New members, though, like myself, cannot exactly reliant upon our own judgment entirely in a forum like this where the long-standing members carry a great deal of weight.
The community here is centered around how long you've been a member and/or how many posts you've made, to some extent. That is what builds the social hierarchy. Nothing necessarily WRONG with that, it works, but there is an inherent bias.
If Carlito Fuente joined anonymously, he'd be given difficulty when he messed up/made a gaffe in the eyes of even one older member. Perhaps not if you knew who he was, but I'm saying just that - beyond gatherings in 'real life' there is no way to have a truly personal connection with others here. The "law of the land," therefore, is not always evenly applied, just based on seniority of membership.
Again, nothing wrong with that. I've been active in forums before, and seniority is a rule of thumb. I would suggest, though, that a self-denying ordinance, of the sort such that FOGs here would be mindful of newbies' only known shortcoming being that they haven't been on the board too long, ought to be in order at times. At one's own discretion, of course.
So although your conclusion is reasonable that individuals should be mindful of situations, a new member (not necessarily as new as me, either) might be hesitant to rely upon their own thoughts on a matter. Something to keep in mind.
-Jess.
