Premise: F&B basically contains 2 types of threads~threads bitching about outside problems, & threads bitching about other users.
For the most part, the former category runs pretty smoothly. The latter...not so much. It's pretty much seen as an instant dramawhoring attempt, making people by & large try to avoid doing it until things absolutely explode, often choosing to keep going at it in the original thread. That runs counter to the point of allowing people to do that in the first place. At the same time, it would be stupid to start a thread over every little slight, especially because they ARE so prone to just becoming "Fuck you, you fucking dick."
It seems to me that adding some criteria to making a thread that attacks a user is the best way to avoid...that. And many of them are unspoken already.
1. The big one that occurs to me is, it should be an issue multiple people are having. If it's just you & Jack, & no one else has shown particilar interest in yours or Jack's problems, it's something that should really be settled via PM. If it's you against several other users, that still counts, because it's still a community issue. But it has to be a clear conflict.
2. There should be some level of logic to these. "You're an asshole" is something no one can argue effectively. Instead, the thread should be devoted to giving reasons for a position that is arguable. But that doesn't mean you need to forego insults entirely. A good example would be, "You back-pedaled here, here, & here; justified slavery here, & told me to go die here, which is a violation of Da Rules. You asshole."
I just think F&B is a good tool to manage issues with other users, because truth be told, flame wars seldom occur in a vaccuum. However, I think we've been using it very, very wrong.
So since the way the site is run is being re-examined, I felt it was a good idea to cast my hand in there, & see where it gets us. Feel free to point out flaws with the approach, add ideas, & comment as necessary.