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Moderation - Part Two

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andy-hughes | 11:53 Sat 01st Feb 2020 | Editor's Blog
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I appreciate that the discussion is closed, but I did want to underline one important point which I have raised previously -

Moderators are AB members first and foremost, and Moderators second.

That means that they are as entitled to their opinions, and have the right to debate in exactly the same way as everyone else on the site.

As one poster pointed out yesterday, I have been criticised on various threads, and am described as 'the author of my own misfortune'.

As far as criticism for any posts or opinions, that's absolutely fine.

What is not fine is to ask "How on earth did he become / is he still a Moderator?" based on a post I have put up.

My role as a Moderator is distinct and separate from my role as an AB'er, the two are not connected in any way, and one does not influence the other.

Oh, and for the record, I don't have a circle of 'Moderator friends' with whom I exchange gossip and pick on people - I know precisely one person with whom I communicate off line, and that person is not a Moderator.

Just wanted to clear that up.

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As I've said I'm impartial in my moderations
At least you are upfront that you are one and that’s to be commended Andy
As far as I could see it was just a frank discussion - which is a good thing. It didn't occur to me that the thread was all about you and I certainly didn't see the question you mention. I must have missed quite a bit.
There were lots of criticism and some was clearly intimated against AH
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Naomi - // As far as I could see it was just a frank discussion - which is a good thing. It didn't occur to me that the thread was all about you and I certainly didn't see the question you mention. I must have missed quite a bit. //

I never inferred that the thread was "all about me at all", and yes, it seems you did miss quite a bit, including your own contributions -

// None of the known mods encounter criticism - except one - but that's not because he's a mod. It's because of his input here. He is the author of his own misfortune. //

That is patently not true, I have received regular comments of the 'How is he a Mod?" style.

But then you directly criticise that observation just a few minutes later -

// Barry, //I have seen many posts criticising the mods and accusing them of favouritism, or trolling ABers to remove their posts without good cause.//

// Jackthehat, I've known mods to post an abusive response to another member and then remove all trace of it. //

That is absolutely untrue - you cannot know which Moderator removed a post, as has been pointed out to you numerous times.

Of course, you prefer to imagine this abuse of privilege because it chimes with your peculiar 'cloak and dagger' nonsense about the way Moderators operate.

// Similarly I've known a mod, regularly at loggerheads with another member, refuse to remove something aimed at that member which was, in my opinion, probably the most abusive post I've ever seen on here. Fortunately, someone who was doing the job properly obliged. //

Once again, you do not know who removed a post, but this time, you infer that you do because it chimes with your notion that one Moderator is abusing their position, and another is behaving correctly. You have no evidence whatsoever for this nonsense.

If you want to call me, or an other Moderator out, for perceived misuse of privilege, you have the option everyone has, which is the Report button, although with some bizarre sense of misplaced pride, you boast that you have never used it.

Failing that - have the courage our your conviction - name the Moderator you are criticising and give them a right of reply on here, to be seen by everyone.

You don't want the site to be operated on a 'cloak and dagger' basis? Fine - practice what you preach then.
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One further point - Similarly I've known a mod, regularly at loggerheads with another member, refuse to remove something aimed at that member which was, in my opinion, probably the most abusive post I've ever seen on here. Fortunately, someone who was doing the job properly obliged. //

Moderators are constrained from deleting posts that are aimed at them personally, or that criticise a point they have made.

I have never ever deleted a thread to which I have contributed, that would be against the spirit of Moderation and fair debate.

I have pointed those facts out several times in the past, but your memory for such facts is sketchy, covered up by your 'cloak and dagger' nonsense no doubt.
I reckon a moderator that announces such is making a rod for their own back. If they're popular it may not be used against them so, ok. If controversial it's just something to throw at them during disagreements. Why would anyone take the risk of more hassle ?
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Old_Geezer - // Why would anyone take the risk of more hassle ? //

Why indeed!!!

I was 'outed' some years ago, when Moderators were first introduced, and I honestly and sincerely cannot remember if I confessed it, I don't believe I did, or it was posted by someone else.

Whatever the reason, I have had cause to regret that identification, and I would advise all my fellow Moderators to maintain their anonymity - the flak they may receive is simply not worth it, and their ability to do the job is not affected by being known - or not.
Okay I take back what I said ( she says back peddling) :0))))
AH, // None of the known mods encounter criticism - except one - but that's not because he's a mod. It's because of his input here. He is the author of his own misfortune. //

//That is patently not true, //

That is true.

//I have received regular comments of the 'How is he a Mod?" style…….But then you directly criticise that observation just a few minutes later //

No I didn’t. I said I hadn’t seen that question posted on that thread.
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Bobbi - // Okay I take back what I said ( she says back peddling) :0)))) //

No need - I am proud to be a Moderator, and I will fight my corner for myself and my fellow Mods when criticism is offered.

I am 'upfront' about it because I take pride in my role, I could have simply denied the 'accusation', but that's not my way, as any regular on here will know.
AH, //I was 'outed' some years ago//

Since the SpareEd said only the other day that Mods are unaware of the identity of other Mods, unless a Mod exposes him/herself as a Mod, no one can be 'outed'.
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naomi - // AH, // None of the known mods encounter criticism - except one - but that's not because he's a mod. It's because of his input here. He is the author of his own misfortune. //

//That is patently not true, //

That is true. //

Since I am the recipient of the abuse, I think I am in a better position to judge what I receive, and you are not at all in a position to infer that what I am saying is not true.

//I have received regular comments of the 'How is he a Mod?" style…….But then you directly criticise that observation just a few minutes later //

No I didn’t. I said I hadn’t seen that question posted on that thread. //

Your contradiction is there on the thread for anyone to see.

The fact that it does not suit your position to have your volte faces exposed does not deny their existence.
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naomi - // AH, //I was 'outed' some years ago//

Since the SpareEd said only the other day that Mods are unaware of the identity of other Mods, unless a Mod exposes him/herself as a Mod, no one can be 'outed'. //

I did point out that the 'outing' facts are lost in the mists of time, certainly before the previous Ed was in place, and quite possibly before you were even on the site.

I may have 'outed' myself, I genuinely do not remember - or do you want to contradict me on that as well?
For a supposedly closed thread this is attracting a lot of traffic.
AH, this is what I said.

//I certainly didn't see the question you mention//

No contradiction there.

Of all the known Mods you are the only one who creates controversy or encounters criticism - and that's as a result of the content of your posts. Maybe - just maybe - you're missing something.
AH, //I may have 'outed' myself, I genuinely do not remember - or do you want to contradict me on that as well? //

Just saying ....
Ooft, have a rest Andy. It’s an online site. Chill :-)
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I fully expect this thread to be closed on Monday, but I needed to have my say.
First I'd like to say that I don't give a monkeys who the moderators are and that I have nothing against you personally Andy, but...

The fact that you reopened a debate which the SpareEd had previously closed, on a Saturday morning so you get at least 48 hours out of it before risk of closure, makes me question if you like being centre of attention a little too much to be an effective mod.

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