The nature of IRC and kickbans

February 8, 2008

IRC (Internet Relay Chat) is a means for people to get together and socialize. Anyone can form a channel as long as it does not exist. For example if someone joins the channel #monkey and there is nobody there, typically they gain operator status in that channel. Operator status gives them the ability to control who is allowed in the channel, who can speak, what the channel title says, and a variety of other things. They can also give other people in the channel operator status.

One of the important roles of the channel operator is to remove disruptive influences on the channel. He does this by kicking the person from the channel, which can be used as a warning, and if necessary, add a ban preventing the person from joining the channel again.

In smaller channels, generally the operator gives maximum benefit of doubt because other people in the channel may disagree with his actions, and the general ill-will that results from such a negative action can be more disruptive than the person actually was. In larger channels of 100+ regulars, kickbanning can be more common and less reason is necessary.

Often, people visit a favorite channel at all times of the day and become well known to each other. When someone gets kickbanned, it is often a big deal to them. Often there is a reason for the kickban, perhaps it was even a misunderstanding, or perhaps the channel operator did not feel very tolerant. Perhaps the victim of the kickban was presenting a contrary view that most people violently disagreed with.

The aftermath of the kickban can determine whether or not the person is allowed to join the channel again. Quite a few people will react extremely negatively to the kickban, going so far as to insult the channel operators, messaging everyone else in the channel and trying to instigate a mutiny perhaps. Such mutinies are rarely successful, and the negative reaction of the person has merely dug a deeper hole and lessened their chances of ever being allowed back in the channel again.

However, there are other people that refuse to overreact. They will calmly apologize or if they don’t think an apology is necessary, politely ask to be allowed back in. Perhaps if absolutely necessary, they will try again another day. These people pass the test. The reaction to the kickban is very much a test. Those that overreact fail, and reinforce that the channel operator chose the correct action. Those that do not overreact make it hard for the channel operator to justify his actions to himself and to the members of the channel.

Lesson: Be smart, learn not to overreact.

Filed under: Everything | Comments (2)