Quora Moderation and the Perils of Direct Retort Quotes

Have you ever considered what kind of famous retort or quip might get deleted by Quora moderators if posted in comments, rather than in full answers? This article delves into this question, explaining why such direct responses often fall under community standards for avoiding personal threats and harassment.

Context and Cliché

While the question doesn’t specifically ask about responses in answers, it's important to differentiate between comments and answers. Comments, unlike answers, serve as direct responses to other users or comments.

A relevant comment from a movie might be, for example: "I’m gonna go medieval on your ass." This quote from Pulp Fiction would be considered an incredibly inappropriate response in a public forum like Quora, even if it’s a famous quote.

Reframing the Discussion

The examples provided are:

"I’m going to rip off your neck and shove it down your neck." (from Heartbreak Ridge) "Show us your tits!" (from an unnamed film, likely Dumb Dumber) "Both of 'em!" "Come on girl do as you’re told. Take your clothes off." (from My Fair Lady) "Honey, I’m going to find kill you if you don’t shut up!" (again from Pulp Fiction)

Any of these comments would be flagged as having socioemotional impairments by Quora moderators, as they are inherently aggressive and personal. The mere fact that these are well-known quotes does not excuse their use in direct address in a public forum. Context matters, making these quotes inappropriate even if they reference a film.

The Nature of Words and Interpretation

The words themselves take on their meaning in the moment, regardless of their prior use in other contexts. While it’s likely that these quotes or words have appeared before, the current usage and context in which they are used are entirely new and unique. Thus, their original meaning is not negated by their previous intended usage.

To provide an analogous perspective, a person who continuously quotes Shakespeare or the Bible as a means of assaulting or threatening others is still committing harassment or threats. This applies even when quoting famous lines that are technically from a reputable source. The key is the intent and delivery of the message, which in these cases are inherently harmful.

Quora’s Moderation Model

Quora’s moderation follows specific guidelines:

Algorithmic Operations: Bot operations are based on algorithms, which only consider community standards and do not incorporate famous quotes as a criterion for removal. User-Driven Reporting: If a comment is complaining about a specific issue (such as personal attacks or abuse), it will be reviewed by users and moderators. If it’s reported, it will likely be removed, as it breaches the community guidelines.

Quora’s moderation model is designed to ensure that the platform remains a safe and welcoming space for all users. If a comment is not reported and does not violate the guidelines, it will not be removed. However, if a comment is reported for any of the above issues, it will be swiftly taken down to maintain a positive user experience.

Conclusion

In summary, while famous quotes can be powerful, their use in direct address to others in a public forum must be carefully considered. Context and intention play crucial roles in the interpretation and appropriateness of such language. By understanding these nuances, users can contribute positively to online communities like Quora.