# Is there a such thing as rude moderating? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [August 1, 2014, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-such-thing-as-rude-moderating/694601 "2014-08-01T20:32:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-such-thing-as-rude-moderating/694601/1 "2014-08-01T20:32:34Z")
Is it necessary when moderating to add personal attacks, snide or snarky comments (even if in the pit) to an official mod action? - [Moderating] xxxxxxxxx, this is a formal warning for complaining about moderator actions in the Pit. Don’t spend it all in one place. [/Moderating]\* [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=17598125&postcount=93) (members name replaced with xxxxxxxxx in above quote) \* [Moderating] And you’re a really bad liar. That’s a warning to you, too. [/Moderating] [and here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=17600870&postcount=98)\* I’m not concerned with the official nature of the mod’s actions, that’s between the member and the staff. What concerns me is what appears to be snide, snarky, insulting additions to the warnings. Are such comments professional and in the best interest of the board? Are they necessary? ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-such-thing-as-rude-moderating/694601/2 "2014-08-01T20:35:55Z")
They meant those things in the _nice_ way. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-such-thing-as-rude-moderating/694601/3 "2014-08-01T20:42:34Z")
Moderation here is almost exclusively rude. That’s what’s so great about it: the mod team’s clear distaste for everyone they moderate, without even trying to pretend to be even a little bit polite. Miller’s usually cool though. Maybe he started drinking early today or something. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-such-thing-as-rude-moderating/694601/4 "2014-08-01T20:46:01Z")
> [@meanoldlady](#): > > moderation here is almost exclusively rude. That’s what’s so great about it: The mod team’s clear distaste for everyone they moderate, without even trying to pretend to be even a little bit polite. Miller’s usually cool though. Maybe he started drinking early today or something. [BANGS GAVEL!!!] [Tweeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!!!] ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-such-thing-as-rude-moderating/694601/5 "2014-08-01T20:46:44Z")
Yes, the clear distaste is a piquant touch to the weariness of bearing such a heavy burden. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-such-thing-as-rude-moderating/694601/6 "2014-08-01T20:47:12Z")
To the OP, those examples are nothing… there’s a mod here that straight up called a poster an asshole and then just slapped her own wrist for it. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-such-thing-as-rude-moderating/694601/7 "2014-08-01T20:58:08Z")
Can they ban everyone in a thread at once? ---
**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:** [August 1, 2014, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-such-thing-as-rude-moderating/694601/8 "2014-08-01T21:04:38Z")
There have been times I’ve wanted to. No doubt. ---
**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:** [August 1, 2014, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-such-thing-as-rude-moderating/694601/9 "2014-08-01T21:12:00Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Can they ban everyone in a thread at once? In a _thread_…? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![donkeyoatey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47c2d/32.png) [@donkeyoatey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/donkeyoatey)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-such-thing-as-rude-moderating/694601/10 "2014-08-01T21:12:27Z")
It’s always been that way,sorta. Though,I think mods of old brought the funny. ---
**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:** [August 1, 2014, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-such-thing-as-rude-moderating/694601/11 "2014-08-01T21:40:56Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Can they ban everyone in a thread at once? In the interest of fighting ignorance maybe a mod should give it a whirl. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-such-thing-as-rude-moderating/694601/12 "2014-08-01T21:42:00Z")
I think a harsh tone can sometimes be helpful in communicating the severity of a particular infraction. I also think that, by posting in the Pit, you’re implicitly agreeing to a looser standard of civility to begin with. Not that I’m condoning outright abuse, but I don’t think bringing in a little “bad cop” to the moderation of the Pit is inappropriate. That being said, I do want to justify the second post, where I warned **spinky**. Calling him a liar wasn’t just me taking a shot at him, it was part of the justification for the warning. Here’s the post he was warned for: > [@The only answer possible for a GQ question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-only-answer-possible-for-a-gq-question/694269/97): > > > [@The only answer possible for a GQ question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-only-answer-possible-for-a-gq-question/694269/93): > > > > Nah, I’m just going with a warning. > > > > [Moderating] > > **PlainJain** , this is a formal warning for complaining about moderator actions in the Pit. > > > > Don’t spend it all in one place. > > [/Moderating] > > You’re an idiot. And I’m not referring to your moderating. You’re just an idiot. I felt it was important to let him know that I was not accepting his excuse. Given the open hostility he’d already expressed, I did not feel compelled to be particularly polite about it. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-such-thing-as-rude-moderating/694601/13 "2014-08-01T21:43:57Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > Is it necessary when moderating to add personal attacks, snide or snarky comments (even if in the pit) to an official mod action? We do it occasionally to get a point across. People have also complained at times about the phrase “being a jerk,” since jerk isn’t a nice thing to call someone. We try to be polite unless the situation calls for something a little tougher. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-such-thing-as-rude-moderating/694601/14 "2014-08-01T21:44:15Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > I think a harsh tone can sometimes be helpful in communicating the severity of a particular infraction. “The reason I punched you so hard, Billy, is so you would know how naughty you were.” ---
**Author:** ![lost4life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@lost4life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lost4life)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-such-thing-as-rude-moderating/694601/15 "2014-08-01T22:01:08Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > I think a harsh tone can sometimes be helpful in communicating the severity of a particular infraction. I also think that, by posting in the Pit, you’re implicitly agreeing to a looser standard of civility to begin with. Not that I’m condoning outright abuse, but I don’t think bringing in a little “bad cop” to the moderation of the Pit is inappropriate. > > That being said, I do want to justify the second post, where I warned **spinky**. Calling him a liar wasn’t just me taking a shot at him, it was part of the justification for the warning. Here’s the post he was warned for: > > I felt it was important to let him know that I was not accepting his excuse. Given the open hostility he’d already expressed, I did not feel compelled to be particularly polite about it. I would disagree. Calling people names and including “witty” comments seems to distract from the serious tone and focus on the rudeness of the note. ---
**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:** [August 1, 2014, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-such-thing-as-rude-moderating/694601/16 "2014-08-01T22:02:51Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > We do it occasionally to get a point across. People have also complained at times about the phrase “being a jerk,” since jerk isn’t a nice thing to call someone. We try to be polite unless the situation calls for something a little tougher. [Be nice.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTh5JzRziHE) ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-such-thing-as-rude-moderating/694601/17 "2014-08-01T22:03:31Z")
"…and don’t you feel like shit, Billy, for forcing me with your naughtiness into punching you? " ---
**Author:** ![spinky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@spinky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spinky)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-such-thing-as-rude-moderating/694601/18 "2014-08-01T22:03:57Z")
For what it’s worth, I had just called him an idiot, so I don’t really feel like insulting me back was out of line. Although I like to think he really spoke it something like this: > [@hypothetical miller](#): > > And you’re a really bad liar. > > [Moderating] > > That’s a warning to you, too. > > [/Moderating] That is, responding to my insult off-duty and then giving me a warning with the hat on. Seems fair to me. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-such-thing-as-rude-moderating/694601/19 "2014-08-01T22:05:26Z")
Blame Cecil. Being snarky is part of his shtick and I think the moderation has followed his lead. People like to get their little zingers 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:** [August 1, 2014, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-such-thing-as-rude-moderating/694601/20 "2014-08-01T22:15:24Z")
Who doesn’t like zingers? > **[Zingers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zingers)** > > Zingers is a snack cake produced and sold by Dolly Madison and Hostess, snack food brands owned by Hostess Brands. > Zingers come in chocolate, vanilla, and raspberry flavors. > Chocolate and vanilla Zingers have a thick layer of icing on top with creamy non-dairy filling in the middle. > Raspberry Zingers do not have icing on top but are instead covered in a mixture of shaved coconut and raspberry flavored syrup. > A series of commercials for Zingers used the Peanuts characters, with Snoopy playing t... [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-such-thing-as-rude-moderating/694601.md?page=2)