Site is a graveyard - How can boards save itself? [Threadbanned users in 1st post]

Mad how a “certain type” of poster thinks that the mods are acting on every reported post and shutting down threads as a result.

A mod cannot act on any post that doesn’t break the rules. There’s nothing in the rules about someone feeling “offended”. However, if someone is uncivil, attacking the poster, ignoring mod instruction etc. that’s an actionable offence.

The mods can disagree with a reported post and take no action if they feel it doesn’t contravene the rules but if a post is reported for something that doesn’t break the rules the mods won’t be able to do anything about it.

If you want a thread kept open, don’t want to be threadbanned or sitebanned then just don’t break the rules. It’s quite simple, really, but for some reason a certain “cohort” just can’t seem to get their heads around it.

The problem with that is "engage with the mod" is synonymous with admit you were in the wrong (even if you weren't) and grovel for their forgiveness.

Anything less than complete submission is "refusing to engage".

Posters can sometimes feel like a warning is a personal affront and that the mod has it out for them and honestly, that is not the case. It's just an advisory to modify their posting style so it doesn't break any rules.

Except when it is the case?

As has been said already, and even admitted by some former mods on thread, mods can be dicks too, and have actioned or banned posters just because they didn't like them.

Until these issues are recognised as an abuse of privilege, and somehow addressed, the complaints about moderation will continue, and I can't see how things will ever change.

If only but worth to keep trying but will mods see it as annoying pestering

I like the idea of threadbans expiring after a month

If things are a lot quieter than back in the peak perhaps the modding shareload could be shared across all new posts rather than mods attached to particular topics.

I do think the reductive nature of reddit will eventually kill that site, but there's still a need for discussion forums like boards, and as another poster to this mentioned there may be a renewal for younger generations to simply have a place to discuss information relevant to Ireland and the EU without the profit driven click monsters like FB, twatter and now the publically traded Reddit. They thrive on argument and confrontation, whereas I find many useful bits of information here often by simply looking back through old threads.

It may surprise you that I haven't had that many run-ins with mods.

But in my limited experience, some moderators you can come to - if not an agreement - than at least a middle ground.

Others are just dicks. 🤷

Of course, others have shared their experiences with me. My experience is not unique.

Thats the reason why

There is no such thing as "The Average Poster". But I would venture a guess that a big majority never have any interaction with the Mods. I very much doubt that you or any other non Mod poster knows all the stuff you claim to know about site wide moderation.

If anything is to be considered I hope it is the role of formal dispute resolution. Because that procedure is simply a farce, I wonder if mods realise just how much contempt there is for it.

One issue that I've run into a few times, relates to the climate created by the fear of libel. You see so many active discussions shut down because of it, often ones that are currently highly prominent in daily life. The Donaldson thread being the most recent example. I appreciate the difficult situation the law has created for the site, but if folks can't talk about relevant and "hot" topics here, then they're just going to leave. Rightly or wrongly, people want to be free to engage in conversation. It's particularly frustrating when there is public reporting from various news sources, yet one can't reference it on boards.

I don't believe mods are the issue. Basic forums like plumbing, electrical and diy would have very little input from mods yet the plumbers and electricians that offer free advice have at least halved in numbers in recent years. Same with the amount of people asking questions in these forums.

Personally I think there was a massive reduction in traffic since Vanilla.