Take back Modified

[Jeremy]

lol man, if you don't like the admin, put up your own forum then.

There is no POWER on an internet forum. You can't be forced to do anything.

Ya. Buzz off if you don't like it. Everyone on this forum is free to do the same.

As moderators on a internet forum, we don't have to do shit, or respect shit. If we were jerks, and edited people's posts to say things like, "P.S.: I'm a stupid asshole" and otherwise abused other users, the repercussion would be that people would eventually leave the forum and the numbers would dwindle and the forum would become stagnant. The desire for that not to happen is the only thing we really answer to. However, I believe that all the mods on this forum are generally nice, friendly, welcoming, and respectful of other users, simply because that's the kind of people we are, and we love footbag and helping others enjoy and experience it.

So, accept that, as a whole, the moderating team here on modified is nice, helpful, welcoming, reasonable, understanding, accessible, and working pro-bono. If you don't like it, fuck off and find someplace else that you like better.

If a moderator does something like edit your poll to reflect negatively on you because this is a special circumstance, and you've made a terrible stink of our discussion forum lately... well, good luck with this coup you're working on. I think a more effective plan of action might be to fuck off and find someplace else you like better.

And yet nobody apart from the mods have said they think the mods are doing a good job - lots of people say that they're over zealous now and a few people say they don't really care. I think you're attitude really sucks. Being a moderator is a responsibility - it shouldn't be a position of power.

[Moxie]

I'm going to have to disagree with some of the things you said, Matt.

1. The "if you don't like it, leave" attitude sucks. And my natural response to it is "No, the mods don't make the forum, so they shouldn't break it either." If there were a bunch of people who voiced opinions on the way things were being handled (like the current situation), I would want the situation to be dealt with, not ignored by us. The last thing we need in this sport is more separation and bad feelings. We're too small for that, and it doesn't suit us well as nice, kind, welcoming people.

2. If you started writing jerkish messages to people in their own posts, I would edit it back to normal as soon as I noticed it. I would talk with the other mods/admin about it, and we would figure out if it was going to stop, or if you should even have the ability to edit other people's posts anymore. I would not wait until people started leaving.

3. If I didn't know you and saw you telling people to just "accept" it that you're "nice, helpful, welcoming, reasonable, understanding, accessible," would give me the impression that you're not any of those things (even though I know you are many of those things).

[Iain]

And yet nobody apart from the mods have said they think the mods are doing a good job

I think the mods are doing a good job

[mc]

Thanks for taking the time to consider my post, Emily.

1. yes, that attitude sucks, but I think it's on solid ground. Maybe a better way for me to voice my attitude would be to put it as, "We are doing our best and we really want to be helpful and make sure you like it here. However, if you're going to be irascible and uncooperative, there's a good chance the people you're dealing with aren't going to remain so nice. We've tried our best to be accomodating, but we've come to some rules, and we're going to stick to them. If you don't like that, leave. Certainly, don't think that you're going to be able to make a stink and bitch your way into..."

Hmmm... I'm reading back over what you said, and you don't seem to be disagreeing with anything I said.

It seems that 1. you just don't like the attitude of one sentiment among many in that post, 2. that you think my example of a mod acting obviously like an asshole would indeed make them an asshole, and 3. that you don't think I've represented myself *in this 1 post out of thousands* as I've described myself and the rest of the mod team.

well, 1. That attitude is directed towards people who refuse to cooperate, towards people with whom we've attempted to cooperate and made efforts to please, but who won't give back any cooperation. So, to them, I say, we've tried, and will continue to try. We are willing to discuss this matter but not roll over on it. if you STILL don't like it, your only recourse is to leave. My attitude towards helpful, cooperative, nice people is to be helpful, cooperative, and nice. Do you disagree with that?

2. That was an example of something a mod should NOT do, and would give users reason and cause to leave. That wasn't a game plan for future edits I plan on making. What, did you think that was a threat or something? Before making that statement, I set a condition (if we, as a whole, were jerks) and that condition hasn't been met. It was a hypothetical example. But thanks for making it clear that you'd take action if anyone were to do that. Good. I would, too. Kosher?

3. Who cares what this would be like if you didn't know me? I posted this under the context of being a well-known poster. Anyone who's not familiar with my posts and my style as a mod and a modified user can either read my blog or search for all posts by me or both. If you don't think the way I described myself and the rest of us is represented in this post, maybe consider expanding your scope a little beyond this post.

How can I make this clear...

Yes, that last post I made was very blunt, and not very welcoming and friendly. Frankly, I'm not feeling very welcoming or friendly towards Sam right now, and I don't owe him that. No one does. However, I think it's good general personal policy to be nice, helpful, resourceful, and reasonable, and that's the kind of personal policy I show most users on this forum. Do you disagree with that?

Look, I said something sharp, and I still feel what I said. But, the proof is in the pudding. Take a look at my post record. Lots more helpfulness than your average poster, I'm sure.

How about this, for my formal statement:

"We will make efforts to accomodate and respect any opinion or idea given to us in a reasonable manner. We will be nice, friendly, helpful, and respectful, not because there's some set of rules or responsibilities hanging over our heads, but because we're nice, helpful people, generally, and that's why we were chosen to have some moderating abilities in the first place. We are going to remain firm on some things, no matter how nice or mean you are about it, and if you don't like it, you are free to go."

Wow...

Most misconstrued post EVER... Jeez, em, what exactly are you disagreeing with?

And, jeremy. I take words like fag and homo out of posts. I erase double posts. I would have erased that blowjob avatar that emily took out of random pictures the other day. I don't personally see it as a position of power, but there are some powers inherent to it. I don't at all feel overzealous. Sorry if you don't like that particular attitude that I expressed. Do you see me acting with that attitude on a regular basis? That attitude is for uncooperative jerks. My nice attitude is for everyone else.

I'm going to have to disagree with some of the things you said, Matt.

1. The "if you don't like it, leave" attitude sucks. And my natural response to it is "No, the mods don't make the forum, so they shouldn't break it either." If there were a bunch of people who voiced opinions on the way things were being handled (like the current situation), I would want the situation to be dealt with, not ignored by us. The last thing we need in this sport is more separation and bad feelings. We're too small for that, and it doesn't suit us well as nice, kind, welcoming people.

2. If you started writing jerkish messages to people in their own posts, I would edit it back to normal as soon as I noticed it. I would talk with the other mods/admin about it, and we would figure out if it was going to stop, or if you should even have the ability to edit other people's posts anymore. I would not wait until people started leaving.

3. If I didn't know you and saw you telling people to just "accept" it that you're "nice, helpful, welcoming, reasonable, understanding, accessible," would give me the impression that you're not any of those things (even though I know you are many of those things).

[shredzilla]

The type of demeanor I expect from a mod/admin in their posts:

I would want the situation to be dealt with, not ignored by us. The last thing we need in this sport is more separation and bad feelings. We're too small for that, and it doesn't suit us well as nice, kind, welcoming people.

The type of demeanor I do not expect from a mod/admin in their posts:

In addition, it's quite fuckin' obvious that he didn't find Jesus in his Juvee cell block a couple of months ago. He was all "ladida god is great and I repent" bullshit, and now he's back to his same old shit. Damn, I hate being right.

Fuck it. He's banned for now. I might let him back in next week some time.

I stated this in another thread, but this post is unprofessional, rude, arrogant, invasive, and offensive. I can't believe these types of posts are tollerated from fellow moderators. He's revealing details of Dan's personal life, using inappropriate language, bragging about it, and then exemplifying his power about how he might let him back on depending on how he feels.

I'm not saying Dan did/did not deserve what he got, but why brag about it? I also don't need to know about Dan's personal life, or if he found jesus in a juvinile correction facility. That's inappropriate. I don't care if Dan revealed it to Modified previously or not, it's inappropriate for a mod to joke around about it.

[Splint]

I'm not saying Dan did/did not deserve what he got, but why brag about it? I also don't need to know about Dan's personal life, or if he found jesus in a juvinile correction facility. That's inappropriate. I don't care if Dan revealed it to Modified previously or not, it's inappropriate for a mod to joke around about it.

But it's okay for everyone else...

Watch your cornhole bud!

[shredzilla]

I'm not a mod, Brad. I shoulod'nt be held to the same leve of professionalismm as an ADMIN. That comment I made was IN the thread itself where Dan was speaking about it. I didn't go on to post about it in other threads. I'm sure some feel that your posts are all appropriate, but I don't. I find a lot of them to be bullyish and rude. Maybe you egged Dan on some huh? You seemed to enjoy having him under your thumb when he begged you for his PMs and things like that.

I am digressing, but my only point is that mods/admins should behave in a professional way. Good examples of this are Jeremy, Mike of course, Moxie, Erik, Ken I felt was somewhat blunt, but he still maintained a level of professionalism.

If you have a problem with my wanting to see professionalism from forum staff members, then what exactly is your problem with that?

[mc]

Professionalism means that you're acting like someone who's getting paid to do what they're doing. There's nothing professional at all about being an internet mod, at least in our case. I feel that it's good policy to be professional, but we're humans, too. And we're normal users, as well. You can't expect us to never respond out of anger, or to never harbor negative feelings about other users that surface in future posts.

We don't owe the community any professionalism. That doesn't mean it's not a good idea to be professional, and it doesn't mean we won't strive for it, most of the time. It just means that if a user wants to take the gloves off and get bareknuckle about something, it's the option of the mod or admin if s/he wants to take the user up on that.

I like the results of professionalism, but it's no obligation.

Anyone have any examples of Brad or other mods / admins being unprofessional, mean, rude, or inflammatory to other users that didn't instigate or deserve it?

(oh, boy, I hope I didn't just call down something unpleasant on myself )

[shredzilla]

Look, I'm not saying you guys should wear uniforms and name tags, I'm just saying if you are going to be the ones enforcing the rules, maybe you could do so with tact and respect for the community. That's what I mean by professionalism.

[Senor Grommet]

while i respect freedom of speech, I also understand the use of post editing priveledges. A person once told me, in response to my complaining about having to pay taxes to a gov't that doesnt govern the way I want them to, "If you don't like the govmt, move to a different country where there are no taxes and the govmt is run differently." I think the same precedent applies here. Bran is am Admin. He is in the position of power and is free to edit posts the way he wishes. And if we don't like it, we can do 4 things: 1) complain, 2) stop posting the type of stuff that gets edited, 3) propose that we as a community vote about specific issues including how to "elect" mods/admins and what powers they have, or 4) leave this forum for a different forum.

[Iain]

5)do the truffle shuffle

[Slowsis]

The mods are LAZY! They left my George Bush being ass-fucked by Osama Bin Laden in the random picture thread go untouched!

Kidding......

You mods do great, especially when you consider the state of most other online communities.

[BalinorNZ]

I disagree with a lot of what you have said Matt and I agree with most of what Moxie said.

I think as mods we do have a responsibility to be professional in what we do, just like the volunteers for most non-profit organisations do. I woulden't expect my local clubs and socs to walk round their building swearing and ripping into people, even if those people do deserve it. The volunteers are elected by the university students to do their job and thus should act professionally.

As moderators we have been selected to maintain the forum and it is a privilage, therefore we sould be responsible and professional in what we say and do. That doesn't mean we can't have some fun and joke round like everyone else, it means we can't start pulling excessive offencive language, racial slurs and general uproars (including using moderation powers) to get our own way or promote our personal cause.

If I am upset with someone on modified I won't edit his posts because that is unprofessional. If I am upset with someone on modified I won't talk offensively to him or personally attack him because that is also unprofessional, and I feel strongly that as volunteers for an organisation we should be professional.

Sorry if I repeated my self a bit there, just tryin to get my opinion across clearly.

[shreddaily]

If I am upset with someone on modified I won't edit his posts because that is unprofessional. If I am upset with someone on modified I won't talk offensively to him or personally attack him because that is also unprofessional, and I feel strongly that as volunteers for an organisation we should be professional.

And thats why you're so boring...

just joking, I'm sure your posts are awsome, but I have paragraphaphobia.

[shredzilla]

Good examples of this are Jeremy, Mike of course, Moxie, Erik, Ken I felt was somewhat blunt, but he still maintained a level of professionalism.

Hey, sorry for leaving you out Nic. You've always been courteous and professional and you do a great job!

[Guest_2]

I think you all suck

and I like caek

[BalinorNZ]

And thats why you're so boring...

Sorry Nate when you are discussing something like this it pays to be very careful what you say, and it seems that the more careful I am, the longer and more drawn out my posts get

[Moxie]

Matt,

1. That attitude is directed towards people who refuse to cooperate, towards people with whom we've attempted to cooperate and made efforts to please, but who won't give back any cooperation.

I think I was thinking you were saying "deal with it" to the whole of modified, not just Sam and Dan. I'm sorry, I should have thought about what I was thinking.

My attitude towards helpful, cooperative, nice people is to be helpful, cooperative, and nice. Do you disagree with that?

No, I don't.

2. That was an example of something a mod should NOT do, and would give users reason and cause to leave. That wasn't a game plan for future edits I plan on making. What, did you think that was a threat or something? Before making that statement, I set a condition (if we, as a whole, were jerks) and that condition hasn't been met. It was a hypothetical example. But thanks for making it clear that you'd take action if anyone were to do that. Good. I would, too. Kosher?

No, I didn't think it was a threat. I didn't get the "set condition" part, I guess. Totally my bad.

Who cares what this would be like if you didn't know me? I posted this under the context of being a well-known poster. Anyone who's not familiar with my posts and my style as a mod and a modified user can either read my blog or search for all posts by me or both. If you don't think the way I described myself and the rest of us is represented in this post, maybe consider expanding your scope a little beyond this post.

I've obviously offended you as a person/mod. That was not my intention, and I apologize for that. What I got from that post felt like a "fuck off if you don't like it" type of attitude, and I can see that I obviously didn't understand what you were trying to convey.

However, I think it's good general personal policy to be nice, helpful, resourceful, and reasonable, and that's the kind of personal policy I show most users on this forum. Do you disagree with that?

No, I don't disagree with that.

Lots more helpfulness than your average poster, I'm sure.

Again, I wasn't attacking you as a helpful person, poster, or Mod. Looking back and hearing your response to it, I totally agree that it was a post that was misunderstood by me.

[BalinorNZ]

Bran is am Admin.

Sorry to break the mood, that was just hilerious!

Matt, you are a good guy and a good mod, it's very hard to write a serious post conveying your opinion and have it sound how you are thinking to every single person. It seems in this case, your post sounded pretty harsh to me and Mox and we misunderstood your underlying message

We still love ya buddy!

[Seath]

!DRAMAFIED!