# Do you have the right to Jr. Mod your own threads? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [November 21, 2013, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-the-right-to-jr-mod-your-own-threads/674451 "2013-11-21T17:17:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-the-right-to-jr-mod-your-own-threads/674451/1 "2013-11-21T17:17:59Z")
Some examples… 1. If the topic eventually being discussed isn’t the one addressed by the OP, can the OP request that everybody get back on topic? For example, do I have the right to say “I don’t care if you people dislike Phil Collins, this thread is dedicated to engaging in a conversation about the lyrical masterpiece that is _Sussudio_. Take the Phil-hate somewhere else.”? 1. Can I request specific posters not respond? Can I ask that they leave the thread? Some topics which one might like to address can and will be easily derailed by certain posters who can’t help but stick their opinions, no matter how tangentially related, within the thread… could I just request something like “ **WhyNot** , since we already know your negative opinion regarding processed cheese foods, please stay out of my thread of delicious Cheez-whiz dessert recipes!\*” 1. Hell, since I’m asking… y’all ever have anybody who reported multiple posts on a thread of theirs just because they didn’t like the content? “Anybody who says something negative about [Fluttershy](http://th00.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/i/2011/101/4/c/fluttershy_by_blackgryph0n-d3d3ef1.png), I’m going to report them!” Anyway, those are some questions I’ve had over the years. \*I have no idea if **WhyNot** likes, dislikes, or has any opinion regarding Cheez-whiz. OTOH, I find the stuff nasty. ---
**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:** [November 21, 2013, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-the-right-to-jr-mod-your-own-threads/674451/2 "2013-11-21T17:23:31Z")
You seem to have a rather broad definition of “Junior Mod”. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-the-right-to-jr-mod-your-own-threads/674451/3 "2013-11-21T17:25:13Z")
Well, I didn’t know what else to call it, so… Anyway, answer the damn question! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-the-right-to-jr-mod-your-own-threads/674451/4 "2013-11-21T17:29:21Z")
**JohnT** , I think junior modding is a good term for the behaviors you describe in the OP. I also think it is reasonable for a thread starter to try to guide the thread in the direction that he intended it to go. I don’t think it is reasonable to expect that to work. Threads have a life of their own. ---
**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:** [November 21, 2013, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-the-right-to-jr-mod-your-own-threads/674451/5 "2013-11-21T17:30:46Z")
All my opinion. #1-not junior modding #2-might be junior modding #3-how could reporting things to the mods be junior modding?? ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-the-right-to-jr-mod-your-own-threads/674451/6 "2013-11-21T17:31:24Z")
So I was all over the place on #3. Sue me. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-the-right-to-jr-mod-your-own-threads/674451/7 "2013-11-21T17:31:55Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > 1. If the topic eventually being discussed isn’t the one addressed by the OP, can the OP request that everybody get back on topic? You can ask, but keep in mind that it’s a request. You don’t own the thread. > [@](#): > > 1. Can I request specific posters not respond? Can I ask that they leave the thread? I recommend against it. It’s rude, you can’t make people listen, and there’s a good chance you’ll just annoy them. > [@](#): > > 1. Hell, since I’m asking… y’all ever have anybody who reported multiple posts on a thread of theirs just because they didn’t like the content? Yes, but I don’t think they would describe it that way. ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-the-right-to-jr-mod-your-own-threads/674451/8 "2013-11-21T17:32:28Z")
Not a mod, but I’d argue the answer to question #1 is yes, if you’re polite. I think clarifying/reminding people of the intent of the thread is well within your rights as an OP. Don’t try to enforce or persist, though, just use the Report This Post button if people continue to post off-topic. As for the other two, I’d say no. If you post a discussion on a public forum, you don’t get to dictate who gets to participate or what (on-topic) ideas are forbidden. In my experience on other forums, OPs who try to play that role are rarely effective and almost always mocked. ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-the-right-to-jr-mod-your-own-threads/674451/9 "2013-11-21T17:33:29Z")
I’d like to request that the OP request that Marley not post while I’m writing up my post in response to his OP. ---
**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:** [November 21, 2013, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-the-right-to-jr-mod-your-own-threads/674451/10 "2013-11-21T17:34:59Z")
> [@Crotalus](#): > > **JohnT** , I think junior modding is a good term for the behaviors you describe in the OP. I also think it is reasonable for a thread starter to try to guide the thread in the direction that he intended it to go. I don’t think it is reasonable to expect that to work. Threads have a life of their own. And threads have titles that are supposed to describe the topic somewhat, and OPs contain more specific information about the topic. I don’t think it unreasonable at all to ask that others try to keep to the subject and not hijack the thread, then pm the mods for assistance. The person who starts the thread may not “own” it…but she/he is certainly a major stockholder in it and should have _some_ say. ---
**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:** [November 21, 2013, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-the-right-to-jr-mod-your-own-threads/674451/11 "2013-11-21T17:37:09Z")
> [@Giraffe](#): > > I’d like to request that the OP request that Marley not post while I’m writing up my post in response to his OP. I’d like to request a new brain after trying to parse this. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-the-right-to-jr-mod-your-own-threads/674451/12 "2013-11-21T17:50:20Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > OTOH, I find the stuff nasty. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-the-right-to-jr-mod-your-own-threads/674451/13 "2013-11-21T17:55:04Z")
> [@Giraffe](#): > > I’d like to request that the OP request that Marley not post while I’m writing up my post in response to his OP. Reported. Regards, Shodan ---
**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:** [November 21, 2013, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-the-right-to-jr-mod-your-own-threads/674451/14 "2013-11-21T18:53:34Z")
Definition of “Junior Modding” from the [SDMB Glossary](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=6241129&postcount=1): > [@](#): > > Junior Modding – When someone who is not a moderator tries to dictate how another poster should act. Does this definition need refining and/or elaboration? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-the-right-to-jr-mod-your-own-threads/674451/15 "2013-11-21T19:03:34Z")
You can _ask_ for anything. Your chances of getting it from this crew of professional pains-in-the-ass are very slight. Downright microscopic. ---
**Author:** ![Cheshire\_Human](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-the-right-to-jr-mod-your-own-threads/674451/16 "2013-11-21T19:12:56Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > I’d like to request a new brain after trying to parse this. I went and got a brain transplant just for that post. It didn’t work. It still hurts to parse that even with the new brain. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-the-right-to-jr-mod-your-own-threads/674451/17 "2013-11-21T19:52:35Z")
> [@Crotalus](#): > > **JohnT** , I think junior modding is a good term for the behaviors you describe in the OP. I also think it is reasonable for a thread starter to try to guide the thread in the direction that he intended it to go. I don’t think it is reasonable to expect that to work. Threads have a life of their own. That worked in our old Star Trek: Enterprise episode spoiler threads. Oh wait, no it didn’t. REPORTED! (damn, damn, damn…) ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-the-right-to-jr-mod-your-own-threads/674451/18 "2013-11-21T20:20:43Z")
Brain and brain, what is brain? ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-the-right-to-jr-mod-your-own-threads/674451/19 "2013-11-21T22:07:57Z")
Yeah, I’d have to say that trying to guide a thread in a specific direction is a mugs game. I recall one thread a long time ago where someone started it to bitch about how terrible NPR was. THAT went down as well as you might imagine and the OP then said something about “I want this thread closed! It didn’t go like I thought!” This, also, didn’t go as he wished. As for the rest. Use the report button. It’s there for a reason. ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-the-right-to-jr-mod-your-own-threads/674451/20 "2013-11-21T23:00:57Z")
For 2, I think it would be OK to call out specific posters if they keep derailing the thread, but not asking them not to post in general. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-the-right-to-jr-mod-your-own-threads/674451.md?page=2)