Calgarypuck Moderator Team

[shadowlord]

I think the mods are doing a great job, but I agree with a previous poster who said SS' wife's gif should have stayed, but the people who posted offensive content should be disciplined/banned.

I feel that deleting the wife gif excludes her from participating in the fun, and if she's was okay with having the gif posted, then she shouldn't be the one who has to pay for other's behaviour.

[CaptainCrunch]

I think that the Mods do as well as they can, because Moderators have to show discretion, and sympathy and understanding of each post that they review and at times that can be an impossible job. Frankly one moderators bannable offense, might be another modes Touche, and then you spread that out among thousands of users and absolutely nobody is ever going to agree on an action taken by a moderator.

Personally I think things have changed on CalgaryPuck over the last few years, and I've been here for a long time, but its gotten to the point, where for the most point, and especially on Political threads in the off topic forum I've taken long hard look at posts and decided not to really do much debating anymore. I'll post a link without commentary to start a discussion, or I'll interject my views and then leave it at that.

Frankly the debating style has changed, there seems to be more bludgeoning happening then anything else, and a quick fall back to accusations of things like racism or institutional bias. Frankly I guess, the debating has become less fun, and at some point in your mind you simply go, "I'm not going to change minds, and its not worth the postal yelling that happens, so why bother doing it".

The other thing that I've really noticed, is that and its happening on CFLHorsemen a lot is that the user mindset has shifted from, discussing football or hockey or soccer or whatever should be fun and form a sense of I guess community, to I'm angry and I need to vent my spleen, because that's what these boards are all about.

It can't be fun for the mods, and its certainly not fun for the community. On our board for example we had a owner, actually go to the other owners and say, I hate coming to our own board, so I'm taking a break and probably not coming back, and its sad and depressing.

Sometimes I wonder why anyone would want to run a discussion forum as a passion project, you certainly don't make money hand over fist doing it, and in our case for the first year it was a bit of a money sink while we figured it out, and at times it does little to indulge the owners or the moderators passion and it becomes a job that's not all that much fun to go to.

I don't want to comment on the gifs stuff all that much, because it goes towards sensitivities, on both the users and mods parts, and goes directly back to the change of direction that this board had a few years ago. But I guess if getting around it and keeping some of the gifs that are more controversial behind NSFW tags, then that's just what has to happen, and at that point nobody can complain if they click on the tags and open them at home or at the work place.

I also, frankly don't think that the Mods should have to explain the reasoning behind bannings to the general public, its already been explained on terms and conditions, so the assumption has to be that they broke the rules that the Mods understand probably better then anyone else.

Anyways, just my ramble.

[Backlunds_socks]

Wait, I know Stryker Steve was provoking the mods and the CP community.... but what rule did his wife's gif break?

[Locke]

Originally Posted by shadowlord

I think the mods are doing a great job, but I agree with a previous poster who said SS' wife's gif should have stayed, but the people who posted offensive content should be disciplined/banned.

I feel that deleting the wife gif excludes her from participating in the fun, and if she's was okay with having the gif posted, then she shouldn't be the one who has to pay for other's behaviour.

The other thing I think is that to a degree we have to discipline ourselves.

So many times a poster crosses over the imperceptible line and others will come in and say:

"Hey man, thats not cool."

And the inevitable response is being told to go pound sand because 'you're not a mod' and at the same time the response from the moderators is 'report it.'

Both of these things might be true, but that doesnt need to make them be all and end all either.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Backlunds_socks

Wait, I know Stryker Steve was provoking the mods and the CP community.... but what rule did his wife's gif break?

It was removed not for an infraction but for general public safety which is a legitimate reasoning.

[Galakanokis]

I'll put a vote in for a little more transparency. I get that it's Bingo's board and the mods control it but when certain things are allowed to happen with no explanation people will question it. It appears it is very frowned upon by the powers that be to question things but when there are no answers people will go searching, I think it is just natural. I feel, at times, a quick explanation would stop the whole thing in its tracks.

The GIFs are a funny thing, I don't really care for any of them anymore, kind of played out at this point but I understand both sides of the story. I don't see an issue with a slightly suggestive ones being behind tags, not a huge deal.

[Toonage]

I always say if you want to ruin your hobby, make it your job. Kudos to the people that run this site just keeping it open so I can come here and talk hockey, rant about hockey or escape from work.

I've only run afoul of the mods once on this site, and I deserved it. Otherwise they've all been more than patient with me.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Makarov

I mean, if a lot of people disagree with one’s post or opinion, one can expect that a lot of people will post dissenting views. I don’t see that as “piling on”.

Piling on is a thing on this forum. Someone says something dumb or unpopular. Someone posts a snarky reply that gets a bunch of thanks. Someone else makes fun of the OP. Then another. Then a few more make cruel comments. It goes on and on until it's clear the OP isn't going to respond or make another post.

It's basically the pack savaging a transgressor past the point of simple dissent, and into a kind of tribal shaming. It's ugly behaviour anywhere, but I see it here more often than most forums.

Originally Posted by Makarov

I certainly don’t see it as something to be discouraged.

I suppose it depends on how you feel about enforcing social norms. Obviously, a lot of people take great satisfaction in enforcing conformity. Which is why we get the bubble culture of today's social media, with people associating almost exclusively with those who they agree with. Others prefer a more genuinely diverse and tolerant social environment.

[Aleks]

Well I feel I can post this now after getting told to take it to PM. Here's a discussion on mods. Its terrible on this forum, I'm sorry if that hurts anyone's feelings. The moderation tone is that of an elementary school teacher speaking to kids or a mother (the posts of "NO" are my favorite). Entirely this site is way too PC and sensitive, and the mods have bought into that entirely. What it has done, I've noticed in the last few years is turned this into a much more "sterile" environment where fun posts are minimally tolerated. The recent incidents are just the peak of the sensitivity movement and really a dark time to be involved in a discussion forum. There are weirdo's everywhere, there are creeps everywhere, but for those of us who are adults and can act accordingly, the mods are ruining the fun for everyone. It may sound dramatic, but its a striking parallel to say its the exact same thing terrorism did to travel, that killers have done to firearms. An over reaction to a few that people could very easily ignore is really ruining the experience for the remaining majority to then have to conform to a reduced experience to keep a few people happy.

Happy moderating!

[EldrickOnIce]

I'd like to vote +1 for a bit more transparency, except that I suppose it only adds to the workload and calls mod decisions into question.
While 'MOD EDIT: NO' doesn't help anyone understand what is and isn't acceptable, I expect it's unnecessary (and not productive) to go into detail on every mod single mod edit, and I expect we pretty much know what is and isn't acceptable to begin with.

[IrishSpring2013]

another vote for transparency..! and rotation..!
those are great things.. even if some mods dont think it.. maybe they need "time outs" too..? (with respect)

bingo are u going to return and give thoughts..??

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by Aleks

Well I feel I can post this now after getting told to take it to PM. Here's a discussion on mods. Its terrible on this forum, I'm sorry if that hurts anyone's feelings. The moderation tone is that of an elementary school teacher speaking to kids or a mother (the posts of "NO" are my favorite). Entirely this site is way too PC and sensitive, and the mods have bought into that entirely. What it has done, I've noticed in the last few years is turned this into a much more "sterile" environment where fun posts are minimally tolerated. The recent incidents are just the peak of the sensitivity movement and really a dark time to be involved in a discussion forum. There are weirdo's everywhere, there are creeps everywhere, but for those of us who are adults and can act accordingly, the mods are ruining the fun for everyone. It may sound dramatic, but its a striking parallel to say its the exact same thing terrorism did to travel, that killers have done to firearms. An over reaction to a few that people could very easily ignore is really ruining the experience for the remaining majority to then have to conform to a reduced experience to keep a few people happy.

Happy moderating!

"fun posts"? It's awfully naive of you to refer to these posts this way when it's abundantly clear that you aren't the only human being here. I wasn't a great poster when I first got here, that's no secret, but what sure didn't help me to be better was the endless piling-on of people who seemed not to have an opinion on my post other than "#### you, you suck because you're TheScorpion". You might think of that as "fun" but it isn't, man. I know you're referring to the "super-fun" sexy gifs that have been floating around but really when you refer to the moderation team in its entirety you're pretty much criticizing how it handles all issues, like the issues of piling-on. BTW, once the mod team intervened in those piling-ons on me and ensured that I was on the right track to posting less, well, it stopped. Cool, eh? Thanks, mods -- sincerely!

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Personally, I think we need to expand the diversity of the mod team by adding more voices at the community's discretion.

I nominate Locke.

[Aleks]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

"fun posts"? It's awfully naive of you to refer to these posts this way when it's abundantly clear that you aren't the only human being here. I wasn't a great poster when I first got here, that's no secret, but what sure didn't help me to be better was the endless piling-on of people who seemed not to have an opinion on my post other than "#### you, you suck because you're TheScorpion". You might think of that as "fun" but it isn't, man. I know you're referring to the "super-fun" sexy gifs that have been floating around but really when you refer to the moderation team in its entirety you're pretty much criticizing how it handles all issues, like the issues of piling-on. BTW, once the mod team intervened in those piling-ons on me and ensured that I was on the right track to posting less, well, it stopped. Cool, eh? Thanks, mods -- sincerely!

much success with your conforming comrade! Salut!

Edit: Ok, I'll add something constructive here. First off, no I'm not the only human here. And yah, there's plenty of people who differ from my opinion, my interests, or my posting style. Frankly, I don't care what anybody posts whether its in line or against my interests or even something I may find offensive, because I'M AN ADULT and I can handle a little diversity. There isn't a chance I'm changing how I talk or how I behave on a message board because some moderators want to make sure everyone gets a participation ribbon. If I post something controversial, tell me how you feel however you see fit. That's the point of a discussion forum and I can handle the discussion I've invited because its VERY CLEAR to see what is controversial and what isn't. I'm not stupid, I don't think you are either. You have to have a balance of posters that go a bit against the grain, that's the entertainment of discussion, that's what makes people think more critically, that's how ideas are born. I do think its funny that you admitted that you invited stupidity with stupidity, which I don't think is always the case with your posts, you spurred discussion, its not your fault that some posters on here can't handle a difference of opinion. You keep being you Scorpion, don't let someone else dictate your thoughts and actions.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Personally, I think we need to expand the diversity of the mod team by adding more voices at the community's discretion.

We've dramatically expanded the moderation team over the last couple of years. It is multiple times larger now than it was when I first became a mod.
And we do disagree. Regularly.
We talk it out, align and come to the community with one voice.
But there is often differences of opinion on how to handle something.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Aleks

There are weirdo's everywhere, there are creeps everywhere, but for those of us who are adults and can act accordingly, the mods are ruining the fun for everyone. It may sound dramatic, but its a striking parallel to say its the exact same thing terrorism did to travel, that killers have done to firearms.

Really? Having to put a gif in NSFW tags or not saying racist things ruins the fun?

Clearly some people have a weird version of fun. The moderating team let’s PLENTY go, and it’s asinine to compare this to the effects of terrorism and mass shootings.

Personally, I think it’s fine. If you need a bouncy booby gif unobstructed by NSFW tags and the freedom to just be a huge racist (not saying you are one, but they let enough go that the line is pretty hard to cross without actually being one), then I doubt you’re going to find a lot of places outside of 4chan where you can really have “fun.”

[Jbo]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I think that the Mods do as well as they can, because Moderators have to show discretion, and sympathy and understanding of each post that they review and at times that can be an impossible job. Frankly one moderators bannable offense, might be another modes Touche, and then you spread that out among thousands of users and absolutely nobody is ever going to agree on an action taken by a moderator.

Personally I think things have changed on CalgaryPuck over the last few years, and I've been here for a long time, but its gotten to the point, where for the most point, and especially on Political threads in the off topic forum I've taken long hard look at posts and decided not to really do much debating anymore. I'll post a link without commentary to start a discussion, or I'll interject my views and then leave it at that.

Frankly the debating style has changed, there seems to be more bludgeoning happening then anything else, and a quick fall back to accusations of things like racism or institutional bias. Frankly I guess, the debating has become less fun, and at some point in your mind you simply go, "I'm not going to change minds, and its not worth the postal yelling that happens, so why bother doing it".

The other thing that I've really noticed, is that and its happening on CFLHorsemen a lot is that the user mindset has shifted from, discussing football or hockey or soccer or whatever should be fun and form a sense of I guess community, to I'm angry and I need to vent my spleen, because that's what these boards are all about.

It can't be fun for the mods, and its certainly not fun for the community. On our board for example we had a owner, actually go to the other owners and say, I hate coming to our own board, so I'm taking a break and probably not coming back, and its sad and depressing.

Sometimes I wonder why anyone would want to run a discussion forum as a passion project, you certainly don't make money hand over fist doing it, and in our case for the first year it was a bit of a money sink while we figured it out, and at times it does little to indulge the owners or the moderators passion and it becomes a job that's not all that much fun to go to.

I don't want to comment on the gifs stuff all that much, because it goes towards sensitivities, on both the users and mods parts, and goes directly back to the change of direction that this board had a few years ago. But I guess if getting around it and keeping some of the gifs that are more controversial behind NSFW tags, then that's just what has to happen, and at that point nobody can complain if they click on the tags and open them at home or at the work place.

I also, frankly don't think that the Mods should have to explain the reasoning behind bannings to the general public, its already been explained on terms and conditions, so the assumption has to be that they broke the rules that the Mods understand probably better then anyone else.

Anyways, just my ramble.

CC, just to point to the bold parts are why believe transparency is important.

Mods are human, mods have different opinions. Why not just be open and transparent about an infraction/ban? It makes it easy for members to see what occurred, keeps everyone accountable, and leaves no room for uncertainty. If a user wants to take it from there privately, by all means.

It hurts no one, and benefits everyone.

[nik-]

If you slowly add people, culture and bias adoption can become a problem. With a whole new "class" they can determine on their own how to moderate along predetermined general guidelines.

[Canehdianman]

Our mods do great work. Not every decision is perfect, but that's the problem with humanity. Frankly, you couldn't pay me enough to moderate you jerks.

Some pretty simple rules that would resolve pretty much everything that is being discussed:

1) Put anything that is close to NSFW behind the NSFW tags. If someone posts something close to NSFW without tags, put a tag on it for them. If they do it again, sin bin them for a week. If people complain about images behind NSFW tags, then IP ban the complainers to protect their sensitive eyes.

2) Put posters who personally attack others in the sin bin for a week. If they do it again, then IP ban them.



Done.

Can we move on?

[Aleks]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Really? Having to put a gif in NSFW tags or not saying racist things ruins the fun?

Clearly some people have a weird version of fun. The moderating team let’s PLENTY go, and it’s asinine to compare this to the effects of terrorism and mass shootings.

Personally, I think it’s fine. If you need a bouncy booby gif unobstructed by NSFW tags and the freedom to just be a huge racist (not saying you are one, but they let enough go that the line is pretty hard to cross without actually being one), then I doubt you’re going to find a lot of places outside of 4chan where you can really have “fun.”

I can appreciate your idea of what is offensive or inappropriate differs from mine. So, I ask you, what makes you more correct than me? I never even referenced racism, or bouncy boob gifs, so those are apparently your hotbed topics. Its about projection, which is exactly what you did here, and exactly what the mods and post reporters do to the silent majority here.