Use of "Professional Language" in Moderator Actions

[Todd Roybark]

Hello All.

I would like to suggest that more neutral language, more "professional language" be utilized when moderators issue a warning.
There should be, a more formal tone coupled with general politeness, that should make it clear to readers that this is an official moderator response regardless of the color text used. Red text does not always show as red, especially if one has display settings set to augment ease of reading.

This is an example of a moderator response from today. I am posting this for illustrative purposes only. For the record I wholeheartedly approve of the intervention, and the message, yet I feel strongly that moderators should not use a Red Text Soap Box to make snarky comments and then claim they are unassailable because those comments are part of "official business".

The form of moderation comments matters, does the statement quoted bellow come across as professional?

"For the record, this statement is factually incorrect. Let’s try to keep the utter BS to a minimum.

EVERYONE." Dannyalcatraz

 

[Morrus]

I have always had a viewpoint on that. We aren't a court or an elected body; we're human people hanging around in a private gathering. The word "official" has no meaning in this context. I feel it's important that the community sees us as people, not robots; and equally importantly, treats us as people, not robots. Artificial formality can erode that.

Sure, as humans we can sometimes make mistakes or go a bit overboard; but I'd rather that than be a bot in a box. I don't want people to see me as a faceless official blandly and bureaucratically enforcing pre-programmed rules; I want them to see me as their host, foibles and all.

 

[tommybahama]

Does the TOS for keeping it civil and inclusive apply to the mods as well? Isn't that all the OP is asking for?

You've referred to this site as a private gathering and I like that metaphor. But is it more like a public house?

 

[JiffyPopTart]

I never question moderation, and generally try to act like a guest in someones elses house when spending time here, however there is a moderator etiquette thing I have been noticing in the past few months. And by past few months I am referring specifically to the massive wave of real life discussions revolving around D&D changes, inclusiveness, and diversity. I don't complain about it to the mod team/Morrus because its not something wrecking the community or causing harm, but I will bring it up here because it is somewhat related to the OP.

I have noticed that when the discussions start to get heated up, and some mods have to step in and start enforcing "Keep it friendly" that the quickness with which they call out Side A is not the same as with Side B. It just so happens they seem to be on Side B in the discussion in which they have to put on their mod hats. While I agree with Morrus that mods are modding as a public service and they shouldn't have to be inhuman robots when doing so. I don't even mind when they get a little snarky themselves towards someone that is being rude in the first place. I DO hope that they do their best to be both human AND impartial when it comes to giving warning/points/kicks/bans to those who both support and object to their personal opinions.

 

[Morrus]

I have noticed that when the discussions start to get heated up, and some mods have to step in and start enforcing "Keep it friendly" that the quickness with which they call out Side A is not the same as with Side B. It just so happens they seem to be on Side B in the discussion in which they have to put on their mod hats.

Yes. The side of inclusiveness. I thought we'd made that pretty clear! I even put it in the rules.

 

[TheSword]

A very formal approach could really put people off when this whole experience is supposed to be entertainment.

Having been given a polite but firm ticking off in the last two weeks that was the equivalent of “...ok you two, knock it off!” I like the relatively familiar down to earth approach.

It doesn’t make us feel like kids, but it also makes us take it seriously enough to keep ENWorld out of the cesspit that so many other forums have turned into.

It’s a damn good resource and let’s be honest, most of us spend more time on here than we spend talking to our parents so we want it to feel comfortable and not too authoratarive!

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

I was thinking that each moderator could have their own catchphrase.

"You got served!" Eh ....

"Ya basic!" Mmmm.... too Moldvay.

How about, "I have never seen anybody take so many words to express a concept, and with such little result." A little shady.

I'm sure you can workshop it.

 

[Morrus]

And let's face it I'm a naturally sarcastic person. I don't think I'm capable of changing that at this stage!

 

[JiffyPopTart]

Yes. The side of inclusiveness. I thought we'd made that pretty clear! I even put it in the rules.

I'm not talking about moderation on the content of the basic premise of what a person is saying. I am referring to moderating people being rude, disrespectful, or needlessly angry, or using anti-grandma language.

Side A Poster: I think cars should be blue.
Side B Poster: I think they should be green, blue is inferior.
Side A Poster: People who like green are horrible wastes of space.
Side B Poster: You're being an idiot, I can't talk to you anymore.

MOD (Who likes blue): Hey Side B Poster, this is a civil discussion.

 

[billd91]

Since this isn't a professional board, I don't see why moderator actions would need to be professional. I might expect a certain amount of it with respect to ENWorld's publishing elements and discussion of said products, but that's it.