wolftune proposes a feature where users can clear flags on their posts by editing them to zero, essentially deleting the post. This idea arose from the difficulty in providing clear messaging to flagged users on how to resolve the issue. codinghorror suggests a workaround where users can edit their post, then delete it, but acknowledges that wolftune’s idea is worth considering. wolftune agrees that the workaround is acceptable but reiterates the need for clear messaging, noting that many flagged posts from good users are simply posts that should not have been made in the first place.
I look over my post and instead of thinking “okay, I could say this much more nicely”, I think “I didn’t need to weigh in here at all really”
I want to be the gracious, learning user who takes the flagging to heart, but the edited-post I want to see is just to delete my post.
It seems kinda weird that the only way for me to clear my flag is to post something in an edit. Maybe it’s okay enough to be required to post something constructive. But I could see a case where if I then actively manually delete my own flagged post, that clears the flag at least similarly to editing and reposting.
This came up when thinking about describing to flagged users what to do and my concerns about the messaging.
I realized that “you can just leave it hidden or delete it” wasn’t quite a just-fine option, even though it could certainly make sense in many cases. I don’t know the portion, but it’s gotta be a decent amount (majority even?) of bad posts from good people are things that should just never have been posted (versus badly worded posts that have other valid points).