# Please welcome our new moderator, ParallelLines **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [March 28, 2025, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-welcome-our-new-moderator-parallellines/1016239 "2025-03-28T06:38:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**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 28, 2025, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-welcome-our-new-moderator-parallellines/1016239/21 "2025-03-28T13:22:40Z")
So people apply to @Ed_Zotti, {it use to be @TubaDiva}. They may have you fill out the application. You might not hear back for a while. When we need a Moderator, both those applications and suggestions from the current staff are considered. Often some feelers are made. Ed reviews the posting history and solicits opinions from the moderators. If things look good, Ed interviews the applicant and makes his decision, usually with one last consult from the Modloop. I’m not allowed to divulge the secret ceremonies that are involved, but braving the cornfield is one of the trials. But I’m sure everyone guessed that. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2025, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-welcome-our-new-moderator-parallellines/1016239/22 "2025-03-28T13:27:14Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > Which is fine, but transparency about the process - even if the process itself isn’t transparent - seems like a value to strive for. In this case, the process was, more or less, the existing P&E mods said “We’re kind of getting overworked here, we could use another mod”, and they suggested a few names, and other moderators suggested a few more, and we all commented on our impressions of the people named, and then Ed looked over the people we suggested, got in touch with a couple of them to ask questions, and then chose @ParallelLines . In some cases, individuals have stepped forward on their own initiative, and again, the existing mods discussed them, and Ed had the final decision. > [@MrDibble](#): > > Just those two forums, right? It’s still OK to get my dick out in FQ, right? There’s always room for a discussion of the rarely-used metric prefixes like “femto-” and “atto-”. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2025, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-welcome-our-new-moderator-parallellines/1016239/23 "2025-03-28T14:28:56Z")
Ooh, I’ma need some aloe vera…🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2025, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-welcome-our-new-moderator-parallellines/1016239/24 "2025-03-28T14:33:54Z")
Forget what the process is for choosing a new moderator; I’m amazed that anyone actually volunteers for the role. It seems thankless and a massive chore. So thank you to @ParallelLines for your (perhaps foolish) choice. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2025, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-welcome-our-new-moderator-parallellines/1016239/25 "2025-03-28T14:39:12Z")
It is a bit reminiscent of one of the great Groucho Marx lines: _“I would not belong to a club that would have me as a member.”_ ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2025, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-welcome-our-new-moderator-parallellines/1016239/26 "2025-03-28T15:03:16Z")
> [@Ed\_Zotti](#): > > He’s still getting used to the chain mail and accidentally banned Kazakhstan during mod practice but we’re confident he’ll get into the swing of things soon. Ah yes, the “ban them all and let the admin sort it out” approach. Very old school; I approve. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2025, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-welcome-our-new-moderator-parallellines/1016239/27 "2025-03-28T15:16:38Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Forget what the process is for choosing a new moderator; I’m amazed that anyone actually volunteers for the role. Historically, there have been many people whom we’ve contacted who have turned down the position. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2025, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-welcome-our-new-moderator-parallellines/1016239/28 "2025-03-28T15:17:40Z")
Yay! @ParallelLines! You’re the best! One of my favorites! He paid me $7 to say those things. Heck, I would have said them for a dollar. Each. * * * > [@What\_Exit](#): > > I’m not allowed to divulge the secret ceremonies that are involved … The question is, can those implants ever be removed? * * * > [@DavidNRockies](#): > > It is a bit reminiscent of one of the great Groucho Marx lines: Here’s another completely unrelated Groucho Marx quotation: _“Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read.”_ ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2025, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-welcome-our-new-moderator-parallellines/1016239/29 "2025-03-28T15:19:25Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Here’s another completely unrelated Groucho Marx quotation: > > _“Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read.”_ It also makes the pages sticky. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2025, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-welcome-our-new-moderator-parallellines/1016239/30 "2025-03-28T15:23:04Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Often some feelers are made. I was “felt” a while back for a potential mod role. While I’m not against the idea, given my current mood about the state of the world it’s probably a good thing they eventually went in a different direction. Don’t Mod Angry, is all I’m saying. ---
**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 28, 2025, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-welcome-our-new-moderator-parallellines/1016239/31 "2025-03-28T15:23:49Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Looking at **PL** ’s avatar, and that of @Aspenglow I’m thinking maybe one of the selection criteria for new Mods for our brave new and extra unpleasant age is a fierce enough avatar. Having a tough exterior does help. 😉 > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Yay! @ParallelLines! You’re the best! One of my favorites! Waitaminute… didn’t you say the same thing when I…? 😺 * * * I am very pleased that @ParallelLines was willing to join our band of merry miscreants, and I have every confidence he’s going to do great! In the words of Jon Oliver, Welcome, welcome, welcome! ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2025, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-welcome-our-new-moderator-parallellines/1016239/32 "2025-03-28T15:26:34Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > Waitaminute… didn’t you say the same thing when I…? 😺 Oh yeah…right! > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Yay! ~~@ParallelLines~~ @Aspenglow! You’re the best! One of my favorites! 🙃 ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2025, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-welcome-our-new-moderator-parallellines/1016239/33 "2025-03-28T15:27:02Z")
The way it’s done here (combination of people volunteering and the staff reaching out) is how it’s done on every of the many fora I’ve moderated over the decades and nearly every forum where I’ve been a member. The membership is typically not consulted. That would be insane. Anyway, sincere thanks and congratulations to @ParallelLines . ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2025, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-welcome-our-new-moderator-parallellines/1016239/34 "2025-03-28T15:29:11Z")
This is one of those announcements where I stop and say, “But wasn’t he…?” Conga-rats, @ParallelLines . > [@Aspenglow](#): > > Waitaminute… didn’t you say the same thing when I…? 😺 You shouldn’t get all crabby about it. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2025, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-welcome-our-new-moderator-parallellines/1016239/35 "2025-03-28T15:47:19Z")
On a serious note- When I was having unexplained tiny explosions and bursts of flame in my apartment, **ParallelLines** sent me, asking nothing in return, a new in the box web cam so I could see my place was safe while I was away. He also sent me a new in the box carbon monoxide alarm. Excellent choice for a mod! ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2025, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-welcome-our-new-moderator-parallellines/1016239/36 "2025-03-28T15:57:09Z")
The fact that it was your apartment wasn’t explanation enough? Honestly, I’d be a little worried if a mad scientist’s abode didn’t have little explosions of flame. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2025, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-welcome-our-new-moderator-parallellines/1016239/37 "2025-03-28T15:59:53Z")
Can we call them llelL? ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2025, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-welcome-our-new-moderator-parallellines/1016239/38 "2025-03-28T16:11:52Z")
There seriously were explosions and bursts of flame in my apartment. It turned out to be a problem in the printer. Somehow the powdered toner was igniting. Before I discovered that, I had a team from the gas company looking for leaks, and a squad of firefrighters in full gear looking at the wiring. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2025, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-welcome-our-new-moderator-parallellines/1016239/39 "2025-03-28T16:19:38Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > > > Here’s another completely unrelated Groucho Marx quotation: > > > > _“Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read.”_ > > It also makes the pages sticky. Although now that we read mostly on phones w glowing screens, the darkness inside the dog is not nearly the obstacle it once was. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2025, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-welcome-our-new-moderator-parallellines/1016239/40 "2025-03-28T16:23:33Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Although now that we read mostly on phones w glowing screens, the darkness inside the dog is not nearly the obstacle it once was. The cell reception is terrible. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-welcome-our-new-moderator-parallellines/1016239.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-welcome-our-new-moderator-parallellines/1016239.md?page=3)