You do realize that there aren't separate buttons for ignore and block for each poster? As far as I can tell, you have the option to ignore any individual, but then only one option to block everyone on the ignore list. So if you block them, they are all now ignored and blocked.
That is incorrect. The option to fully block applies when selecting a new batch of person(s) to ignore. It does not apply to everyone already on your list, or to people you add in future. So you can selectively have a mix of people on either Block and Ignore. But it seems many always tick the Block option every time because there is no extra downside to the person doing the blocking, but it can ruin the experience of reading the site for the person being blocked, when all that was really needed (in most cases) is the Ignore functionality.
That is why I suggest only a limited number of people should be able to be added to your full Blocked list, will make people think, "Do i really need to fully Block this user, or can i just Ignore them instead". Rather than just allowing blanket Blocking of everyone you don't like. You should however be able to Ignore as many people as you want to.
I think the Block and Ignore feature should be permanent. Once you put someone on Block/Ignore it can not be undone.
It's not wrong if you don't like the content that attacks other ethnic communities, they create threads about you because they don't like your politics / trading / health discussion especially those that you've reached out to ask them to be professional and tone down their messaging because its offensive. They then make a choice to continue with their type of offensive messaging...it leaves you no choice but to put them on your BLOCK list. Most don't complain about being blocked but there are some that feel very offended and will then take what they're doing (blocking them) to a higher new level because they feel like your BLOCK is somehow "preventing their freedom of speech". In reality, your BLOCK is your choice (your way) to tell them you choose to no longer interact with them because their messaging has now fallen on deaf ears. Please go post that type of messaging to others that they disagree with. I've seen members actively target other ethnic groups, and other countries while not targeting a specific member...it is ALLOWED because it's "free speech". Yet, what seems to not be allowed is when they do the same by targeting a specific member or creating threads about a specific member...not free speech. Strangely, I've seen messages deleted in "defense" of someone being targeted by another member...it all makes you wonder who is reading the complaints when you click the "report button". I was in a discussion with someone the believes to get rid of the ignore/block as some experiment. Yet, the ignore/block only needs updating (upgrading) to leave a log (time & date) of when the ignore/block was engaged and when someone was taken off ignore/block, reasons (inputting a link to the message post that's offensive) for the ignore/block so that ET management has a way to monitor any abuse of that feature. Simply, you can not enable a ignore/block of someone if you're not willing to link it to a reason (verification) for the ignore/block so that ET management can verify for the few situations when someone complains about being blocked. ET management can then determine if someone is on another member's ignore/block list because of a violation of the terms of use policy or ignore/block someone else because they don't like their content that's not in any violation. The ignore/block allows you to enjoy the forum while allowing that other person to continue posting their content. Unfortunately, you'll also be blocking them when they do make an occasional good content message post with the theme of the forum...about trading. The problem arises when a member is then being targeted for ignore/block someone else...the latter should be a violation of the terms of use policy especially when the offending person is continuously entering the threads of the person doing the blocking, creating threads about the person doing the blocking, searching for old inactive threads that have not had another post for many years to then continue their trolling/stalking... You have to keep those types of members on your ignore/block especially if ET management disagrees with you or ignores your complaints because its your only tool you have no matter how much the other person doesn't like you for ignore/block their messages/threads. Yet, to get rid of the ignore/block...in some ways they then should get rid of the "report button" because they are going to be flooded with complaints about trolls / stalkers. Also, those that continuously complain about others in a specific section...remove their ability to read and then post in that section of the forum considering they're easily offended. Further, as many have suggested in the past...disengage the ignore/block in specific forum sections. Thus, allow it in some parts of ET but not in other parts of ET...it's still a light bulb moment. wrbtrader
About 75% of the people on my ignore/block have disappeared (no longer active members) after they started posting continuous offensive remarks about another ethnic group or using sarcastic stereotyping racial themes as in profiling. Strangely, they didn't leave because they were banned. They left because I suspect a lot of people were doing what I did...put them on ignore/block...choosing to not engage in that crap. I've only seen one resurface after being gone for +3 years. wrbtrader
There are numerous posters on ET who appear as deranged right wing political thinkers peddling conspiracy and other wacky theories who the mods leave alone. They are left to run around on ET possibly because of allowing light censorship and free thinking, open debate etc. Personally I admire the way ET is run with light censorship, we should be adults and not treated like children, so bravo to mods and Baron. This is where the block feature is most precious, if I totally dislike a member due to the way I perceive their behaviour, I can censor them myself, and if collectively more members do this, well it sends a message. However, saying that, I also admire ET members who don't block, they engage and push back against the bs being pedalled. So there's a mix here, a type war going on, but that seems to be life, are we ever happy living in serenity forever, so we love a fight. Mods who allow open debate, members who use ET for pushing outspoken opinions (loud mouths), some who block and wont engage, others who fight back etc. All makes for an interesting forum.
Many years ago I used to date this red haired sexy attractive woman, we were also part of an adult singles group, so attended plenty of parties at the time. She had a unique (to me) method of turning her back on anyone she didn't like, it was quite pronounced once you recognised it. If there was anyone near her she didn't like, she would turn her back and stay that way all night, ie, she could spin in circles all night in the room so long as she had her back turned, you certainly knew when you were out of favour. Well, that's how the block feature works.