# Moderator Name Calling In Regard To members **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [May 10, 2011, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderator-name-calling-in-regard-to-members/581387 "2011-05-10T13:09:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderator-name-calling-in-regard-to-members/581387/1 "2011-05-10T13:09:34Z")
In [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=607795) two moderaters call a poster an idiot (or say they suspect the poster is an idiot). It’s in the pit so I guess it is allowed. I’m not interested in debating whether or not the poster is an idiot based on the posts. I fully acknowledge a lot of posters can give Mods high blood pressure. However, is it necessary for Mod to get into abuse of a poster while in Moderator mode? To me, it demeans the position. It has implied authority behind it and intimidation. Is Mod Hat On/ Off still used? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderator-name-calling-in-regard-to-members/581387/2 "2011-05-10T13:14:39Z")
> [@Cicero](#): > > Is Mod Hat On/ Off still used? Yes, and neither **Miller** nor I were acting as moderators. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderator-name-calling-in-regard-to-members/581387/3 "2011-05-10T13:21:21Z")
> [@Cicero](#): > > However, is it necessary for Mod to get into abuse of a poster while in Moderator mode? To me, it demeans the position. It has implied authority behind it and intimidation. > > Is Mod Hat On/ Off still used? Tags to indicate when a staff member is posting in an official capacity are the norm. Neither Mod was posting in an official capacity, no Moderator instructions nor Warnings were issued. They were posting simply as other posters in the thread, so there was no tag indicating that they were posting in an official capacity. (We do not routinely post a “Not the Moderator” tag when we are simply posting as members of the TM.) ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderator-name-calling-in-regard-to-members/581387/4 "2011-05-10T13:36:27Z")
Tomndebb, (and Marley) this is confusing. Tags? What do you mean there? Instructions and warnings is simply muddying the waters. There was no suggestion they were ever issued. To imply they were not acting in an official capacity is disingenuous. When you see the Mods names with “Moderator” under that name it is always understood (by me at least) that they are acting in that capacity. In the guidelines the Oracle Dex states: Mod Hats – Occassionally, a moderator enjoys getting involved in discussions as a participant. To distinguish when a moderator is making a formal statement based on the rules from his/her own personal opinions, he/she “puts on the Moderator’s Hat” to do the former, and so distinguishes the roles. (This is a custom elsewhere on the net, as well.) Clearly, for a long time Mods have been running the boards (as they are paid handsomely to do) but have never made such a formal statement. So how do we now decipher that they are just posters and not speaking as Moderators? You can’t come back later and say “Hey, we were just posters” if you never differentiate. And, aside from this, the point I am trying to make is that other Mods can easily make a point with humour and without having to be so direct. Fair enough, maybe different forums. However I do not agree that the abuse of a poster while dressed as a moderator does much for the professionalism of the group. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderator-name-calling-in-regard-to-members/581387/5 "2011-05-10T13:41:03Z")
> [@Cicero](#): > > To imply they were not acting in an official capacity is disingenuous. When you see the Mods names with “Moderator” under that name it is always understood (by me at least) that they are acting in that capacity. > > In the guidelines the Oracle Dex states: > > Mod Hats – Occassionally, a moderator enjoys getting involved in discussions as a participant. To distinguish when a moderator is making a formal statement based on the rules from his/her own personal opinions, he/she “puts on the Moderator’s Hat” to do the former, and so distinguishes the roles. (This is a custom elsewhere on the net, as well.) > > Clearly, for a long time Mods have been running the boards (as they are paid handsomely to do) but have never made such a formal statement. So how do we now decipher that they are just posters and not speaking as Moderators? > > You can’t come back later and say “Hey, we were just posters” if you never differentiate. What? They do differentiate. If you _don’t_ see that statement of the “ **mod hat on** ” (or “ **moderating** ,” or whatever), they’re _not_ moderating. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderator-name-calling-in-regard-to-members/581387/6 "2011-05-10T13:48:36Z")
> [@spark240](#): > > What? They do differentiate. If you _don’t_ see that statement of the “ **mod hat on** ” (or “ **moderating** ,” or whatever), they’re _not_ moderating. I for one have gotten a Warning from not following a moderator instruction that was not so labeled. They’ve repeatedly said it’s just a courtesy. Not that that matters here. Mods have been allowed to say shit about other people forever–they just can’t start Pit threads. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderator-name-calling-in-regard-to-members/581387/7 "2011-05-10T13:49:59Z")
> [@spark240](#): > > What? They do differentiate. If you _don’t_ see that statement of the “ **mod hat on** ” (or “ **moderating** ,” or whatever), they’re _not_ moderating. I think Mods should be forced to use text speak and pastel colors when _NOT_ modding. That would solve everything. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderator-name-calling-in-regard-to-members/581387/8 "2011-05-10T13:51:44Z")
> [@Cicero](#): > > To imply they were not acting in an official capacity is disingenuous. When you see the Mods names with “Moderator” under that name it is always understood (by me at least) that they are acting in that capacity. Your understanding is wrong. Since I-don’t-know-when, the concept has been this: we make it clear when we are acting as moderators by use fake tags like [Moderating] or [Mod Hat On] in our posts or put “Moderating” in the post title field. The rest of the time, we’re regular posters. > [@](#): > > So how do we now decipher that they are just posters and not speaking as Moderators? > > You can’t come back later and say “Hey, we were just posters” if you never differentiate. You’re treating this as if it’s something new. It isn’t. We do differentiate, and that post by **C K Dexter Haven** explains how. None of the posts were made in any kind of official capacity. They were just part of the conversation. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderator-name-calling-in-regard-to-members/581387/9 "2011-05-10T14:05:24Z")
Unless they’re moderating, they’re posting. When they’re moderating, they say so. The vast majority of the time, they’re acting just like the rest of us numbskulls. ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderator-name-calling-in-regard-to-members/581387/10 "2011-05-10T14:08:59Z")
Marley and Tomndebb, thanks. I see the points that you are making and agree. And Darth Panda of course. I need to break the nexus of name and Mod. I retreat, tail between my legs. ---
**Author:** ![surrounded\_by\_literalists](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8baadc/32.png) [@surrounded\_by\_literalists](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/surrounded_by_literalists)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderator-name-calling-in-regard-to-members/581387/11 "2011-05-10T14:23:34Z")
…they turned me into a newt once. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderator-name-calling-in-regard-to-members/581387/12 "2011-05-10T14:34:26Z")
> [@surrounded\_by\_literalists](#): > > …they turned me into a newt once. Once? It didn’t stick? **rummages around in spell bag** ---
**Author:** ![Farmer\_Jane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Farmer\_Jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Farmer_Jane)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderator-name-calling-in-regard-to-members/581387/13 "2011-05-10T14:36:45Z")
Speaking as the one spoken of here: It does negate some of the credibility of the mods when you know their positions on things. It definitely makes me take them…well, not seriously at all…when their mode of attack is ‘you’re an idiot’. Can’t say I was much better, since I think my response was ‘neener neener’. I mean, okay, that was a pit thread, but did someone just draw names out of a hat when they were picking Mods or was there a thought process here? Mods will tell you what they think on xyz issue and then Mod the shit out of you when you don’t agree. But yeah, this is a private board and you can’t reasonably expect to hold Mods to a higher standard than every other Doper. They may hold _you_ up to a higher standard than another Doper, but that’s how it goes. At least potential bias and skewed logic is transparent. I don’t even know why you’d have a Mod title if you’re going to participate in the actual discussion you’re Modding (this happens in other threads). Do judges try their own cases? Uh, no. But even if a Mod did ‘step out’ of the process, all he’d have to do is call another Mod to moderate his opponent. meh. ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderator-name-calling-in-regard-to-members/581387/14 "2011-05-10T14:36:58Z")
Here I am licking my wounds and hoping this thread will quietly sink and you guys keep posting! Shakes fist! I have your names. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderator-name-calling-in-regard-to-members/581387/15 "2011-05-10T14:45:41Z")
> [@CitizenPained](#): > > I mean, okay, that was a pit thread, but did someone just draw names out of a hat when they were picking Mods or was there a thought process here? **Ed Zotti** has final approval on all the potential mods. > [@](#): > > I don’t even know why you’d have a Mod title if you’re going to participate in the actual discussion you’re Modding (this happens in other threads). Because sometimes the situation calls for it. > [@](#): > > Do judges try their own cases? Uh, no. But even if a Mod did ‘step out’ of the process, all he’d have to do is call another Mod to moderate his opponent. We do that sometimes. But we’re not judges (or juries), and because it’s not always practical to wait hours for another volunteer to have the free time to handle a situation. ---
**Author:** ![Farmer\_Jane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Farmer\_Jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Farmer_Jane)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderator-name-calling-in-regard-to-members/581387/16 "2011-05-10T16:21:01Z")
We’ve already established that mods aren’t here to be fair, impartial, or in anyway not ridiculously biased. Tis how the interawebs work. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderator-name-calling-in-regard-to-members/581387/17 "2011-05-10T16:26:13Z")
Do you have a mouse in your pocket? If so I think you’re violating our user agreement by posting on its behalf. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Farmer\_Jane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Farmer\_Jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Farmer_Jane)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderator-name-calling-in-regard-to-members/581387/18 "2011-05-10T16:27:23Z")
:dubious: ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderator-name-calling-in-regard-to-members/581387/19 "2011-05-10T16:27:47Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Do you have a mouse in your pocket? Nah, he’s just a little pleased to see you. ---
**Author:** ![Farmer\_Jane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Farmer\_Jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Farmer_Jane)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderator-name-calling-in-regard-to-members/581387/20 "2011-05-10T16:31:27Z")
> [@aldiboronti](#): > > Nah, he’s just a little pleased to see you. You Doper. Me female. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderator-name-calling-in-regard-to-members/581387.md?page=2)