Toxicity and Community

[linayar]

I think, in general, it's about the culture found in the community.

Some people say they prefer that people can be openly insulting to others rather than be forced to do it in secret.

That's like saying they prefer people can rob openly rather than try to not get caught.

When there is a rule in place and it's enforced, there is a restraining force in place, which limits how toxic people can get, and some might even leave because of it. Passive aggressive is also not an actual replacement to open toxicity, because it can get reported too depending on what the actual behaviors are. People getting banned for disrupting Asmongold's play, for example, are being passive aggressive (or just being an overly excited fan), not directly being toxic. And they are still bound by the ToS.

Things done in secret, by definition, is not toxic because it doesn't impact the target directly. Also, people don't have to want to play with certain people without it being toxic.