Remove rule 4: backseat moderation

[Jools]

In reference to viewtopic.php?f=1&t=6693:

Remove rule #4: backseat moderation. It is almost never used in its intended way and it is almost used the wrong way.

The rule itself is well meaning and well defined:

4. Back seat moderation will not be allowed to bring threads off topic. Comments like "why isn't this thread locked yet?"┬Ø or "we don't allow your type in this community"┬Ø are not acceptable, they slime the thread creator and undermine forum moderation. Discussions about moderation, moderators actions, or rules and policies are allowed provided they do not throw threads off topic or are done with excessive rudeness. We want to know how we can improve the way we moderate or things that we have missed, we don't want to be flamed any more then anyone else.

It seems moderators never read the last part of this rule. I could bring you examples of how this is misused but I think you all know them anyway.

[AF]

This is why I advocate a meta subforum, for discussing discussion and the running of the forums and its rules. That way there'd be a place for threads like this, requests for closing threads, etc, and it'd act as a partial TODO list for moderators.

I agree regarding backseat moderation though, it's not something that has been enforced consistently or accurately, and when it isn't applied correctly the avenue for response is either more backseat moderation in public in a new thread, or a PM which is almost entirely futile

[abma]

Remove rule #4: backseat moderation. It is almost never used in its intended way and it is almost used the wrong way.

thats the wrong approach. maybe rephrase to clarify it. the rule itself is needed. bringing threads off-topic is a no-go.

in other words: constructive critism is welcome, annoying people aren't.

[FLOZi]

You insist on acting as though we are dictatorial monsters. If you treat us as such, we will become as such.



If you continue to troll moderation, I will permanently ban you.


End of discussion.