An unwritten rule of Smogon is that we don't talk about the reason people were banned. The intentions of this were noble, to prevent rumors and not insight slander. However, I believe this rule has resulted in the opposite. Saying you should not talk about things does not prevent rumors, and it in many cases causes the opposite. When claims are made, they are very hard to disprove, as information on the subject is virtually nonexistent. This means that the rumors can spread like wildfire. Additionally, when no common consensus is available, all claims have much more credit to them, as you are more likely to believe something if you don't have an alternative.
Exhibit A:Lavos
I have seen some very serious claims thrown at Lavos, that being he is a racist, and some have even claimed that that is why he was banned. I do not know if the former is true, but I can prove the latter is not true. The very same day Lavos lost to McMeghan, someone asked why he was banned on the same thread he posted the infamous copypasta, a mere five posts after it. This means that Lavos was banned the same day he lost to McMeghan. The only way he could have been banned because of racism is if during the at most hours between the two events he either posted something racist, or a racist post was discovered, both events being incredibly unlikely. Otherwise, it would have had to be discovered prior, which would definitely be discussed during the event. Which means all claims that Lavos was banned because of racism are almost certainly baseless slander. Despite this, the rumors still spread, because no one was there to disprove them.
Exhibit B:Plague von Karma
Many people have no idea why Plague von Karma was banned. After I proclaimed my curiosity into this, a random user I did not know at all came into contact with me, and told me why she was banned, and lets just say that if it was true, she definitely deserved the ban. However, I will not share this information with you. This source is obviously dubious, and if it were not true and I shared it anyways, her name would be unrightfully slandered. Since no one would be able to dispute this, many people would believe this. In fact, there is no guarantee that others have not done the thing I have refrained from. What we are left with is a scenario where serious claims are brought against someone, and no resources to quell them exist. The policy meant to stop rumors has only shielded them.
In conclusion, this unwritten rule of Smogon is, in my opinion, doing more harm and good, and doing the opposite of what it was meant to. We may have to reconsider this policy.
Exhibit A:Lavos
I have seen some very serious claims thrown at Lavos, that being he is a racist, and some have even claimed that that is why he was banned. I do not know if the former is true, but I can prove the latter is not true. The very same day Lavos lost to McMeghan, someone asked why he was banned on the same thread he posted the infamous copypasta, a mere five posts after it. This means that Lavos was banned the same day he lost to McMeghan. The only way he could have been banned because of racism is if during the at most hours between the two events he either posted something racist, or a racist post was discovered, both events being incredibly unlikely. Otherwise, it would have had to be discovered prior, which would definitely be discussed during the event. Which means all claims that Lavos was banned because of racism are almost certainly baseless slander. Despite this, the rumors still spread, because no one was there to disprove them.
Exhibit B:Plague von Karma
Many people have no idea why Plague von Karma was banned. After I proclaimed my curiosity into this, a random user I did not know at all came into contact with me, and told me why she was banned, and lets just say that if it was true, she definitely deserved the ban. However, I will not share this information with you. This source is obviously dubious, and if it were not true and I shared it anyways, her name would be unrightfully slandered. Since no one would be able to dispute this, many people would believe this. In fact, there is no guarantee that others have not done the thing I have refrained from. What we are left with is a scenario where serious claims are brought against someone, and no resources to quell them exist. The policy meant to stop rumors has only shielded them.
In conclusion, this unwritten rule of Smogon is, in my opinion, doing more harm and good, and doing the opposite of what it was meant to. We may have to reconsider this policy.
