what do the mods get for all their hard work !

Seems the mods enjoy what they do and trying to keep the site and community together for everyone to enjoy chess discussions. 

I believe the mods do a good job for what they have to work with. Remember, they take direction from higher-ups just like most of us who work. The recent events do however demonstrate that if given the “okay” from above, they could be more active in locking the senseless, inane, and immature crap that pervades this forum. For now, the crap can continue, but anything remotely associated with recent events is considered forbidden and therefore locked. Let me also say, chess.com is perfectly within their right to restrict whatever content they so choose. However, it does clearly demonstrate what chess.com values as a business model and therefore dictates what the mods can and must do to continue being a mod. I have respect for the mods and one has been particularly helpful to me, so please don’t misunderstand my comments. Again, the mods have rules, guidelines, and direction from above that must be followed. 

true

That’s true @NervesofButter. They are locked yet remain for all to see and read. They also stay on your “Followed” list forever. I don’t mind that they remain on the “Followed” list when the discussion was of substance. But, when some childish macaroon acts badly and the thread goes off the rails and gets locked, one still has it for ever it seems. Not a big deal, just odd to me. 

With the exception of especially bad topics, most are not deleted. That's a last resort and generally only happens to duplicates, spam, and posts that are major TOS violations. 

Deletion is irreversible. That's probably the primary reason. Otherwise, it's more of a site decision that deletion shouldn't be a common occurrence.

Also, if it's always removed, then it's a lot harder for other members to know that certain content isn't allowed and/or wonder what happened to it and just repost.

Not paying mods is all part of chess.com's "make as much money as quickly as possible with no respect to the future" strategy.

Even so my Ogre friend, I applaud those that volunteer to be a mod for little if any financial incentive. BTW, @Martin_Stahl has my vote for “ Mod of the Year.” 

It's suggested mods make a moderator only account when starting, so most won't be using their normal accounts.

“Fun?” I’m still enjoying playing chess. It is a chess platform first and foremost wouldn’t you agree?

Sorry, I missed your reply as I was enjoying a game of chess without being “interrogated” by the evil mods.

a pity. It looked like a lively argument. Alas...