To the moderators of the Escapist:

[sirdanrhodes]

If you have a long history with the mods and banning, then you deserve to be reviewed by the staff. I myself am lucky, the mods where a little nice on me, I have been on suspension or probation about seven or eight times whilst I have been here, and to be honest, I have admittedly done some stuff that I am surprised the mods did not act on!

One probation this year, I am NOT having another one.

 

[Rajin Cajun]

I have no idea who these people where and what they did but Pimppeter2 said it right

Mods
-When you Ban someone, please leave an excuse. Mostly, as I see it, people get banned for the whole "straw on the camels back thing". When people see a post that they don't think deserved a perma-ban, they get confused. The forum I was on before here did this. Sure, it was a much smaller community but still. When 'bid-wig' posters get banned we need an explanation, even just a sentence, or else we get threads like this.

As I do feel confused sometimes but if a mod was to leave a quick message saying why they were banned (i.e. the whole last warning thing) I wouldn't feel as confused.

I would have to agree with this as well. On a political forum I used to attend we did this. Hell they even made separate threads in the Moderation Section to explain why people got banned especially if they had been there a while.

 

[ElephantGuts]

Welcome to the Escapist. That's how it is here.

I actually forgot about my hatred for the Mods' mysterous and seemingly-unfair ways for a while. I'm not sure if that was because it got better or I just got used to it.

Anyway, I'm sort of relieved to see that I'm not the only one befuddled by the various actions and inactions of the Mods.

 

[Spleeni]

Okay, I have mixed opinions about this (as you might guess from some other things I've said) but I will point out that part of what makes authority work is not explaining yourself. When an authority figure winds up having to justify or explain their every action to the community they act within, the authority loses a lot of it's power and abillity to make desicians.

Now, whether such authority should exist, or the flip side arguements of the benefits of accountability are other debates. However this isn't a goverment, but a private set of forums. Whether I agree with the very idea of private platform moderation or not, it exists, and when it exists it makes sense to do it right.

Everytime there is a ban, I do not want to see 16 pages of protests and people trying to play games with the mods and their reasoning because they disagree, then the mods will spend more time justifying themselves than you know... moderating.

>>>----Therumancer--->

There's a very large line between people in power explaining their use of punishment, and discussing if they should use said power. The only thing that's taken away from a quick explanation is uncertainty. Generally, forums aren't great places to be ruled by fear.

 

[Internet Kraken]

I actually thought the mods did the right thing in banning TheNecroSwanson.

His post was needlessly aggressive for no real reason, and in my opinion that deserves a ban.

I'm pretty sure he's been in trouble with the mods before this too.

True, but I think we actually do need to consider what he said in that post. He had a point.

 

[John Funk]

Please could I be added to the list.

I was recently also wrongly put on 'Probation' for commenting on a video before watching it.
I had watched it and my comment was posted over 40 mins after the video was uploaded.
I think the moderators need to get better at their job.

This post [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/6.120562#2371219]? "First!" posts are strongly frowned upon by the staff.

 

[Internet Kraken]

Please could I be added to the list.

I was recently also wrongly put on 'Probation' for commenting on a video before watching it.
I had watched it and my comment was posted over 40 mins after the video was uploaded.
I think the moderators need to get better at their job.

You got put on probation for saying "first". Consider yourself lucky. Most people get suspended for stupid comments like that.

 

[Legion]

I actually thought the mods did the right thing in banning TheNecroSwanson.

His post was needlessly aggressive for no real reason, and in my opinion that deserves a ban.

I'm pretty sure he's been in trouble with the mods before this too.

True, but I think we actually do need to consider what he said in that post. He had a point.

Exactly, he was aggressive true, but he showed a fair amount of hypocrisy in the members of The Escapist, even though he worded it a little poorly.

 

[Ophiuchus]

Okay, I have mixed opinions about this (as you might guess from some other things I've said) but I will point out that part of what makes authority work is not explaining yourself. When an authority figure winds up having to justify or explain their every action to the community they act within, the authority loses a lot of it's power and abillity to make desicians.

Everytime there is a ban, I do not want to see 16 pages of protests and people trying to play games with the mods and their reasoning because they disagree, then the mods will spend more time justifying themselves than you know... moderating.

Aye, I largely agree with this. To quote my friend the 1st Baron Fisher of Kilverstone:

The moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now. Never contradict. Never explain. Never apologise.

That said, although I lurk more than I interact, I genuinely liked a few of the perma-banned folks like TheNecroswanson, Darth Mobius and Eggo and was surprised by their bans, particularly when it seems to me that worse offenders still roam free. Even if it was a straw/camel situation, I would've thought that their positive input would be taken into account. But then, I suppose a system like that would be like giving people free rein to troll as long as they balance it out with some good... so perhaps the system as it is works for the best.

 

[Rajin Cajun]

Okay, I have mixed opinions about this (as you might guess from some other things I've said) but I will point out that part of what makes authority work is not explaining yourself. When an authority figure winds up having to justify or explain their every action to the community they act within, the authority loses a lot of it's power and abillity to make desicians.

Everytime there is a ban, I do not want to see 16 pages of protests and people trying to play games with the mods and their reasoning because they disagree, then the mods will spend more time justifying themselves than you know... moderating.

Aye, I largely agree with this. To quote my friend the 1st Baron Fisher of Kilverstone:

The moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now. Never contradict. Never explain. Never apologise.

That said, although I lurk more than I interact, I genuinely liked a few of the perma-banned folks like TheNecroswanson, Darth Mobius and Eggo and was surprised by their bans, particularly when it seems to me that worse offenders still roam free. Even if it was a straw/camel situation, I would've thought that their positive input would be taken into account. But then, I suppose a system like that would be like giving people free rein to troll as long as they balance it out with some good... so perhaps the system as it is works for the best.

You were surprised by Eggo's ban? Is that even serious? Half of his posts were lolwut and the other half were blaming White Males for every problem under the sun that he was allowed to spew such garbage for so long was stupid.

 

[Fingerprint]

I'm saddened to lose both Darth and Swanson but their banning posts were a little un-necessary (what they wrote).

Necro's rant on the human psyche was uncalled for - personally I would have liked to see a 30 day suspension or something similar (I know he has/had a history with moderation) but I still feel a perma-ban was a little harsh. But I suppose weight of time & posts shouldn't count for much - it's a question of post content.

Darth's last post was just stupid; I can't understand what he was trying to say (something about using christian instead of retarded), he must have known that the mods would have had a thing or two to say about that - not to mention he has/had been playing with fire more and more in his recent posts.

I can understand why the mods banned them - in all honesty they had little choice but to do it - but nevertheless I would like to see them back amongst the community. Can the mods do a perma-probation or something like that - of course it would assume that all parties are happy with the arrangement, and that they can actually be 'un-banned'.

Also in certain circumstances I would be all for a community appeal if that were possible.

As a side note, can the mods put a quick sentence at the end of a banning so as to remove any confusion. Even one like with RichardGroovyPants would be O.K. if not a little vague.

 

[Susan Arendt]

Please could I be added to the list.

I was recently also wrongly put on 'Probation' for commenting on a video before watching it.
I had watched it and my comment was posted over 40 mins after the video was uploaded.
I think the moderators need to get better at their job.

This post [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/6.120562#2371219]? "First!" posts are strongly frowned upon by the staff.

I believe it says more than just that.

Doesn't matter. "First" posts get you disciplined.

 

[ThaBenMan]

For me, anyway, looking at the posts that got Necro and Mobius banned, the bannings are pretty well justified. Just because they're well-known, long-time users doesn't mean they should be immune to the consequences of their actions.

 

[John Funk]

Please could I be added to the list.

I was recently also wrongly put on 'Probation' for commenting on a video before watching it.
I had watched it and my comment was posted over 40 mins after the video was uploaded.
I think the moderators need to get better at their job.

This post [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/6.120562#2371219]? "First!" posts are strongly frowned upon by the staff.

I believe it says more than just that.

And yet it was the first post made after the video was published, which more than likely means you posted before watching it the whole way through.

Whether or not you chose to familiarize yourself with our forum guidelines (they're at the top of this very forum, also check Lord Krunk's helpful guide) is ultimately irrelevant. "First" posts will be penalized; this holds for every single piece of content we publish. If you chose to not familiarize yourself with these rules, it's... really not our fault.

I'm saddened to lose both Darth and Swanson but their banning posts were a little un-necessary (what they wrote).

Necro's rant on the human psyche was uncalled for - personally I would have liked to see a 30 day suspension or something similar (I know he has/had a history with moderation) but I still feel a perma-ban was a little harsh. But I suppose weight of time & posts shouldn't count for much - it's a question of post content.

Darth's last post was just stupid; I can't understand what he was trying to say (something about using christian instead of retarded), he must have known that the mods would have had a thing or two to say about that - not to mention he has/had been playing with fire more and more in his recent posts.

I can understand why the mods banned them - in all honesty they had little choice but to do it - but nevertheless I would like to see them back amongst the community. Can the mods do a perma-probation or something like that - of course it would assume that all parties are happy with the arrangement, and that they can actually be 'un-banned'.

Also in certain circumstances I would be all for a community appeal if that were possible.

As a side note, can the mods put a quick sentence at the end of a banning so as to remove any confusion. Even one like with RichardGroovyPants would be O.K. if not a little vague.

Unfortunately, popularity has no bearing on our moderation policies. If you are a repeat offender, have been warned repeatedly to stop doing something, yet persist despite all prior punishment, we must assume that you will not learn from your actions, have no desire to abide by our community forum guidelines, and as such we do not want you as a member of our community.

 

[slevin8989]

I actually thought the mods did the right thing in banning TheNecroSwanson.

His post was needlessly aggressive for no real reason, and in my opinion that deserves a ban.

I'm pretty sure he's been in trouble with the mods before this too.

True, but I think we actually do need to consider what he said in that post. He had a point.

This^^ he was harsh in his post but it had truth in it I know that the mods took in account his past but did that thread count also towards it because he was doing more than just flaming or being rude.

 

[Ophiuchus]

(quote train)

You were surprised by Eggo's ban? Is that even serious? Half of his posts were lolwut and the other half were blaming White Males for every problem under the sun that he was allowed to spew such garbage for so long was stupid.

Well, okay, maybe I wasn't so surprised by that one, but I did find his stuff on computer hardware quite useful. I guess I used him more as an example for the rest of what I was saying.