# Frank, enough with you Pilgrim ethics!! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 31, 2006, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frank-enough-with-you-pilgrim-ethics/370892 "2006-08-31T07:56:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2006, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frank-enough-with-you-pilgrim-ethics/370892/61 "2006-08-31T21:41:59Z")
The thing is, moderating a high volume message board involves making a lot of judgment calls. Pretty much any decision you make is gonna upset somebody. I understand this, because I’ve done it for years elsewhere on the net. There isn’t a handbook for “How to be a Mod”. It’s the kind of thing you do on a case by case basis. Most boards have rules, both written and unwritten, and most mods are entrusted with considerable discretion to apply those rules as they deem appropriate. Making an unpopular decision on a message board does not make someone a bad person, a puritan, or even a bad moderator. He’s doing the job he’s been asked to do. Here, I don’t think Frank was saying “Thou shalt never talk about sex again”. I think he was saying there’s enough of this right now, let’s talk about something else for awhile. Allowing one topic to just dominate a particular forum can give the wrong impression to people that are not regulars of that forum. Someone new to this board might see the flood of sex threads and say hmmmm…guess that’s what this forum is about, when that is clearly not the case to those of us that have followed the forum for a longer period of time. I also think it is fair to treat sex differently than other topics, because of the whole NSFW/SFW issue. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/41988e/32.png) [@El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Cid_Viscoso)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2006, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frank-enough-with-you-pilgrim-ethics/370892/62 "2006-08-31T21:58:35Z")
[QUOTE=Frank] I don’t want the front page of IMHO to look like the contents page of a sex magazine. [/QUOTE] You suck! Turn it into _Penthouse Forum_ IMHO and I might actually read there sometime. 😉 BTW, been up to Vega this year? ---
**Author:** ![Sal\_Ammoniac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Sal\_Ammoniac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sal_Ammoniac)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2006, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frank-enough-with-you-pilgrim-ethics/370892/63 "2006-08-31T22:39:18Z")
**Oakminster** , even allowing for the fact that moderation is all about judgment calls, I think there’s grounds here to say that Frank made a poor one. Without getting bogged down in legalism, I’d like to see some rule, some precedent, some common practice cited by him. Instead, all I see is arbitrariness – a post chosen at random to close because it fell afoul of Frank’s arbitrary and never-before-alluded-to prejudice. It’s an act of bad faith toward all who were participating in that thread. No one there had done anything wrong, but their thread got closed anyway because if was a proxy for something else Frank was unhappy about. My notion of moderation comes from Paul’s Letter to the Corinthians: “Moderation is patient; Moderation is kind. Moderation is not jealous; it does not put on airs; it is not snobbish. Moderation is never rude; it is not self-seeking; it is not prone to anger; neither does it brood over injuries. Moderation does not rejoice in what is wrong but rejoices with the truth. There is no limit to Moderation’s forbearance, to its trust, its hope, its power to endure. Moderation never fails.” Only in this case, I contend, moderation failed. ---
**Author:** ![gfloyd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d2c977/32.png) [@gfloyd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gfloyd)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2006, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frank-enough-with-you-pilgrim-ethics/370892/64 "2006-08-31T23:10:37Z")
[QUOTE=Epimetheus] Defend your side or not, the administration has ONE email from me. [/QUOTE] Make that two emails. If they want to change the rules, then change them, but don’t sidestep them because you’re offended. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2006, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frank-enough-with-you-pilgrim-ethics/370892/65 "2006-08-31T23:40:11Z")
[QUOTE=Oakminster] Here, I don’t think Frank was saying “Thou shalt never talk about sex again”. I think he was saying there’s enough of this right now, let’s talk about something else for awhile. Allowing one topic to just dominate a particular forum can give the wrong impression to people that are not regulars of that forum. [/QUOTE] In the hours after those threads were closed, the IMHO section of this Board had roughly 50 threads on the front page. There were, at most, 5-6 threads about sex, _including_ the ones that had been closed. That’s hardly an example of sex dominating the discussion. I don’t care whether or not there’s a “Hoandbook” for being a mod; this was a bad decision, pure and simple. > [@Waverly](#): > > But hey, The Flying Dutchman, paragon of reason, thinks it was a good call… and thinks the OP might have been a troll! Wow, i thought that **The Flying Dutchman** ’s post was sarcastic, because no-one could be that stupid. Are you telling me he was serious? ---
**Author:** ![Waverly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/57b2e6/32.png) [@Waverly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waverly)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2006, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frank-enough-with-you-pilgrim-ethics/370892/66 "2006-09-01T00:31:18Z")
[QUOTE=mhendo] Wow, i thought that **The Flying Dutchman** ’s post was sarcastic, because no-one could be that stupid. Are you telling me he was serious? [/QUOTE] If he is being facetious, then he is _always_ facetious. To wit: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=7713513#post7713513](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=7713513#post7713513) ---
**Author:** ![parrot\_recipes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/439d5e/32.png) [@parrot\_recipes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/parrot_recipes)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2006, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frank-enough-with-you-pilgrim-ethics/370892/67 "2006-09-01T01:04:47Z")
I am female, and was being honest. I can see I am quite a minority, but not the only one. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2006, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frank-enough-with-you-pilgrim-ethics/370892/68 "2006-09-01T01:51:36Z")
[QUOTE=Evil Captor] One of the things about power is the need to use it wisely. Most of the time, wisely=sparingly. [/QUOTE] Can’t say I agree, EC. Power should be used frequently and brutally, with no regard for anything other than my selfish pleasures and arbitrary prejudices, and anyone who disagrees publicly, or behind closed doors, or in the privacy of his/her own thoughts, or even potentially, shall face the wrath of my genetically engineered, venom-spewing, etc. winged howler monkeys. Of course, I’m an aspirant evil overlord so the rest of you may not agree. ---
**Author:** ![fisha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@fisha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fisha)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2006, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frank-enough-with-you-pilgrim-ethics/370892/69 "2006-09-01T02:03:53Z")
[QUOTE=Skald the Rhymer] Can’t say I agree, EC. Power should be used frequently and brutally, with no regard for anything other than my selfish pleasures and arbitrary prejudices, and anyone who disagrees publicly, or behind closed doors, or in the privacy of his/her own thoughts, or even potentially, shall face the wrath of my genetically engineered, venom-spewing, etc. winged howler monkeys. Of course, I’m an aspirant evil overlord so the rest of you may not agree. [/QUOTE] Pfffft. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2006, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frank-enough-with-you-pilgrim-ethics/370892/70 "2006-09-01T02:12:02Z")
[QUOTE=dahfisheroo] Pfffft. [/QUOTE] You misspelled “Pfffffft.” ---
**Author:** ![SnakesCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@SnakesCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnakesCatLady)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2006, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frank-enough-with-you-pilgrim-ethics/370892/71 "2006-09-01T03:20:45Z")
I think the only thing that bothers me is not knowing what will be considered “too much” next. Too many baby threads? Too many “Ask the…” threads? Too many (Og forbid) cat threads. If you don’t like or aren’t interested in a thread subject, just don’t open it. I hadn’t read any of the sex threads and don’t feel I missed a thing. I only wonder what will be next. And if you’re worried about someone reading over your shoulder at work, maybe you shouldn’t be surfing the Web (or reading the Dope) at work. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2006, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frank-enough-with-you-pilgrim-ethics/370892/72 "2006-09-01T03:22:34Z")
[QUOTE=El Cid Viscoso] BTW, been up to Vega this year? [/QUOTE] No. I was nearby in May, while on one of my occasional random drives around the state, but the motels in Grand Junction were overtaken by a soccer tournament, so I went off to Glenwood Springs instead. Which worked out well, actually. I was able to burn down some magazine racks, and put burkas on some of the chicks in the bar I hung out in. ---
**Author:** ![Sleel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/73ab20/32.png) [@Sleel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sleel)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2006, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frank-enough-with-you-pilgrim-ethics/370892/73 "2006-09-01T03:30:20Z")
I was also annoyed with the closure of the “How many sexual partners . .” thread. If it had “run its course,” no one would be posting in it and there would be no need to close it. People, like me, were still interested in the topic. I had posted in it earlier, went to check new responses, and found it closed. What the . . .? When I found the last post by **Frank** I thought, “What a stupid reason to close a thread.” Glad to know I’m not alone in thinking that. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/2bfe46/32.png) [@John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Carter_of_Mars)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2006, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frank-enough-with-you-pilgrim-ethics/370892/74 "2006-09-01T06:04:24Z")
[QUOTE=Oakminster] … Most boards have rules, both written and unwritten, and most mods are entrusted with considerable discretion to apply those rules as they deem appropriate. \ He’s doing the job he’s been asked to do. [/quote] There is no SDMB rule, written or unwritten, about how many threads on a given subject may be active at the same time. See the tiresome “Bush Suxx” threads. > [@](#): > > Here, I don’t think Frank was saying “Thou shalt never talk about sex again”. I think he was saying there’s enough of this right now, let’s talk about something else for awhile. For what reason? When the population here decides it’s enough of it right now, people will stop posting and threads on the subject will die a natural death. > [@](#): > > Allowing one topic to just dominate a particular forum can give the wrong impression to people that are not regulars of that forum. Someone new to this board might see the flood of sex threads and say hmmmm…guess that’s what this forum is about, when that is clearly not the case to those of us that have followed the forum for a longer period of time. Let 'em come back until they have acquired an accurate opinion of what the forum is about. > [@](#): > > I also think it is fair to treat sex differently than other topics, because of the whole NSFW/SFW issue. There is no NSFW issue. If you shouldn’t read the SDMB from work, don’t open the SDMB while at work. Simple as that. No, I didn’t post in the closed threads. I read enough to satisfy my prurient interest (it didn’t take long) and moved on. I do strongly object to arbitrary closing of threads that members are actively participating in, when said threads do not violate any SDMB rules. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2006, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frank-enough-with-you-pilgrim-ethics/370892/75 "2006-09-01T12:58:43Z")
[QUOTE=parrot recipes] I am female, … [/QUOTE] Hear me roar. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2006, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frank-enough-with-you-pilgrim-ethics/370892/76 "2006-09-01T13:54:42Z")
[QUOTE=Waverly] But hey, The Flying Dutchman, paragon of reason, thinks it was a good call… and _thinks the OP might have been a troll!_ Heh. If irony were lightning, this one would have collapsed the power grid. [/QUOTE] Oh the irony ! If you comprehended the thread subsequent to my initial post you would realize that you have no _reason_ to claim that I suspect the OP in the thread in question is a troll. ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2006, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frank-enough-with-you-pilgrim-ethics/370892/77 "2006-09-01T14:41:23Z")
[QUOTE=John Carter of Mars] I do strongly object to arbitrary closing of threads that members are actively participating in, when said threads do not violate any SDMB rules. [/QUOTE] And with that, **JCoM** has distilled and crystallized the essence of the five paragraph rant I was about to post. Bravo. There _is_ no other issue here than this, AFAICT. ---
**Author:** ![saoirse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@saoirse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saoirse)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2006, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frank-enough-with-you-pilgrim-ethics/370892/78 "2006-09-01T15:36:02Z")
[QUOTE=Sal Ammoniac] My notion of moderation comes from Paul’s Letter to the Corinthians: [/QUOTE] I’ve read a lot of St Paul, and I know he would definitely have closed that thread. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2006, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frank-enough-with-you-pilgrim-ethics/370892/79 "2006-09-01T16:04:28Z")
[QUOTE=Frank] No. I was nearby in May, while on one of my occasional random drives around the state. . . [/QUOTE] See, he was right. You do have Pilgrim ethics. You travel around a lot. ---
**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:** [September 1, 2006, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frank-enough-with-you-pilgrim-ethics/370892/80 "2006-09-01T16:06:57Z")
[QUOTE=John Carter of Mars] There is no SDMB rule, written or unwritten, about how many threads on a given subject may be active at the same time. See the tiresome “Bush Suxx” threads. \ I do strongly object to arbitrary closing of threads that members are actively participating in, when said threads do not violate any SDMB rules. [/QUOTE] Ditto. This is over moderation, plain and simple. (And I didn’t post in any of those threads, either. I just don’t approve of the heavy handed moderation employed.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frank-enough-with-you-pilgrim-ethics/370892.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frank-enough-with-you-pilgrim-ethics/370892.md?page=5)