Political Threads and Forum Behavior

But fairness is the key. I was having a different Zimmerman discussion on another forum that was supposed to stick to just discussing the evidence and the trial. The moderator appeared to ignore anyone whose off topic opinion favored Zimmerman while calling any opinion, even one directly commenting on the trial evidence, that favored Martin to be off topic.

I don't think people are always aware of their biases.

 

I nominate Wreybies who is bored rigid by political debate - he's perfect for this role. Or one of our Finish friends who seem to be perfectly logical and patient forum members who don't really get involved.

People who dive it and thrash about in these arguments may find it difficult to take a reflective view especially if the poster in question is on the mod's opposing side. In other words, who'll mod the mods?

 

Haha, Thanks friend. There is one reason to stay on as a mod.

You guys, the regular users. We need you to tell us things, it's the only way we'll learn.

 

Steering clear of the Lounge lately, I take it?

 

Yeah, that doesn't work so well. I've seen that sort of thing quite a bit as well. I suppose it is human nature.

 

Heh. I just don't know anyone here well enough to say they're on the far left or right, though I can certainly say whether some are closer to one than the other

 

sorry Lemex, you'll never hear me reporting someone, whatever view they take or how insulting just the way I was brought up...

 

It's perfectly common for mature responsible people to be objective when in a position of authority. Everyone has an opinion, but when placed in a position of authority, they should police both sides equally.

I honestly don't think the current forum staff could handle the added workload. No offense but the only two active mods are Minstrel and Lemex and I know Lemex has a lot of real-life things going on.

And of course any mod would be subject to the other mods as well as the admin, so it's not like your giving them the keys to the city.

 

Nee bosh.

I do. Sadly it means I can't be around as much as I like. Sorry.

Dante is still an active mod here though, he does a lot of things behind the scenes.

 

I was a mod here back when the sidebar would change completely with every click of the refresh button, day or night, and you had to have a very decent WPM to keep up with any conversation.

I would mod again with pleasure if I were lucky enough to be asked.

 

Wreybies, would you referee, sorry I mean moderate, a possible new tag-wrestling ring, sorry debate arena?

Personally I think you'd be perfect.

(Can I get back up off one knee now?)

 

I'm going to pull in part of what Ed mentioned. It would make more sense for a new mod to simply be a universal mod. This way, any added workload (assuming there even is any) would be spread amongst the team. It would also, I feel, mitigate the possibility of any one person's viewpoint, style, and frankly, prejudices (we all have them) from becoming an overwhelming factor in a given part of the forum, to include this proposed new sub-forum.

 

does that mean you're taking back your offer? Or waiting for a better one?

 

No, no. Not rescinding my offer. Merely amending it.

 

I feel the forum would need to be actively moderated, as opposed to simply 'popping your head in' every once in a while. Also, while the 'report post' feature is nice, it is simply not enough by itself to moderate a forum.

Any moderator would need to be actively engaged and monitoring. Especially since a lot of the reported posts will turn out to only be sour grapes.

Not to mention it will need at least 2 extensive stickies to be written.

 

Then the forum would simply need to have a project team put the concept together as Daniel would like to see it come to fruition. Once created, it should run like any other part of the forum, according to the rules created for it. All mods would need to be familiar with the rules. The forum is slow enough these days that the current mod team is more than adequate to handle one small section, which according to you, once defined and delineated, should run much more smoothly than what they are already dealing with.

 

About what?

 

Rules and etiquette. At the minimum a 'Read Me Before Posting' sticky. We should do all we can to help people in proper debating procedures.

 

Proper debate procedure? I don't think anyone needs advice how on to be polite. Reminders, maybe, but advice, forgive me but it sounds a tad condescending.

I suggest you lead by example if you think you know what others need.

 

I'm not trying to be condescending, but having sticky threads is essential in helping members use the forum properly, also it helps out the mods who can direct them to the threads.

Things such as citing proper sources and common fallacies, as well as how to structure your side of the position is very helpful.

Every forum I've seen that has a debate forum has stickies with help and guidelines for conduct. I don't see how you see that as condescending.

 

No, I'm sure you don't.

 

I don't think your attitude is very nice. I'm just trying to be helpful.

 

I think sarcasm should be banned. Should make life a little easier for everyone.

 

Oh, Thirdwind. You little dictator, you. Come to Puerto Rico where I live. Latins just love a dictator. We've got the history to prove it. LOL

 

Haha. I'm just looking out for everyone's interest and security.

Speaking of dictators, I've been reading about José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia (you may have heard of him). He was the dictator of Paraguay back in the early 19th century. He was a professor of philosophy, and based on this, I automatically assumed that he would be more open-minded when it came to others' ideas. Turns out he wasn't. He destroyed all opposition. I guess it just goes to show that philosophers shouldn't rule.