# Has Twickster finally jumped the shark? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [February 20, 2013, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-twickster-finally-jumped-the-shark/650868 "2013-02-20T07:34:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**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:** [February 21, 2013, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-twickster-finally-jumped-the-shark/650868/121 "2013-02-21T14:01:23Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > Who is the _least_ bitched about mod, whose decisions are generally well-received and approved of? My vote goes to **Ellen Cherry**. I wish we could clone her and make them all mods. ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2013, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-twickster-finally-jumped-the-shark/650868/122 "2013-02-21T14:37:13Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > I feel compelled to ask out of sheer curiosity with no animosity (hey…rhymage!)…is there now a current moderator that has suffered more complaints in recent times than **Twickster**? > > I don’t think there is. > > Does that tell us anything? I would hazard a guess that the mod community doesn’t bother to keep track of the number of complaints. They just find a justification for each individual incident and discard it from the collective memory. The bottom line is that twickster often issues a mod note or warning for things that bother **her** , whether or not they violate the board rules. There’s a total lack of objectivity that produces the arbitrary and apparently hypocritical behavior that posters have noted here. She’s done it to me, and judging by the frequency that these threads appear, she’s done it to a ton of other posters. The question, then, is what can be done about it - and I suspect the answer is ‘nothing’, sadly. The behavior’s been reported again and again, to no effect. Perhaps the rest of the mod team (rightly) believes that there will be personal variations in how each mod enforces the rules, and (wrongly) believes that twick’s actions fall within the acceptable range. We have some good moderators on this board, but I can’t reconcile my good opinion of their judgment with the lack of action on this point. The only recommendations I can make are “move to another message board” or at the least, “don’t post anything to MPSIMS”. “Don’t be a jerk” should be enough to protect you, but not there. ---
**Author:** ![R3d\_Anonymous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/aeb1de/32.png) [@R3d\_Anonymous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R3d_Anonymous)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2013, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-twickster-finally-jumped-the-shark/650868/123 "2013-02-21T15:06:25Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > When you’ve been around for a while perhaps you’ll be less amazed by the fact that people complain. Sometimes the complaints have merit, sometimes they don’t. I understand why people have objected to some of the other things **twickster** said (and shouldn’t have said), but this is a complaint about nothing. My point was that **twickster** is probably the most ATMBed moderator on this Board. I don’t think there’s any other moderator that gets _nearly_ as many complaints as **twickster**. Sure, this time I don’t think that she did anything wrong. But if you look at her history (which I explain quite well right [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=16026454&postcount=19)), then it shows that she doesn’t practice what she preaches. > [@Marley23](#): > > She wasn’t the first or the last. Somehow in the last thread when I said staff matters weren’t going to be handled in public - meaning we’re not going to pile on and discipline other mods publicly - a couple of posters decided I was saying the mods couldn’t be modded. I was not. I know I gave one or two mod notes to **Czarcasm** in GD - probably not by name, but as part of a group of people who were being told to stop hijacking a thread, for example. I didn’t have anything against **twickster** here. I was just saying as a general comment that all moderator actions against other moderators should be publicized. That way they will screw up less due to the humiliation factor involved. I actually think it was a good call by **twickster** to moderate **samclem** in public, and in my opinion, we need more that kind of thing. ---
**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:** [February 21, 2013, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-twickster-finally-jumped-the-shark/650868/124 "2013-02-21T15:08:31Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > I feel compelled to ask out of sheer curiosity with no animosity (hey…rhymage!)…is there now a current moderator that has suffered more complaints in recent times than **Twickster**? > > I don’t think there is. > > Does that tell us anything? And with minimal animosity: Is **FoieGrasIsEvil** in the top 5% of poster when it comes to complaining about moderation. If so, does it tell us anything? The generic answer (for your concluding question and mine) is not much, it could just be how things evolved. In the specific case of **Twickster** , she probably makes more blunders than other mods, but it has barely any effect on the overall SDMB experience. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2013, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-twickster-finally-jumped-the-shark/650868/125 "2013-02-21T15:28:30Z")
> [@Darth\_Panda](#): > > Why wouldn’t posters take into account the mods past behaviors when interpreting/judging their actions? Because your opinions about a mod don’t turn a very typical and acceptable warning into a rules violation. You’re welcome to your views on any mod note or warning and any mod, but that doesn’t mean **twickster** can’t say something the rest of us say all the time. > [@RedFury](#): > > Jumped the shark? In spite of the wagon circle, she did that _the very first day_ she was made a mod. See **Ellen Cherry** ’s mod note on page 1. > [@Anonymous User](#): > > My point was that **twickster** is probably the most ATMBed moderator on this Board. My point is: So? There have been some valid complaints, and then there is this. > [@](#): > > But if you look at her history (which I explain quite well right [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=16026454&postcount=19)), then it shows that she doesn’t practice what she preaches. You’ve been here since October; **twickster** has been on the staff for 3 1/2 years. Please don’t tell me about the history of people I know better than you do. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2013, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-twickster-finally-jumped-the-shark/650868/126 "2013-02-21T15:34:22Z")
What I don’t get is why she can’t just be replaced. The SDMB is providing a service for (an admittedly quite nominal) profit. The SDMB’s customer base is generally not fond of her moderating, so just get somebody else to do it. It’s not as though there is a shortage of applicants. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2013, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-twickster-finally-jumped-the-shark/650868/127 "2013-02-21T15:55:56Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Please don’t tell me about the history of people I know better than you do. Yeah, **Anonymous User** , you’re a newbie so your opinion doesn’t matter. Also, stop telling the truth. We don’t care about the truth around here unless you’ve been around for at least as long as the mod who’s screwed up several times. ---
**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:** [February 21, 2013, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-twickster-finally-jumped-the-shark/650868/128 "2013-02-21T15:58:01Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > What I don’t get is why she can’t just be replaced. The SDMB is providing a service for (an admittedly quite nominal) profit. The SDMB’s customer base is generally not fond of her moderating, so just get somebody else to do it. It’s not as though there is a shortage of applicants. Has it actually been shown that the SDMB customer base itself isn’t fond of her moderating, or is it a select few repeat customers and those that frequent threads like this one? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2013, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-twickster-finally-jumped-the-shark/650868/129 "2013-02-21T16:00:41Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > What I don’t get is why she can’t just be replaced. Any of us can be replaced. Nobody ever said **twickster** is on the staff only because we can’t find anyone else. She’s on the staff because we want her on the staff, and that’s because we feel she does a good job. > [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > Yeah, **Anonymous User** , you’re a newbie so your opinion doesn’t matter. Also, stop telling the truth. This isn’t even close to what I said. If you’re not interested in this thread topic - and based on your posts, you’re not - there are lots of others for you to post in. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2013, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-twickster-finally-jumped-the-shark/650868/130 "2013-02-21T16:04:00Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Has it actually been shown that the SDMB customer base itself isn’t fond of her moderating, or is it a select few repeat customers and those that frequent threads like this one? That’s a good question. You should start a poll on that so you can find out. Unless, you know, you don’t really want to know. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2013, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-twickster-finally-jumped-the-shark/650868/131 "2013-02-21T16:04:19Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Has it actually been shown that the SDMB customer base itself isn’t fond of her moderating, or is it a select few repeat customers and those that frequent threads like this one? What sort of person frequents threads like this one? ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2013, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-twickster-finally-jumped-the-shark/650868/132 "2013-02-21T16:06:15Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > This isn’t even close to what I said. If you’re not interested in this thread topic - and based on your posts, you’re not - there are lots of others for you to post in. Well, you are wrong because I am interested in this topic which is why I am posting in it. If you want to see all the topics I’m not interested in go look at all the threads I don’t post in. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2013, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-twickster-finally-jumped-the-shark/650868/133 "2013-02-21T16:06:49Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Has it actually been shown that the SDMB customer base itself isn’t fond of her moderating, or is it a select few repeat customers and those that frequent threads like this one? I like to think I’m pretty impartial on the issue of moderator action. I mean, I’ve never complained much about moderating that affected me, and I tend to be fairly supportive of moderators generally. However, it is essentially impossible for me not to conclude that **twicks** (the mod) is deeply, deeply unpopular. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2013, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-twickster-finally-jumped-the-shark/650868/134 "2013-02-21T16:08:31Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > Well, you are wrong because I am interested in this topic which is why I am posting in it. Glad to hear it! In that case please read a little more closely next time. ---
**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:** [February 21, 2013, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-twickster-finally-jumped-the-shark/650868/135 "2013-02-21T16:17:04Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > I like to think I’m pretty impartial on the issue of moderator action. I mean, I’ve never complained much about moderating that affected me, and I tend to be fairly supportive of moderators generally. However, it is essentially impossible for me not to conclude that **twicks** (the mod) is deeply, deeply unpopular. "Unpopular is not a synonym for “wrong”. I notice that in this thread there are posters that admit that there was absolutely nothing wrong with her most recent decision but _still_ make it a point to throw in a dig at her expense. Are you adding posts like these to the list, although they are nothing more than vague repeats of old claims? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2013, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-twickster-finally-jumped-the-shark/650868/136 "2013-02-21T16:20:50Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Any of us can be replaced. [Gotta disagree there, dude.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87-3t6-ASzs) ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2013, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-twickster-finally-jumped-the-shark/650868/137 "2013-02-21T16:23:37Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > "Unpopular is not a synonym for “wrong”. I notice that in this thread there are posters that admit that there was absolutely nothing wrong with her most recent decision but _still_ make it a point to throw in a dig at her expense. Are you adding posts like these to the list, although they are nothing more than vague repeats of old claims? She doesn’t necessarily _have_ to be wrong. If her moderating style is _perceived_ as being arbitrary or jerkish, then she should be replaced. ---
**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:** [February 21, 2013, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-twickster-finally-jumped-the-shark/650868/138 "2013-02-21T16:29:15Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > She doesn’t necessarily _have_ to be wrong. If her moderating style is _perceived_ as being arbitrary or jerkish, then she should be replaced. I happen to have a different opinion because I’m not big on mob rule i.e. “As long as you don’t make any unpopular decisions you’re all right with us.” ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2013, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-twickster-finally-jumped-the-shark/650868/139 "2013-02-21T16:31:46Z")
Is there a history of the dope falling prey to mob rule? ---
**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:** [February 21, 2013, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-twickster-finally-jumped-the-shark/650868/140 "2013-02-21T16:36:04Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > Is there a history of the dope falling prey to mob rule? I didn’t say there was-I’m just against conditions that might lead to it, like popularity contests for moderators. Perceptions can come naturally, but they can also come from active campaigns and a bit of momentum. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-twickster-finally-jumped-the-shark/650868.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-twickster-finally-jumped-the-shark/650868.md?page=8)