Must we be so moderated ?

We do what we must because we can.

Perchance are you referring to my request that you ask your question again? It had gotten off to a very confused start when folks answered your original version then you edited it so that the responses no longer made sense.

It did not appear to be recovering and in order for it to be answered as you wished it seemed best to me for you to just ask it again.

Regarding the moderator not liking your answer- please PM me with a link to the question. We are NOT about modding by our opinion and I want to be sure this has not happened.

I don’t think we’re ‘so moderated’ and I’m not one for conformity or moderation.

I can say that I have never been modded without feeling it was justified. The mods do a great job in my opinion in maintaining the quality of this site. Why would they want to restrict creativity? That would make no sense.

And I get just a little tired of these moderation questions.
No offence intended, but it seems that every week there is this same discussion.
There is nothing against discussions and who am I to say anything about it, but really…, the mods have nothing against any Jelly as far as I can see, but I trust that it is the case and they ‘just’ follow the rules that are written for all to read on the Guidelines page.
Edit: Also you write ”I’ve also been modded on answers that were on topic, but the moderator simply didn’t like my answer.”
Did the moderator wrote to you that he/she didn’t like your answer?
I like to think he/she didn’t, so it sounds a bit accusatory, I think.

see: Related ===================================================>

@digitalimpression I just looked up your removed quips to see if any could have been inappropriately removed. The only recent ones I found were flagged because the question was in general and the person wanted the conversation to remain strictly on topic.

Let me know if I have missed other quips- I would be glad to take a look to put your mind at ease on our moderation actions.

First of all, you were not moderated because a moderator just didn’t like your answer. Use the contact button and ask them to explain to you why they removed the answer.

No I do not feel the moderation is too much. I have been modded for different reasons: questions and answers.

Why would you feel creatively hampered? You are free to write anything you want. You just have to keep it on topic in general; use good grammar and spelling; write clearly; and not attack another user. Those do not seem to be too much to ask to me.

Really, nobody? Portal. jeeze XD

I think the moderation is what keeps this site top notch. (FYI I felt this way long before I was a moderator and is is in fact the reason I wanted to become a mod.) It is honestly what keeps Fluther head and shoulders above every single other question and answer sites. As a mod and as a plain old jelly I have never seen a quip or question removed just because it was disliked. I also really don’t feel like anyone’s creativity is hampered. Jellies are free, and in fact encouraged to be creative with their questions and answers. I think this is the is the whole reason behind splitting the board into general and social; to encourage creativity when appropriate without detracting from the information that can be garnered when someone has a serious question or issue that needs to be resolved.

@SuperMouse Facist!

This is exactly why I refrained from asking this question in the past. Even though (as so eloquently pointed out) there are related questions , and as @rebbel pointed out it happens quite a lot, it is excused and written off as good moderation regardless of the fact that the issue is brought up yet again.

@Dog No, it was not your moderation that prompted this.. rather just seeing the [mod says] yet again which did so. =)

As far as my posts being moderated due to a moderator not liking it: I am not interested in a lawyer-esque case against the “government” wherein I present evidence and the judge makes a legal decision.. I suppose I just needed to vent my frustration. Having done so, I can now safely recede into the fluthery shadows and continue being frustrated without further voicing it.

@digitalimpression there are two things I know for sure:

1. Moderation decisions are monitored very closely by the entire mod team and there is no doubt in my mind that it would be very simple to see if someone was basing their moderation decisions on personal preference rather than the guidelines.

and…

2. There are consistently complaints about moderation, typically from newish users who have been moderated more than on other sites. Most people who stick around come to appreciate the moderation process and the high quality discourse that comes as a result.

Getting moderated is frustrating, I know. I’m sorry you’re feeling the ‘sting of the mighty tentacle’. Rest assured, most of us have felt it as well. Even mods and the site founders get modded on occasion. ;)

I just want to reassure you that we would never remove an answer just because we didn’t like it. I promise. As the manager here, I see every single action ever taken by a mod, and if I ever saw anything like that, heads would roll.

@augustlan is not kidding- heads would roll big time…

@SuperMouse
1. Having no insight to that process I’m sure you’re right.
2. I’ve been around fluther for years.. I still haven’t gotten used to it

@augustlan As I said, I’m not interested in bringing such evidence to light and having heads roll =)

Oh, good grief. Instead of getting “frustrated” because you feel that there is some agenda, or the mods are “too picky”, may I suggest you go back through the dozens of Qs that are very similar to this one and read through the patiently written explanations of how moderation works on this site, how it can’t possibly be personal because the whole team is in on it, how the Mod Squad is a volunteer group, etc etc.
And if you’ve been here for years, and still haven’t gotten used to it, why mention it now? And why not bring “evidence to light” so the rest of us can see that there is evidence? Or at least bring it to Auggie’s attention?

Also, it is possible for the moderation team to reverse actions taken by some of its members. They are a bit like the referees in a football game. They can always go to the video tape when you throw the red flag and sometimes calls are overturned or changed.

@JilltheTooth Oh, good grief. That’s why.

@wundayatta makes an excellent point. We have sometimes reversed actions after discussing it.
This is part of our checks and balances. If one of us questions an action we discuss it.

Well, @digitalimpression , dense ol’ me, I don’t get it. Your post directed at me right up there. Please explain.

@digitalimpression your profile you joined in August of this year. Have you been modded on alias accounts?

@JilltheTooth Your exasperated answer led me to believe that any further prodding of such a scenario would be greeted with equal exasperation.

@SuperMouse When I first got on fluther I lived in a different state, had a different job, had a different fluther nickname, and apparently a different IP address.

@digitalimpression Well of course you had a different IP address if you were in a different state, let alone a different internet connection.

@digitalimpression: My exasperated answer merely meant that I didn’t understand your post “Oh,good grief. That’s why.”

Can we all have a group hug? Please?

@JilltheTooth I was referring to your original post which started with “Oh, good grief”..

@XOIIO Naturally.

@Dog Sure. But I would prefer a group drink followed by a group go to the bar followed by a group get totally wasted followed by a group “I’m never drinking again” .

@digitalimpression : Yeah, I got that part. It was the “That’s why” part I didn’t get.

@digitalimpression Much better plan! I will open the wine and unlock the beer cooler. We also have a wet bar in the corner. Also we have soda, tea and sparkling water for the designated drivers and those who prefer not to partake in the final group “I will never drink again”

Fluther’s moderation system reminds me of having the choice of going to a restaurant where there is a dress code (anything from “no shoes; no shirt: no service” to” jacket and tie are required.”) to going to fast food place. It’s a matter of choice where you dine. They probably all serve good food, the choice is how it’s served.

@Sunny2 True.

As a matter of record, I am an impulsive asshole at times and occasionally a combination of stimuli will occur that trigger my argh reflex, resulting in incoherent, and poorly assembled posts; which are immediately, of course, rebuked and I am snapped out of my delirium.

All that rubbish said, while I find the moderation excessive at times, I am in no way saying that I’d rather eat at McDonalds.

Must we be so moderated ? Yes, thats what keep this site worthwhile.

It is a bit picky in my opinion, however, I find that properly following the guidelines is extremely easy, and does not, in any way, impede me from saying the shit I want, and how I want to say it.

I admit, I stopped reading after the fifth post – @Simone_De_Beauvoir ‘s. Because if she can be moderated and say it’s fine – then it’s fine by me. Talk about non-conformity – she teaches it at University level, lol.

A word to the wise OP (that’s you, @digitalimpression) if you are so “creative” – which is a subjective thing, then be creative within the rules and guidelines. That’s being even more creative, n’est ce pas? You might also apply for the volunteer position of Moderator – a thankless job if I’ve ever seen one.

I’ve asked about 1200 questions – gotten modded, gotten suspended; it’s called learning and fluther. When you are part of a “trusted community” and a private social network of sorts, you adapt. Resistance is futile.

Try to engage more. Just make it so.

@zensky I would be no good as a moderator. “Impulsive” is not one of the required or desired traits I’d imagine.

Afa the rest of your advice.. I sort of blacked out trying to read it as I can’t stop looking at that infernal Captain Picard.

@digitalimpression Nobody ever can.

What really gets me is Bob though. Check him out right there in the corner, just chillaxin.

Holy moly, thank heavens I don’t get moderated as much as I use to, maybe they found another mark, just kidding. You lose some creativity, and objectivity with such a tight reign. Is that a acceptable sacrifice for not having wars and feuds, I guess? However, no moderation will take the place of applying good and sound logic to the question or answer, and keeping people on point in the spirit of the question.

Bob is my communicator and alter ego. Design by Jeruba, I should add.

@zensky So the _bob account is yours too?

Uh, no silly boy.

Well then old man, I guess i misinterpreted the meaning of “alter ego”

Yes, or else the site would suck.

@XOIIO No, you took it literally instead of figuratively. And you’ve been here long enough to know that bob is in Mexico and speaks Spanish and requires sandwiches while I am in Israel and speak Hebrew and like falafel.

Multiple accounts of that size would be against Fluther rules anyway.

I am not smart enough to answer the way bob_ does.

I hate all things lurve/awards – I frequently delete accounts around 5k and 10k – while bob is slowly creeping up the lurve ladder.

Sheesh kid. Pay attention. Get your head out of your modem/html/RPG games.

;-)

@zensky The thing is, I don’t even play any games. I went through Portal 1 and two and some half life but thats it.

If it’s a challenge of wit you wish, make it so.

I am wearing training wheels as a mod but I can confirm everything my more senior ‘mod squad’ team members have said. The process is observed and transparent and you would be amazed at how often mods say to each other “what do you think about this? Should it be removed?”, “Is this post over the line?”. Decisions are not made lightly and very often there is collaboration to ensure fairness.

There is also an infinite amount of spam and crap removed behind the scenes that I was not aware of!

@digitalimpression, can I suggest if ever a response of yours is modded and you feel it is unfair OR you just want to vent about the process or ask questions or you don’t understand why a thread has been modded quite heavily that you contact @augustlan. That way you will avoid dealing with ‘exasperated’ jellies because of another thread about the moderation process. I can promise you will be given a fair hearing and perhaps given answers to explain why decisions were made. While there may on occasions be privacy reasons for not discussing other member’s posts, if you have general questions about why decisions were made I am sure someone in the mod team will be able to give you some answers.

That is certainly better than having you feel frustrated. We value your input and certainly don’t want to hamper creativity.

zen out.

Krik was always better

Yeah, I went there!

I love Kirk. Just saying.

ZEN REALLY OUT THIS TIME.

Make it so…

Engaged? If not, marry me?

Oh, so they get the credit for the make it so line.

pfft

I’m not sure but I actually appreciate the moderation on here and believe me I have many extremely dissenting views from the majority userbase on here. I’m a theist, I’m a paranormal enthusiast, I’m a proponent of alternative treatments and I’m reasonably conservative on many issues that has been involved in some of the most viscious debates on here and I’m saying this (I’ve been involved off and on with Fluther for nearly 2 years now). I appeciate the moderation personally because I’ve been on other sites where the moderation and dismal at best. There were sites where I couldn’t even ask a question about astronomy or evolution without hatred of Obama being brought up in the discussion.

Must be an echo in here..here…her..he….

I think the moderation should be stricter.

I’ve got to wonder solmetimes why someone who feels that their “creativity” is being “hampered” is so worried about applying that very “creativity” to this format. This is a Q and A forum, a place for discussion, debate, information, etc etc etc. If what you’re contributing is such gold, and you’re afraid of it being removed, this is definitely not the place for it. If you can write from the heart, within the guidelines (as so many manage to do), then, by all means, stick around.

The level of moderation here seems to be just about right.

@Bellatrix What a professional response! You must deal with loonies like me on a regular basis.

@whoever A perfect example of what I’m talking about is in this “thread” ! We’ve got a side conversation going on about Captain Kirk. Were it me, it seems, it would have been promptly removed with a nifty ”[mod says]” attached. Do I really mind them chattering on about star trek? No, not at all. I would just appreciate the same conversational liberties.

@FutureMemory You’re out of your gourd sir. Ma’am?

@JilltheTooth By “creatively hampered” I mean that I have purposely avoided asking questions on quite a few occasions because I thought “the man is certainly going to pick this apart and not let me get the question out” . It has nothing to do with painting with my own poo or anything.

@digitalimpression : Oh, OK. In that case, I, too, have not asked a number of Qs, but not for moderation reasons, but because I’ve gotten the lay of the land around here and an innocently worded fun little Q will often get hammered by large numbers of people with a political agenda. Thanks for clarifying what you meant, I thought that sounded a bit odd in this context.

@digitalimpression If this question was in the General section the Star Trek banter would be removed. (Likely flagged by several users) You are welcome to have the same chatting liberties as long as it is not in General.

You have been here long enough to know that General is reserved for strict Q & A. It is a place where people who need an answer go. Banter distracts from the topic and is not allowed out of respect to the asking party. Anywhere else it is fair game.

@Dog I couldn’t find any rules for the meta section, but even in the social section it says responses must relate to the discussion. Is there a separate ruleset for meta?

Meta follows the same rules as Social- with the exception that the asking party can clearly state in the question that they want only ON TOPIC responses. They then can flag their own question and alert us to the request. We have on rare occasion done this in Social too. :)

@Dog I suppose I draw my conversational comparisons too much from real life. E.G. If I was talking about elvis and Dave wanted to jump in with a quip about cheese burgers.. I wouldn’t mind. If real conversation was similarly moderated, it may be peaceful.. but it would certainly feel like a prison.

I’ve been in moderated forums since the early 1990’s and Fluther’s moderation seems unobtrusive and effective to me. I think the mods here do a pretty good job. Maybe it’s because I don’t know the culture well yet, but I don’t think I’ve seen the very common pitfalls I have seen on so many other sites.

I don’t see a two tiered system. I don’t see some posters get away with bending the rules to the point of breaking them. On most of the sites I’ve been on that did this, you could tell after a few weeks that there were a few golden posters who could get away with anything.

This site isn’t undermoderated. Usually, when someone posts Spam it seems to be gone within an hour or two. At the same time, it isn’t overmoderated. The last site I was on before here drove me nuts because they got a moderator that stuck to her rules like a little robot and would snip anything that even when she KNEW it was OK, she’d snip it because people may THINK it was against the rules.

@keobooks That does sound like a horrible site you’re describing. And as I said (rather typed) earlier, overall the moderation is great here, it just got me a little flustered yesternight.

@digitalimpression

Actually Fluther is like real life!

Consider Fluther like this:

General is a college. A learning environment where instructors and students need to focus.

Social is the local pub or any other casual setting.

Meta is casual and about Fluther.

:D

@Dog I don’t know what kind of pubs you go to, but the things I’ve seen would certainly not be allowed on fluther.

@digitalimpression—You aint seen nothin’ yet – wait til we get to flunking and you’ll see some serious shit. I’ve even, on occasion, seen Auggie herself, and even Gail (and maybe Jeruba) let their hair down and – gulp – swear.

Even at the end of a thread in General you can get into a lively discussion.

I have no problems with the moderation. Sure, I miss entertaining flame wars every now and then, but I can live without it.

Could a mod please just remove some comments from this thread to freak people out?

[response moderated]

@cockswain And then after the modded posts, you say something like: “Wow…that was uncalled for…”

@digitalimpression Augustlan has a whip.

{Redacted}

The fact that this question has been “so asked” recently, really makes me want to scream the “f word”.

FUTTERWACKEN! FUTTERWACKEN! FUTTERWACKEN!

I feel better.

@tom_g: “The level of moderation here seems to be just about right.”

I still think so despite having just been moderated in another thread. I’m hoping the offending post that sparked my moderated post will be moderated as well.

@flutherother Is that supposed to deter or attract me?

Only you would know that.

@digitalimpression Judge for yourself. ;)

I’m wondering. I know you get a message when your question gets pulled. But do you get a message when your answers get pulled? For all I know I could have tons of stuff removed and have no idea.

@keobooks : “For all I know I could have tons of stuff removed and have no idea.”
I think that’s probably the healthiest approach to have. If one is seriously wedded to a post, then write it off Fluther so you have a record of it, otherwise, let it go. I have seen and/or written so little here that simply must be preserved. There’s a lot of great stuff, yeah, but when I come across something that I really want to preserve I save it to somewhere else. In spite of what one of the little log-on greetings says, I have not seen anything here that was Nobel-worthy.

@keobooks Question, yes. Quip- nope. But really most quips stay overall. I do not think you have ever had anything removed. :D

Out of all of the mods, who is the very model of a modern model moderate?

Gilbert and Sullivan and Fluther. I love it.

I think the moderation is just fine here. It’s not nearly as strict as many people would like to think, and they don’t generally make decisions lightly. Also, as has already been stated, a mod is never going to remove a question/quip just because they don’t agree with it. As long as it’s on topic (if it’s in General), meets the writing standards, and isn’t attacking someone, then you’re good. It’s not all that hard to follow the simple guidelines without being “creatively hampered.”

@augustlan Hubba hubba! (Do people still say that?)