In a General Questions thread, someone used the opprobrious N-word. I quoted that post, but blanked the word with brackets and asterisks. N[*****]
It was suggested that I may have broken the rules by changing a quote. To my mind, this is more like a [snip] than an actual change. The typography indicates the change. I believe I’m not breaking the rules, but would like advice.
I sifted through that mess of a derail.
It looks like it was a random user who was already opposed to you in the argument that said that, not a moderator.
I’d just ignore it in that case. I’m sure you’re fine.
It would be helpful to link to the thread.
[quote rule,]
(http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=7697048&postcount=11) since you used square brackets and didn’t change the sense of the quote.
I would also regard such a modification as being unnecessary.
Don’t listen to anything that** Leo Bloom **says about the rules.
Nitpick: bowdlerize.
Or bowlerize, in cases where the writer obscures an offensive word by putting a hat over it.
Or by putting The Dude over it.
I never expect to be listened to about rules. I’m not a mod, and I didn’t think that my grumble even amounted to JModding, which we all know is by definition non-fatwa-ic.
Trinopus, honestly, in that thread I did not believe that you were misquoting or editing me with overt intent of any kind save your own scruples, nor did I believe that anyone else sensed anything of the kind. Ordinarily, the brackets you rightly used certainly and clearly showed an editor/citer interpolation.
But it was thoroughly confusing to the topic of that sidebar–not to my personal self-expression or any hare-brained interpretation of requirements of GQ posts–that the very printed words under discussion were changed. That’s a <snip> that snips out the point of the post being quoted.
It wasn’t like I was going to run to Colibri and cry my head off. (One never knows how Colibri will react, do one? I bet even he is sometimes surprised.)
In any event, that it prompted this nteresting and worthwhile OP/thread is a credit to you.
Best wishes, particularly to Trinopus,
Leo
Oh, and something else. Now I got one more huge bone to pick. Mathematics: Who you calling random?
That shit belongs in the Pit.
The mods will be along to give you a note or a warning.
May I suggest that, in the future, you don’t use the word “rule” if you don’t think there’s a rule against what happened, and have no desire to said “rule” violation? Just say that you think is going on without referencing rules, and no one will think you are junior moderating.
Shut up.
MODERATOR NOTEThought we already had this sorted out … that it was not an issue. I’m sorry you’re taking it badly.
It’s also unfortunate that you use this opportunity to slap at Colibri, who is an excellent moderator, if not to your taste or standards, whatever that might be. While this forum is the place for moderator questions and complaints, random hostile shots are not appropriate. Don’t be that way.
MODERATOR NOTE
Burned by the irony!
A rose by any other name would … still be junior moderating.
It’s like the JMod version of Gaudere’s Law.
If I wasn’t chuckling I’d be considering something more, um, strenuous. This time … just a warning. But I’m telling you, consider giving up your part time junior mod gig here, please. Thank you.
NO SNARK INTENDED: Honest question, are suggestions considered JMODing?
I only ask because I once got a finger wag because I suggested to someone that they don’t have to post in this thread if they don’t like where it’s going. (The guy in question got a Mod note. I didn’t BTW.)
Again, I’m not mad or anything. I would just like some clarification. Because I wouldn’t consider BigT’s last comment note worthy.
If it walks like a duck … to me it came off much stronger than just a “suggestion.” It has them pseudo-moderational tones coming from BigT, could be my view is colored by reading a lot of BigT posts that have that feel about them; I felt it was a good time to say something, just between friends.
YMMV, your view may well be different.
May I suggest . . .
Oh, wait. I guess we’re not allowed to suggest anything any more.
You should just make BigT a mod. I think we all agree that this would be a great thing for the message board, and humanity in general.
Huh? I wasn’t taking anything badly, if you really want to put it that way, beyond noting that an on-topic reply in the thread may have made, without invidious intent, a brief exchange a little harder to parse.
I’ve never given much thought to any modding, except noting it and agreeing 99% of the time. In fact, in spite of that general rule, my comment was part of a shout-out and thanks for Colibri’s wise, nay, Solomonic modding in his post as a whole, and particularly for the pleasant winky he appended to his warning to the world–and to me–about the vainglorious and, let us call it what it is, near-psychotic assumptions by anyone who would claim Straight Dope powers possessed by a mighty few.
About the joke/comment you took issue with: I knew Colibri and others would see it for what it was: a rueful observation about the human condition. Colibri, an unpaid suffering servant of SD, so starkly illuminates one of man’s ineluctable complaints: the ultimate unknowability of one’s actions in the multiplicity of future events and the vagaries of emotional states in their immediate past.
Something like that.
Hell, my post was pretty gracious, if I do say so myself, regarding the whole silly thing. Why would I muck it up by being an asshole? I’m not to any mod. Gosh, by time served, dedication, and skill you’re sort of Queen Bee here, and I certainly wouldn’t offend you with that comment, nor with this overblown note…
And from what I know of Colibri as a non-mod, he’s smart and interesting as fuck, and he knows me well enough to know that I know that. The only nagging question I have about him is I can’t zero in on his actual profession down there in the jungle. Maybe he’s a CIA sleeper agent.
May I suggest that, in the future, you try the coconut creme pie.