# You are not a moderator **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 14, 2001, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-not-a-moderator/93214 "2001-11-14T00:12:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![TheLoadedDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@TheLoadedDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLoadedDog)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2001, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-not-a-moderator/93214/21 "2001-11-14T01:42:16Z")
Don’t worry, I’ll fix that pesky **pldennison** for you. Next week, Gods willing, I’ll pump a few gallons of Australian beer into him, and post some digicam shots of him lying under a pool table wearing nothing but a tu-tu and micky mouse ears with Fosters beer labels stuck to them. Still on for Sunday, **pld** , mate? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2001, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-not-a-moderator/93214/22 "2001-11-14T01:44:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pldennison \* > **…it’s going to have to wait until I get back from Australia. So sorry to disappoint you, but if it makes you feel better, you can flame me with impunity for three whole weeks.** Huh. Trying to disguise my three-week banning of you as a _trip to Australia_. Pretty lame. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2001, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-not-a-moderator/93214/23 "2001-11-14T01:55:12Z")
As it happens, I _ **am** _ a moderator. [sub]Not on the Straight Dope Message Board, of course.[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![Xploder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/a183cd/32.png) [@Xploder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xploder)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2001, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-not-a-moderator/93214/24 "2001-11-14T01:57:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by tomndebb \* > \*\*As it happens, I _ **am** _ a moderator. > > [sub]Not on the Straight Dope Message Board, of course.[/sub] \*\* Guess it doesn’t count here then, hmmm? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2001, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-not-a-moderator/93214/25 "2001-11-14T02:06:00Z")
No, but I play one on TV. As you can see from these fabulous product shots… [sub]Wha? Oh - hehe, ooops.[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![IzzyR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/2acd7d/32.png) [@IzzyR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IzzyR)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2001, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-not-a-moderator/93214/26 "2001-11-14T02:10:28Z")
To add to the OP, I’ve several times asked for clarification about the sometimes-vague SDMB rules, and had them answered by non-moderators. These members felt they had a handle on the rules, and they may well be right, but no one has any way to know if they are, so I don’t think it is helpful for them to answer it. **Curious George** once tried to head this off by specifically requesting that only moderators answer his question, but several posters took umbrage at the very suggestion that they refrain from offering their opinions. (Including, interestingly, one **pldennison** 😉 ). ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2001, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-not-a-moderator/93214/27 "2001-11-14T02:38:52Z")
Well… with certain exceptions, when someone has both a high post count and a fair amount of time on the board I think their opinions _should_ be given some measure of respect and have some weight beyond that given to newer posters. Obviously most people will judge each post on its merits, but when I see that Esprix or Anthracite or Scylla et al is making some point about board etiquette or a related issue I tend to give ther opinons more weight than newbieposter101’s regardless of their actual power to deliver an adminstrative smackdown. Beyond that, the board needs experienced people to help guide and police threads. Mods can’t be everywhere doing everything. A functioning tribe needs both elders and a chief. ---
**Author:** ![Hombre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ecb155/32.png) [@Hombre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hombre)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2001, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-not-a-moderator/93214/28 "2001-11-14T02:51:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Hamadryad \* > **I dunno, I’d like to please throw right the hell in with pldennison on this, for the same reason: months of observation.** Ditto. Though the provided threads don’t convey as much. I _reeeaaallly_ hate those out-of-line count downs > [@](#): > > **" yaddeh yaddeh blah blah empty threat whine."** Nothing to comment on here. I just like the sound of that. All together now… Yaddeh yaddeh blah blah empty threat whine, You’re not a moderator. I, me, mine. Don’t make me count you out - 7, 8, 9… Yaddeh yaddeh blah blah empty threat whine 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Rysdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@Rysdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysdad)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2001, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-not-a-moderator/93214/29 "2001-11-14T02:56:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pldennison \* > \*\*As far as Rysdad, there’s a qualitative difference between “calling someone out in the Pit” and: > > “Since you won’t be here much longer, would you mind answering something, please?” Yeah? Says who?\*\* Me. I said it. \*\* > [@](#): > > “Yep, he violated the “don’t be a jerk” rule, and he posted in a trollish manner, e.g., posting something inflammatory just in order to garner a response.” Yeah? Says who?\*\* Me again. \*\* > [@](#): > > If you can find anything in my OP that is counterfactual, you let me know. \*\* Just this: \*\* > [@](#): > > You are not a moderator. The sooner you face that fact, the better you will feel.\*\* Hell, I’m glad I’m not a moderator. I would not feel better if I were a moderator, so that statement is false. **pld** , If what I did ruffles your feathers…_preen_ or something. ---
**Author:** ![Hombre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ecb155/32.png) [@Hombre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hombre)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2001, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-not-a-moderator/93214/30 "2001-11-14T02:56:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Hamadryad \* > **I dunno, I’d like to please throw right the hell in with pldennison on this, for the same reason: months of observation.** Ditto. Though the provided threads don’t convey as much. I _reeeaaallly_ hate those out-of-line count downs > [@](#): > > **" yaddeh yaddeh blah blah empty threat whine."** Nothing to comment on here. I just like the sound of that. All together now… Yaddeh yaddeh blah blah empty threat whine, You’re not a moderator. I, me, mine. Don’t make me count you out - 7, 8, 9… Yaddeh yaddeh blah blah empty threat whine 😃 ---
**Author:** ![minty\_green](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@minty\_green](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minty_green)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2001, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-not-a-moderator/93214/31 "2001-11-14T03:01:58Z")
Can I just say that YANAM should be a new Board acronym? ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_Ellis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/977dab/32.png) [@Michael\_Ellis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael_Ellis)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2001, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-not-a-moderator/93214/32 "2001-11-14T03:02:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Atreyu \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by pldennison \* > > \*\*There are a lot of us cows here at the Straight Dope, and none of us are sacred. \*\* > > Got milk? \*\* Nope. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Sweet\_Sota\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@Sweet\_Sota\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sweet_Sota_Girl)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2001, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-not-a-moderator/93214/33 "2001-11-14T04:23:26Z")
The bottom line is that the Mods and Admins are out here. They see what goes in each thread. And if they think someone needs an ass whipping, they’ll be sure it’s handed out. It’s not like they **never** ban anyone, but just threaten to. They do it when they think it’s necessary. Not when someone else (no matter _who else_ it may be) tells them to. And when someone is being a complete ass in a thread, they probably don’t need you to point it out. They aren’t blind either ya know. Now I’m not saying that if someone is being a total ass that you/we/me/anyone shouldn’t tell them so. By all means, tell them. But don’t tell them that their “time is running out”. Because really only the Mods know when someone’s time on SDMB is about to expire. ---
**Author:** ![Fletch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/919ad9/32.png) [@Fletch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fletch)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2001, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-not-a-moderator/93214/34 "2001-11-14T04:41:13Z")
Place me in the same booth as PLD and Hama, but I won’t name names. I too have observed over the months some members assuming a “pseudo-moderator” attitude. The closest thing I have seen to this was Satan just prior to him getting the boot. I think it can probably be blamed on the “ebb and flow” of the board and the attitudes. ---
**Author:** ![Drastic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Drastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drastic)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2001, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-not-a-moderator/93214/35 "2001-11-14T04:51:37Z")
> [@](#): > > Can I just say that YANAM should be a new Board acronym? Seconded! ---
**Author:** ![waterj2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/858c86/32.png) [@waterj2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waterj2)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2001, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-not-a-moderator/93214/36 "2001-11-14T05:00:31Z")
Actually, water is a fairly commonly used moderator, and I’d imagine that waterj2 is probably even closer to heavy water than normal water, and would thus make an even better moderator. :: ducks and runs :: ---
**Author:** ![Badtz\_Maru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e36b37/32.png) [@Badtz\_Maru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Badtz_Maru)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2001, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-not-a-moderator/93214/37 "2001-11-14T05:04:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by astro \* > \*\*Well… with certain exceptions, when someone has both a high post count and a fair amount of time on the board I think their opinions _should_ be given some measure of respect and have some weight beyond that given to newer posters. Obviously most people will judge each post on its merits, but when I see that Esprix or Anthracite or Scylla et al is making some point about board etiquette or a related issue I tend to give ther opinons more weight than newbieposter101’s regardless of their actual power to deliver an adminstrative smackdown. > > Beyond that, the board needs experienced people to help guide and police threads. Mods can’t be everywhere doing everything. A functioning tribe needs both elders and a chief. \*\* Well, I have more posts than you, and **I** think that you are wrong. 8^) ---
**Author:** ![warmgun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecccb3/32.png) [@warmgun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/warmgun)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2001, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-not-a-moderator/93214/38 "2001-11-14T05:21:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by astro \* > **Well… with certain exceptions, when someone has both a high post count and a fair amount of time on the board I think their opinions _should_ be given some measure of respect and have some weight beyond that given to newer posters.** What exceptions would those be? Or should I say who? > [@](#): > > \*\*…when I see that Esprix or Anthracite or Scylla et al is making some point about board etiquette \ I tend to give the{i}r opinons more weight than newbieposter101’s… \*\* Giving advice about board etiquette is a far cry from telling someone how much longer they have got or starting a ban countdown. 3rd for YANAM. **Hombre** , how the hell did you double post _5 minutes_ apart? You’re ass is outta here…10, 9, 8, 7… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2001, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-not-a-moderator/93214/39 "2001-11-14T07:03:38Z")
PLD… In my opinion, you missed my point (though it ain’t yer fault, big guy). I’m trying to point out that the simple act of reminding someone of the rules of the Board do _not_ constitute “thinking oneself to be a moderator”. We have, what, 18 mods and admins? 18 people to patrol a message board of almost 20,000 people? How the hell do you expect them to be capable of keeping up with the sheer volume of posts and threads that come down the pike? Simply put, they can’t. Not consistently, and not without devoting half their day to their job. Basically (and in my opinion) a bit of self-governing amongst the general populace of “commoners” is necessary. Certainly, the mods are the final arbiter of every conflict, but barring that, what is to be done? Is a moderator’s voice necessary for every single debate and argument? Of course some people may take this a bit too far. But, for the most part, actions that can be construed as “believing oneself to be a moderator” are often simple parrotings of what mods and admins have said in the past. Established rules, etiquette, protocol… many of the active posters here are well aware of them, and can pass that information on to people who are NOT aware of them. That does NOT mean that such a person “believes himself to be a moderator”. ---
**Author:** ![warmgun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecccb3/32.png) [@warmgun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/warmgun)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2001, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-not-a-moderator/93214/40 "2001-11-14T07:33:41Z")
With every post I reads of yours I become more and more impressed. You are one level-headed dude. However I do take issue with you on this point. The OP is specifically talking about posters who ‘threaten’ other posters by insinuating that they can be banned or are going to be banned soon. I totally agree with your above post, but it does not address the members who ‘throw their weight around’. I remember what it was like to be a low-count newbie (less than 100). It can scary for them to be ‘threatened’. Point (again): > [@](#): > > the simple act of reminding someone of the rules of the Board do not constitute “thinking oneself to be a moderator”. Saying, “since you’re not going to around much longer…”, is NOT “a simple act of reminding”. None of this, however, reflects the respect I have for you. I just think _you_ are missing the point on this one. Humbly, Steven [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-not-a-moderator/93214.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-not-a-moderator/93214.md?page=3)