# A suggestion about the moderation going forward **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [August 12, 2019, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-suggestion-about-the-moderation-going-forward/838539 "2019-08-12T05:51:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2019, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-suggestion-about-the-moderation-going-forward/838539/21 "2019-08-12T12:28:15Z")
> [@Banquet\_Bear](#): > > …you don’t think female moderators are intelligent and you think they would not fairly apply the rules? That’s not even remotely close to what I said. ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2019, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-suggestion-about-the-moderation-going-forward/838539/22 "2019-08-12T12:41:56Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > That’s not even remotely close to what I said. …I asked a question. It was a request for clarification. You stated: “I’d rather the administration focus on assembling a collection of **intelligent mods who fairly apply the rules** , and less on their demographic background.” Can you clarify your comments? Do you think that women can be intelligent, and do you think they can fairly apply the rules? Do you think that men don’t let their life experiences and view-points influence their moderating decisions as much as women? Is that why you think the Straight Dope has an all-male moderating team? ---
**Author:** ![Isosleepy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/isosleepy/32/479_2.png) [@Isosleepy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isosleepy)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2019, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-suggestion-about-the-moderation-going-forward/838539/23 "2019-08-12T12:50:43Z")
I reject the notion that our moderation is in need of improvement. I have no idea if our current moderation staff is male or female. Don’t care. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2019, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-suggestion-about-the-moderation-going-forward/838539/24 "2019-08-12T12:56:55Z")
> [@Banquet\_Bear](#): > > …I asked a question. It was a request for clarification. You stated: > > “I’d rather the administration focus on assembling a collection of **intelligent mods who fairly apply the rules** , and less on their demographic background.” > > Can you clarify your comments? Do you think that women can be intelligent, and do you think they can fairly apply the rules? Do you think that men don’t let their life experiences and view-points influence their moderating decisions as much as women? Is that why you think the Straight Dope has an all-male moderating team? Could you just honestly disagree with him instead of this obtuse bullshit that will take 2 pages to resolve? He is quite clearly saying that gender shouldn’t be considered, just intelligence and ability to be fair. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2019, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-suggestion-about-the-moderation-going-forward/838539/25 "2019-08-12T12:57:08Z")
> [@Banquet\_Bear](#): > > …I asked a question. It was a request for clarification. … No, it was an accusation in the form of a question. This latter attempt was much better if seeking clarification was truly your goal. > [@Banquet\_Bear](#): > > … Do you think that women can be intelligent, and do you think they can fairly apply the rules? Do you think that men don’t let their life experiences and view-points influence their moderating decisions as much as women? Is that why you think the Straight Dope has an all-male moderating team? Yes, I’m sure some of them can. I don’t know. Until this thread, I wasn’t even aware that we had an all-male moderation team, and as my post suggested we all do, I don’t spend much time worrying about the gender of the mods (but I think the current team generally does a good job of fairly applying the rules). I think it’s probably just a coincidence, not some secret sexism nor indicative of any lack of ability of a particular gender. ---
**Author:** ![Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/budget_player_cadet/32/205_2.png) [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2019, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-suggestion-about-the-moderation-going-forward/838539/26 "2019-08-12T13:06:24Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Could you just honestly disagree with him instead of this obtuse bullshit that will take 2 pages to resolve? He is quite clearly saying that gender shouldn’t be considered, just intelligence and ability to be fair. Also, he’s saying it in a way very typical of him, which makes it extremely easy for people to “misinterpret” it in such a way as to paint him as a jerk, which leads to exactly the exchange you’re talking about. Just something I’ve noticed. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2019, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-suggestion-about-the-moderation-going-forward/838539/27 "2019-08-12T13:13:21Z")
Uh, huh. It’s quite clear what he said and your opinion of him is the sole cause of any “misinterpretation”. And that’s the last I’ll say of people trying to start yet another slapfight in ATMB. ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2019, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-suggestion-about-the-moderation-going-forward/838539/28 "2019-08-12T13:32:25Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > No, it was an accusation in the form of a question. This latter attempt was much better if seeking clarification was truly your goal. …I’m pretty sure that it was a question. It had a question mark and everything. > [@](#): > > Yes, I’m sure some of them can. > > I don’t know. Until this thread, I wasn’t even aware that we had an all-male moderation team, and as my post suggested we all do, I don’t spend much time worrying about the gender of the mods (but I think the current team generally does a good job of fairly applying the rules). Perhaps you don’t spend much time “worrying about the gender of the mods” because the current gender of the mods match your life experiences and your viewpoints? Maybe that means it looks like they are “fairly applying the rules” to you, but “fairly applying” is a subjective measure, not an objective one. > [@](#): > > I think it’s probably just a coincidence, not some secret sexism nor indicative of any lack of ability of a particular gender. I don’t think its coincidence. It certainly isn’t about “lack of ability of a particular gender.” It probably isn’t even “secret sexism.” ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2019, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-suggestion-about-the-moderation-going-forward/838539/29 "2019-08-12T13:38:45Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > Let’s get back **twickster**. And let’s not forget our esteemed **Tuba Diva**. Both women, and both even-handed in moderation and administration. You think twickster, who would hand out warnings because she had a headache or didn’t think a joke was funny was even-handed? Maybe I’m misremembering, but I never thought of her modding as even handed. Consistently inconsistent, maybe, but not fair or even handed. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2019, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-suggestion-about-the-moderation-going-forward/838539/30 "2019-08-12T13:40:30Z")
> [@Banquet\_Bear](#): > > …I’m pretty sure that it was a question. It had a question mark and everything. So is, “When did you stop beating your wife?” ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2019, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-suggestion-about-the-moderation-going-forward/838539/31 "2019-08-12T13:44:55Z")
While general comments about the composition and qualifications of the moderation staff would be OK, discussion of specific individuals is bound to become personal. We don’t choose moderators on the basis of public acclamation or nomination. In addition, this thread is developing into personal squabbles. On that basis, I’m closing it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-suggestion-about-the-moderation-going-forward/838539.md?page=1)