a ‘report’ button on every comment, available to all users, which was basically a “something about this should be handled by someone with more time and energy”
Why not just make a comment about it, as a reply to the offending post? E.g. “There seem to be some problems in this thread that a third-party could help with, but I’m not willing to do it, so don’t reply to this”. If that was an established norm, then I think it’s reasonably likely that such comment would be noticed by someone (especially since we have “recent discussion” in the home page).
Whether that would actually solve problems or just create more, is a separate question. But trying things is generally a good idea.
Why not just make a comment about it, as a reply to the offending post? E.g. “There seem to be some problems in this thread that a third-party could help with, but I’m not willing to do it, so don’t reply to this”. If that was an established norm, then I think it’s reasonably likely that such comment would be noticed by someone (especially since we have “recent discussion” in the home page).
It is generally wise to solve social problems with tech, when possible. I also think it is important here to have the someone who does the noticing be someone who actually has the relevant skills, rather than thinking they have the relevant skills (both because of overconfident bystanders and because of underconfident skilled people, who won’t feel licensed to point out such problems unless handed a literal license to do so).
I also think it is important here to have the someone who does the noticing be someone who actually has the relevant skills, <...> who won’t feel licensed to point out such problems unless handed a literal license to do so).
Yes, but giving people licenses is pretty easy. I’d be fine with you having one, for example, though I guess I don’t have the power to give it to you myself.
It is generally wise to solve social problems with tech, when possible.
The problem is that tech takes time and effort to write, so writing tech to solve problems that it may not actually solve is unwise. What I’m proposing is a temporary prototype of some sort. If that worked out, then I agree, a proper tech solution would be nice.
Why not just make a comment about it, as a reply to the offending post? E.g. “There seem to be some problems in this thread that a third-party could help with, but I’m not willing to do it, so don’t reply to this”. If that was an established norm, then I think it’s reasonably likely that such comment would be noticed by someone (especially since we have “recent discussion” in the home page).
Whether that would actually solve problems or just create more, is a separate question. But trying things is generally a good idea.
It is generally wise to solve social problems with tech, when possible. I also think it is important here to have the someone who does the noticing be someone who actually has the relevant skills, rather than thinking they have the relevant skills (both because of overconfident bystanders and because of underconfident skilled people, who won’t feel licensed to point out such problems unless handed a literal license to do so).
Yes, but giving people licenses is pretty easy. I’d be fine with you having one, for example, though I guess I don’t have the power to give it to you myself.
The problem is that tech takes time and effort to write, so writing tech to solve problems that it may not actually solve is unwise. What I’m proposing is a temporary prototype of some sort. If that worked out, then I agree, a proper tech solution would be nice.