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Ramble about forums, admins and sheep mentality

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Ramble about forums, admins and sheep mentality Empty Ramble about forums, admins and sheep mentality

Post by Davinci March 14th 2014, 3:17 pm

Are forum administrators truly above reproach and questioning?

Let's examine this. A person (or group of people) decide to start a site. They throw open the doors and invite any and all. It is the coming and meeting and mingling of people that breathes life into a static, empty, still site/forum. Happily the designers sit back and watch the interesting weave of personalities take shape. Isn't this what they wanted? An alive, happening place?

However, there are risks involved. The risk of conflict. Suppose a conflict arises between two members. What is the mod/admin to do? I guess that depends on the ethical/philosophical view of the mod/admin and what guidelines they have laid out plainly in the beginning.

My personal feelings are that I like to meet a group of people, express myself and share my life freely. Anyone reading me will soon get to know that my basic bent is as an entertainer. A light 'slice of life' writer. And as other members arrive and are read regularly, their style and personality will emerge over time too. As this evolution takes place, each of us will figure out what members we read and what members we blow off. THAT IS OUR RIGHT AND FREEDOM, to not read, to not react, to not engage with posters who regularly tick us off. Two people can be on a site and never interact at all...walk away. A topic that offends you is a topic you are free to not participate in.

If someone posts something that I find offensive, what should I do? Should I run to the mod/admin, wah, wah, wah all the way and cry that I am going to stomp off in a snit if the bad poster isn't given a smack down? What should the admin do in that situation?

In a busy, vital and engaging site, when an admin/mod swoops in and boots someone, it has the same effect as derailing a train. It shakes the confidence of every other member. It drops the shit bomb of gagging political correctness and stifles free exchange. A pall of fear is the immediate result, a pulling back, the admin/mod has just demonstrated the activity of a random and wrathful god and then declared MY OMNIPOTENT RIGHTNESS SHALL NOT BE QUESTIONED! And the result is people view the site with a tainted eye, they act differently and you hope that time sets right that which the abuse of power has nimbly destroyed.

Before I invest myself in a site again, I am going to have to know a few things. When it comes to acts of god-like power, what criteria will the mods/admins use to make their judgement? Will they let a few pissy whiners steer the ship? Will they hear some negative feedback from 3 people and take those 3 voices as the will of the people? Will they review a poster's overall site presence and determine if that person is always going out of their way to attack and hurt people personally? Will they insist that all their posters only talk about flowers and kitties and love and holding hands and singing? Will they target members who bring up difficult topics? Will they be able to distinguish between a difficult topic and a personal attack? Will they threaten to set fire to the community and burn everyone alive in their beds by shutting the site down? WOW, will they stoop to that level of blackmail, will they have such a tantrum when they are faced with judgement of their own actions? Will they let their actions be subject to public discussion without the threat of retaliation hanging over everyone's heads? Or will they play the god card?

I guess what I am saying is that I want to be part of a site where the creator has the balls to step back and mostly let it be. Has the balls to judge fairly if someone is an ongoing problem, or maybe just hit a bad note one day. I live in a society that holds due process sacred. We do NOT allow vigilante justice, because justice left up to one person is usually grade 6 popular kid conduct, and not justice at all. I want to be part of a site where I am held accountable for what I say and everyone else is held to the same standard. No one ever has to reply to a damn thing I write, so to bitch about what you read should be rewarded with a smack for you. If you are not being attacked personally, quit crying victim. And if you want to mix it up, then don't cry over your bloody nose.

If I single someone out and abuse them, I need a smack down. If I say something general and you take it the wrong way and get all bent, then YOU need a smack down. And I want mods/admins who play no favourites, but are just and fair and not afraid to let their own actions come under scrutiny.

I realize there are malevolent people who cause trouble in a cowardly fashion...but having different ideas/opinions/thoughts IS NOT causing trouble. Personal attacks are, and I hope the powers that be will take the time to tell the difference. Because if they don't, they can very quickly destroy the delicate fabric of what their members have built. Members are who you wanted to attract. Treat them with respect.

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Ramble about forums, admins and sheep mentality Empty Re: Ramble about forums, admins and sheep mentality

Post by Sweetened March 14th 2014, 4:12 pm

Yes, forum moderators are above questioning, on other forums. Not here. Certain sections of this forum are designated to be Heavily Moderated (HM). An effort will be made to lock threads if and when they become offensive or out of control. The original poster has the right and the option in an HM section to message an administrator and say: "Please shut down my threat titled THUSLY." This is true even if Admins haven't stepped in. Threads will be locked if an initial warning to cool down the conversation or take it to an unmoderated (U) section if it must continue isn't heeded.

This General Chat area, as written out in our rules section, would have allowed you to post this even if it pissed me off to know end. It would have been my right to respond or not, and other people to vent and either agree or disagree with you. You did get my feet a little sticky, which is why I'm trying to wipe it off so you and others will be aware, administration here won't be sticking boots up some asses without being willing to stick them up others! With this freedom, however, comes the responsibility of people to know when they are done with the conversation and give up on their own. Walk away. Posts in (U) sections can backfire in the face of the poster, and that needs to be realized and thought deeply upon, as unless it involves the active exploitation of children, pornography, rape or terrorism, the threads will remain unmoderated and uninterrupted.

If you find someone or something particularly offensive, consistently, across the boards, unmoderated or not, posts can be made in a section (soon to be found at the bottom of the page) dedicated to complaints, both about people calling other people out and for sales/exchanges that are connected and happen through this forum (misrepresentation of a good or so on). Complaints are public, so BE AWARE of that. You will need to provide people to back you up, evidence and proof of your claims and things can be handled from there. However, if a mod has to warn a person over and over to back off and follow the rules, they have the right to initiate bans accordingly. Please do NOT bother the mods if someone is a dick only in (U) sections. That's their right to be who they are and make themselves out for the assholes they can be. It's the other person's right, as you said, to not follow threads they are involved in, or bypass their posts within threads.

To answer your specific questions:
Q: When it comes to acts of god-like power, what criteria will the mods/admins use to make their judgement?
A: Forums listed as (U) or unmoderated are just that, barring the above mentioned topics. That's not to say as they aren't relevant issues to be brought up, however they can be shut down and locked at any time at the discretion of a moderator who will state why it was closed. That god-like power is not to be argued with, as those subjects are more sensitive than many others and that ruling is final.

Q: Will they let a few pissy whiners steer the ship?
A: Nope. If they don't like the way things run, this forum isn't for them. They are free to leave as much as they are to whine. Admins, however, WILL listen to all issues, but will not cater to anyone, no matter how old or new or well known they are.

Q: Will they hear some negative feedback from 3 people and take those 3 voices as the will of the people?
A: NOPE!

Q: Will they review a poster's overall site presence and determine if that person is always going out of their way to attack and hurt people personally?
A: A persons past will never factor into their ability to control or own a situation or ruling. It will, however, go into a ban or restriction length, or into the process of complete expulsion into the nether of the internet, never to return.

Q:Will they insist that all their posters only talk about flowers and kitties and love and holding hands and singing? Will they target members who bring up difficult topics?
A: People talking about kitties and flowers and holding hands and so on may be banned on principle alone! Kidding. Members are encouraged to discuss difficult topics here, and to be involved in them at their own discretion. If you would like to get into a conversation that could/will/can become heated, you do so at your own risk unless it's in a moderated thread. Moderated threads (everything other than (U)) will be LOCKED, not removed, if they get out of hand.

Q: Will they be able to distinguish between a difficult topic and a personal attack?
A: Hope so!

Q: Will they threaten to set fire to the community and burn everyone alive in their beds by shutting the site down?
A: Hope not. If it ever imploded to that point, you would attempt to visit the site one day and find it gone, simple as that. Then there's no begging or pleading or cock-stroking from anyone and the decision is, frankly, final.

Q: WOW, will they stoop to that level of blackmail, will they have such a tantrum when they are faced with judgement of their own actions?
A: See above.

Q: Will they let their actions be subject to public discussion without the threat of retaliation hanging over everyone's heads? Or will they play the god card?
A: God card doesn't count in (U) threads; you may consider them atheist sections, where the wrath of God (if there were one)* would be explained away for other reasons and would be voided by lack of belief! If you don't like an admin, you're welcome to say it, but they can also say they don't like you back!

I have, for your reference, testicular fortitude, as does the slave hubby, and I should know! I like to say, with my amazing Russian accent, that I have thick brass balls.

I respect you. However, don't think for a minute I won't put a mustache your Sandra Bullock.

*the reply-ee is not saying they do or do not believe in God.
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Ramble about forums, admins and sheep mentality Empty Re: Ramble about forums, admins and sheep mentality

Post by Pig Whisperer March 14th 2014, 4:41 pm

In my opinion, sales/exchanges should be buyer beware. When dealing with livestock and such there's a lot of things that can happen and enough ways to twist the facts.

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Ramble about forums, admins and sheep mentality Empty Re: Ramble about forums, admins and sheep mentality

Post by Sweetened March 14th 2014, 4:45 pm

Yup. And the admins understand that. That's why there is an opportunity for proof to be shown from both parties. It's meant to stop disputes, as the ones that have been seen on other forums where someone says "Selling this" and someone's like "Ya rite, onlee if you meen not selling cuz the one you sold me was bleh bleh bleh."

People who buy and sell will be able to send recommendations to admins, who can add a rating to sellers based on reported exchanges -- but that's in the future, and hasn't been implemented yet. Gotta get this puppy off the ground!

 Beating a dead horse 
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Ramble about forums, admins and sheep mentality Empty Re: Ramble about forums, admins and sheep mentality

Post by Davinci March 14th 2014, 5:29 pm

Thank you ModGod for your in depth reply. It cleared up a few misconceptions I had. For example I thought HM stood for HotMail, not Heavily Moderated. Now I know.

I also noted, with a certain amount of glee, that you use naughty words. Set the bar low, I like that! It can only go higher from here!

Please feel free to sharpie on a curled moustache, pointed beard and little forehead horns on my uber beautiful Sandra Bullock self! If I knew how to do it, I would. If you can, that would be most excellent.

I look forward to only ever insulting people accidentally since it's not something I often do intentionally. I think. Not sure.

Oh, before I go, can I have green letters too? I'm feeling colourful..and I love kitties, want to hold hands?  Twisted Evil 

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Ramble about forums, admins and sheep mentality Empty Re: Ramble about forums, admins and sheep mentality

Post by Sweetened March 14th 2014, 5:57 pm

Davinci wrote:Oh, before I go, can I have green letters too? I'm feeling colourful..and I love kitties, want to hold hands?  Twisted Evil 

NO! Learn coding  Keyslam 

Kidding. i will have to do up a walkthru. I'm still waiting to hear back about why some people aren't seeing the formatting panel. confused 
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Post by prairie dog March 14th 2014, 7:04 pm

Sandra Bullock ? IT"S   SANDRA BULLOCK !!!!!......OMG !!...........who's Sandra Bullock ??
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Ramble about forums, admins and sheep mentality Empty Re: Ramble about forums, admins and sheep mentality

Post by Davinci March 14th 2014, 8:16 pm

Prairie Dawg, it's me. People often confuse Sandra Bullock and I. I'm better looking. But not as famous. This post will make no sense if I ever change my avatar.

note: at the time of writing my avatar was a portrait of myself that looks an awful lot like Sandra Bullock.

I am going to play with coding (is that fishing for fish and chips off the cost of NFL?) Ooh, this should be purple. Is it?

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Ramble about forums, admins and sheep mentality Empty Re: Ramble about forums, admins and sheep mentality

Post by prairie dog March 14th 2014, 8:35 pm

Well Hello Sandra !!...........how you doing ????
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Post by Sweetened March 16th 2014, 11:20 pm

Purple text win!
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Post by Fowler March 17th 2014, 3:49 pm

I've never really thought it was realistic to expect these forums to police business transactions. This isn't Ebay, where you need to register and be responsible to a code of conduct. These are people on a forum most of whom you have never met. I could be Tom Selleck for all you guys know. On the other hand, I could be Tom Arnold. If you get taken on Kijiji, you don't expect Kijiji to ride to the rescue. Buyer beware.

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Post by Sweetened March 17th 2014, 4:14 pm

The dispute section for sales and whatnot is there in order to quell blow-ups I've witnessed on other forums. People make claims months, years even after purchases they feel has gone awry, resulting in extensive posts about who's wrong, who's right, liar liar. That dispute can be held once on these threads in the right spot, and no more. Personal vendettas can then go to private messages.
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