One of the main problems I see with twickster’s moderation is inconsistency. For example, one of these recent posts got a stern warning, one got a “dial it back, no warning issued” mod note, see if you can guess which was which:
Obviously, moderating can never be perfectly objective, but when you give a slap on the wrist for multiple, bright line rules violations in one case and then come down like a ton of bricks on a subtle jab, it makes you look capricious. This is not unique to twickster, either. There’s been a lot more “no warning given” slaps on the wrist handed out for flat-out violations of late, which might feel nicer at the time, but in fact undermines the perceived objectivity of all future warnings. It’s a lot easier to accept a speeding ticket for going 35 in a 30 mph zone when the cop’s buddy isn’t driving 70 mph on the sidewalk while he’s writing it.
In my opinion, this board’s biggest strength has always been its goal of fair, rules-based moderation. To that end, the mods might consider undergoing a regular calibration exercise, where for a period of weeks/months any time anyone is considering a moderation action, they first email the mod loop with the proposed action and see if others would take the same course. It’s not about right or wrong, it’s about coming to a consensus as to the correct course of action in the various situations that arise so one individual’s mood / reading of tone don’t cause disproportionate variance in how the board is modded.