in "extreme cases".
I have been a Brickset member for years and have posted countless times and read even more comments by others.
Those "extreme cases" I have come across only a handful of times, and usually those posts were by obvious trolls who never posted a second time anyway.
All the other posters I know that typically don't agree with me or are well known for long and sometimes off-topic posts I simply skip past - or not, because often even those comments contain something that I find interesting and valuable. If I chose to "hide" those users completely I would miss out on those tidbits.
Have those of you who are happy about this new feature really that little time that you are unable to just read past unwanted comments? If so, why even bother wasting your time here in the first place if it is oh so precious?

And while I agree that it is far from "descending into communism" I do share the notion that anything that helps to "silence" differing opinions is a very bad and disturbing thing indeed, and unfortunately definitely a sign of the times we live in. What have we come to as a society I sometimes ask myself. I do wonder if the so-called "social media" shouldn't in fact often be rather called "asocial media", because they often bring out the worst in people.

@AustinPowers said:
"Imho even just thinking one needs such a feature is a sad fact in and of itself.

Honestly, some say this is just going to be used in "extreme cases".
I have been a Brickset member for years and have posted countless times and read even more comments by others.
Those "extreme cases" I have come across only a handful of times, and usually those posts were by obvious trolls who never posted a second time anyway.
All the other posters I know that typically don't agree with me or are well known for long and sometimes off-topic posts I simply skip past - or not, because often even those comments contain something that I find interesting and valuable. If I chose to "hide" those users completely I would miss out on those tidbits.
Have those of you who are happy about this new feature really that little time that you are unable to just read past unwanted comments? If so, why even bother wasting your time here in the first place if it is oh so precious?

And while I agree that it is far from "descending into communism" I do share the notion that anything that helps to "silence" differing opinions is a very bad and disturbing thing indeed, and unfortunately definitely a sign of the times we live in. What have we come to as a society I sometimes ask myself. I do wonder if the so-called "social media" shouldn't in fact often be rather called "asocial media", because they often bring out the worst in people. "

I get what you are saying. However, it remains the choice of the user. Ultimately, that is exactly how it should be and it is a nice addition to the site's experience.

@Hangfest said:
"You heard it here first folks, Brickset is descending into communism.

Honestly it's rants like this are a prime example for wanting to hide a user's posts.

No one's "wittle fee fees" are getting hurt here (how outlandishly condescending), and a single user choosing not to see someone else's negative tirades does not constitute any grand censorship towards you.

If someone chooses to hide your posts, it doesn't deny you the right to anything. You can continue to post as normal, that one person has just exercised their own right to completely ignore you.

No one is being denied anything here. Users are being given more freedom to curate their experience within the community. Don't want to see "USERX" constantly post about nonsense? Hide their posts. "USERX" is still free to post and the vast majority of other users will still see it. I support your freedom to express youself, but I also support people having the freedom to ignore you.

I have no interest in blocking anyone, I enjoy reading bad or opposing takes, but I certainly don't blame anyone for wanting to hide anything like this.

This is a hobby site, not a political forum, and I would imagine people generally come here to stay informed on the happenings in the Lego world/community, and to catalog their collections, not to see you froth at the mouth about the slippery slope to rights being taken away.

I get a kick out of it though, so post away, I'll still see them!"

I "unliked" your comment, just so I could like it twice.

@StyleCounselor said:
"On an existential level, is it possible to block yourself?

Edit: I just checked, and it appears to be an option. I'm too scared to test it. What if I never come back?! :o"

That made me laugh more than it should have done. I might have to apologise to the neighbours in the morning.

Is the sky falling? Sure seems like it based on this comment section. I say turn off comments altogether. That would really get people riled up…and we would never know because they wouldn’t be able to comment here about it. ;)

A block feature is essentially a tool for automating the process of seeing a username, thinking "ugh, THAT guy," and scrolling past without reading. If the former is Censorship or Silencing Different Opinions or Creating An Echo Chamber or whatever other overly dramatic thing, then so is the latter, and *that* amounts to thinking you're entitled to everyone else's attention.

Oh I love the smell of --- person 1 complaining about people being "easily offended," person 2 calling them out on parts of their post, and person 1 instantly becoming offended and defensive in their own right --- in the mornin'

Actually the topic is a very handy new customisation feature. No censorship involved whatsoever, since anyone can write whatever they want.
An individual's freedom to select what they want to display is called choice.

I can't remember any outcry about the 'News category preferences' feature. I've unchecked the 'Random Minifigure' category so I guess I must be outrageously censoring people who want to talk about Minifigures. I feel ashamed at my laziness and lack of internal fortitude.

@oldtodd33 said:
" @Murdoch17 said:
" @oldtodd33 said:
"It's sad I've only seen a very few positive comments here. By positive I mean people who are against censorship. Are people's wittle fee fees so hurt they can't stand to hear someone of opposing opinions or facts? People who are in such a rush to get rid of an opposing point of view are the same people who would rush into communism because they aren't very tolerant of others. How depressing. I guess the best course of action is to not comment or just ignore the main page and let it die the slow agonizing death the forums are going.

If you deny to anyone else the right to say what you think is wrong, it will not be long before you will lose the right to say what you think is right. Defense of the freedom of others is self-defense. Voltaire stated this fact as a genius can: “I wholly disagree with what you say and will contend to the death for your right to say it.” "So this is how liberty dies, with thunderous applause". "

I think you're a bit confused, so let me help you: This is a Lego-based website. Not a "political freedoms" website. Please leave your Voltaire and "give me liberty or give me death" attitude at the door. Nobody really wants to hear about it here.

Thank you for coming to my TED talk, and have a nice day / night.

Now, back to the topic at hand: I think new feature will be useful.
Hateful? Blocked.
Spiteful? Blocked
Too political? ...you get the point. "

I think you're a bit confused so let me help you. While this site is mostly about Lego this particular topic is about censorship and I have left my own opinion on the subject as there is a comment section inviting me to. If you don't like my opinion feel free to block me or ignore my posts."

With all due respect, but I actually think you are getting a bit confused. Can you explain me how giving me the possibility or option to "block" posts from users I find a bit annoying, disrespectful or "too political" has anything to do with censorship? Censorship would be the moderators of Brickset constantly deleting posts they do not like at all. However, giving me the option to "remove" posts that I do not like from my sight does not equal censorship, since these posts are still visible for anyone else to see. Heck, I could even see them again if I unblock said users posting them.

@MrKoshka said:
"It’s mind blowing that there are people who think freedom of speech means freedom to force everyone to listen to their speech no matter what. And that the alternative is a slide into communism.

So if a solicitor comes to your door and you say you’re not interested but they refuse to leave, you’ll just stand there listening to them until they decide they’re finished?"

Fully agree. Imho one of the main issues with social media is the arrogance that some people have developed, thinking that forcing their meaningless opinions on other people - opinions that they in the era prior to the existence of social media only would have voiced at the family diner table, at their local bar or at best/worst in a letter to their local newspaper - is their given birthright, and that if anything happens that could stop anyone in the world reading these meaningless opinions, it feels to them like their basic human rights are being violated. They do not seem to understand that while they have the right to voice their opinion, I have the right to ignore them and not pay attention to them. And they do not seem to understand that the right to free speech does not equal the right to be given a megaphone to voice their opinion as loudly as possible at any time, any place and whenever they feel like it.

@oldtodd33 said:
"While this site is mostly about Lego this particular topic is about censorship ..."

No. It's not. Like, you're just objectively wrong. This has nothing to do with censorship. You're not being censored. You and your posts are not affected in any capacity.

Other people just have the option of choosing not to look at your posts. You're not entitled to other people's time and attention.

@MrBedhead said:
"Imho one of the main issues with social media is the arrogance that some people have developed, thinking that forcing their meaningless opinions on other people - opinions that they in the era prior to the existence of social media only would have voiced at the family diner table, at their local bar or at best/worst in a letter to their local newspaper - is their given birthright, and that if anything happens that could stop anyone in the world reading these meaningless opinions, it feels to them like their basic human rights are being violated. They do not seem to understand that while they have the right to voice their opinion, I have the right to ignore them and not pay attention to them."
Interesting that you mention pre-social-media times.
Just follow that train of thought. You are at the dinner table with your family. Say at Christmas or some other social gathering. Your least favorite uncle or aunt goes on their usual tirade about some other relative, his/her pet peeve apparently.
You are not the least bit interested in taking part in that conversation so you ignore said relative. But you are still at the table and you still hear what they say. Or would you, in that situation, put on headphones or leave the room just to not have to listen to them? How would that make you look to the others?
Only here you can do the equivalent of that nasty behaviour because no one will know. Still doesn't make it better. It's still bad manners. Just like it was back in those days.
One simply doesn't completely ignore other opinions just because one doesn't want to waste time on them. It's like the proverbial ostrich sticking his head in the sand or the small child that starts to sing overly loud or stick its fingers in its ears so as to not have to listen to what the parents want from it. Childish behaviour indeed.

@AustinPowers said:
" @MrBedhead said:
"Imho one of the main issues with social media is the arrogance that some people have developed, thinking that forcing their meaningless opinions on other people - opinions that they in the era prior to the existence of social media only would have voiced at the family diner table, at their local bar or at best/worst in a letter to their local newspaper - is their given birthright, and that if anything happens that could stop anyone in the world reading these meaningless opinions, it feels to them like their basic human rights are being violated. They do not seem to understand that while they have the right to voice their opinion, I have the right to ignore them and not pay attention to them."
Interesting that you mention pre-social-media times.
Just follow that train of thought. You are at the dinner table with your family. Say at Christmas or some other social gathering. Your least favorite uncle or aunt goes on their usual tirade about some other relative, his/her pet peeve apparently.
You are not the least bit interested in taking part in that conversation so you ignore said relative. But you are still at the table and you still hear what they say. Or would you, in that situation, put on headphones or leave the room just to not have to listen to them? How would that make you look to the others?
Only here you can do the equivalent of that nasty behaviour because no one will know. Still doesn't make it better. It's still bad manners. Just like it was back in those days.
One simply doesn't completely ignore other opinions just because one doesn't want to waste time on them. It's like the proverbial ostrich sticking his head in the sand or the small child that starts to sing overly loud or stick its fingers in its ears so as to not have to listen to what the parents want from it. Childish behaviour indeed. "

This is literally not a family dinner table. You aren’t my family, you’re a stranger on the street. If you’re standing there barking mad raving nonsense about the Illuminati turning boys into girls because LEGO sets have diversity in them now then, yeah, I’ll probably put on my headphones.

Back to the dinner table, if an uncle goes into a diatribe about how society is going to hell and I’m a miserable parent because my child brought their same-sex partner to the event, they’re not being invited back to my house ever again. Just because we share genes doesn’t mean you get to spread hate inside my house.

Am I allowed to come into your house whenever I want and say whatever I want?

I’ll take hyperbole for $500, Alex.

It’s not communism or censorship or taping one’s mouth or eliminating hate speech or this massive timesaver helping preserve our scrollly finger.

It’s just disappointing.

This is our community and it will be whatever we want it to be. I would have hoped that we would have found some value in every voice.

Yes, there’s that one user always railing on stickers; or the other who lives and dies on price per piece; and of course that Star Wars hater; not to mention the user who just tries to be funny all the time or that one who can’t not mention their Bricklink store…

They all matter to me. Maybe I roll my eyes with many of their posts but then they say something that gives me pause, makes me think, or succinctly captures my opinion.

IMHO, blocking folks diminishes our community, one voice at a time.

@oldtodd33 said:
" @MrBedhead said:
" @MrKoshka said:
"It’s mind blowing that there are people who think freedom of speech means freedom to force everyone to listen to their speech no matter what. And that the alternative is a slide into communism.

So if a solicitor comes to your door and you say you’re not interested but they refuse to leave, you’ll just stand there listening to them until they decide they’re finished?"

Fully agree. Imho one of the main issues with social media is the arrogance that some people have developed, thinking that forcing their meaningless opinions on other people - opinions that they in the era prior to the existence of social media only would have voiced at the family diner table, at their local bar or at best/worst in a letter to their local newspaper - is their given birthright, and that if anything happens that could stop anyone in the world reading these meaningless opinions, it feels to them like their basic human rights are being violated. They do not seem to understand that while they have the right to voice their opinion, I have the right to ignore them and not pay attention to them. And they do not seem to understand that the right to free speech does not equal the right to be given a megaphone to voice their opinion as loudly as possible at any time, any place and whenever they feel like it."

This is in response to all who have said the same. I have NEVER demanded everyone read my posts. If you don't like my opinions and skip past my posts, that's fine with me. My complaint is with the auto blocking feature. It's just wrong to automatically block anyone for any reason. I am a free speech absolutist and I remain so. I will never block anyone for any reason. Odd that my posting time limit is 6 minutes today and it was 20 minutes yesterday. "

Your posting limit starts the moment you open the article, not when you start typing.

@oldtodd33 said:
" @MrBedhead said:
" @MrKoshka said:
"It’s mind blowing that there are people who think freedom of speech means freedom to force everyone to listen to their speech no matter what. And that the alternative is a slide into communism.

So if a solicitor comes to your door and you say you’re not interested but they refuse to leave, you’ll just stand there listening to them until they decide they’re finished?"

Fully agree. Imho one of the main issues with social media is the arrogance that some people have developed, thinking that forcing their meaningless opinions on other people - opinions that they in the era prior to the existence of social media only would have voiced at the family diner table, at their local bar or at best/worst in a letter to their local newspaper - is their given birthright, and that if anything happens that could stop anyone in the world reading these meaningless opinions, it feels to them like their basic human rights are being violated. They do not seem to understand that while they have the right to voice their opinion, I have the right to ignore them and not pay attention to them. And they do not seem to understand that the right to free speech does not equal the right to be given a megaphone to voice their opinion as loudly as possible at any time, any place and whenever they feel like it."

This is in response to all who have said the same. I have NEVER demanded everyone read my posts. If you don't like my opinions and skip past my posts, that's fine with me. My complaint is with the auto blocking feature. It's just wrong to automatically block anyone for any reason. I am a free speech absolutist and I remain so. I will never block anyone for any reason. Odd that my posting time limit is 6 minutes today and it was 20 minutes yesterday. "

Again, your freedom of speech (which I am absolutely in favor of) does not mean that I have to listen to you speaking. If I think that you are talking BS, being annoying, being disrespectful or spewing hatred, I have every right to ignore you. This new feature just makes it easier for me to do so.

@AustinPowers said:
" @MrKoshka said:
"Am I allowed to come into your house whenever I want and say whatever I want?"
This is not a private house but a public website for fans of Bricks/LEGO. So it kind of feels like a family too.
If you were a friend of mine, yes, you would be allowed to come to my house whenever you wanted (actually all my friends can do that) and allowed to say whatever you wanted.
I don't discriminate or judge a book by its cover. There are people I totally dislike but whom I may happen to agree with on certain things they say, just as there are people who are very dear to me but whom I happen to disagree with on certain things they say.

Just because someone says something I don't agree with doesn't mean I don't listen to that person. Just like I would never use a feature to hide their comments here. "

That is still your opinion. And I have no issue with you voicing this opinion. I actually partially agree with you. I would not just block someone out of my life for any reason.

Except that this is still a public forum that everybody can read, and thus is way broader than any family I have. For that reason alone anyone in theory can participate here, and I until recently had no means of blocking someone's opinions from my view. If someone comes to my house spewing hatred and it becomes too much, I kick that person out. I have actually already done that in real life. Now, if someone decides to be a bigot here, or feels the need to spam this forum with unnecessary political or other views without actually discussing the subject of this forum, i.e. LEGO, I can kick that person out too.

@AustinPowers said:
"(...)
I don't discriminate or judge a book by its cover. There are people I totally dislike but whom I may happen to agree with on certain things they say, just as there are people who are very dear to me but whom I happen to disagree with on certain things they say.
Just because someone says something I don't agree with doesn't mean I don't listen to that person. Just like I would never use a feature to hide their comments here. "
The book\cover analogy is an interesting one: what if books by that author contain thoughts, opinions, and 'factoids' that I have found to be consistently needless to my day? I'd certainly judge future books by that author as not worth my time reading; they would be 'blocked' from my reading feed.

Similarly, there is one user on here whose comments I have, until this feature was implemented, had to scroll past without reading, knowing that had I read them, my day would not have been better. This was entirely based on their previous witterings, which had invariably been a waste of time to read. In fact, I took a bit of a sabbatical from Brickset for a few months, for a few reasons, but partly due to their input. If I didn't read their comments anyway, is this feature so bad?

(Not wishing to sway you to my opinion, but your comments, Herr Powers, are ones I would always diligently read, and indeed value.)

Having read the comments on this article, my feelings have definitely settled along the lines of: people are free to say what they like, but other people are free not to have to listen to them.

@AustinPowers said:
" @MrKoshka said:
"Am I allowed to come into your house whenever I want and say whatever I want?"
This is not a private house but a public website for fans of Bricks/LEGO. So it kind of feels like a family too.
If you were a friend of mine, yes, you would be allowed to come to my house whenever you wanted (actually all my friends can do that) and allowed to say whatever you wanted.
I don't discriminate or judge a book by its cover. There are people I totally dislike but whom I may happen to agree with on certain things they say, just as there are people who are very dear to me but whom I happen to disagree with on certain things they say.

Just because someone says something I don't agree with doesn't mean I don't listen to that person. Just like I would never use a feature to hide their comments here. "

I wonder if the disconnect is around maybe what we each see the other person as advocating for?

My position is not that we should all block people we disagree with. My position isn’t even that giving people the tools to avoid content from people they find consistently annoying/offensive/boring/etc. is good.

My position is really that this change is benign and if people want to use it good for them and if people don’t, then good for them too.

I don’t understand how someone could object to this feature without both: (1) having the amazing good fortune in their lives to never have met someone they needed to go no contact with for any reason and (2) worrying excessively that their every utterance won’t be seen by everyone no matter what, especially if that person not looking at it has judged them objectionable to a high degree.

I’m not convinced by the slippery slope arguments of so-called free speech absolutism (a conversation about site moderation, not individual user muting) or of a community obligation for all of us to listen to each other no matter what.

This change is literally just a small way for people who choose to automate the task of - “yuck not that guy again,” when they wouldn’t read it anyways.

@oldtodd33 said:
"
I don’t understand how someone could object to this feature without both: (1) having the amazing good fortune in their lives to never have met someone they needed to go no contact with for any reason and (2) worrying excessively that their every utterance won’t be seen by everyone no matter what, especially if that person not looking at it has judged them objectionable to a high degree.

(1) I've met many people in my 56 years I don't like and a very small handful of people I have hated. But I generally live by the live and let live philosophy. I've learned it takes all sorts of people to make a community whether on the internet or in real life and you have to learn to deal with them because it's just a good practice.
(2) I'm not worried even in the slightest people won't read my comments. I am concerned with the wholesale muting of anyone in general, it sets a bad precedent in life. Yes, it is a slippery slope. "

That’s exactly my point though. That’s you and your experience. Your life is not everyone else’s. Not everyone has the same tolerance or patience in all different situations.

What you’re saying amounts to - I’m not cold, or if I am I just can take it for a little while. Therefore no one else should be able to wear a sweater or else before you know it the whole world will be dressed in coats all summer.

I clearly don't read enough comments or don't pay close enough attention to obnoxious stuff that I just skip because I can't come up with anyone I'd like to ignore... wait, does that mean it's me?

This is a good feature. I am unlikely to use it myself since I welcome the diversity of thought (and do not mind scrolling) but I can see the allure of being able to mute obvious trolls.

Also, as someone who grew up in a communist country and then moved to the US, I do need to add that this is not censorship. Censorship is not allowing one to speak while this feature is about walking away from a conversation you do not want to be a part of.

In general, I have grown tired of social media and essentially stopped using them. Quite a few people (friends) there like to broadcast their life online.

Post 1: I feel like drinking milk.
Post 2: My fridge is out of milk!
Post 3: I am going to a grocery store to buy milk.
Post 4: I am drinking milk now!

I'm somebody who asked for the feature. I did so specifically because another user had several posting habits that I found exasperating, including but not limited to taking opinions I expressed and then hyperbolizing them into something I didn't actually say. I wanted to not deal with him any longer as a matter of my *own* emotional health, because if he'd kept it up, I would have probably said something pretty stupid. (It would have been preferable if said user had just backed the hell off, but he wouldn't.)

I consider myself a pretty staunch free speech absolutist, but that includes my right to walk away from odious speech. I don't want said user censored. I'm not going to be surprised if he sees this comment and replies to it with another odious or distorted response instead of, like, apologizing. I just don't want to see it and would rather get back to commenting in peace without getting a notification that "that guy" needed to one-up anything I wrote.

If this first feature had been available two years ago, I would have blocked a certain individual immediately. But time and perspective have mellowed both of us out to the point that I now enjoy this individual's posts (most of the time), and I'm glad that we're both contributing to the conversations on this site. I have no problem with others using the feature (feel free to mute me), but I don't see myself doing it. Cheers!