# Terr and BrainGlutton **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [October 3, 2015, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terr-and-brainglutton/733406 "2015-10-03T20:59:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 20
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terr-and-brainglutton/733406/381 "2015-10-08T04:34:32Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > If I ask how to accomplish something, it’s not productive to reply with one of the ways that won’t work. You’ve made clear that you don’t agree with that method. I am asking you what method you would accept. > > Would you accept any method at all that was realistically doable? I will accept anything that clearly indicates a moderator’s political viewpoint. That is, after all, the goal of the exercise here. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terr-and-brainglutton/733406/382 "2015-10-08T05:03:25Z")
I used to say, along with others, that there is value in having a representation of diversity of political opinions here, including representation of American conservatives. 14ish years here has led me to believe that sentiment is vastly overrated. ---
**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:** [October 8, 2015, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terr-and-brainglutton/733406/383 "2015-10-08T05:20:24Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > I believe that conservatives get the short end of the stick here, and I believe one method to reverse that inequity would be more conservative moderators. So, you advocate a kind of “affirmative action” policy for potential mods based on political leaning, in order to reverse alleged political inequity? How do you reconcile that with your position on affirmative action, which I believe you staunchly oppose? Does it have something to do with what side of the fence one is on, or what? ---
**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:** [October 8, 2015, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terr-and-brainglutton/733406/384 "2015-10-08T05:51:38Z")
Who would get to determine if said “Token Mod” was conservative enough? Would you trust the mods to make that decision? ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terr-and-brainglutton/733406/385 "2015-10-08T05:54:55Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Which leaves unanswered the question I asked several times in the linked thread - why is it running up to the very edge when I post it, but when liberal posters do the same thing in the same thread, it goes unmentioned? Tom tells the posters to stop calling each other stupid. In the very next post you refer to something as a “lie”, thereby escalating the situation despite damn clear albeit implicit moderator instructions to tone things down. Most posters would have received a warning for that. You got a note. I don’t have a problem with that, by the way: this board has a longstanding policy of affirmative action for conservatives. Which I support. > [@wolfpup](#): > > So, you advocate a kind of “affirmative action” policy for potential mods based on political leaning, in order to reverse alleged political inequity? How do you reconcile that with your position on affirmative action, which I believe you staunchly oppose? Does it have something to do with what side of the fence one is on, or what? Conservatives on this message board suffer the burden of weaker arguments, so it’s only fair that they are granted special preferences. > [@Bricker](#): > > See, this is the thing. Every single one of you, reading that list, said in your internal dialog voice, “Well, of course I favor reproductive choice. Being against abortion rights isn’t liberal, it’s just sane.” > > Right? > > C’mon. Who read that line and thought there were two sides to the abortion issue of anywhere near equal persuasive or moral weight? If that’s snark, then I approve. If you seriously believe that, I fear you are mistaken. I routinely toss the word crazy at those who don’t accept the scientific consensus on evolution and anthropogenic climate change. Abortion? Nah. I admit I don’t _understand_ conservative arguments on that subject that well – but I don’t understand moderate ones either. I’m on outlier on that subject. Anyway, let’s go back to your list: > [@Bricker](#): > > If someone says, “Well, I favor same-sex marriage, no photo ID requirement for voters, strong environmental laws, reproductive choice for women, the Affordable Care Act, gun control, and affirmative action, but I’m neither liberal nor conservative,” I believe they should nonetheless be counted as liberal. Except for the ACA, plenty of Rockefeller Republicans would have gone along with those things (I’m extrapolating on the gay rights issue). Heck, Nixon would of. Just saying. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 7:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terr-and-brainglutton/733406/386 "2015-10-08T07:53:17Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > Conservatives on this message board suffer the burden of weaker arguments, so it’s only fair that they are granted special preferences. I have disagreed with **Bricker** thus far, but you’re doing a good job of making me reconsider my position. That is, unless: > [@](#): > > If that’s snark, then I approve. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terr-and-brainglutton/733406/387 "2015-10-08T07:59:04Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > Tom tells the posters to stop calling each other stupid. In the very next post you refer to something as a “lie”, thereby escalating the situation despite damn clear albeit implicit moderator instructions to tone things down. Most posters would have received a warning for that. You got a note. > > I don’t have a problem with that, by the way: this board has a longstanding policy of affirmative action for conservatives. Which I support. Conservatives on this message board suffer the burden of weaker arguments, so it’s only fair that they are granted special preferences. If that’s snark, then I approve. If you seriously believe that, I fear you are mistaken. I routinely toss the word crazy at those who don’t accept the scientific consensus on evolution and anthropogenic climate change. Abortion? Nah. I admit I don’t _understand_ conservative arguments on that subject that well – but I don’t understand moderate ones either. I’m on outlier on that subject. Anyway, let’s go back to your list: Except for the ACA, plenty of Rockefeller Republicans would have gone along with those things (I’m extrapolating on the gay rights issue). Heck, Nixon would of. Just saying. Nixon would’ve. Just saying. (And betting most of the board’s conservatives already knew that. ;)) ---
**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:** [October 8, 2015, 9:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terr-and-brainglutton/733406/388 "2015-10-08T09:44:03Z")
> [@Bone](#): > > On the other hand, as to Colibri and JC’s resentment and taking offense to perceived bias…I don’t think that’s quite right either. We all have biases. We’re human. It’s not beyond the pale to presume that the biases that exist either consciously or subconsciously impact decision making. I see no evidence of this myself but raising the question and seeking evidence and analysis should be welcome… It’s not the analysis I think they object to. It’s the accusation that they definitely are biased–based on flimsy evidence. ---
**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:** [October 8, 2015, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terr-and-brainglutton/733406/389 "2015-10-08T11:22:10Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > No, that would be cruel and unusual punishment. \ > [@John\_Mace](#): > > When you say something like “foster a culture” and “moderators double checking and interviewing each other”… I’m not seeing how you can do that to any significant degree within the parameters we’re working with here. But I’m not a moderator, so maybe they have more time than I think they have. \ ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terr-and-brainglutton/733406/390 "2015-10-08T11:37:28Z")
I’m open to the possibility that moderation on the board leans to the left, but so far I haven’t seen sufficient evidence. From what I can tell, conservative posters don’t seem any more likely to be suspended or banned than liberal posters. I recognize it’s possible that my own bias clouds my perception on this issue. But it’s also entirely possible that the complaints of some conservative posters are also clouded by bias. And considering that, from what I can tell, the only ones complaining about an anti-conservative bias are a few conservative posters, and since I haven’t seen any overwhelming evidence (to me, anyway) that conservative posters are treated very differently and more harshly than non-conservative posters, I remain unconvinced. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terr-and-brainglutton/733406/391 "2015-10-08T11:50:43Z")
I’ve been busy for the last week. What did I miss? ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terr-and-brainglutton/733406/392 "2015-10-08T12:02:45Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > Sure, anyone can suss out my political leanings. I certainly am not shy about it. > > But I’m also: > White > Jewish > Atheist > Married > Straight > A parent > US east coaster > Academic > Etc. > > Why are those qualities any less relevant than politics as the litmus test? We need diverse, fair-minded, people. I don’t think those qualities are less relevant. I think politics are at least as relevant. You say that you want diverse, fair-minded people as mods. That’s good, and in general, most of the moderation from nearly all the mods is fair. But if a mod is fair-minded, then his diversity will not affect his moderation. He or she will moderate fairly no matter what. If diversity affects moderation (presumably to make it more fair), then political diversity is equally desirable. So either the lack of political diversity in the mods does not affect anything and you don’t need it, or it does and you do. If it doesn’t affect anything, why is political diversity the only kind that doesn’t affect the moderation? Regards, Shodan ---
**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:** [October 8, 2015, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terr-and-brainglutton/733406/393 "2015-10-08T12:03:39Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > I’ve been busy for the last week. What did I miss? 1. **Bricker** Apparently has the idea that the vast majority of the moderators are liberals. 2. He would like some token conservative mods be put in place to counteract this. ---
**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:** [October 8, 2015, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terr-and-brainglutton/733406/394 "2015-10-08T12:08:38Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > So either the lack of political diversity in the mods does not affect anything and you don’t need it, or it does and you do. If it doesn’t affect anything, why is political diversity the only kind that doesn’t affect the moderation? Which would be more desirable to you: That they let their political persuasions effect how they moderate, creating a need for **Bricker’s** “token mods”, or that they leave their personal politics to the side when they do their job? ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terr-and-brainglutton/733406/395 "2015-10-08T12:31:30Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > Your position then is that your treatment and Terr’s banning is part of systemic maltreatment by the moderators on the board? > > Your initial post was: "I am a conservative. > > I believe I am a disproportionate target of vitriol here, and that my behavior is modded more strictly than that of my opponents." > > That had a plaintive quality to it, I thought. So you don’t especially care, you’re not complaining, you’re just notifying that this injustice is happening. This was not evident from your previous posts. > > Maybe you should start a #conservativepostersmatter movement. I doubt very much that you have a future in any professional field that requires accurate analysis of the underlying emotions of authors. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terr-and-brainglutton/733406/396 "2015-10-08T12:33:48Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > 1. **Bricker** Apparently has the idea that the vast majority of the moderators are liberals. > 2. He would like some token conservative mods be put in place to counteract this. Ok I guess I’m it. The only Republican I can remember voting against is Chris Christie because he is a colossal douche. I also can’t see voting for any of the current candidates because they are horrible. I am moderate or dont-care-ian on most social issues. There, that’s probably the most about politics you will see me post. And for the record, I’m the one who warned Terr and called for his banning. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terr-and-brainglutton/733406/397 "2015-10-08T12:34:10Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > I will accept anything that clearly indicates a moderator’s political viewpoint. That is, after all, the goal of the exercise here. Can you give me example of what would “clearly indicates a moderator’s political viewpoint?” ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terr-and-brainglutton/733406/398 "2015-10-08T12:38:04Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > That is, after all, the goal of the exercise here. Oh, so that’s what this topic is actually about. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terr-and-brainglutton/733406/399 "2015-10-08T12:50:23Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Can you give me example of what would “clearly indicates a moderator’s political viewpoint?” I think he is asking you, since you are the one who is convinced it is a problem for conservatives. ---
**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:** [October 8, 2015, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terr-and-brainglutton/733406/400 "2015-10-08T13:34:16Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > 1. **Bricker** Apparently has the idea that the vast majority of the moderators are liberals. > 2. He would like some token conservative mods be put in place to counteract this. The precise thing that needs to be done, as stated by **Bricker** , is “reverse that inequity”. I merely note in passing that on the matter of reversing historical inequities, Bricker is on record as stating that affirmative action programs are discriminatory and should be illegal. It’s hard to know at what point, in this philosophy, official powers are supposed to start meddling in the free meritocracy that he so favors. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terr-and-brainglutton/733406.md?page=19) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terr-and-brainglutton/733406.md?page=21)