Disillusionment: The Life and Times of an Invisible Mod

dcwrestlefan

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joyboy, welcome back.

i am a mod on another board. it's sort of a thankless job, but you do it because you like the people there. after several years here, i'm still pretty sure my presence would not be missed if i ditched out tomorrow. in your case, that is not the story. you are fun and cute and interesting, from the posts i have noticed from you.

sit back, click, and enjoy the board. and ignore the noise.
 

dolf250

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Why do they ask us to be held accountable to the masses... when they don't expect themselves to be held accountable to anyone but themselves?
Because our actions do not impact the masses in the same way that the moderators decisions do. When a member is banned it is true that I can continue my realaitonship with them elsewhere on the net but the decision has, in effect limited who I may have contact with while I spend my time posting here. In effect the decision to ban a member for whatever reason impacts the time I spend here where as my telling a member to fuck off (about the strongest thing I can do in my capacity as a posting member) impacts nobody.
In short if my actions had the kind of impact on other members that a moderators actions do then I would expect to be held somewhat accountable for them. Nobody is asking you to be held accountable for your private posts as you are another member with the same rights and privileges that we all enjoy; they are asking that the moderators are held accountable for at least telling the unwashed masses who has been banned, weather it is temporary or permanent and finally what section of the TOS was violated. Very few people are asking for a complete explanation with details and nobody but you has suggested that we want to see the voting record of the moderators.
All I ask in return is that you, the masses, treat me like you do everyone else around here. Don't revere me, because you fear my wrath. I'm not vengeful (usually). Don't hate me because i wield a power you do not. I'm not any more powerful than you are. I'm a member, just like you are, only i have a few more headaches.
I mean this with all due respect; I think you need to go back to the Big.D thread and re-read it. You are in no danger of people revering you because they fear your wrath. I can not see any evidence of ass-kissing going on over there just because somebody hold the title of moderator. Though you may think that the hatefulness expressed by some members toward certain moderators or administrators is due to their power I assure you it is not. In short; resume being yourself and post a little; nobody here (or perhaps I should say very few people) will revere you for you role as a moderator and people will not hate you for that either though they will lump you in as “the moderators” when some ridiculous decisions are made. In short people will curse at you, and get over it; hopefully you can do the same.

Now, I do not want to turn this thread into one which is a discussion about moderators as we already have enough of those; the only reason I am responding is because I saw a few statements you made that I thought were in error. So instead I will wish you all the best with getting your life in order and calmed down; I think we all know how little fun it is when things fall apart.
 

Lex

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...
So why bother? What I have taken away from the Hickboy, JBT, and Mindseye threads is this:

1. Mods aren't accountable to anyone but Rob_E, and he generally gives them free rein.
2. We can't know why the mods ban people because the reasons are secret, and it's a secret why they are secret.
3. What the membership-at-large wants doesn't matter, because we don't know what's good for us, because we don't know the secrets that we can't be told. But if we did know the secrets, we'd understand. Too bad they're secret (See point #2 above). So the members should just shut up and let the mods do what they know is good for us.

In light of those three takeaways, I'm not sure why the mods are bothering to defend their actions at all.

I stand by my Martin Luther comment. The parallels are just eerie, and amusing, too.

Well, that is about as clear as I have ever seen it put.
 

joyboytoy79

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Because our actions do not impact the masses in the same way that the moderators decisions do. When a member is banned it is true that I can continue my realaitonship with them elsewhere on the net but the decision has, in effect limited who I may have contact with while I spend my time posting here. In effect the decision to ban a member for whatever reason impacts the time I spend here where as my telling a member to fuck off (about the strongest thing I can do in my capacity as a posting member) impacts nobody.
In short if my actions had the kind of impact on other members that a moderators actions do then I would expect to be held somewhat accountable for them. Nobody is asking you to be held accountable for your private posts as you are another member with the same rights and privileges that we all enjoy; they are asking that the moderators are held accountable for at least telling the unwashed masses who has been banned, weather it is temporary or permanent and finally what section of the TOS was violated. Very few people are asking for a complete explanation with details and nobody but you has suggested that we want to see the voting record of the moderators.

I mean this with all due respect; I think you need to go back to the Big.D thread and re-read it. You are in no danger of people revering you because they fear your wrath. I can not see any evidence of ass-kissing going on over there just because somebody hold the title of moderator. Though you may think that the hatefulness expressed by some members toward certain moderators or administrators is due to their power I assure you it is not. In short; resume being yourself and post a little; nobody here (or perhaps I should say very few people) will revere you for you role as a moderator and people will not hate you for that either though they will lump you in as “the moderators” when some ridiculous decisions are made. In short people will curse at you, and get over it; hopefully you can do the same.

Now, I do not want to turn this thread into one which is a discussion about moderators as we already have enough of those; the only reason I am responding is because I saw a few statements you made that I thought were in error. So instead I will wish you all the best with getting your life in order and calmed down; I think we all know how little fun it is when things fall apart.

Hi... I know there's a shit-load of stuff going on about one particular member... but when did i say anything about him? I'm not talking about him. I am not explaining my actions in regards to him. I'm explaining why i've been away and what i'm seeing EVERY SINGLE TIME I RETURN.

You guys wanna know why this place sucks so much lately? It doesn't have anything to do with me, or anyone else being a moderator. It might have a lot to do with several people having axes to grind with other members. Right now, my axe needs grinding with everyone who's attacking me simply because i do a job.
 

dong20

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Disclaimer: I'm not having a pop at you personally, merely the views you're expressing. There is a difference, though many seem unable to grasp the concept.

But while i'm here, i may as well use my pulpit to speak out against a grievous trend i've noticed from my distant perch: Mod-Bashing. Yes, yes, i see you all there looking at the blue letters under my name. I hear your thoughts: "he IS a mod, of course he would stick up for them... he's ONE of THEM!" While your argument would seem solid, it isn't the case. I AM a mod, but i am also a member. I have contributed much to this forum. I have a lot invested in it. I am a Member before I am a mod. I can't speak for the other mods, but i'm sure most of them feel the same way.

Guilt by association is a facet of a bureaucratic or limited mind. I have no opinion of you one way or another. Being at a Nazi rally doesn't make one a Nazi. Edit: No, I'm NOT comparing Mods to Nazis' it's merely an example.

The reason I think Mod-Bashing is so dangerous is because people make a lot of huge assumptions when they do it. They assume, for instance, that they have a right to why the mods did "x" and who voted for it. Sorry, it doesn't work that way. I was not elected to my position as a mod. I do not have a constituency. I do not represent y-number of members. I represent myself. I look at each situation i am presented with and decide, FOR MY SELF, weather i think an action is warranted. I do not answer to any of you, and i don't think it's fair that any of you would ask me to. I don't think it's fair that you ask ANY of the mods, co-administrators, or even owner to answer to you. We're all adults here, and the only people we have to answer to are ourselves.

Self serving IMHO. For myself I'm not MOD Bashing, merely seeking answers to reasonable questions. From what I can see, for the most part nobody is demanding anything from the 'management' except:
  1. To not insult our intelligence (for our our own good of course)
  2. Recognise that without it's membership LPSG is merely a domain name.
  3. That 2) should count for something.
  4. To not hide behind an argument that is as credible as Elvis being alive and well on the moon.
The moderators simply ensure that nobody abuses the freedoms bestowed upon them.

Did I read that right, the freedoms bestowed upon us?

We make sure the rules are followed. We try to maintain peace.

If only it were so.

Rules are applied for the convience of those that apply them, not for the benefit of those to whom they apply. There's nothing ground breaking in that concept of course. The irony, and I suspect for some, a source of frutsration is that the collective wisdom of the 'management' would seem to suggest it's otherwise.

I'm not going anywhere.

If I undertand the LPSG terms of service correctly, an achievement in itself - that's not really your decision to make is it? As either a member, or a moderator. I suspect that concept is rattling round in the minds of many right now.

And with any luck I will find the time and energy to make my presence known to all, like it once was. All I ask in return is that you, the masses, treat me like you do everyone else around here. Don't revere me, because you fear my wrath. I'm not vengeful (usually). Don't hate me because i wield a power you do not. I'm not any more powerful than you are. I'm a member, just like you are, only i have a few more headaches.

Please. The fact that a moderator would write such drivel, even in jest (which I assume it is) is a endictment of the more paranoid aspects of what many have said here.
 

SteveHd

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I'm tired of the modbashing so I'll try to change the subject. I'm pleased that you gave us an update. I'd read snippets about your difficulties and apparently that's now behind you. I hope things continue to get better for you.
 

B_ScaredLittleBoy

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Hi, I remember you.

I agree people need to shut the fuck up! And if they like a banned member so much they should go and marry him! (or her)

Rob_E knows what kind of members and behaviours he wants at this site and which kinds he doesn't. I'm sure he has briefed the moderators on this also. If this were a company, we the floor staff would not be privy to top management decisions or included in the decision-making process. When you come here for free what exactly is your stake in the site? Ten members could be banned and its still nobody's business but the ten banned members and the moderators'.

Lots of nosey people on this site. They need to learn to mind their own business. I trust the moderator's decisions. And even if I didn't - the site is free for fuck's sake. Unless you own a stake in the site, STFU.

PS WTF is this "membership at large" dog shit? There are OVER 100 THOUSAND members here. And there are about ten people (at the most) spitting their dummies out like des bebes.
 

dong20

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PS WTF is this "membership at large" dog shit? There are OVER 100 THOUSAND members here. And there are about ten people (at the most) spitting their dummies out like des bebes.

It takes only one dog to control a whole field of sheep.

I tried. *sigh*

Point taken, but if you want to control the discussion, become a moderator.:biggrin1:
 

dolf250

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Again, I really do not want to turn your welcome back thread into a discussion of moerators, rules and general site junk.
It doesn't have anything to do with me, or anyone else being a moderator. It might have a lot to do with several people having axes to grind with other members. Right now, my axe needs grinding with everyone who's attacking me simply because i do a job.
I have, until now been unaware that anybody has attacked you in any way due to the job that you are doing. Many people are attacking “moderators” but your actual name has not been brought up once in that regard. Yes, you are a moderator so you may feel that every attack on the generic “moderator” is an attack on you personally, but it is not. Lex was working through trying to get members to realize that he was a posting member first and foremost and that he did some duties as a moderator. You need to realize the same thing. Unless somebody says “JBT really stepped over the line this time” then it is not an attack on you. If you go posting in the “other” thread then yes, as a moerator you may find that if you try to defend the inaction of the group of moderators to do something about the level of dissatisfaction that you are attacked, but unless you have chosen to not draw the line between moderator and posting member then I do not think anybody is attacking you because you do a job, and I am sorry if you perceive it to be otherwise.

I honestly wish you had split your post in to two separate parts. You could have posted the “I do not answer to any of you” and the “why do they ask us to be accountable to the masses” over in Big D's thread and kept the rest of the “I am back” posted here. That way I could have argued the points you raised without feeling like I am hijacking you welcome back thread. Now, again, welcome back and are if I read your post correctly you are now in a semi-serious relationship. So that is, if nothing else, good news. You may find after a week or so LPSG will settle down to what you remember. As for finding yourself left with sour resentment at the members you used to admire I have no real suggestions. If it is because you feel that they are attacking the mods then I would suggest that you read the above paragraph and seriously consider that an attack on the generic “moderators” is not a personal attack on you.
 

dong20

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I'm no sheep. But I'd like to know why you think you should be told anything pertaining to anything on this website? Are you in partnership with Rob_E? Are you contributing to the rates of running the site?

If you need it explained...nevermind. Read this thread, and the others on this theme. I don't have the time to draw you a picture.

FWIW I was a gold member for a while, were you?
 

Big Dreamer

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I'm no sheep. But I'd like to know why you think you should be told anything pertaining to anything on this website? Are you in partnership with Rob_E? Are you contributing to the rates of running the site?

Dong20 contributes insightful posts that in conjunction with other insightful posts make up the fabric of LPSG, and help draw new people to the site, as well as keep old ones. Many other users contribute free images that also help attract paying members to the site. This has been discussed ad nauseam but some people still don't get it.

The members are the site, regardless of where the cash flows. Period.
 

earllogjam

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joyboytoy,

This may be a ratty question but what have you done as a moderator that has made this a better place, something that a member has not or could not do?
 

Lex

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You can mod-bash anywhere. Must you do it in my thread?

Please leave me alone. Thank you.

JBT-how was I bashing you by quoting rob_just_rob?

If you feel so maligned by you mod-status association, you can step down. That is what Zora, Matthew, Kotchanski and I did.

Snoozan made it perfectly clear that you were not around much for all of this (and before hand) and I know that while MIA mods get no vote, they also get smeared just the same. Sucks, don't it?
 

B_ScaredLittleBoy

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So why do you feel you should know why other members are banned? Just because you're a member? There are over 99000 other members. One out of those will not be missed.

FWIW no I was not and likely will never be a gold member. I don't use the gallery that much.

The amount of threads on the same subject is ridiculous. A ban is only for the person enforcing the ban and the person being banned. It is nobody else's business.

If you don't like the running of the site or being kept in the dark about bans why don't you piss off? Or stop moaning about it. It's that simple.