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| The Game Master. |
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Joined: Wed Sep 02, 2009 10:01 pm
Posts: 3729
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So, after some reading I feel like I'm caught up. It's now however late here and I'm tired.
Some issues have been brought up privately about the conduct and the moderation in general, as well as in regards to this particular issue today.
The general ones I think I can address, at least in part.
First, regarding the secondary and tertiary threads started and promptly locked following the first. Those are clear-cut violations of the rules, which state: Quote: Locking Threads
Some threads reach a point where they need to be locked. This may be because the thread has reached a point where it is violating so many rules that it can’t be recovered by other Mod actions, or because it’s a copy of another active thread. Re-starting a locked thread without permission is against the rules. Mods may also lock a thread in order to review its contents without having additional posts added, and then unlock it after resolving the situation. If the thread is unlocked by a Mod, you may post to it again.
Locking them in turn was, considering the length of time those rules have been posted, quite warranted. Further, it was warranted that no warnings or reprimands went with the lockings; effectively, no harm no foul. We don't have enough locked threads around here (generally) for a pattern to emerge, or some sort of rebuke could have been in order. Again, it absolutely was not; but the lock themselves were.
Second, regarding isolating via text coloration or intent the "separation" of "the mod" and "the poster." I'm not sure exactly what could be done differently. Other boards I frequent function on effectively the same basis. Is it possible that one mod or another might act too unilaterally, or cross too much of their personal opinion into mod action? That's human nature. It's also why we have a panel of moderators, and not just one. It's probably why Dash chose a number of varying political bents as well.
The point I'm trying to make is that I don't know how we could do that better, but we're always open to at least hearing suggestions. It's also worth noting that by and large, the mod team discusses everything that gets handed down together. That's warnings to locks to bans. Just because you all don't see that doesn't mean it doesn't happen. We keep it out of the larger community eye because... well because I don't think there's a way to both make it transparent but keep the posting in the mod forum limited.
Third, that Talya didn't take action in the thread in question (as a moderator) I don't necessarily have a problem with, regardless of my personal feelings about her opinion on the matter at hand. That is to say, she was an active participant in the thread before it reached the point it did, and then continued to participate. For her to have acted on either side of the offense would have been perceived as biased as a moderator. Having someone else handle the issue from the moderator perspective, was proper to my mind.
However, I know that I was AFK all day and it appears like other mods may have either not been available or been waiting on collaboration before making decisions to move forward (as discussed above). That may have contributed to the issue, and the escalation thereof. I can promise to try to be more prompt, but I can't promise that it will happen for certain.
Fourth, the idea that Hellfire is so toxic as to warrant a spinoff I personally hold as... unlikely and unfavorable. If you'd strongly favor that, speaking to Dash privately would be my suggestion.
Fifth and finally, I'm truly not sure what action, if any, should be taken against anybody who posted. My personal feelings about comments made are not particularly strong, but the emotionally charged nature of the forum as a whole and of the day's discussion about it truly cloud my judgment.
I hope to have more for you all when I'm less tired, drained, and more able to function rationally. Again, I appreciate all of your patience. We're a community often at odds, and sometimes those of us on the "staff" take longer than we'd like to come to a decision, usually because we're at odds ourselves over the proper resolution. I can only hope that, while I know some of you disagree with the current arbitration system, most of you understand that we're doing our best to maintain the community, such as it is.
Again, your input is appreciated and welcome, on (as far as I'm concerned) this or any other issue.
_________________
“The duty of a patriot is to protect his country from its government.” - Thomas Paine
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