harsh discipline

[Belen]

I do not mind blanket generalizations unless you are using them to single out one person.

In general, I think the mods are doing a better and more fair job with their warnings. There was a point a few years ago where I felt that the mods ignored certain regulars when those regulars flamed people, but that does not seem to be the case anymore and I am happy about that.

Warning someone is not too harsh. If he had been banned, then maybe.

 

[Pielorinho]

I'll let Morrus answer the question about what to do when you aren't happy with a mod's decision, but meanwhile I'll throw in a suggestion: report the mod's post, and explain why you're doing so. That'll bring it to the attention of all the forum's moderators, and we'll talk about your concern.

Daniel

 

[Eridanis]

Ditto what Pielorinho said. We're not infallible (unfortunately), so feel free to communicate with us - VIA EMAIL, not on the boards - if you have a question about a ruling, and we'll certainly consider your opinion. (It helps one greatly if one communicates in a calm manner, as 95% of emails I've seen do.)

We do have our Secret Fortress of Solitude (tm) where we can, and do, discuss rulings, reported posts, and so forth. We just want to make sure ENworld runs smoothly for everyone.

 

[Henry]

If I have a query re a particular mod's implementation of forum policies, can I contact someone else in addition to the moderator?

I wouldn't see any problem with doing so, but two things to keep in mind:

1) E-mail the original mod first. Ask politely why something is how it is. Based on how often we get "outraged" responses over curbing someone's tirades, it's refreshing to get a well-reasoned "this is why I thought this should stay open, and I'm sorry to see it closed." and the moderator just may see your reasoning. We've changed decisions before, and it wouldn't be the last time, us being human and all that jazz.

2) If you do e-mail another Admin to petition, chances are we're going to defer to the moderator, anyway -- their judgment is why we picked them in the first place (we watch regular posters' behavior & character, and debate a backlist of future mods all the time...)

So unless you, say, catch me randomly thread-closing and banning you because you used the word "Beholder" in a sentence, it's not likely to change much. (Believe me, there's been more than once I wanted to ban someone out of frustration because they've mastered the verbal razor's edge between "civil" and "crude"....)

 

[reveal]

Can someone tell me what BelenUmeria said?

 

[Cheiromancer]

Just want to sidetrack this thread by saying I really like Pielorinho's custom title. I had never heard the word before. IMHO it's a worthy addition to the select club that includes Squirrelbears and Jackelopes.

 

[Plane Sailing]

Hi S'mon,

In order to make it easier for you and others to contact me without searching out the emails in the meta forum, I've added the vbulletin 'email me' link into my signature (see below).

Please feel to contact me to discuss anything.

Regards,

 

[Len]

I do not mind blanket generalizations unless you are using them to single out one person.

I don't get this. It's wrong to insult a person, but it's OK to insult a whole group of people??

 

[reveal]

I don't get this. It's wrong to insult a person, but it's OK to insult a whole group of people??

I think what he means is that it's not fair to say that "everyone" is doing something when you're really calling out one person in a thinly veiled attempt as to not be perceived as doing so.

For example, there was a thread here in Meta a while ago where someone complained that "everyone" was doing ______. In actuality, they were upset that one person was doing ____ but decided that it was a board problem. They were called on it and confessed that it was just one person. That is the wrong thing to do.

 

[William Ronald]

I think another issue is that I've seen a lot more of this happening lately. I can name three posters off the top of my head who seem to consistently make sweeping generalizations (spell it right Brits! ) about people who don't agree with them, calling them ignorant or just plain stupid. 2 of them are on my ignore list, which, until recently, I'd never had anyone on in the 3.5 years I've been on this board.

It could be that Plane Sailing decided to nip it in the bud before it got too bad. Or it could be that he was having a bad day and didn't feel like putting up with it.

I am concerned about this, and generalized insults. I think that the moderators do the best that they can, but I know that some board members seem to direct insults to those who disagree with them on everything from styles of gaming to specific subjects. In general, I think we should try not to say something about others and their arguments that we would not want said about ourselves.