Why are we so mean?

[Dan G]

Perhaps so few posts are reported by everyone else because when they were new, they just sat back to see what the culture of SB is, then just follow the lead. Look at the SM threads: That was one of the first threads I have ever followed closely on SB. At first I thought many of the posts were downright terrible. As time went by and the tone never changed, I figured, "that's how it is here on SB," and I figured that to report a post, it must have blatantly offensive language against traditionally oppressed groups, such as people of color, GLBTIQ, women, people of poverty, religious minorities or people with disabilities.

There are a few people who have caused me enough anguish so that I will NOT moderate them. Its a mod's duty to recuse themselves when its probable that any action can be tainted with dislike. More often than not, the mod in question does this to themselves, but every now an then they simply have to be told.

If you are not willing to moderate these 6 people, why would anyone else with absolutely zero power or control try? When someone posts a reply to insulting posts, in the attempt to keep our community civil, the offending poster typically just doubles down.

When SB Staff flame people, how am I meant to feel comfortable reporting any post? Again, SB Staff set the tone and we just follow along, never post for fear of getting flamed, or leave.

 

[Jax]

Perhaps so few posts are reported by everyone else because when they were new, they just sat back to see what the culture of SB is, then just follow the lead. Look at the SM threads: That was one of the first threads I have ever followed closely on SB. At first I thought many of the posts were downright terrible. As time went by and the tone never changed, I figured, "that's how it is here on SB," and I figured that to report a post, it must have blatantly offensive language against traditionally oppressed groups, such as people of color, GLBTIQ, women, people of poverty, religious minorities or people with disabilities.

SM threads???? could you give an example?

 

[Dan G]

SM threads???? could you give an example?

The Scuba Mau accident threads were rife with insults. Furthermore many people tried to get a poster, WSOPFAN, to stop making incendiary posts and he/she wouldn't. All it resulted in was people threatening to 'report' each other. When I see that, especially as someone new to the board and with minimal diving experience, the idea of the community policing itself, goes out the window a bit.

 

[TSandM]

Not to be annoying, but please let's not make this a thread about the general moderation or lack of it on ScubaBoard. I started this in the DIR forum because it's my perception that there are a number of self-identified DIR divers here who are often rather short or even rude to other posters. The purpose of the thread was to try to encourage DIR divers to be more polite and tactful in their advice and criticisms, so that DIR diving and divers don't come across to the remainder of SB as a bunch of mannerless jerks . . .

 

[Jax]

The Scuba Mau accident threads were rife with insults. Furthermore many people tried to get a poster, WSOPFAN, to stop making incendiary posts and he/she wouldn't. All it resulted in was people threatening to 'report' each other. When I see that, especially as someone new to the board and with minimal diving experience, the idea of the community policing itself, goes out the window a bit.

I see. Actually, I thought you meant the Sidemount threads.

 

[Jax]

Not to be annoying, but please let's not make this a thread about the general moderation or lack of it on ScubaBoard. I started this in the DIR forum because it's my perception that there are a number of self-identified DIR divers here who are often rather short or even rude to other posters. The purpose of the thread was to try to encourage DIR divers to be more polite and tactful in their advice and criticisms, so that DIR diving and divers don't come across to the remainder of SB as a bunch of mannerless jerks . . .

:huh: You want us to stay on topic? This IS ScubaBoard, y'know.



Okay, joking aside . . . There seem to be some arrogant individuals, not just dir, but all of them, that just like to revel in the "I'm better than you" mentality. Some people seem to be bound and determined to convince the hapless inquirer that s/he is wrong, which is seemingly way more important than actually answering the question.

[sarcasm] I especially like the knee-jerk reaction, "I'm not going to answer your question, because you might go out and do it, and you're gonna die!" [/sarcasm]

 

[The Chairman]

If you are not willing to moderate these 6 people, why would anyone else with absolutely zero power or control try?

You missed my point. I will moderate all but two people here on ScubaBoard. My ethics won't allow my jaundiced view of them to be a part of the moderating process. They are not a part of the six or so people I referred to. Its not fair to them or the community for me to make decisions where those decisions can be so easily skewed by personnel differences.

When someone posts a reply to insulting posts, in the attempt to keep our community civil, the offending poster typically just doubles down.

Well, duh. That's why we have report post at the bottom of each and every post. Don't engage them: report them.

When SB Staff flame people,

Report the post(s) in question. If you don't we won't know that they upset you.

how am I meant to feel comfortable reporting any post?

I don't understand what's so uncomfortable about reporting a post. Rly. Its your community and you can affect it by letting us know what you like and don't like. Reporting posts helps us with the latter.

Again, SB Staff set the tone and we just follow along, never post for fear of getting flamed, or leave.

Many reports we get are not on target. In fact, the mods act on more egregious posts that they see in the green zones than users ID. Having a differing opinion is not a "flame". Using humor is not a flame. Telling someone you don't like their gear choice is not a flame.

The purpose of this thread is to engender civility and gentility on the forum. Looky! It was started by a mod! Look at the constructive criticism given to even another mod. Are either of them perfect? Nope. They both have faults with some more obvious than the other. Make no mistake about it: we are flawed people trying to "moderate" the forum. They aren't meant to be police, but they do listen and they listen well. They tend to moderate with moderation too, which beats the heck out of over-moderation.

But getting back to the root of this thread... each of us, mod and non-mod alike, should look to see how we can become a better advocate for Scuba. While Lynne has seen fit to put the focus on DIR, I think the problem is a bit bigger. While I don't want to dilute her message of tolerating strokes to her brothers and sisters, I think this is an area all of us can grow in... including me! Its easy to see the mote in your brother's eye and miss the big board sticking out of your own. That's human nature. We will always see ourselves as special and everyone else as less so. It makes it easy to criticize others for any perceived fault, real or otherwise. This isn't optimal for leaning or teaching. Its time to do some reflection and make some changes. It certainly won't hurt any of us to do that.

 

[Cyprian]

I see. Actually, I thought you meant the Sidemount threads.

No worries, Jax, I actually thought the same thing! I even went to the sidemount forum to try to find the post Dan was talking about because it is one of the forums I try to make it a habit to view, and I did not remember a thread such as mentioned.

 

[Cyprian]

Not to be annoying, but please let's not make this a thread about the general moderation or lack of it on ScubaBoard. I started this in the DIR forum because it's my perception that there are a number of self-identified DIR divers here who are often rather short or even rude to other posters. The purpose of the thread was to try to encourage DIR divers to be more polite and tactful in their advice and criticisms, so that DIR diving and divers don't come across to the remainder of SB as a bunch of mannerless jerks . . .

Lynne, thank you. I believe your idea is well intentioned and well accepted, even by those who agree but choose not to speak. Overall I've found the DIR crowd on SB to be a good bunch of folk. While some might attack ideas when people come trolling in the DIR forum, I've communicated with a few of these so-called "attackers" via PM and always found their answers clear, concise, and cordial.

Cyp

 

[nadwidny]

Not to be annoying, but please let's not make this a thread about the general moderation or lack of it on ScubaBoard. I started this in the DIR forum because it's my perception that there are a number of self-identified DIR divers here who are often rather short or even rude to other posters. The purpose of the thread was to try to encourage DIR divers to be more polite and tactful in their advice and criticisms, so that DIR diving and divers don't come across to the remainder of SB as a bunch of mannerless jerks . . .

And where is the fun in that?