# Please clarify photo discussion thread moderation **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [March 20, 2026, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-clarify-photo-discussion-thread-moderation/1028620 "2026-03-20T17:29:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2026, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-clarify-photo-discussion-thread-moderation/1028620/1 "2026-03-20T17:29:05Z")
The rule as I understand it is not to discuss how we’re voting or why. However explaining our submissions or why we chose a particular photo is not crossing that line of publicizing our voting intentions. Right > [@SDMB Monthly Photo Competition - rolling discussion thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/2061): > > The place to do so is not in thread. But MacDoc and others have been asked that the submitted photos in the competition not be discussed until after the voting has concluded each month. Folks sometimes forget this rule and I give them a gentle reminder; I have no problem with that. MacDoc, however, as much as stated that they do not like the rule and went on to discuss their entry in detail, defying the rule (and the spirit) of the contest. I take this opening line as willfully ignore the rule… ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2026, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-clarify-photo-discussion-thread-moderation/1028620/2 "2026-03-20T17:31:05Z")
The OP is the one that flagged the post in question and explained that @MacDoc had been ignoring the instructions often. Take it up with the OP. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2026, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-clarify-photo-discussion-thread-moderation/1028620/3 "2026-03-20T17:35:50Z")
@Mean_Mr.Mustard Can you clarify what the rolling discussion thread is for as I may have run afoul of explaining my submissions in that thread. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2026, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-clarify-photo-discussion-thread-moderation/1028620/4 "2026-03-20T18:03:38Z")
My understanding is that we are supposed to limit our discussions of the photos posted until the poll/voting for that month is complete. After that, discuss all you want! ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2026, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-clarify-photo-discussion-thread-moderation/1028620/5 "2026-03-20T18:04:31Z")
This is also my understanding. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2026, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-clarify-photo-discussion-thread-moderation/1028620/6 "2026-03-20T18:18:53Z")
This is my understanding too, and I believe I made a similar mistake once: I started commenting one picture (by another poster) and got carried away. Fortunately, when it was pointed out to me, I was still in the edit window and I could erase the message and the mistake. I think a warning is a bit harsh. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2026, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-clarify-photo-discussion-thread-moderation/1028620/7 "2026-03-20T18:23:00Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > I think a warning is a bit harsh. Please read my full explanation. This was not the first time, nor an accident, nor in isolation of a series of actions by said poster. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2026, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-clarify-photo-discussion-thread-moderation/1028620/8 "2026-03-20T18:47:30Z")
I get not opining about ones favorite entries but where else is one supposed to add context to their own submission. The sea bass might’ve been a boneless pork loin but now I know otherwise. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2026, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-clarify-photo-discussion-thread-moderation/1028620/9 "2026-03-20T18:48:26Z")
Sorry for any confusion. The rule to not discuss “active” photos is to avoid the possibility of swaying other voters, intentionally or unintentionally. In other words, the photos should stand on their own merits. Discussion after the voting concludes, either in the monthly threads or the rolling discussion thread, on your own photos or on others’, is encouraged. It’s not hard to forget this rule and get carried away explaining your photo or gushing about someone else’s; I can picture myself doing so. That is not what happened this time. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2026, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-clarify-photo-discussion-thread-moderation/1028620/10 "2026-03-20T18:54:15Z")
> [@chela](#): > > I get not opining about ones favorite entries but where else is one supposed to add context to their own submission. > > The sea bass might’ve been a boneless pork loin but now I know otherwise. “Sea Bass” would make a nice title. mmm ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2026, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-clarify-photo-discussion-thread-moderation/1028620/11 "2026-03-20T20:10:19Z")
Okay, so no comments allowed whatsoever about current entries. Not context no explanations no tech insights no compliments etc etc. got it. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Lare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/53a042/32.png) [@Lare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lare)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2026, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-clarify-photo-discussion-thread-moderation/1028620/12 "2026-03-21T01:55:17Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > I can picture myself doing so. Just don’t explain it.😀 The rule seems straight forward and simple to me. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2026, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-clarify-photo-discussion-thread-moderation/1028620/13 "2026-03-21T02:00:53Z")
> [@chela](#): > > The sea bass might’ve been a boneless pork loin but now I know otherwise. The Chilean sea bass picture was mine. It had been a while since I last posted a photo and I included a descriptive paragraph with my submission because I guess I’d forgotten some of the rules. This led to a subsequent submitter doing the same thing. A mod hid both descriptions but retained the titles, and I apologized for my mistake in the discussions thread, so it’s all good. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2026, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-clarify-photo-discussion-thread-moderation/1028620/14 "2026-03-21T14:23:20Z")
Reminds me of a disturbing dream I recently had where I was dining out and the waiter brought a platter with a cat like leg less animal on it called a SeaCat, revolting. In my dream I was trying to explain I ordered the SEABASS. Next time I’m ordering the pork loin.