Do you think that Moderators.....

[hackorydackorydac]

Do you think that Moderators on ANY discussion board should post like regular posters do?

Or should they remain aloof and separate from the rest?

How important is objectivity and how hard is it to maintain?

 

[hiwaygal]

I am a moderator/leader of two message boards on other sites and it is a REQUIREMENT to be an active participant in the boards discussions. I think that's how it should be.

The moderators are REAL people, they are allowed to have REAL opinions and they should not be restrained from joining in the community just because they are moderators. They are part of the community and should have all the same rights as all the other members of a community...with a bit more responsibility (obviously).

Objectivity is a relative term.

 

[boomhauer]

I don't know. Good question. Not saying it happens here (and not saying it doesn't), but I find that many moderators on some boards will close a thread just because they want to, yet another thread that is just as offensive or off topic, will remain open at their discretion. It's weird.

 

[binny]

I Mod at another board and I post there almost as much as I do here. Its a different type of board though.


I dont think Mods here (or where I work) are aloof. I think they are busy. LOL

 

[pumba]

I have been a moderator on this board for the last 7 years.....I love Disney and I love to talk to everyone about Disney .......I usually do the trip reports and I love reading them......I also love to go to the cooking boards.....my other passion.......I dont think I lose anything or YOU lose anything by my contributing to the other boards.......I dont want any profanity on these boards because I love the idea of how much of a family site this is........I hope that you know that each moderator around here does this because we love Disney......

 

[Sparx]

Yes.

I've actually complained quite a bit before because the mods basically disappeared off one board for extensive periods of time.

I post circles around most mods, and I see a whole lot that flies under the radar. I do think they need to be active members of the posting community.

 

[noodleknitter]

I much prefer the subjective opinions of the mods being posted than the anonymity of "The Dis Moderator Team." I think that being active keeps one real. I might not agree with a mod, but such is life. I surely don't think they always agree with me.

 

[Enchanted Tiki Bird]

I think they only way they can really do a good job is to be active in the community.

 

[Cool-Beans]

I don't see why they shouldn't post like everyone else. They could get two different names and post under one and mod under another, but what would the purpose be?

 

[Cass]

I'm a moderator on another board and I take care not to take sides and to keep neutral.

 

[Anewman]

How important is objectivity and how hard is it to maintain?

I am not exactly sure what you mean about "objectivity". Do you feel the Mods allow more liberties to those they have become friends with, and are stritcter with those that are the opposite????


I used to be a Mod(and regular poster) at a large forum, we had less registered users but more ACTIVE posters than DIS.
Complaints(with dozens of examples) arose that on POLITICAL issues where the MOD expressed his/her stance persons with the same stance were allowed to bend the rules and use profanity and insults. But whenever persons that publicly dissagreed with said mods, they better not even use the rolleyes smilie or they will be suspended.
The administration took those complaints and told anybody if they did not like it to leave, I was not a mod in the political forum and never used any mod privilages in that forum but I still found this unacceptable and decided to leave.

EDIT TO ADD
I have not seen any of these issues here at the DIS.

 

[deekaypee]

I expect moderators to post as part of the contribution to the DIS, as well as on other boards.

Yes, how important IS objectivity? In discussion forums, I don't expect objectivity--as I don't really think that it's possible--but I do expect moderators and all posters to demonstrate self-awareness and post in ways that demonstrate a healthy respect for others. To me, this does not mean that a poster can't or shouldn't express strong opinions, which are all the better when supported by evidence and analyzed, or should refrain from disagreeing with others' ideas. It does mean that I expect posters to carefully and clearly contextualize their positions and that the posts shouldn't attack the poster but should critique the post/idea expressed in the post.

These are pretty lofty goals, admittedly, and more than once I've been sucked into responding in ways that don't live up to my own standards. There's something about a troll.... But I try to keep it in check.

And it might not be fair, but I do think I have higher expectations for Mods in these areas than I have for the "average" poster, just as I have higher expectations for posters with a lot of posts than folks who appear to be new to a board. Familiarity with the discourses of the community, I guess.

 

[DISUNC]

Do you think that Moderators on ANY discussion board should post like regular posters do?

Or should they remain aloof and separate from the rest?

How important is objectivity and how hard is it to maintain?

I dont think moderators posting "like regular posters" is any problem at all!

NOW if the Tag Fairy posted and then TAGGED Themselves...I believe the world would come to a end!!!!!

 

[Enchanted Tiki Bird]

I think if people abuse their moderator powers they should be taken away. That's not to say that they can't contribute to discussions and debates honestly but if they cause trouble for someone merely because they disagree with their viewpoints, this is being a bad moderator. I wonder what the policy on defrocking moderators is here on the DIS?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I had been a regular poster for several years before I was asked to be a moderator for disABILITIES. I tend to also be very active on TPA&S, Restaurants, Budget, Solo and Adult Traveler, Community, Collectors and Cast.

I have always been careful about what I post, however, from time to time some of my posts have been very off-the-wall and/or weird with humorous intent. However, I have always been careful to not violate the boards rules.

Due to the work I do at WDW I am very familiar with all the ticketing rules, policies and procedures. Also, I am a retired CPA. If somebody posts something that is factually in error I will publicly correct them, giving the correct information so others are not misinformed.

I have always, if something questionable has shown up in a post, hit the little red and white triangle to report the post to the moderator(s) of that forum. If it is in disABILTIES now I will send a PM to the poster explaining why it is a problem and let the other moderator know what I have done.

On occasion we have had threads which have turned into non-factual arguments, and normally more than one moderator has posted a public warning telling people to "be nice" or remain on topic. I have only once had to lock a thread, and that only after both I and another moderator had posted public warnings.

I think my regular postings have not really changed since becoming a moderator. I do find that I will read some threads in disABILTIES that I would have previously ignored because I have accepted this reponsibility.

And remember two things. We are not paid for this. We, like Hebrew National, are held to a higher standard.

 

[KathyTX]

As a couple of other mods have pointed out, moderators here are volunteers who have generally begun as very active posters. We absolutely want them to remain active and welcoming on the boards, and they are welcome to join discussions and express their opinions as freely as any other poster.

Moderators are expected to show respect and good judgment in their posts, just as other posters are.

And several former moderators are still here posting as active and involved posters.

 

[MzDiz]

I'm glad mods post along with everyone else, but it would be nice if the rules applied to everyone uniformly. I think that's the danger in making friends and being a mod.

 

[cardaway]

I think it's fine until they start taking advantage of getting in the last word when they lock threads.

 

[JunieJay]

I was a mod on this board, and an active participant. Honestly, looking back, I almost think its better the mod stands back a little. Its hard to be objective when you're in the thick of it. If I'm honest, I'd say the boards run a lot smoother since I'm no longer a mod. LOL. There used to be a lot of discussion about board protocol and decisions and a ton more fights. Don't get me wrong, it made for some interesting times but looking at it objectively its probably better run now that its the "DIS Mod Team" standing guard. I was also a mod here when they made that decision, and I fought it tooth and nail. In the end, they were right and I was wrong (at least on that point ). It is more efficient that way. Maybe not as up close and personal, but the real point of a mod is probably not supposed to be up close and personal.

 

[CathrynRose]

I don't know. Good question. Not saying it happens here (and not saying it doesn't), but I find that many moderators on some boards will close a thread just because they want to, yet another thread that is just as offensive or off topic, will remain open at their discretion. It's weird.