Catch It While You Can

Recently I created a thread more or less about my observations on the current state of the forums. I put it in this very forum since it was a community issue. It was summarily (and incorrectly) moved to Off-Topic (as I'm sure this will be because they obviously can't help themselves). 
In between the time I created that thread and now I've noticed a new trend in moderation or lack thereof.  Threads with a glancing reference to the word (dare I type it?) ch***ing are locked as they appear (nothing new there however).  Threads, other than RIPs memorializing members who'd been here 10 minutes and closed their accounts,  that 1) are non-chess specific or 2) are uncomfortable   are moved very quickly to Off Topic, which really isn't Off-topic but rather the Catch-All, or Toxic Waste Dump (as I referenced it elsewhere).   

This isn't good moderation. This is, in fact, the opposite of good moderation.

Anyone who knows me knows I'm very much for properly moderated forums.  A good illustration of the why is the very thread I mentioned in my opening sentence: The State of the Forums or Down the Rabbit Hole .  Moderation has become bizarre is the main forums, but in the Off-Topic Forum it's become non-existent.  So a thread about poor moderation has become one full of arguing, name-calling, politics and other things @Erik very specifically singled out as verboten:

• offensive/vulgar language
• personal attacks
• religious or political debate
• spammy/pointless/distracting posts
• hijacking of threads with off-topic posts or images
• discussion of illegal activities (drugs, etc)
• advertising competitive sites
• cheating

Can anyone say irony?
Whoever is in charge (and I use the term loosely) has determined that @Erik is completely wrong and only cheating discussions need attention.  

I now believe "rabbit hole' was simply too kind an allusion. 

I’m not quite sure what sort of debate you are hoping to start? You haven’t really posed a question but is more a statement of opinion.

I am aware of the thread you are highlighting and agree with a lot of what you are saying. However I’m not sure how many of the community guidelines have really been crossed.

Over moderation has been enforced far too long. Unless things are blatantly crossing lines shouldn’t a little leeway be given to see where it goes?

The worse thing about that thread is how they tried to get rid of it by burying it in the off topic section rather than just locking it. It’s almost like they wanted rid of it but didn’t want to have responsibility for locking it out right.

 

Pretty sure it was moved because it had veered away from the topic and was mostly off topic

It was always brought back on topic.... until just lately when the topic became moot.

No offence Martin as I always like the way you’ve done things but you have to say that really, anyone working for the firm either directly as staff or indirectly as a mod has always got to temper their opinion with company policy.

Although that thread is now descending in to abit of a brawl as we speak......

This is simply my observations and assessment.

Your original thread was moved too quickly. Perhaps it was someone too fast on the trigger and is new at reading the ebb and flow of a thread.

A lack of consistency can’t help but be noticed- along with a high turnover rate for moderators. Perhaps the perks are not as expected or conflicts occur with those “ in charge”. Different actions for seemingly very similar events. Perhaps it’s time to hire a few good men and woman, pay a decent salary and have them work 40 hours/week. 1 good moderator is worth more than a dozen so-so’s. 

 

I read a lot of the topic, but other moderators made the decision to move it. And I give my thoughts, even if they don't align with official policy. I don't always agree with other mods, or potentially staff decisions either. 

 

I don't think the site has any paid mods that only moderate, though I could be wrong (there is at least one dedicated abuse staff member) . It's primarily a volunteer thing, though some staff also do some moderation.

Another idea- a good solution is a new approach for the forums. 
This idea is to create Chat Rooms based on topics. Enter a room to discuss  general topics at hand. (Music, movies, games etc). A staff moderator enforces policy. 
Members would ask to join chat rooms and have the ability to create new topics there. I think policy enforcement could be better served.

No doubt this topic is is also doomed, to end up on the Off topic forum 🤷‍♂️

Yes. Moderator’s here have always been volunteers. A model that Staff has always argued works best. Perhaps in days past and  with a small web site the model is sustainable.

But objectively - is it working as hoped? Or perhaps the forums are of such low priority little concern is given? The forums have turned to a children’s playground for nonsense and insults it often appears. So just let it be . A place for them to congregate and hang out. Why try and make the forums into a place for discussion for adults. Very few enter to begin with.

Wonder why? 

In my experience, the volunteer mods have always been more consistent, more invested and more knowledgeable than any staff member in regards to the forums. 

 

edit: what the volunteers lacked was sufficient support, communication and focus from staff.  In fact, when they did get involved, staff's actions were more often than not counter-productive and inconsistent. 

I really don't care that is was moved off topic but rather, I'm more interested what moving it off topic reveals.

Now that you can't socialize in your swanky mod forums, and have to come to the sh*t hole with the rest of us, you discover it's not such a nice place eh?

Al was complaining years ago. His topic (titled something like "Erik we are not amused") was locked quite a while ago (a year now?).

I feel like most of us have given up at this point... it's not that I disagree with your OP here, but my impression of it is too little too late.

To be honest.

I agree if kids (like me ) have some place to go OTHER than off topic these forums will cease to crop up and annoy you quite quickly.

LOL...that actually made me laugh.

Nero (staff) just keeps fiddling as Rome (chess.com) burns.

Did he actually do that or was that just made up? I don't know anymore...