# What's with the mods lately? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [March 20, 2010, 10:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-mods-lately/533122 "2010-03-20T10:07:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Xploder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/a183cd/32.png) [@Xploder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xploder)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-mods-lately/533122/41 "2010-03-22T22:33:15Z")
Thanks for the comment **Marley** , but could you please comment on this: > [@All right, I'll ask. Being a jerk via PM?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-right-ill-ask-being-a-jerk-via-pm/532750/257): > > So, let me get this straight, Marley reacted to something that Sleeps didn’t actually say when she was reacting to something that Marley hadn’t actually done. Because that’s the basis of all the recent commentary here and you seem to be, as always, ignoring it completely. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-mods-lately/533122/42 "2010-03-22T22:37:13Z")
> [@Xploder](#): > > Thanks for the comment **Marley** , but could you please comment on this: No. The 13 posts I made in that thread are all the explanation I’m giving. I think that’s plenty. And that is not “the basis of all the recent commentary here.” Maybe it’s one of the suspensions **ivn1188** has in mind, but he also asks about some issues that don’t have anything to do with **Sleeps With Butterflies**. ---
**Author:** ![Xploder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/a183cd/32.png) [@Xploder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xploder)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-mods-lately/533122/43 "2010-03-22T22:58:58Z")
Fine. Thanks for the usual non-answer. ---
**Author:** ![Xploder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/a183cd/32.png) [@Xploder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xploder)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-mods-lately/533122/44 "2010-03-22T23:11:14Z")
For the record, I couldn’t give a shit less if **Sleeps** was suspended, banned or what. I just want to know if there was a real thinking process going on behind the scenes or not, because from here, and from what I read, it sure doesn’t seem like it in the least little bit. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-mods-lately/533122/45 "2010-03-22T23:36:43Z")
> [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](#): > > Can’t say I notice any major change. Perhaps if the OP had included some links… Truth be told…OK, it does seem that they have been a lot more vigilant on the rules about asking for legal and medical advice. But everyone has to admit that’s been a well known and clearly defined rule for ages. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-mods-lately/533122/46 "2010-03-22T23:54:56Z")
I think a positive change, although not particularly recent, is that the moderators have a wider range of options when it comes to enforcing the rules. I don’t think they had the option to suspend a poster until a couple of years ago, or at least they didn’t seem to use it. Before then there were only warnings, followed in time by bannings. As I see it, the SDMB tries to observe a few fundamental principles which occasionally come into conflict with each other. [ul] [li]Maintain a forum for discussion that is as free as possible, however,[/li][li]Professional liability issues compel limitations in discussions about medicine and law, and[/li][li]Possible liability with regard to furthering unlawful behavior must be avoided[/li][li]Encourage reasoned debate, but also (presumably) encourage a “salable” character with regard to the message board. These conflict with each other, because most of us seem to be the sort of people who would gladly watch a talking-head show on TV if it’s about our own special subjects, but the masses want action and entertainment.[/li][/ul] That’s just my take on it, but it sounds like a pretty tough job to manage this place. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-mods-lately/533122/47 "2010-03-22T23:55:44Z")
> [@Xploder](#): > > I just want to know if there was a real thinking process going on behind the scenes or not, because from here, and from what I read, it sure doesn’t seem like it in the least little bit. Yes. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-mods-lately/533122/48 "2010-03-22T23:57:02Z")
> [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](#): > > I think a positive change, although not particularly recent, is that the moderators have a wider range of options when it comes to enforcing the rules. I don’t think they had the option to suspend a poster until a couple of years ago, or at least they didn’t seem to use it. Before then there were only warnings, followed in time by bannings. > > As I see it, the SDMB tries to observe a few fundamental principles which occasionally come into conflict with each other. > > [ul] > [li]Maintain a forum for discussion that is as free as possible, however,[/li][li]Professional liability issues compel limitations in discussions about medicine and law, and[/li][li]Possible liability with regard to furthering unlawful behavior must be avoided[/li][li]Encourage reasoned debate, but also (presumably) encourage a “salable” character with regard to the message board. These conflict with each other, because most of us seem to be the sort of people who would gladly watch a talking-head show on TV if it’s about our own special subjects, but the masses want action and entertainment.[/li][/ul] > That’s just my take on it, but it sounds like a pretty tough job to manage this place. I think you’re spot-on. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2010, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-mods-lately/533122/49 "2010-03-23T00:03:59Z")
> [@Xploder](#): > > I just want to know if there was a real thinking process going on behind the scenes or not, because from here, and from what I read, it sure doesn’t seem like it in the least little bit. There is, yes. And I think I explained it at enough length in the other thread. Like I said in my first post in this topic, though, I’m not going to reargue that suspension or any of the other ones, since most of them were already discussed in their own threads. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2010, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-mods-lately/533122/50 "2010-03-23T00:47:08Z")
> [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](#): > > That’s just my take on it, but it sounds like a pretty tough job to manage this place. All the more so since it was bought out by the Sheinhardt Wig Company. ---
**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:** [March 23, 2010, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-mods-lately/533122/51 "2010-03-23T10:53:43Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > There is, yes. And I think I explained it at enough length in the other thread. Like I said in my first post in this topic, though, I’m not going to reargue that suspension or any of the other ones, since most of them were already discussed in their own threads. But you haven’t explained sufficiently. Lots of people since then have made other points that you have not addressed. There may be vitriol, but that’s the price you pay for not allowing people to get their anger at you out in the Pit. If you won’t comment here, at least go back and say something in the appropriate thread. ---
**Author:** ![Xploder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/a183cd/32.png) [@Xploder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xploder)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2010, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-mods-lately/533122/52 "2010-03-23T11:29:33Z")
Well at least I’m not showing any vitriol. Hell, I’m trying to be nice and semi-reasonable. ---
**Author:** ![Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2010, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-mods-lately/533122/53 "2010-03-23T12:16:52Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > If you think that it’s so damn easy to run a message board, why don’t you start one yourself. > > 😛 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2010, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-mods-lately/533122/54 "2010-03-23T13:42:02Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > But you haven’t explained sufficiently. I realize people still have questions, but it’s the Straight Dope. People almost always have questions. I explained my side and our side of things and I’m not interested in spending any more time on it. > [@](#): > > There may be vitriol, but that’s the price you pay for not allowing people to get their anger at you out in the Pit. This doesn’t have anything to do with the Pit. > [@](#): > > If you won’t comment here, at least go back and say something in the appropriate thread. I haven’t posted in that thread in almost a week. I think the message was already clear. Now, like I said in my first post in this thread, I’m not rearguing this in here. ---
**Author:** ![Xploder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/a183cd/32.png) [@Xploder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xploder)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2010, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-mods-lately/533122/55 "2010-03-23T15:23:30Z")
Yes you are. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2010, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-mods-lately/533122/56 "2010-03-23T15:39:18Z")
So do you have a question about the topic of _this_ thread? > [@ivn1188](#): > > It seems like there have been a lot of threads closed for silly reasons. There has been a noticeable uptick in bannings and suspensions for pretty much ridiculous “infractions”. **TubaDiva** seems to be running around closing every thread that isn’t worshipful of the mods, if **Czarcasm** hasn’t beaten her to it. > > My question is, “Why?” > > I mean, there are obviously (looking at the photo gallery) a lot of adults here. What’s with the overzealous and frankly silly modding, and the “sensitive” rules? > > Why do all of these threads need to be closed? Why do we get so little transparency and so many “because I said so” replies? > > Maybe a lot of the mods have been doing it too long, or maybe it’s because people are scared of impending financial failure and want to promote some sort of salable message board. There are still a few who seem to be possessed of a bit of discretion and common sense – those are the ones that aren’t the subject of an ATMB (because there is no pitting) thread every couple of days or who aren’t closing every other thread here in ATMB because it’s easier than being consistent and logical. Apparently, even discussions of rules now must be closed because **TubaDiva** just “isn’t having it”. > > Either way, there has been a decline in quality posters and an increase in content that I would best qualify as “something I would see on Yahoo Answers”. > > This board is supposed to be a haven for intellectuals, a place where people aren’t hypersensitive, and where poster provides cites and reasoned discussion, or at least aspire to do so. > > But it keeps getting more and more ridiculous, where good posters get banned because they “cross the line”, which gets closer to unthinking agreement and mindless sunshine every day. > > Let’s have some actual bright line rules, and less butthurt sensitivity by certain moderators. Maybe it is a thankless job. Fine. Quit. If it’s so important to have some respect and authority, maybe you need to rethink what this board is supposed to be about. As it stands, a lot of these decisions are doing a lot of harm and zero good, because of mod ego, administrator fears, and poster frustration. ---
**Author:** ![Sister\_Vigilante](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@Sister\_Vigilante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sister_Vigilante)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2010, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-mods-lately/533122/57 "2010-03-23T16:34:20Z")
Right, I forgot Lynn. But I do remember when Dexter was just a mod. Carry on. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2010, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-mods-lately/533122/58 "2010-03-23T17:39:34Z")
> [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](#): > > As I see it, the SDMB tries to observe a few fundamental principles which occasionally come into conflict with each other. > > [ul] > [li]Professional liability issues compel limitations in discussions about medicine and law[/li][/ul] > [@samclem](#): > > . . . spot on For the life of me I don’t understand this point. Sure, I see what TPTB are getting at, but there are a zillion Q&A’s for medical issues on the web and obviously they’re not being sued. If all those sites have escaped such a fate (and their quality is often _highly_ suspect), how can anyone seriously believe there’s potential liability for the Dope? It just makes no sense. And, this would seem to be especially true given the excellence of the medical help around here anyway. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Syntropy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@Syntropy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Syntropy)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2010, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-mods-lately/533122/59 "2010-03-23T17:42:55Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > So do you have a question about the topic of _this_ thread? Yes. When are you going to address the last paragraph in that OP? Because sanctimonious pronouncements that you’ve ‘discussed that topic enough’ doesn’t address the fact that while you discussed it plenty, you didn’t actually answer any questions. Nor did you acknowledge that you may have misinterpreted, or that there is a possibility no matter how remote that you may have made a mistake. Everyone makes mistakes, even in committee. Your inability to acknowledge that, or even that an alternative opinion may be valid, most assuredly smacks of egotism bordering on narcissism. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2010, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-mods-lately/533122/60 "2010-03-23T18:27:11Z")
> [@Syntropy](#): > > When are you going to address the last paragraph in that OP? To be honest I thought it was venting and didn’t see a real issue to address. But if you insist: > [@ivn1188](#): > > Let’s have some actual bright line rules, and less butthurt sensitivity by certain moderators. ‘Don’t be a jerk’ has been the primary rule here for a long time. It’s a vague principle, but the main idea is well understood: don’t insult other posters and don’t troll. Beyond that, yes, we ask that people treat the moderators in the same half-decent way they are supposed to treat everyone else. In the case of moderating that means you can dispute any decision you want, but don’t be abusive about it. And if you think a ruling is completely moronic, go to ATMB or private messages and say so instead of ignoring it. I don’t think that’s asking very much. > [@](#): > > Maybe it is a thankless job. I don’t consider it a thankless job. I don’t even think it’s very hard, to tell you the truth. Disputes like these are a small part of moderating, from where I sit. > [@](#): > > If it’s so important to have some respect and authority It isn’t. > [@](#): > > maybe you need to rethink what this board is supposed to be about. The board isn’t about the mods in the first place. Our job, generally, is to keep conversations moving and maintain what people like about the board. Sometimes that causes a little too much intertia and institutional conservatism for my tastes, but there you go. > [@](#): > > As it stands, a lot of these decisions are doing a lot of harm and zero good, because of mod ego, administrator fears, and poster frustration. Which decisions, and what harm? What is it that made you decide any particular decision came from “mod ego and adminstrator fears” rather than just a different view of a situation or the rules? I recognize that people find it frustrating when they think we’ve made a stupid decision, but that’s always been the case. I don’t think that’s changed and I don’t think there’s anything up with the staff lately. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-mods-lately/533122.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-mods-lately/533122.md?page=4)