# Unclear moderation: HOW am I being a jerk? Moderation based on rules or mob opinion? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [November 21, 2019, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unclear-moderation-how-am-i-being-a-jerk-moderation-based-on-rules-or-mob-opinion/843743 "2019-11-21T01:00:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SamuelA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c77e96/32.png) [@SamuelA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SamuelA)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2019, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unclear-moderation-how-am-i-being-a-jerk-moderation-based-on-rules-or-mob-opinion/843743/1 "2019-11-21T01:00:52Z")
> [@Misogyny, victim-blaming, and the board culture (yet again)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogyny-victim-blaming-and-the-board-culture-yet-again/843504/212): > > SamuelA - most of your posts in this thread are pretty objectionable, and go far beyond the statement that spawned this thread. Plus, you seem more interested in having a Ford/Kavanaugh discussion rather than one about the board or moderation. While that is the underlying subject of the comment in question, this isn’t the place to rehash that bit. > [@Misogyny, victim-blaming, and the board culture (yet again)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogyny-victim-blaming-and-the-board-culture-yet-again/843504/253): > > Other posters in this thread have expressed opinions that Ford cannot be blamed in any way for telling her story and there is no evidence that she isn’t being truthful. > > I am just pointing out that her story, whether or not it is based in truth, is a verbal assault intended to cause severe harm. And it’s rather suspicious how 1 sided it is. Like how every victim of a fight in the E.R. was always minding their own business when 2 guys come out of nowhere and attack. Is every assault victim lying? No, but most probably are. > > My point was to say that HD has a legitimate point of viewing informing his post and that Ford purposefully attacked kavanaugh with the intent of causing harm. The death threats (both aimed at her and kavanaugh) are a forseeable consequence of her actions. In the quoted post, I am expressing an opinion. It may be an \*unpopular \*opinion, but that in itself does not, in my book, rise to “jerk-ness”. What test could a neutral observer apply to determine that this post is “jerky” and not simply "unpopular? > [@Bone;](#): > > Warnings serve as a reminder to you of the forum’s rules, which you are expected to understand and follow. Cool. So which rule is being violated? Which words violate the rule? How? ---
**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2019, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unclear-moderation-how-am-i-being-a-jerk-moderation-based-on-rules-or-mob-opinion/843743/2 "2019-11-21T01:08:00Z")
> [@SamuelA](#): > > Cool. So which rule is being violated? Which words violate the rule? How? You assumed that assault victims are probably lying, then you connected that to sexual assault victims. That’s about as far as I can go without junior modding or getting modded myself. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2019, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unclear-moderation-how-am-i-being-a-jerk-moderation-based-on-rules-or-mob-opinion/843743/3 "2019-11-21T01:12:25Z")
> [@SamuelA](#): > > What test could a neutral observer apply to determine that this post is “jerky” and not simply "unpopular? There is no test. If you’re so out of tune with what’s considered jerky behavior–a term deliberately left vague in the rules–I recommend a different community. ---
**Author:** ![SamuelA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c77e96/32.png) [@SamuelA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SamuelA)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2019, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unclear-moderation-how-am-i-being-a-jerk-moderation-based-on-rules-or-mob-opinion/843743/4 "2019-11-21T01:17:49Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > There is no test. If you’re so out of tune with what’s considered jerky behavior–a term deliberately left vague in the rules–I recommend a different community. See, this is a post that I consider “jerk-ish”. You personally insult me by claiming I would be unable to understand any rule you give, and suggest I leave the board. Also this post is personally aimed at me. I’m not going to report this post, but do you see how you have been a jerk? ---
**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2019, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unclear-moderation-how-am-i-being-a-jerk-moderation-based-on-rules-or-mob-opinion/843743/5 "2019-11-21T01:19:54Z")
> [@SamuelA](#): > > See, this is a post that I consider “jerk-ish”. You personally insult me by claiming I would be unable to understand any rule you give, and suggest I leave the board. > > Also this post is personally aimed at me. > > I’m not going to report this post, but do you see how you have been a jerk? So you turn around and do the exact same thing you’re accusing **LHod** of. ---
**Author:** ![SamuelA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c77e96/32.png) [@SamuelA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SamuelA)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2019, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unclear-moderation-how-am-i-being-a-jerk-moderation-based-on-rules-or-mob-opinion/843743/6 "2019-11-21T01:20:38Z")
> [@GreysonCarlisle](#): > > You assumed that assault victims are probably lying, then you connected that to sexual assault victims. Assault victims, in inner city ERs, who _claim to have been jumped by 2 or more guys_ who claim to _have done nothing_, are usually lying. Sexual assault victims who wait 37 years to come forward and happen to have a story that is corroborated by nobody and is maximally damaging _sounds_ like a lie. It also sounds improbable to be the truth - human memory is crap even in the short term. There are physical assault victims from inner city suburbs who in fact were doing nothing and were attacked, and sexual assault victims who are telling the actual truth and not a one-sided version of it…but both are _unlikely_. But anyways this is just my well developed opinion based on experience in ERs and dealing with liars. I guess I can’t express it. ---
**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2019, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unclear-moderation-how-am-i-being-a-jerk-moderation-based-on-rules-or-mob-opinion/843743/7 "2019-11-21T01:24:59Z")
> [@SamuelA](#): > > Sexual assault victims who wait 37 years to come forward and happen to have a story that is corroborated by nobody and is maximally damaging _sounds_ like a lie. It also sounds improbable to be the truth - human memory is crap even in the short term. And there you go again. ---
**Author:** ![SamuelA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c77e96/32.png) [@SamuelA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SamuelA)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2019, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unclear-moderation-how-am-i-being-a-jerk-moderation-based-on-rules-or-mob-opinion/843743/8 "2019-11-21T01:26:18Z")
> [@GreysonCarlisle](#): > > And there you go again. Expressing an opinion is “there you go again”? That’s what I think. Just elaborating in more detail. > [@GreysonCarlisle](#): > > So you turn around and do the exact same thing you’re accusing **LHod** of. Do what? I point out how LHod is being a jerk. How is this also being a jerk? ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2019, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unclear-moderation-how-am-i-being-a-jerk-moderation-based-on-rules-or-mob-opinion/843743/9 "2019-11-21T01:27:49Z")
> [@SamuelA](#): > > Assault victims, in inner city ERs, who _claim to have been jumped by 2 or more guys_ who claim to _have done nothing_, are usually lying. > > Sexual assault victims who wait 37 years to come forward and happen to have a story that is corroborated by nobody and is maximally damaging _sounds_ like a lie. It also sounds improbable to be the truth - human memory is crap even in the short term. > > There are physical assault victims from inner city suburbs who in fact were doing nothing and were attacked, and sexual assault victims who are telling the actual truth and not a one-sided version of it…but both are _unlikely_. > > But anyways this is just my well developed opinion based on experience in ERs and dealing with liars. I guess I can’t express it. In our country, it is not at all unbelievable that someone would wait 37 years before coming forward, because the reaction you demonstrated discourages women from coming forward. This is a huge problem today, and was even bigger 37 years ago. Only one in three rapes is _ever_ reported, by the most generous estimates. Ignoring all of this and declaring these women to be liars IS jerkish. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2019, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unclear-moderation-how-am-i-being-a-jerk-moderation-based-on-rules-or-mob-opinion/843743/10 "2019-11-21T01:33:43Z")
Shouldn’t you quote your post that earned you the first warning for being a jerk? > [@](#): > > How about we go a step further. Unless we have an equal representation of all races and genders this means the mod pool is biased. Let’s actively discriminate against mod applicants who are of over represented races and genders in favor of minorities and women. Who we should lower the bar for IMO, this clearly deserves a warning. However, I don’t think your second warning was called for. ---
**Author:** ![SamuelA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c77e96/32.png) [@SamuelA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SamuelA)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2019, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unclear-moderation-how-am-i-being-a-jerk-moderation-based-on-rules-or-mob-opinion/843743/11 "2019-11-21T01:33:47Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > In our country, it is not at all unbelievable that someone would wait 37 years before coming forward, because the reaction you demonstrated discourages women from coming forward. This is a huge problem today, and was even bigger 37 years ago. Only one in three rapes is _ever_ reported, by the most generous estimates. > > Ignoring all of this and declaring these women to be liars IS jerkish. Where did I say “these women” are all liars? I don’t believe Ford from reviewing the evidence. I think she’s an obvious liar given the suspicious story and timing. Also I think anyone reporting _any_ crime more than a few weeks after it happened should also provide corroborating witnesses and/or evidence to be believed. This is because we know from decades of research that human memory is poor quality and biased, especially if more than a few weeks have passed. ---
**Author:** ![SamuelA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c77e96/32.png) [@SamuelA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SamuelA)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2019, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unclear-moderation-how-am-i-being-a-jerk-moderation-based-on-rules-or-mob-opinion/843743/12 "2019-11-21T01:37:37Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > Shouldn’t you quote your post that earned you the first warning for being a jerk? > > IMO, this clearly deserves a warning. > > However, I don’t think your second warning was called for. I am actually somewhat agreeing. I meant to post: How about we go a step further. Unless we have an equal representation of all races and genders this means the mod pool is biased. Let’s actively discriminate against mod applicants who are of over represented races and genders in favor of _under-represented races and genders_. Who we should lower the bar for Now, yeah, in this particular situation, women/minorities are likely under-represented. I don’t know, there’s no photos of the mods anywhere. But I assume they are all old white guys. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2019, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unclear-moderation-how-am-i-being-a-jerk-moderation-based-on-rules-or-mob-opinion/843743/13 "2019-11-21T01:40:28Z")
> [@SamuelA](#): > > I am actually somewhat agreeing. I meant to post: > How about we go a step further. Unless we have an equal representation of all races and genders this means the mod pool is biased. Let’s actively discriminate against mod applicants who are of over represented races and genders in favor of _under-represented races and genders_. Who we should lower the bar for > > Now, yeah, in this particular situation, women/minorities are likely under-represented. I don’t know, there’s no photos of the mods anywhere. But I assume they are all old white guys. Did you really just double down on the suggestion that women and minorities would need “the bar to be lowered” if they want to be moderators? :smack: ---
**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:** [November 21, 2019, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unclear-moderation-how-am-i-being-a-jerk-moderation-based-on-rules-or-mob-opinion/843743/14 "2019-11-21T01:41:23Z")
Since the OP has been banned, this is closed.