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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Raven Crowking" data-source="post: 4159083" data-attributes="member: 18280">Thanks for such an interesting, friendly, and not-edition-related discussion.  I read this thread with interest.   <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /> While I believe that  I understand your reasoning, rougerogue, I find the reasoning of the current admins (and supporters of those opinions) to be more persuasive.  I understand your concerns about participating in undemocratic virtual societies, but I don't think elections would do anything to increase democracy, unless those elected had some legislative ability (i.e., could change The Rules).  Mods, to my understanding, are more like a combination of judges and police officers than congressmen, and I seriously doubt that any good would come from selecting cops or judges on the basis of popular election.The qualities of a good mod (IMHO) are jurisprudence, a willingness to exhibit restraint when action is not warranted, a willingness to take action when restraint is not warranted, and enough wisdom to (more or less) distinguish between times when action or restraint is the better course.  Overall, I would say that EN World has exemplary -- and very responsive -- mods.  This is because the mods are carefully selected and, presumably, answerable for their use of power (i.e., their responsibilities and their rights are balanced).  I don't believe an elected official would necessarily behave in the same way.  Indeed, having lived in both the US and Canada, having paid at least some attention to how national and local elected officials have used their power, having been an elected union rep, and have dealt with elected union officials, I have serious reservations about this idea.It is an interesting thought experiment.  But if I had a vote, I would vote "No, thank you."RC</blockquote>

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