Diary of a Moderator Aged 67 6/7 - New Years Day

Dear OTF (which I still suspect is run by teenagers in hoodies),

A new year dawns. I woke at 6:14 a.m. filled with purpose and a slight pain in my left knee, which I believe is symbolic of society’s decline.

As a chess.com moderator aged 67 and 6/7, I feel uniquely burdened by responsibility. While others were “partying” (drinking liquids with bubbles and bad intentions), I was asleep by 9:30 p.m., ready to face 2026 with moral clarity and a cup of chamomile.

This morning I logged on to moderate, expecting gratitude. Instead I was met with:

• 43 arguments about whether a post “technically breaks rule 3”
• 12 reports saying “this made me uncomfortable”
• 1 message calling me a “power-hungry fossil” (blocked and ignored, obviously)

People do not understand that moderation is an art. I do not moderate posts lightly. I read them twice, sometimes three times, and occasionally aloud so the seriousness can sink in. I believe this makes me wiser than most users and possibly some elected officials.

My New Year’s resolutions:

• Be firmer but fairer
• Stop replying “please reread the rules” in all caps
• Learn what “based” means (I suspect it is not about building foundations)

Despite everything, I remain hopeful. Civilization is fragile, but I am here, finger hovering over the “Remove Post” button, guarding the standards.

Now I will have a biscuit and consider whether it is too early to tell people it is, in fact, too early for that kind of post.

Yours in vigilance,
Aged 67 6/7 (nearly 68, frighteningly)

It's @AwesomeAtti so it's probably a joke based off of a true story.

It reminds me of the opening for Dragnet. "The story you're about to see is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent."

It is both serious and humorous - Atti style. If Atti were my parent, I wouldn't even TRY to get away with anything. Atti seems to see 'through' everything.

@AwesomeAtti - thank you for the glimpse into the life of a Moderator. It would be a difficult task for sure! Happy New Year! Here's a toast to the AwesomeAtti Wall!

what are the odds?

Attention seeker.

6/7

Me be like😅

Is this a mate in 6 or 7 moves?

no, it's mate in 67 moves -_-

I thank you and all other moderators for all your efforts! 😊

Wishing you all the best! 🌟