Wow, I actually read through all the above.
Recently I went to see a post and found it hidden. I checked who did the flagging, checked on their posts and could not see why it happened. so I interfered. I started off by calling the flagger a bully and in the end found myself in the wrong. We replied to each others' comments and became friends.
I went to the first guy and told him I am willing to help him, if he changes his ways.
He had only been on Steemit for 4 days...and had already made 1500 comments!
He stopped and I soon got him making decent posts and comments - and this pointed out to me that all the articles you offer above, they are only useful to those who learn about them. Most people start here with only the promotional fluff to guide them; post, comment and get paid.
Insted of automatically punishing transgressors, we should be looking for ways to encourage people to read the 'how-to' posts. Perhaps one way would be, do not allow new members to post or comment, until they have read at least one article that warns them of the mistakes they can make and what will happen to them if they think they are the only intelligent people to join and have seen the loopholes that make it easy to ger rich quick.
That is a valuable experience you share here, @arthur.grafo. And i am glad you took lessons from it. I wish all did.
Unfortunately some. the likes of @devsuraj even when give an ultimatum, and a really educative one as such, remain stubborn.
It is not the wish of any reputable steemian to flag anyone. But sometimes some individuals really abuse the platform, to a point where the only option, after several warnings, is to flag.
But yes, some people learn, and change, as in your experience.
I agree with you, entirely. The 'how-to' posts would of great help, at least as a precursor to any sort of retribution against offender. But you see, we don't actually 'automatically' punish transgressors.
Take the example of @devsuraj above, despite being warned several times, given ultimatums to make up by doing the exact thing you are suggesting-that is, to read posts we can rate as the 'how-to' posts
https://steemit.com/introduceyourself/@ebitularmbert/steemit-s-2017-five-5-bad-habits-you-should-avoid-in-2018-to-save-your-reputation
And:
https://steemit.com/steemit/@miti/a-complete-guide-for-newcomers-and-minnows-to-avoid-a-possible-spam-and-to-write-good-comments,
Still, he remained adamant. he left no other room for any thing except a flag
Hopefully, however, we can all really engage in productive engagement here, that no one will need to be flagged
Thanks for your thoughtful deliberation, @arthur.grafo. I am following you!