# Bullshit modding in the IMHO avatar thread (yeah, you knew it was coming) **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [August 3, 2011, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bullshit-modding-in-the-imho-avatar-thread-yeah-you-knew-it-was-coming/591393 "2011-08-03T23:23:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bullshit-modding-in-the-imho-avatar-thread-yeah-you-knew-it-was-coming/591393/1 "2011-08-03T23:23:10Z")
Original thread: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=14097195](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=14097195) My post, which received a warning (I’m still not sure why): > [@me](#): > > As I posted in the ATMB thread, I would pay to have an avatar (like somethingawful does, 5 or 10 bucks). That the board owner would actively turn away free money is foolish in the extreme. I read the original post, voted in the poll, and replied immediately with my opinion. I didn’t see a moderator warning because I didn’t read the entire multi-page thread first. **It’s a poll**. My MO on poll threads is to vote, reply with a reason explaining my vote, and move on to the next thread. I almost NEVER read poll threads. If this makes me a fucking moron, then I guess I’ll just have to stop posting in poll threads. Wouldn’t want to risk being warned for breaking instructions I didn’t read, now would I? And guess fucking what? When I’m in an opinion forum, I’m going to provide my opinion! In fact, that’s why I’m there! Mods who don’t want people providing any more opinions in an opinion thread have an \*\*obligation \*\*to lock it! It’d be like issuing a mod instruction in a pit post, “Please stop with the name-calling,” when the whole point of the pit is to call people names. herp… de derp. So, a few questions: 1. Are we to be held accountable for mod notes that we haven’t read? 2) If the mods didn’t want people expressing fucking opinions in a fucking IMHO poll post, why the fucking hell didn’t someone fucking lock it? 3) The multiple warnings piling up at the end of that thread are fucking ridiculous. Who knows how many people are simply doing the same thing that I do, voting and explaining it without reading the preceding 60+ posts because IT’S A POLL. This is how I have always approached poll threads. I don’t think it’s uncommon. I wasn’t debating, what the hell does that even mean? Who was I debating with? Did I quote someone? Was I argumentative? I expressed my opinion that the SDMB should have avatars and explained why. THAT’S IT. I fully expect this bullshit mod action will be reversed. And I fully understand that I’m being bitchy and abrasive. I’m pissed off. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bullshit-modding-in-the-imho-avatar-thread-yeah-you-knew-it-was-coming/591393/2 "2011-08-03T23:29:23Z")
Whether the mod note was issued rightly or wrongly, it should have been heeded, and the thread opened here before, not after, people posted ignoring the mod instruction. I think the thread in IMHO should have been closed, and people instructed to take the discussion to the thread in ATMB where the discussion belongs. The moderation was perhaps unusually harsh, but certainly justifiable. I don’t see any reason for it to be reversed. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bullshit-modding-in-the-imho-avatar-thread-yeah-you-knew-it-was-coming/591393/3 "2011-08-03T23:35:05Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > Whether the mod note was issued rightly or wrongly, it should have been heeded, and the thread opened here before, not after, people posted ignoring the mod instruction. > > I think the thread in IMHO should have been closed, and people instructed to take the discussion to the thread in ATMB where the discussion belongs. > > The moderation was perhaps unusually harsh, but certainly justifiable. I don’t see any reason for it to be reversed. So they instructed people to stop posting opinions in an opinion thread on the opinion forum instead of just closing it? And you don’t think that’s horseshit? I didn’t see the note, or else I just would not have posted. But I don’t read poll threads before posting in them (because although the OP might be interested to know why people are voting which way, I’m not). I read the OP, cast my vote, post my reason for voting, and move on. I would surmise that all the warnings piling up are other people who handle poll threads the same way. I hardly think it’s uncommon, and it could have easily been avoided. Instead, people who drive-by “vote&post” are being punished because a mod didn’t just lock the thread. IOW, if there was no way to post an opinion in that thread without breaking moderator instructions, then they should have removed our ability to post in it. They didn’t, people continued to post, that’s the mod’s mistake. Don’t throw out warnings to cover it up. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bullshit-modding-in-the-imho-avatar-thread-yeah-you-knew-it-was-coming/591393/4 "2011-08-03T23:35:24Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > Whether the mod note was issued rightly or wrongly, it should have been heeded, and the thread opened here before, not after, people posted ignoring the mod instruction. > > I think the thread in IMHO should have been closed, and people instructed to take the discussion to the thread in ATMB where the discussion belongs. > > The moderation was perhaps unusually harsh, but certainly justifiable. I don’t see any reason for it to be reversed. Closing it was certainly one of the options, but since the OP posted, almost at the start of the thread: > [@Should we allow Avatars](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-allow-avatars/591237/3): > > If anybody wants to debate the technicalities, please see the ATMB thread. > > You don’t need to Note bugger all, just vote yes or no. > > [Avatars - About This Message Board - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=618021) I thought it would be a bit unfair to him, since he actual gave a link to the ATMB thread for people to debate in and all. Said link was mentioned again before the hammer came down, so it’s not like people didn’t have a place to make their point and argue with others. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bullshit-modding-in-the-imho-avatar-thread-yeah-you-knew-it-was-coming/591393/5 "2011-08-03T23:40:15Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Closing it was certainly one of the options, but since the OP posted, almost at the start of the thread:I thought it would be a bit unfair to him, since he actual gave a link to the ATMB thread for people to debate in and all. Said link was mentioned again before the hammer came down, so it’s not like people didn’t have a place to make their point and argue with others. > [@Avatars](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatars/590594/283): > > Its worth noting though, I never asked any mods to enforce anything, and I think the first warning given out was extremely harsh. The OP didn’t ask for the your help, and agreed your first (bullshit) warning was “extremely harsh.” I’m disappointed that you still can’t see I didn’t actually violate the rule (as another poster pointed out) that you arbitrary decided to enforce. You’ve made it abundantly clear that you should not be allowed to moderate threads regarding topics in which you are HEAVILY invested. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bullshit-modding-in-the-imho-avatar-thread-yeah-you-knew-it-was-coming/591393/6 "2011-08-03T23:42:11Z")
> [@rachelellogram](#): > > So they instructed people to stop posting opinions in an opinion thread on the opinion forum instead of just closing it? And you don’t think that’s horseshit? > > I didn’t see the note, or else I just would not have posted. But I don’t read poll threads before posting in them (because although the OP might be interested to know why people are voting which way, I’m not). I read the OP, cast my vote, post my reason for voting, and move on. I would surmise that all the warnings piling up are other people who handle poll threads the same way. I hardly think it’s uncommon, and it could have easily been avoided. Instead, people who drive-by “vote&post” are being punished because a mod didn’t just lock the thread. > > IOW, if there was no way to post an opinion in that thread without breaking moderator instructions, then they should have removed our ability to post in it. They didn’t, people continued to post, that’s the mod’s mistake. Don’t throw out warnings to cover it up. I’m confused. Are we supposed to email you personally when a general warning goes up in an IMHO thread? Do you feel restricted because you weren’t given two different venues to say almost the exact same thing? ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bullshit-modding-in-the-imho-avatar-thread-yeah-you-knew-it-was-coming/591393/7 "2011-08-03T23:43:20Z")
And as \*\*Elbows \*\* pointed out, you actually violated the very rule you decided to start enforcing against others: > [@Should we allow Avatars](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-allow-avatars/591237/29): > > I’m wondering what the purpose of this poll is, when it has already been stated in the other thread on this subject by the pro-avatar contingent that (paraphrasing)“We don’t _care_ if we are in the minority-we want them anyway.”? Will this poll be used as proof that we should have them if the majority votes that way, but dismissed as inconsequential if they don’t? Piss poor show, **Czarcasm**. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bullshit-modding-in-the-imho-avatar-thread-yeah-you-knew-it-was-coming/591393/8 "2011-08-03T23:47:04Z")
> [@Red\_Barchetta](#): > > And as Elbows pointed out, you actually violated the very rule you decided to start enforcing against others: > > Piss poor show, Czarcasm. That was some time before I realized the thread was turning into a carbon copy of the ATMB thread on the same subject and then told everyone to take it elsewhere. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bullshit-modding-in-the-imho-avatar-thread-yeah-you-knew-it-was-coming/591393/9 "2011-08-03T23:48:37Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > That was some time before I realized the thread was turning into a carbon copy of the ATMB thread on the same subject and then told everyone to take it elsewhere. But still well after the OP established the rules. Why is it okay for you to flaunt them before, before \*lambasting \* others soon after for the very same thing? And I hope you realize part of that “turning into a carbon process” was of your very own doing. Truly stellar work. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bullshit-modding-in-the-imho-avatar-thread-yeah-you-knew-it-was-coming/591393/10 "2011-08-03T23:48:43Z")
> [@rachelellogram](#): > > So they instructed people to stop posting opinions in an opinion thread on the opinion forum instead of just closing it? And you don’t think that’s horseshit? I don’t think it was the best choice, I think the thread should have been closed. I don’t think it was horseshit, I think it was an attempt to keep the thread on track - that is a poll, not a discussion. > [@](#): > > I didn’t see the note, or else I just would not have posted. But I don’t read poll threads before posting in them (because although the OP might be interested to know why people are voting which way, I’m not). I read the OP, cast my vote, post my reason for voting, and move on. I would surmise that all the warnings piling up are other people who handle poll threads the same way. I hardly think it’s uncommon, and it could have easily been avoided by locking the thread in the first place. I don’t do that, if I post in a thread it’s because I’ve read it and wish to contribute something, and read any responses to it. I’ve assumed that’s what most people do, but if other people say they don’t I’ll have learned something. As to whether that’s an acceptable reason for missing the mod note, that’s up to the mods, although I doubt your needlessly aggressive OP will have helped your cause. Not that **Czarcasm** ’s style is doing him any favours here either… ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bullshit-modding-in-the-imho-avatar-thread-yeah-you-knew-it-was-coming/591393/11 "2011-08-03T23:48:50Z")
That was some crappy moderating, in my opinion. The mod in question, entered and posted; > [@](#): > > I’m wondering what the purpose of this poll is, when it has already been stated in the other thread on this subject by the pro-avatar contingent that (paraphrasing)“We don’t care if we are in the minority-we want them anyway.”? Will this poll be used as proof that we should have them if the majority votes that way, but dismissed as inconsequential if they don’t? So **his** commentary is allowed. He then issued 3 warnings to people who’s posts were no closer to ‘debate’ than his own remarks. That’s some piss poor moderation, no matter how you slice and dice it. It was a hotly discussed topic, every time it was raised. To think the poll would not have any commentary was remarkably unrealistic. The OP should have just said, NO REMARKS - VOTES ONLY, instead of all the frothy rhetoric about, no debate and getting his panties all in a twist. In addition to leaving room for some truly heinous moderating. What’s commentary and what’s debate? What’s the difference between what the poster’s, who drew warnings did, and what the Mod did? If I’ve learned anything, in my years here, it’s that the mods are freaking Teflon, nothing sticks! They pretty much have free reign to do anything they wish, regardless. Which is exactly why crappy moderation, like this, is on the rise, in my opinion. Doesn’t change that this was some really bad moderating. Suddenly I’m beginning to understand why people especially dislike this particular mod. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bullshit-modding-in-the-imho-avatar-thread-yeah-you-knew-it-was-coming/591393/12 "2011-08-03T23:50:14Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > That was some time before I realized the thread was turning into a carbon copy of the ATMB thread on the same subject and then told everyone to take it elsewhere. You’re confirming here that you didn’t want people posting anything in the IMHO thread after a certain point, but failed to lock it. ---
**Author:** ![Implicit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Implicit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Implicit)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bullshit-modding-in-the-imho-avatar-thread-yeah-you-knew-it-was-coming/591393/13 "2011-08-03T23:52:56Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > What’s the difference between what the poster’s, who drew warnings did, and what the Mod did? 8 hours and a moderator note instructing people to take the debate to the ATMB thread. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bullshit-modding-in-the-imho-avatar-thread-yeah-you-knew-it-was-coming/591393/14 "2011-08-03T23:55:15Z")
> [@Implicit](#): > > 8 hours and a moderator note instructing people to take the debate to the ATMB thread. So why was the IMHO thread not locked? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bullshit-modding-in-the-imho-avatar-thread-yeah-you-knew-it-was-coming/591393/15 "2011-08-03T23:57:01Z")
> [@rachelellogram](#): > > You’re confirming here that you didn’t want people posting anything in the IMHO thread after a certain point, but failed to lock it. They could vote, and they could, if they wished, tell how they voted. It _was_ a poll, after all, and there _was_ a thread already established for any further discussion to ensue. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bullshit-modding-in-the-imho-avatar-thread-yeah-you-knew-it-was-coming/591393/16 "2011-08-03T23:58:14Z")
> [@rachelellogram](#): > > So why was the IMHO thread not locked? I am through answering this question. You can either accept the answer already given, or make up your own. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bullshit-modding-in-the-imho-avatar-thread-yeah-you-knew-it-was-coming/591393/17 "2011-08-03T23:58:43Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > They could vote, and they could, if they wished, tell how they voted. > It _was_ a poll, after all, and there _was_ a thread already established for any further discussion to ensue. God forbid further discussion happen in the topic people are voting on :rolleyes: You still haven’t described how how my original clarification broke your rule, btw. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2011, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bullshit-modding-in-the-imho-avatar-thread-yeah-you-knew-it-was-coming/591393/18 "2011-08-04T00:02:31Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I am through answering this question. You can either accept the answer already given, or make up your own. [QUOTE=me] if there was no way to post an opinion in that thread without breaking moderator instructions, then they should have removed our ability to post in it. They didn’t, people continued to post, that’s the mod’s mistake. Don’t throw out warnings to cover it up. [/QUOTE] :o ---
**Author:** ![Baal\_Houtham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baal_houtham/32/13604_2.png) [@Baal\_Houtham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baal_Houtham)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2011, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bullshit-modding-in-the-imho-avatar-thread-yeah-you-knew-it-was-coming/591393/19 "2011-08-04T00:04:08Z")
I just looked at the thread in question and the moderation did seem over the top. There should have been a mod note in the title or added to the the OP saying that commentary was forbidden. Yeah there was a member comment near the top advising posters to not debate, but that’s not the same as a mod reminder. Ms. **Rachelellogram** ’s point that people don’t often read all the way through poll threads is valid. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2011, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bullshit-modding-in-the-imho-avatar-thread-yeah-you-knew-it-was-coming/591393/20 "2011-08-04T00:24:46Z")
It’s kind of silly to expect people to jus respond “I voted yes/no” in a poll thread. It’s a thread about opinions. People are going to want to express them. So what if the debate is identical to the ATMB discussion. Why is that a problem? We usually have seven identical threads about Israel going on in multiple forums. No one gets a note for posting in those. Why cant we have a second avatar debate in IMHO? Preventing people from giving substantive responses in a poll thread is just a way to ensure the poll drops off the page. I hope those warnings aren’t going on people’s records. They are heavy handed and absurd… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bullshit-modding-in-the-imho-avatar-thread-yeah-you-knew-it-was-coming/591393.md?page=2)