A Tale of a Mod's Abuse of Power

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hmmmm
thanks

SB² concurs with Vikings statement'

There seem to be many unresolved things going on here. And having locked this thread is like putting duct-tape over a crack in the dam. I thought that was inappropriate behavior. You cannot censor peoples feelings. Locking them out does not address the problems it only acts as a temporary stifling of freedom, in this case debate.

You or anybody else has not the right to judge others in their tactics or motives in debate. Let it play out, and the truth will rise as victor 99 out of 100 times. by acting in a god-like fashion all that remained was unresolved opinions, misperception, and questions. Thanks to the wrong action, the answers may never come. you were wrong for locking this thread.

There are message boards on the Internet for engaging in childish flamewars. This isn't one of them. Read the Forum Guidelines if you have any doubt.

I wish to address two individuals,

Crap with a top hat, aka; "peaguy"
i did not mean what i said about poop and headwear, at least i was not being serious. I was saying kinda tongue in cheek. Your cat looks like a very nice pet, with a top hat and monicle.
Its your fault he gets picked on at school, just look at how you dress the poor kitty.
I don't care if someone has adverse opinions of me. It is simply food for thought. And generally, when someone does disagree my usual emotion is pity. I wonder, "how is it that they could be that shortsided, it is clear they are misinformed." cant do anything about that, but state, You must be young, one day it will become clear to you.

Orange haired freak, aka; "neanthumain"

seriously folks, your picture is very disturbing to me. Can't i have an opinion?
in your defense i submit my support for you. We have had a couple of PM since this post was incorrectly locked. And i felt that he, from Missouiri, truly realizes that he made a temporary lack of good judgement.
To be certain;
It was not the content that was incorrect, it was merely the setting in which the content was used.

To the both of you, i hope we can live a harmoneous existence and perhaps show a general respect for each others differences and abilities. maybe even friends. Nah, there is no point in that once the mutual respect is established there requires no further need fo labels.

The locker of ideas made this concrete statement,

Previously stated.

I belive that Rules are written as an advantage to the author.
moreover, i believe that rules are written to be bent, reshaped, in general; adapted to suit MY particular needs.

Yes you are correct, rules do govern this website. However, are they only applicable in selective fashion, and applicable accordingly.

Answer this, and without resort to gimmick nor subterfuge; Did you receive consensus vote, prior to locking this thread?

I firmly believe that what was going on through these posts were an open exchange of dialogue. The market-place of ideas. A place where differing opinions may be brought into the open, on display for all to hear and subsequently judge, for this is the place where democracy exists in its most basic form, and the desires of the majority will win out 99 in 100 instances.
It seems that perhaps it wasn't going your way, and you acting like the child, decided to take your ball and go home. Prove me wrong, your allowed to in the market-place of ideas.

You said, engaging in childish gamewars, in reference to me and others.

PAY CLOSE ATTENTION, THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT:

I argue that you not only didn't read every post, you also did not bother to understand others intentions and meaning of their posts. And not having given consideration for intent, you were wrong to lock the posts. Furthermore, under the reasons stated, by you, for having locked the posts, then you my friend are inconsistent and a hipocrit.

I offer but one argument in support of my claim;

You said, engaging in childish gamewars, in reference to me and others

If you had bothered to read and/or understand the posts, you would have noticed that i took particular exception to being treated as a child. While mine and others opinions were not valid only what the parents thought was real.
Now if you did read them all, and understood their meaning, why do you get to name-call?

I had already showed my reluctance to being:

treated like a child so you decided to exert your influence further by calling me a child.

I thought that personal attacks or namecalling were big no-no's.
Is that only in regards to everyone else but you?

I do not need an apology, but rather a request.
In the future, before you feel compelled to reminding us of your influence. STOP.
And show us how wise you are.

I would really, really, really, REALLY like to know what people don't understand about "no personal attacks". Honestly, I really would. Why is this not logical? Why does no one get this? I just sit and watch and shake my head and ask why this concept is so hard to grasp...

Please. Someone answer me this.

The problem is in perception. Each person has a percieved notion about what a personal attack is. Someone may be joking while the other may take offense.
For example; Hale Bopp noted that my avatar disturbed him.
one may argue that, an avatar is a very personal thing, a window into someones soul, personality etc...
Did i take it to mean that? NO!

Did he mean it to slight me? I cannot speak for him!

I say, you orange haired freak! Who has the right to judge my intent? NOBODY! Although everybody has the right to perceive it whichever way they choose.

ghotistix said that we were acting like children. He has every right to draw whichever conclusion he wishes. But i also have the right to take offense, especially, and since, i had already alluded to my sensitivities about being treated as a child, just a few posts prior.

Am i really sensitive about that subject?

That goes straight to the heart of my point. Some may believe it to be tactic, while others may believe that may be an insecurity of mine. Either way the cake gets sliced, it boils down to caution.

You moderators were reasonable in erring on the side of caution when it is pertinant to the Haven Forum. But when you lock out a post, when the battle is not headed your desired end, then that leaves something to be desired. One should err on the side of caution when protecting the ideals of liberty or freedom, and opt not to stiffle anothers ideals.

Also, i believe that one of the issues is selective rulings. To each their own style, i say. Just because some-one is more abrasive than others, or since you do not actually like them or agree with many of their positions, there is no need toapply a different set of rules to them, than, let's say, Neuroman (example, due to his popularity and respect). Or even extra patience with new members would be innappropriate. We tend to like predictability, and when rules are not enforced equally, and to all then that takes us to a very unsafe place, a non-haven.

I may only speak for myself, but i was only toeing the line and meant not to disrespect the orange haired freak or mr. peaguys cat. I know i meant no harm, other than that i cannot state exactly what i was thinking.

Alex seems like a patient person and very reasonable as well. I care not to know the results of any exchange of ideas in the market place of freedom, but i suggest you have one (All important decision makers) and Sophist, why don't you act the Sophis in that debate and argue the anti-philosophy.

Also, and i may be wrong. But was it decided that you should handle this one, this time. Because frankly i am feeling handled. And i hope you know that i like and respect you a great deal, and the wide range of skills you have. Your mind is an outsytanding asset, and i think i have made it clear in the past. Thats why you were the right choice. However, i cannot help but ring in on the side of truth. At least my perception of what is correct, right or wrong. And i may be, either.

next, i will attempt to explain what it means to walk on egg shells!

But many of these attacks are just outright intentional name-calling. How is this not comprehended? Just due to the heat of anger? And then members continuing to fight warnings or even advisories they're issued as if they've not done anything wrong! I just really don't get it.

And then I heard a fair number of members use "bluntness" as an excuse as though being blunt cannot possibly be a personal attack.

Intention means very little in attacks. It's the RESULT. People don't not go to jail just because they didn't intend to break the law-- though they can maybe get a lighter sentence and maybe even probation. But the ACT is the ACT and no one, not even the attacker armed with a sincere apology, can take it back.

And whatever anyone spouts or complains about, with as large a community as WP is, rules are necessary. No large body of people can function without a solid set of rules without random chaos ensuing. And they need to be unbiasedly enforced at all times otherwise a bias against the less popular or unknown members will arise. And that's just not fair.

*continues to be baffled and wanders off mumbling to self in a semi-incoherent manner*

Last edited by Sophist on 15 Dec 2005, 9:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Someone is paying for the bandwidth this site consumes. They can set what standards as they want and enforce them as they see fit. Even if they occasionally err a bit on the side of keeping it civil, that is their perogative.

Anyone who feels strongly otherwise, bear in mind that you are a guest. Noone is stopping you from going out and starting your own site, that you can administer as strictly or as laissez-faire as you like. If you believe you have a superior forum philosophy and approach, go for it. Otherwise, chill out, life is too short.

No, my other post was out of pure curiosity and utter befuddlement.

I realize perception plays a big part. But if many members just took a couple steps back and asked themselves what they would do if they were moderator and the goal of this forum is to support and communicate with as little negative feelings brewing between members as possible, what they would do if attacks arose.

All we can really do, as moderators, is ask ourselves if we would be offended (which is really only what anyone can do) and have enough mods concur that the post was inappropriate and what action needs to be taken (as to advisory or warning).

What more can anyone truly ask? We are human. But if no one was trying to keep some semblance, this place would be a madhouse.

The Terms of Service say that no personal attacks are allowed. These are the rules of the forum. Don't fight the actions taken against any member, fight the TOS if there are any qualms.

The mods are not making decisions in a biased manner. We size up the situation logically, discuss what steps need to be taken, agree, and then do them.

This thread is ret*d and I'm suprised it was unlocked!

Avoid the 'retarted' word Sean... Best be safe.

Though I do agree with the sentiment... This thread just made me laugh
:: shakes head in bemusment :: Some people...really...

WrongPlanet isn't a democracy. The Moderators and Administrators are chosen by Alex. The Site Owner.

Alex is effectivley God on this site, you can't change that, so don't bother whinging and complaining about that.

It's his decisions that chose the Mods and Admins, and as he is God on this site, you have no say in the matter.

I've seen it with people of all sorts...An Authority figure makes a decision that someone doesn't like and up go the calls of "Abuse of power", it's pretty common...

I'm in a Star Trek email/IRC role play organization, that has a really extensive behind the scenes management setup, and the amount of political power plays, backstabbing, squabbling, whigning, fighting, sneakiness is quite astounding, and don't try to tell me "Oh, That's NT behaviour" cos I'm seeing right here! With Autistic people!

If it's not RobertN trying to push his political agenda, or Gun Totting Sean trying to get a rise out everyone with his comments, or Neant delivering a scathing sarcastic rebuke, it's Pikachu looking for some sort of conspiracy, or maybe whoever claiming they've had enough and want to leave..only to come back a few weeks later and do it all again...

Frankly I've grown tired of it, grow up and do something constructive Hmm?

GA

GA is only 22 years old. and more mature and keen than i.

I agree, i an too new and don't know the stories or am i caught up on recent events that were not well recieived.
As usual i jump in with both feet, out of obsession.

I will not use slander, character attack, nor name call, again, or often, maybe to the best that i can. i would like the idea of a free-er place where censorship is not needed, but it is irresponsible to feel entitled to absolute freedom in someone elses home.

Thank you for your patience onn these matters.

And remember, i belive that 99 out of 100 instances, when you allow freedom tho reign in the marketplace of ideas the truth will be the victor.
I beleve it has, in this case, at least as far as my view point is concerned.

This part of your problem: you lot aren't consistent.



You are, actually, an oligarchy (if I believe vetivert). So don't go blaming Alex to take the pressure off yourselves!