The GUEST of 09-Apr-02 - 03:24 PM says, "I'm a firm believer in using the fear of public shaming to get people to behave reasonably. I have never seen a more effective social mechanism to get people to behave decently." Well, that explains a lot about the attempts at public shaming done by GUESTs, but I'm afraid your theory is flawed. Indecent behavior never breeds decency; some of those who are basically decent people to begin with may be "shamed" into acting in accordance with their nature, but others will simply become angry and stubborn in their refusal to change because they see the "shamer" as behaving in a worse manner than they have. And people who are basically indecent can't be "shamed" because they see nothing to be ashamed of.

"There is even honor among thieves, as they say, and thieves, like every other human being, doesn't want to be publicly shamed and humiliated." Again, a flawed theory. Thieves and other criminals thrive on notoriety; what "shames" and "humiliates" them is being caught in the act or arrested and tried for their crimes. As long as they're getting away with wrongdoing, they will not only continue to do wrong but will be proud of it.

"Max has made it a policy on Mudcat to allow guests to be publicly humiliated and shamed with impunity." He's also allowed GUESTs to humiliate and shame members, in virtually all cases without deleting the GUESTs' posts, and in fact the site maintainers' policy of not responding to flamers and trolls is directed at members.