There seems to have been some confusion about what constitutes “junior modding.” On re-reading, I can see that our glossary definition could be misinterpreted.
When I wrote this originally, I guess we thought “dictate how another poster should act” clearly meant “usurping the role of moderator” – i.e., about SDMB rules. I suspect that the first sentence has been read without the second. Thus, we intend to change the definition as follows:
I thought I would open this for some discussion before making that change. It’s NOT a change in policy, it’s just removing possible ambiguity from the definition.
And, just to be clear, the following has never been considered “junior modding”:
Telling someone to act like an adult (This could be an insult, depends on circs, but it’s not junior modding.)
Suggesting a forum change
Noting clear spam (and noting that it was reported)
I think the key issue is whether somebody who is not a moderator or representative of the board is invoking official board sanctions.
In my mind, anyone should be free to write something like “If you keep posting silly things, I will no longer respond to you.” and even “If you keep posting silly thing, everybody here will make fun of you.” which represent their own reactions as fellow posters. But if you write something like “If you keep posting silly things, the board will ban you.” then you’re invoking the administration.
Dex, a minor suggestion- and I would add I had/ have no problem with the original definition anyway.
By extension, moderators dictate how a poster acts (according to the rules). A moderator can instruct a poster regarding the rules and how to live within the rules. They do not dictate how a poster acts- they more instruct a poster how not to act.
Dictate is a pretty ugly word in the context of a Moderator. It may strike a better note if your second sentence was along the lines of “Thus, usurping the role of the Moderators who are the arbitrators of posting standards.”
Related to what Cicero was saying, I wouldn’t personally take either definition to forbid pointing out rule violations such as threadshits. As I understand it, doing so is consider junior modding, but it’s certainly not “dictating”, in my opinion.
However, you have just made my memory wake up and perhaps Dex could clear up a point for me here.
A couple of years back some Australian guy joined here and was pretty obnoxious, I was tempted to send him a PM along the lines “Hey fella, cool down- what you are posting is going to get you tossed out”
As it was he was banned before I did but would the Mods have an issue with what could be perceived as junior modding by PM?
Am I missing something, or are the only differences in whether or not not is bolded, and an addition that people should report posts and let the mods sort things out? Neither of those change the definition…
I’m not one of those bugged by the whole Jr Mod thing in general but I appreciate you trying to clarify this now that things have cooled down.
You have given some very good examples of what is not Jr Modding. Could you give some examples of what is? The examples might be good to add to the rules.
I won’t speak for Dex, nor any other mod, but I certainly see reports of Junior Modding from time to time.
So, with that caveat, and realizing that such only applies to ME as a moderator I would find these behaviors:
Calling someone else a troll
Telling someone ‘you’re breaking a rule’ or anything similar
Taking it upon oneself to point out rules violations
In short, if it should be done by a moderator, is should be done by a moderator and not by a non-moderator. Such really just leads to hard feelings and is counter productive.
If a poster sees something he or she believes is a rules violation do please use the ‘Report this Post’ button. I know that I review ALL such reports and act on them as needed. Not all reported posts get acted upon because I may disagree with the reason for the report. But posters in Great Debates such be assured that I do read them.
Note, also, that the above is not a comprehensive list as I’m certain I missed things I should have pointed out and I have great faith in Great Debates poster’s ability to find seams in the rules, grey areas and such and to exploit them for entertainment purposes.
One issue could be that people draw different lines between “threadshitting” and just being off-topic.
In this thread, just a few minutes ago, i made a point that some posters were not responding the the actual question that was being asked.
I don’t think they’ve necessarily broken any rules, and i don’t really think their posts need moderating, but i do think that their posts are pointless and irrelevant in the context of the question asked in the thread.
It never occurred to me, as i made my post, that it might be considered junior moderating, and that’s certainly not what i was trying to do. My post was mainly a rolleyes at what i saw as irrelevant self-righteousness.
I would consider that hijacking as opposed to thread shitting. To me, motive and intent are usually quite clear in a thread shit.
Thread Shit example: [Star Wars Thread] "I can’t believe you like this dreck! I would NEVER pay money to see it, much less obsess about it on a message board. :rolleyes: "
Hijack example: [Star Wars thread] “yeah, I liked the new character added. Reminds me of when I first went to a movie. It was about 19 dickety 2. The Kaiser stole our 20! I used to love saying 20…”
