[MUD-Dev] Re: Psychopaths

[Ola Fosheim Grøstad <olag@ifi.uio.no>]

Koster, Raph wrote:
> The statement was made before that violence will occur on your mud even
> if you don't support a combat system. The classic case to point to is
> the LambdaMOO case described so well in Julian Dibbell's article "A Rape
> in Cyberspace"--a link should be in the FAQ. This sort of violence is
> also completely impossible to block using the flag you described above.
> :(

Why are developers so eager to embrace the more hysterical/stereotypical
writings on muds? (Dibbell, Bartle...)

The so called "virtual rape" can for sure be prevented by providing a secure
identity and secure protocols. It is a problem which can be solved by
design.

Some problems cannot be fully solved by design: people threatening to commit
suicide, pedophiles, homophobiacs, racists, sexism.  That is, people
projecting a disturbing image of a physical self.  People distracting other
players from the fun.

Problems which can only partially be solved by design: persistent harrasment
communicated indirectly. (hanging up postings, rumours...)

--
Ola