Hi all
This is an extremely valuable thread form. It is helping me to recalibrate
my function as group moderator. I am still considering my response to the
reaction to moderation.
Meanwhile here are some facts worth noting:
- There are currently 512 members of whom 509 are NOT under
moderation.
- In 5 years, 2 people have been suspended for 3 months. One
returned. The other can return if he apologises to some people he cast
racist slurs against.
- Over the years many people have left the group. There is always a
steady flow in and out. Occasionally there is a mass haemorrhaging when I
let Max and others get away with posts that are too sarcastic and
aggressive or when there are too many posts by members that are just plain
thought disordered. During those times I also receive lots of complaints. So
it is clear why people are voting with their feet to leave on those
occasions
- Reviewing person's posts in quarantine (what we have been calling
moderation) provides a less punitive administrative tool where the recipient
can receive some training if they want as to how to follow the guidelines
while still being able to participate in the group.
- I have allowed quite vigorous criticism of my decision in this
forum over the last few days without putting any more old members on
moderation. That is consistent with my moderating style over the years
- Ironically over the last week many posts have got stuck in the
spam filter. Because I have been going to the administrative web page
regularly to check for moderated posts in quarantine I have let those other
posts under spam quarantine through immediately. In the past a post has been
known to get stuck there until it is automatically deleted after 10 days
hasta la vista
Chris Walsh
Melbourne, Australia
webpage: <http://www.cwalsh.com.au> www.cwalsh.com.au
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