To Robert-the-moderator: please consider this as a request. Block the bastards (if that's technically possible). You are kind and tolerant - but we need to draw the line, or make a fence. If we Zoners were physically together (say at a party), we'd be asking these guys to leave. (Note: after which, we would surely continue our mad and raucous political arguments as before. We need to get rid of the 'trollers', not the dissenters)

You covered a lot of ground in that one paragraph, and it'll take several to reply.

First, some context: I've been very visible lately as moderator, but I'm not the only one. In fact, I'm outranked by Our Founder Justin, who started the HabitableZone. He will have something to say about banning anybody, though based on history he's likely to agree. Also, I own the server which hosts the HabitableZone, so I have the technical and legal authority to ban somebody--Justin and I can doubleteam offenders.

"If we Zoners were physically together (say at a party), we'd be asking these guys to leave." Well, we are together, in a virtual sense, in a virtual place. That's what gives the HabitableZone the strong sense of community. And when it comes to asking somebody to leave, historically most of the time it's been the result of a community consensus. I consider my powers constrained by membership in the community--I have to answer to the community if I act unilaterally. So I tend not to be impulsive when it comes to something like this.

Now, there's one individual who's come close recently to inspiring me to act unilaterally to kick his sorry ass off the Habitable Zone: Newbie Nick, whom I'm careful to distinguish from our cherished Nick Hoffman. Among other things, Newbie Nick has ignored repeated requests to adopt a handle that helps distinguish him from Nick Hoffman. More seriously, he's been doing things like what you describe, and I'm real sure you're not alone in thinking that his participation is a detriment to the HabitableZone.

So, if Newbie Nick's the one in your crosshairs, bring the request to ban him before the community as a whole. You're off to a good start with this thread. I'd have no qualms at all about throwing him out. I just need to know that I'd be acting in accordance with the consensus of the community.

Thank you for raising the issue, Daniel.

--Robert Shepherd