💡Other Limits on Mods\Admins

[Alexander Scamilton]

I want to start by saying I am not against administrators. This is just an honest suggestion to improve clarity and fairness for everyone. I am not trying to be a bother, I just want the community to work better for all members.

HEAR ME OUT, PLEASE, BEFORE YOU SAY ANYTHING!

I am proposing a User Bill of Rights because current moderation rules mostly apply to members while administrators have almost no restrictions. Most rules clearly define what users can or cannot do, but there are no clear limits on how admins can moderate, remove posts, or enforce rules. This imbalance can create confusion, inconsistency, and frustration.


I suggest this based on my own experiences with unclear enforcement:

• One of my posts was deleted for "arguing against a moderator." I only challenged the moderator because he wrongly claimed I had violated the rules, which I proved I did not. After my post was deleted, I could not even ask why because I had no way of knowing which admin removed it.
• Another post of mine was deleted for saying "WTF is that supposed to mean." The rules say no swearing, but I did not realize acronyms were included. Previously, another user had posted an image with a swear word and nothing happened to them.

These incidents show the need for transparency, accountability, and consistent enforcement. To address this, I propose the following User Bill of Rights

• Right to Clear Rules: Users should only be moderated for actions explicitly prohibited in the rulebook.
• Right to Explanation: Users should know exactly which rule was violated when moderated.
• Right to Transparency: The admin responsible for any moderation action should be identified.
• Right to Respectful Disagreement: Disagreeing with moderators, when done respectfully, should not be treated as a violation unless explicitly stated.
• Right to Consistent Enforcement: Rules should be applied uniformly across users, without selective interpretation.
• Right to Appeal or Clarification: Users should have a clear way to ask for clarification or appeal moderation decisions without fear of retaliation.

Implementing these rights would make moderation fair, predictable, and professional, and it would strengthen the community instead of weakening it.

 

[Vardarianna]

*reads whole thing* ... or... 'hears it out'...

...or one could respect the rules of the site when posting, and don't argue with administration when a post is deleted when it breaks the site rules. I suppose if you want to see a site run like that, then you should start your own and put whatever rules you want in place. My 2¢.

 

[Server Room Gremlin]

I have made over 2,390 posts on here, and never once have I felt restricted by moderation, or frustrated by their actions. As a matter of fact, I think they do a very good job keeping this place free of spam bots (which are a plague in many other comment sections on social sites). It's a breath of fresh air.
Whatever the perceived problem is here, it's not one experienced by 'all members', or 'the community'. I myself don't feel the need for a user bill of rights. I'm just here to have friendly discussions with people about things I find interesting. And thus far it seems I have been successful in this.

 

[Deimos]

*reads whole thing* ... or... 'hears it out'...

...or one could respect the rules of the site when posting, and don't argue with administration when a post is deleted when it breaks the site rules. I suppose if you want to see a site run like that, then you should start your own and put whatever rules you want in place. My 2¢.

The most fun thing to do in all the world is to boss other people. It's the proto fault.
Parents fall prey to it, elder siblings, teachers, police officers, managers, anyone in a position of authority is in danger of slipping into making arbitrary decisions without due consideration of fairness merely because they can, they are in the position to do so.

• Right to Clear Rules: Users should only be moderated for actions explicitly prohibited in the rulebook. This is reasonable... mods and Admins should not extrapolate, conjecture or assume. By the same token members should not nit pick that they didn't "EXPLICITLY" violate the rule in every "Jot and Tittle" 😉.
• 
  
• Right to Explanation: Users should know exactly which rule was violated when moderated. This is a reasonable request. If I don't know what rule I violated, I may, out of ignorance , violate it again. And then I'll get banned.

Right to Transparency: The admin responsible for any moderation action should be identified. This is reasonable request. It prevents a mod or admin who is at personal odds with a member from exacting revenge with impunity.

• Right to Respectful Disagreement: Disagreeing with moderators, when done respectfully, should not be treated as a violation unless explicitly stated. This is a reasonable request, so long as disagreement does not mean an expectation on the member's part that the the mod's objection will be withdrawn. But discussion should always be allowed without fear of retaliation.
• 
  
• Right to Consistent Enforcement: Rules should be applied uniformly across users, without selective interpretation. This is a reasonable request. It is nothing more than a request for "fairness". If the the mods and /or admins decide they are not to be held to the same standards as the non admin/mod members, that's OK. but that should be clearly stated also. Something like:
  "Members who are Admin or Mods have their own set of rules to which are held; these may be different than the rules and standards to which regular member are held accountable."
  And yet....Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
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• Right to Appeal or Clarification: Users should have a clear way to ask for clarification or appeal moderation decisions without fear of retaliation. This is reasonable, in so far as to keep a way open for at least the initial discussion. The member should not be slapped with a disciplinary action with no way to discuss it. However, there is no need to have an interminable convo with the member trying to "get the better of the argument". The mods do have the final say.

Just my two bits. 😉

 

[Alexander Scamilton]

Ok, so I was hit with 'I’ve never had a problem, therefore no problem exists' and 'start your own site then.'
Respectfully, “I’ve never had a problem” is not a counterargument, and “start your own site” is not a solution.

It says a lot that, with the exception of the last response, the replies so far have not addressed the specific cases I raised or explained why those moderation actions were appropriate.

One response relied entirely on personal experience, treating “I’ve never had a problem” as if that settles the issue, without considering that others may have different experiences under the same rules. Another dismissed the discussion altogether by suggesting I “start my own site,” which implies that constructive suggestions for improvement are unwelcome and that disagreement should result in leaving rather than refining the community.

Neither approach engages with the substance of what I proposed, which was about clarity, consistency, and transparency in moderation. If those goals are unreasonable, I’m open to hearing why. But so far, the responses haven’t explained that.

 

[Erestor Arcamen]

Because you're one of the only ones complaining about how the site is run. The site has been here and running fine since before 2000. We're not going to add some mythical bill of rights because you're unhappy with a situation. We have the rules posted, they're expected to be followed by all and are enforced upon all members. We are always going to do what we believe is best for all of our members. We don't play favorites, we don't target certain people unless maybe they've had issues previously, then we may pay more attention but that's not a normal or common situation.

Seeing as everything has been working fine as long as the site's been here, this is a non-issue. If you have a problem with something when a moderator takes action against a post or comment that you make, you're always welcome to PM us and discuss it, we'll never not explain our reasoning if you just ask. As others said, if you don't like the way the site is run, you have no obligation to be here, not that we want you to leave.

 

[d4rk3lf]

The way I see it.. if you enter some's house, you respect the rule of the house (unless, the rules are crazy (but then you don't enter the house)).
No smoking? Sure, I'll go outside.
No alcohol? Sure, but if we can't have few beers, it's no fun (but I will respect it non the less).
No shoes? Sure, I'll take them off right away.

And LOL... this site... I had my messages deleted, and slightly changed, and never complained, because I might be personally even more strict towards myself then these guys (and guys from other forums). I just once wondered why it was a reason (I said something like "Dear lord"), and asked in PM, and mod told me it was swearing stuff , and since my English is not so good, I never understood that this could be translated to something like swearing (calling God's name for no reason).
And I was actually very satisfied with answer, and happy that things are standing that way.

So, relax my friend, I am a living proof that all kind of foolishness are allowed on this site.

 

[Alexander Scamilton]

The way I see it.. if you enter some's house, you respect the rule of the house (unless, the rules are crazy (but then you don't enter the house)).
No smoking? Sure, I'll go outside.
No alcohol? Sure, but if we can't have few beers, it's no fun (but I will respect it non the less).
No shoes? Sure, I'll take them off right away.

And LOL... this site... I had my messages deleted, and slightly changed, and never complained, because I might be personally even more strict towards myself then these guys (and guys from other forums). I just once wondered why it was a reason (I said something like "Dear lord"), and asked in PM, and mod told me it was swearing stuff , and since my English is not so good, I never understood that this could be translated to something like swearing (calling God's name for no reason).
And I was actually very satisfied with answer, and happy that things are standing that way.

So, relax my friend, I am a living proof that all kind of foolishness are allowed on this site.

How'd you know which mod deleted it?

 

[d4rk3lf]

How'd you know which mod deleted it?

I checked now...
I knew it, because MOD sent me PM... they don't usually do that (for less offensive matters), but this one the guy sent me.
Lol I see now another PM from mods I got... I was even much worse...

As I said, I'd ban myself way earlier... these dudes are way too chill...

 

[d4rk3lf]

Lol.. look at this @Alexander Scamilton , my bro
...
I should have been banned on the spot

 

[Alexander Scamilton]

I checked now...
I knew it, because MOD sent me PM... they don't usually do that (for less offensive matters), but this one the guy sent me.
Lol I see now another PM from mods I got... I was even much worse...

As I said, I'd ban myself way earlier... these dudes are way too chill...

Nah, there are specific moderators that are imo better than others.
There are certain dudes that are chill. Certain dudes that arent.

Lol.. look at this @Alexander Scamilton , my bro
...
I should have been banned on the spot

View attachment 46733

Bro u got one of the good mods. And I don't think you should've been banned on the spot.


Also don't attack me but i think that certain ppl on here sound like chatgpt. i think some ppl use ai. Cuz how do u write like and 8 paragraph essay every single reply? tell me its not sus.

 

[Ent]

How'd you know which mod deleted it?

There's a certain expectation any time a post is modified slightly to remove something, or is deleted, the member will refer back to the rules and do a thorough review of them to look for themselves and see where they went astray.

Then, the expectation if they cannot, they contact a Mod by PM as the rules invite them to do.

@d4rk3lf is correct too - when the violation is egregious, and a 'history' has developed about a member, the mod often contacts the member via PM and encourages a change in their behavior. We hope things don't get to that point, because when we do, things are becoming more serious - as are the consequences.

 

[Ent]

Also don't attack me but i think that certain ppl on here sound like chatgpt. i think some ppl use ai. Cuz how do u write like and 8 paragraph essay every single reply? tell me its not sus.

Ent thinks only he does this among the Mods- and he assures you it is NOT AI. Ent is both an author, and an editor.
He follows the path paved by Treebeard: "if a thing is worth being said, it's worth taking a long time to say."

 

[Maedhros_Nelyafinwë]

There are certain dudes that are chill. Certain dudes that arent.

Some of us are not dudes at all. 😉

 

[Alexander Scamilton]

Ent thinks only he does this among the Mods- and he assures you it is NOT AI. Ent is both an author, and an editor.
He follows the path paved by Treebeard: "if a thing is worth being said, it's worth taking a long time to say."

Okay, thank you for confirming that. I'm not one to accuse people of using ai. Like, AI is very useful. I love AI. Especially ChatGPT.

Some of us are not dudes at all. 😉

Okay, GURL💅

 

[Tyelkormo the Fair]

Mods always discuss about taking action if they are undecided about something breaking a rule or not. I had a post removed when I first joined here due to swearing and discussing religion bcs I had missed out on the rules list. Never done it again since.

If almost all of them agree on deleting your post then I think you should look more into yourself instead of writing up a bill of rights.

 

[Alexander Scamilton]

Mods always discuss about taking action if they are undecided about something breaking a rule or not. I had a post removed when I first joined here due to swearing and discussing religion bcs I had missed out on the rules list. Never done it again since.

If almost all of them agree on deleting your post then I think you should look more into yourself instead of writing up a bill of rights.

Girl, I think you're overlooking it. Are you a mod? How do you know they discuss things? Ain't no way they do. AND I'M NOT HATING ON MODS. Like, don't get me wrong. I feel like I'm getting attacked. I'm not attacking the mods. I'm eating too much chocolate. I'm not hating on the mods. It just seems like it bc everyone here is so plastic. I like two moderators. I'm not hating. I just have opinions. Everybody has opinions, but that doesnt make em true.

I feel targeted 😩😮‍💨

 

[Tyelkormo the Fair]

Bcs I'm best friends with some of the mods and they talk to me?
It's not like...some government facility or a school Bro. It's a site for funsies and some deep conversations and for the sake of children who are part of this and also for the sake of keeping the peace, they've put up a set of rules. I don't know why you feel so targeted. You made a discussion post. People are discussing it. 😂

 

[d4rk3lf]

I'm not attacking the mods. I'm eating too much chocolate. I'm not hating on the mods.

Well that's your problem then.
Stop eating that chocolates!

Chill bro.
If you don't wanna chill, then I'll curse you in a way they will ban me.
Do you want that they ban me?
----
Sure you want... so let's dance together...

 

[d4rk3lf]

Bcs I'm best friends with some of the mods and they talk to me?

But of course...
Annatar was your real name, is it?
SPEAK!
You're the guy that claims that knows how to polish the rings? Right?

Let's stop pretending on who we are.
Do I ask too much?