I mean some people get really angry when they're moderated.
WHAT’S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!?!?!
All seriousness asid, I’ve been a mod on other forums. One was in the early aughts on an Apple-oriented tech site. This was when OS X first came out, and the iPod, and iTunes, etc. We got a lot of Windows trolls; and oddly enough, Linux trolls as well, since OS X uses BSD (Darwin) under the hood. Strange rmes, and interesting times, but some days it was a slog.
The worst places I've seen are the ones without moderation, like 4chan.
My goal as a moderator is to encourage people to be better citizens, but there are a lot of negative responses to moderation from people who break the Site Rules. Some folks nod and move on; others cry out that they're being persecuted, even if they're just being held to the standards that apply to everyone else.
But the result is the same. The people who respond positively to warnings, behave more positively in-thread. The people who respond negatively, behave less negatively because they post less often when they realize their natural behavior is not acceptable (even if they think it should be acceptable). Regardless of the reaction, the result is a more respectful atmosphere on the forum.
And that's what really counts. When people see other people behaving respectfully on the forum, they imitate that behavior. When people see other people flaming, they start flaming, too. I think the reason this forum is so friendly is because we've developed a consistent culture of respect.
Humans are herd animals. Once you get the herd moving in the right direction, even the newcomers will follow along.
I dunno. Read threads and make sure everyone was playing nice I guess. Make sure no one was making personal attacks or anything. Throw out promotes wherever people are being excellent to each other. That kind of thing.
I mean some people get really angry when they're moderated.
WHAT’S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!?!?!
It means people react badly when they're told they need to behave better. Often because they don't see what's wrong with their behavior, or because they're all about "muh freedom of speech!" even though that doesn't apply to private sites like this one and other fora. Often they like the idea of creating a hostile environment for other posters, or they think that the other members should just grow a thicker skin and put up with their BS.
I mean some people get really angry when they're moderated.
They have a good point. Nobody wants a policeman watching over their shoulder. Of the places I've seen, the best ones were without moderation.
I disagree. The best places for basically letting bullies and haters dominate discussion are places without moderation. If you want to foster a site where anyone but the most aggressive and hostile posters flourish, you need moderation.
Basically, any given forum is someone's private space, and that someone is entitled to run that space in any manner they please. People who don't like the way it's run are welcome to go elsewhere, and that applies just as much to places like 4chan as it does to places like this. Someone who doesn't cope with moderation well may be better off finding a different forum.
I prefer moderated sites to unmoderated for the aforementioned reasons. That said I am on one forum with minimal moderation that is generally fairly respectful, but that forum has a single rule that probably helps keep things from flaring up: No politics.
The worst places I've seen are the ones without moderation, like 4chan.
Except 4chan absolutely does have moderation, they just don't have a crapload of silly rules to follow. It's also one of the few places on the internet where one can actually speak his mind freely without giving a damn if it "ofends" anyone. so if you can't handle it then leave, it's really that simple.
The worst places I've seen are the ones without moderation, like 4chan.
Except 4chan absolutely does have moderation, they just don't have a crapload of silly rules to follow. It's also one of the few places on the internet where one can actually speak his mind freely without giving a damn if it "ofends" anyone. so if you can't handle it then leave, it's really that simple.
The worst places I've seen are the ones without moderation, like 4chan.
Except 4chan absolutely does have moderation, they just don't have a crapload of silly rules to follow. It's also one of the few places on the internet where one can actually speak his mind freely without giving a damn if it "ofends" anyone. so if you can't handle it then leave, it's really that simple.
That's one way to put it.
Rereading my post I see how it can seem more agressive than I intended. My point is that 4chan is supposed to be a place with few rules and it does its job perfectly. Obviously other places on the internet need tighter rules, though some go a bit overboard with them.
I wouldn't expect this forum, for example, to follow the 4chan formula.
If i would be a mod, i would be a joinable myconid who was sealed in the soul cage at the underdark, where the lost svirfneblin, the lich, the mad fighter and others are imprisoned too. The first thing i would do is give a gift to my rescuer, a potion which would give +10 permanent HP.
Well I could close it... then only mods and devs would be able to post...
Well, don't TELL everyone you're doing it because of ME. Sheesh, I have enough trouble getting in to the forum picnics as it is (particularly after that whole forum familiar debacle. Who knew imps could be so much trouble? I swear I bought them from a licensed distributor!)
Anyway, It's not my fault, everyone. Nothing to see here, just carry on...
And you’d think i’d be invited back. I mean, I brought the ants! What’s a picnic without ants? Plus they were fire ants, so we could toast marshmallows over them.
Yeah, but did you have to bring the Giant kind? Thankfully, one of the new mods had listed "fight an army of giant fire ants" as his "first thing" so it worked out.
Comments
But if I got a badge for every time I've been offended or threatened my badge counter would have a few pages
I mean some people get really angry when they're moderated.
All seriousness asid, I’ve been a mod on other forums. One was in the early aughts on an Apple-oriented tech site. This was when OS X first came out, and the iPod, and iTunes, etc. We got a lot of Windows trolls; and oddly enough, Linux trolls as well, since OS X uses BSD (Darwin) under the hood. Strange rmes, and interesting times, but some days it was a slog.
Of the places I've seen, the best ones were without moderation.
My goal as a moderator is to encourage people to be better citizens, but there are a lot of negative responses to moderation from people who break the Site Rules. Some folks nod and move on; others cry out that they're being persecuted, even if they're just being held to the standards that apply to everyone else.
But the result is the same. The people who respond positively to warnings, behave more positively in-thread. The people who respond negatively, behave less negatively because they post less often when they realize their natural behavior is not acceptable (even if they think it should be acceptable). Regardless of the reaction, the result is a more respectful atmosphere on the forum.
And that's what really counts. When people see other people behaving respectfully on the forum, they imitate that behavior. When people see other people flaming, they start flaming, too. I think the reason this forum is so friendly is because we've developed a consistent culture of respect.
Humans are herd animals. Once you get the herd moving in the right direction, even the newcomers will follow along.
I prefer moderated sites to unmoderated for the aforementioned reasons. That said I am on one forum with minimal moderation that is generally fairly respectful, but that forum has a single rule that probably helps keep things from flaring up: No politics.
It's also one of the few places on the internet where one can actually speak his mind freely without giving a damn if it "ofends" anyone. so if you can't handle it then leave, it's really that simple.
My point is that 4chan is supposed to be a place with few rules and it does its job perfectly.
Obviously other places on the internet need tighter rules, though some go a bit overboard with them.
I wouldn't expect this forum, for example, to follow the 4chan formula.
@BelleSorciere
Get a room you two!
Anyway, It's not my fault, everyone. Nothing to see here, just carry on...