# Mods, tell me how a banning works. **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [July 24, 2013, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-tell-me-how-a-banning-works/664363 "2013-07-24T06:20:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2013, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-tell-me-how-a-banning-works/664363/21 "2013-07-24T18:13:01Z")
> [@TubaDiva](#): > > Just the satisfaction of a job well done, of a community served … the tiny glow of having done a good deed in a naughty world. That’s about it. Well, that and the ability to cruelly wield the power of a god. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2013, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-tell-me-how-a-banning-works/664363/22 "2013-07-24T18:54:42Z")
> [@TubaDiva](#): > > Just the satisfaction of a job well done, of a community served … the tiny glow of having done a good deed in a naughty world. That’s about it. And the jackboots. Don’t forget the jackboots and leather tunics. And that feeling you get when you get to say “You shall learn to fear the power of my wrath!” and mean it. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2013, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-tell-me-how-a-banning-works/664363/23 "2013-07-24T20:08:28Z")
> [@Darth\_Panda](#): > > I see that you’re conveniently glossing over the part where you sacrifice a goat. We don’t sacrifice goats, unless you mean a hornless goat. Ever wonder what we do with all those spammers? > [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > Where did you guys get the sacrificial altar with horns on the corners? I’ve looked on the interwebz and there’s not much out there for sale. I’ll have you know that I made the altar myself. I was the first girl to ever get an A from that woodworking teacher, and I’ve kept up my skills. I had to contract out the metal working, though. > [@Mathematics](#): > > This all makes me wonder. > > Are the mods paid here? Seems like they spend a lot of time for little reward (?) if not. > [@TubaDiva](#): > > Just the satisfaction of a job well done, of a community served … the tiny glow of having done a good deed in a naughty world. That’s about it. I get a tingly feeling in my naughty bits when I’m able to catch a spammer just as s/he’s composing a new spam. It’s better than sex! ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2013, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-tell-me-how-a-banning-works/664363/24 "2013-07-24T20:08:35Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > Generally, it’s just a discussion. [. . .] Sometimes there’s a few jokes. > > \< . . . snip . . . \> > > We also try to keep each other informed of possible problem threads and entertaining threads. Come on, **Lynn Bodoni** , spill! We want to see the jokes! Note, also, that intersection of the set of problem threads and the set of entertaining threads is quite non-empty. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2013, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-tell-me-how-a-banning-works/664363/25 "2013-07-24T20:56:49Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Well, that and the ability to cruelly wield the power of a god. And the floggings! Don’t forget the floggings!🙂 ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2013, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-tell-me-how-a-banning-works/664363/26 "2013-07-24T22:16:54Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > No. When a poster’s usergroup is changed (e.g. from “Guest” to “BANNED”), it changes retroactively on all his previous posts. He’ll be listed as “BANNED” on all his posts from the beginning. I’m embarrassed to say that I more often spot a zombie thread from all the BANNED users posting to it than by the dates. ---
**Author:** ![Claverhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Claverhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claverhouse)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2013, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-tell-me-how-a-banning-works/664363/27 "2013-07-24T22:48:08Z")
> [@Shakes](#): > > So what’s that conversation like? Is there an honor amongst MODs? When one MOD wants to lower the hammer down on somebody, does the rest of the staff fall in line out of mutual respect? I can’t speak to here, but on any message board there is one imperative for all madmins: you back up any action by a colleague. Doesn’t matter what you think of it, doesn’t matter whether he’s right or wrong, doesn’t matter if innocents die: you keep the faith. The reason for this discipline should be obvious — whatever befalls, it can always be made worse by mutual quarrelling and recrimination. Solidarity holds the ship together. > [@jayrey](#): > > Can a banned poster still post? I’ve seen posts that say “BANNED” under the poster’s name. Are they banned or are they being silly? Thanks for the info. I, too, think you all do a great job. That means banned. And the word ‘banned’ should always be included in the mechanical list of words disallowed in titles.. Some people like to use it to confuse others; but it detracts from the dignity of banning and muddles life for everyone. ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2013, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-tell-me-how-a-banning-works/664363/28 "2013-07-24T22:55:33Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > Come on, **Lynn Bodoni** , spill! We want to see the jokes! I’m guessing it’s the blind pig type. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Shine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr_shine/32/464_2.png) [@Mr\_Shine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Shine)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2013, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-tell-me-how-a-banning-works/664363/29 "2013-07-24T23:11:41Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > . Occasionally there is some disagreement.(snip)..If there continues to be strong disagreement after discussion, no action is taken. So has there ever been a case where somebody has been banned over the continuing objections of one, (or more) holdout(s), as the majority support bannination? (Names of mods and ex-members involved not required.) ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2013, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-tell-me-how-a-banning-works/664363/30 "2013-07-24T23:13:58Z")
> [@Claverhouse](#): > > I can’t speak to here, but on any message board there is one imperative for all **madmins** : you back up any action by a colleague. Madmins? Well, at least we think they’re mad. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Claverhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Claverhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claverhouse)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2013, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-tell-me-how-a-banning-works/664363/31 "2013-07-25T00:08:17Z")
Portmanteau word invented by some genius: combining admin and mod. Not that mods are needed: I make 'em all admins because the more you trust people the better they do their job. ---
**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:** [July 25, 2013, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-tell-me-how-a-banning-works/664363/32 "2013-07-25T00:11:22Z")
> [@Claverhouse](#): > > Not that mods are needed: I make 'em all admins because the more you trust people the better they do their job. But how many do you have? I think your plan works…but only until there are “too many cooks”, so to speak. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2013, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-tell-me-how-a-banning-works/664363/33 "2013-07-25T00:11:54Z")
> [@Claverhouse](#): > > Not that mods are needed: I make 'em all admins because the more you trust people the better they do their job. I’d like to subscribe to your newsletter. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2013, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-tell-me-how-a-banning-works/664363/34 "2013-07-25T02:33:20Z")
I dunno, you know what happens when someone becomes an admin – five minutes later, they’re banning _everyone_. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2013, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-tell-me-how-a-banning-works/664363/35 "2013-07-25T07:30:05Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > I dunno, you know what happens when someone becomes an admin – five minutes later, they’re banning _everyone_. A mod’s work is _never_ done. ---
**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:** [July 25, 2013, 10:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-tell-me-how-a-banning-works/664363/36 "2013-07-25T10:18:45Z")
> [@Claverhouse](#): > > Not that mods are needed: I make 'em all admins because the more you trust people the better they do their job. What’s the functional difference, anyways? Isn’t it just tech access, which mods don’t need anyways? ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2013, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-tell-me-how-a-banning-works/664363/37 "2013-07-25T11:56:25Z")
> [@Claverhouse](#): > > I can’t speak to here, but on any message board there is one imperative for all madmins: you back up any action by a colleague. > > Doesn’t matter what you think of it, doesn’t matter whether he’s right or wrong, doesn’t matter if innocents die: you keep the faith. > > The reason for this discipline should be obvious — whatever befalls, it can always be made worse by mutual quarrelling and recrimination. Solidarity holds the ship together. … Well, yes and no. We’ve never had a situation where innocents might die, f’rinstance. Seems to me that the question is not whether there’s solidarity, but WHEN the solidarity comes into play. In the situation we’re discussing, we arrive at solidarity (we’re almost always unanimous) BEFORE we take banning action. If we’re not solid, we don’t ban. That makes it a lot easier to back each other up afterwards. Banning is NOT a situation where one person takes an action and everyone stands behind them. To the contrary. It’s about 180 degrees from that. > [@BigT](#): > > What’s the functional difference, anyways [between mods and admins]? Isn’t it just tech access, which mods don’t need anyways? Admins are paid double what mods are paid. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2013, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-tell-me-how-a-banning-works/664363/38 "2013-07-25T11:58:13Z")
Is there an accessible list of all banned user IDs? ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2013, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-tell-me-how-a-banning-works/664363/39 "2013-07-25T13:35:49Z")
Not for non-staff. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2013, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-tell-me-how-a-banning-works/664363/40 "2013-07-25T13:48:53Z")
> [@echo7tango](#): > > Is there an accessible list of all banned user IDs? > [@twickster](#): > > Not for non-staff. Right. You can find lists of all the member bans the staff has announced in ATMB, but most bans aren’t announced because they’re just spammers. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-tell-me-how-a-banning-works/664363.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-tell-me-how-a-banning-works/664363.md?page=3)