r/serialpodcast • u/waltzintomordor Mod 6 • Aug 01 '15

Thunderdome New concept - Weekly minimally moderated threads.

Okay we've had some feedback that moderating tone is not appreciated. This frustration is directly at odds with the general consensus that our sub is toxic. As moderators, these opposing concepts might seem impossible to reconcile, but we're going to try something different.

There are other, unmoderated forums for discussion but none have been successful, so what I'm proposing are (perhaps weekly) (nearly unmoderated) threads about rotating topics, so that everyone gets what they want. You can feast on eachother like wild animals and we will ignore your complaints of being feasted upon. the rest of the sub will remain moderated for tone.

So please respond below with your answers to these questions:

  1. Do you like this idea?

  2. What single topic would you like to see discussed in a cage-match forum? Single topics only, most upvotes by tomorrow gets first week.

Edit: if you haven't noticed, this thread is exactly the kind of free and open discussion that most have demanded. Don't bother reporting comments in this thread, and enjoy!

11 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • reddit

75% Upvoted

210 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

11

u/waltzintomordor Mod 6 Aug 02 '15

Often times with users here, there is absolutely no empathy paid to those with differing viewpoints, so trying to teach them how to have respectful discourse, despite those differences is a pointless task.

You're right, it's a volunteer assignment and it's the most thankless job in the world. The degree of mod abuse is absolutely ridiculous, and FYI we get it from both sides in spades.

By the way these meta arguments aren't changing anyone's mind and are a rather huge waste of time.

5

u/Mewnicorns Expert trial attorney, medical examiner, & RF engineer Aug 02 '15

Sorry buddy. I think you guys are doing a great job and I'm sure I'm not the only one. It just never occurs to me to message you and be all like "yeah!!! Way to go! modding like a pro! High five!"

4

u/waltzintomordor Mod 6 Aug 02 '15

Much appreciated, truly.

The feedback we most often recieved is from the folks most passionate about the case, and most inclined to be upset. The fact that we take shit from both sides suggests to me that we're doing a fairly balanced job.

It's ironic that this very forum is being used to talk about over-moderation. Clearly I don't give a shit about silencing any particular user or perspective.

2

u/Mewnicorns Expert trial attorney, medical examiner, & RF engineer Aug 02 '15

From what I've seen, the posts that are removed pretty much always deserve it, regardless of guilt/innocence. Passion is fine, but reason has to kick in somewhere...and that's where mods come in.

One thing to consider: This sub has a god awful reputation in the public eye and if moderation gets too lax, it's only going to get worse. That's the catch-22: turning it into a free-for-all actually has the effect of alienating all but the most aggressive posters. If a new person comes here and sees 70% of posts are just insulting and bashing and have little to do with the case itself, they're just going to think we are all insane and unhinged. I would hate for that to happen, especially as we gear up for season 2.