The Moderation Discussion Thread (And I hear him every night, On every street) - Politics and Society -- Two Plus Two Poker Forums

In the interests of not having moderation talk clog up the main discussion threads, we have decided that a Mod Discussion thread might be in the best interests of the subforum. Obviously we are opening ourselves up to a world of pain, so here are our individual thoughts on modding philosophy and initial pleas for mercy:

Quote:

Originally Posted by EADGBE

As a poster, I was primarily concerned with feeling out and finding the 'correct' position on things. As a citizen, I would fully encourage partisanship and push for change. However, as a discussion forum moderator, I feel that my job is to create as clean and as fair a venue for productive discussion as possible.

By 'clean' I mean an environment which cuts down on the general toxicity that pervades online political discussion.

By 'fair' I mean moderating decisions which do not reflect upon any particular personal beliefs.

So these are the two main lenses through which I try to evaluate any modding decisions.

Obviously these ideals are aspirational, and it is impossible to completely eliminate things like mod bias. Often I find myself giving the more liberal posters a tiny bit extra slack because I think they are 'right,' which is unfortunate. What I really want to avoid is becoming some sort of arbiter of truth wherein I allow some posts but not others based upon how correct I feel they are.

We also cannot totally eliminate combative adversarial type posting, or there would be no room for disagreement; which is essential for productive discussion. So, I believe the idea is to cut down on those types of toxic posts which are not really necessary to make a point, such as personal attacks. These decisions will also, unfortunately, be inconsistent as they will always be subjective personal judgment calls. They will also be inconsistent between TD and I, as we will naturally have different tolerance thresholds and views of where the line is.

You are welcome to criticize our modding decisions. We only ask for a bit a patience and understanding of what our modding goals are.

Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by tame_deuces

As a poster I was primarily concerned with the debate, I like argument. I don’t really hold strong personal beliefs on “acceptable tone”, as a poster I would tend to just ignore the trolling or flamebait (as in I would ignore it to the level where I would literally not see such posts, they are easy to recognize and skip).

As a moderator I must read what is posted, and I will simply try to moderate under the guidelines of the forum and the goals set forth by 2+2. That to me means a standard of “bearably” civil; direct personal attacks and flame-bait is a no go. Similar for wishing people harm.

As for bias, my biases are probably somewhat strange for a US centric forum. As a “center-right” in my country I will have beliefs on the role of the state to support citizens that in the US are usually only seen in progressives, combined with views on business, national security and foreign policy probably more associated with the right. I do not have a conservative bone in my body, my country not at the point where conservatism is a necessary component of the right. I find it doubtful that it is possible to put bias aside in all moderator decisions, I think an ideal of fairness is better than an illusion of neutrality.

Like EADGBE I find the role of “arbiter of truth” to be uncomfortable. I will put the foot down of strong unsubstantiated claims about people or groups, such as calling them traitors or terrorists when no such evidence is apparent. Similar for overtly harmful conspiracy stuff, like Covid-19 conspiracies.

I do not mind adversarial posting that much. This is a politics forum; many are here to trade blows. I think attacking the views is much more elegant and preferable than attacking the man, however.

This forum gets some flak for being uncivil at times. That is perhaps true, still it is also a forum where people from different political views are still arguing. This is getting more and more rare out there, social media making echo-chambers out of most political discourse. The odd uncivility aside, this is something to be proud of.

Oh, and we will make mistakes and get things wrong. Still, we are not here to ruin anyone’s day.

The floodgates are now opened.

Last edited by King Spew; 09-29-2021 at 04:05 PM.

07-31-2020 , 07:06 PM

d2_e4

certifiable moron

Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 12,010

Thanks for doing this both, the transparency is appreciated.

07-31-2020 , 07:21 PM

Schlitz mmmm

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 27,685

I have committed to memory both of my recently deleted posts. They deserve a voice and want to sing!!!!

07-31-2020 , 07:34 PM

tame_deuces

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 17,817

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schlitz mmmm

I have committed to memory both of my recently deleted posts. They deserve a voice and want to sing!!!!

They had some scovilles, I'll grant that it was of the more elegant kind.

07-31-2020 , 07:42 PM

EADGBE

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 15,841

Along a similar vein, I thought the ‘unctuous’ post was a bit too cleverly worded to delete. Sorry Chez. #modbias

07-31-2020 , 08:20 PM

d2_e4

certifiable moron

Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 12,010

Quote:

Originally Posted by EADGBE

Along a similar vein, I thought the ‘unctuous’ post was a bit too cleverly worded to delete. Sorry Chez. #modbias

Lol. Apparently the first draft wasn't

07-31-2020 , 08:54 PM

chezlaw

Limey Bastard

Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 46,838

They could be kind and delete many of your other posts so that you can another go.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EADGBE

Along a similar vein, I thought the ‘unctuous’ post was a bit too cleverly worded to delete. Sorry Chez. #modbias

No problem. Apart from keeping the forum tidy there's no need to delete posts attacking me on my account. Well crafted insults are always enjoyed, however dishonest or misguided - or even accurate. Amusing is good too.

07-31-2020 , 08:58 PM

chezlaw

Limey Bastard

Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 46,838

On a modding note. Would you consider stopping attacks on posters who cant post in this forum. Apart from being scummy, I think it's unhealthy for 2+2.

07-31-2020 , 09:05 PM

goofyballer

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 70,719

Quote:

Originally Posted by chezlaw

On a modding note. Would you consider stopping attacks on posters who cant post in this forum. Apart from being scummy, I think it's unhealthy for 2+2.

Pretty sure there's nothing stopping BruceZ from posting here, chez.

07-31-2020 , 09:05 PM

#10

d2_e4

certifiable moron

Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 12,010

Quote:

Originally Posted by chezlaw

They could be kind and delete many of your other posts so that you can another go.

That was actually pretty good. I didn't even know you had a sense of humour, you should bring it along more often!

07-31-2020 , 09:13 PM

#11

EADGBE

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 15,841

Quote:

Originally Posted by chezlaw

On a modding note. Would you consider stopping attacks on posters who cant post in this forum. Apart from being scummy, I think it's unhealthy for 2+2.

Haven't really thought about it, but my first impression is that that would be a bit too nanny state, even for me. I would probably be inclined to just leave it as long as it is more or less civil in tone.

I agree that it is not fair to be criticizing people who are unable to respond. However, I don't know that I will be losing any sleep over the feelings of posters who were rambunctious enough to actually get themselves exiled from a place such as this.

07-31-2020 , 09:13 PM

#12

chezlaw

Limey Bastard

Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 46,838

@d2, Witty but I know you've been appreciating the humour that I invariably post with.

Well noticing anyway.

07-31-2020 , 09:18 PM

#13

chezlaw

Limey Bastard

Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 46,838

Quote:

Originally Posted by EADGBE

It's not about losing sleep or feelings but I agree it's not such a big deal when very few posters get exiled. Hopefully wont get out of hand but can be bad for 2+2 if posters are being misrepresented or lied about and have no right of reply without crapping on some other part of 2+2.

07-31-2020 , 09:30 PM

#14

EADGBE

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 15,841

I mean, I agree that objectively it probably would be a 'good' policy, however it must also be weighed against considerations such as not wanting to create an oppressive Rapini-esque modding atmosphere.

07-31-2020 , 10:46 PM

#15

formula72

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 4,304

Quote:

Originally Posted by EADGBE

I agree, let it go.

For example, I personally know BruceZ and he has been doing very well this last year. I doubt he'd care much about poo flinging towards him here after this much time.

08-01-2020 , 01:15 AM

#16

chezlaw

Limey Bastard

Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 46,838

and we don't want to lose our drinking game of a shot every time one of the unstuckied use the name.

08-01-2020 , 01:21 AM

#17

goofyballer

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 70,719

Yes you do, chez. You can't answer questions about him and it's so irked you to see his name brought up that you complained in the moderation thread (without using his name!) to try to save his good reputation from being sullied here.

08-01-2020 , 01:33 AM

#18

Mat Sklansky

Administrator

Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 10,070

Quote:

Originally Posted by chezlaw

and we don't want to lose our drinking game of a shot every time one of the unstuckied use the name.

Quote:

Originally Posted by goofyballer

very silly exchange?

08-01-2020 , 02:04 AM

#19

Mat Sklansky

Administrator

Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 10,070

i will elaborate.

08-01-2020 , 02:05 AM

#20

chezlaw

Limey Bastard

Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 46,838

One of the many extraordinary battering of the head against walls of all times is the odd group of posters dedicating so much time and effort in trying to irk me. It's a phenomena worthy of serious academic research or even an Alan Bennett comedy

and goofy's last post was mean spirited (pun intended) - didn't give us a shot.

08-01-2020 , 06:23 AM

#21

tame_deuces

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 17,817

I come back to check on the thread and I find videos and squabbling.

08-01-2020 , 12:19 PM

#22

lagtight

banned

Join Date: Aug 2017 Posts: 10,279

Quote:

Originally Posted by tame_deuces

I come back to check on the thread and I find videos and squabbling.

The Moderation Discussion Thread (And I hear him every night, On every street)

Can I post a video of people squabbling?

08-02-2020 , 04:26 AM

#23

lvr

veteran

Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 2,743

Quote:

Originally Posted by EADGBE

I've seen many conservatives have this curious assumption that since they are generally unwilling to call out heinous behavior amongst their own, the Liberals must be the same.

a mod is posting this lol

and y'all wonder why so many posts get deleted from one side heh

08-02-2020 , 08:27 AM

#24

d2_e4

certifiable moron

Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 12,010

Quote:

Originally Posted by lvr

a mod is posting this lol

and y'all wonder why so many posts get deleted from one side heh

Plenty of posts get deleted from this side, trust me, and mods are allowed to have opinions, and even voice them.

If your posts get deleted it's not because you're a conservative, it's because you should post better.

08-02-2020 , 12:01 PM

#25

MrWookie

Don't Call Me Meredith

Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 94,159

Quote:

Originally Posted by d2_e4

Dude, the first rule of any politics forum is that if a conservative -- you know, the people who tout PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY -- is subject to any moderation action at all, it's because of the biased moderator, not anything they did wrong.

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