Why I Think Explanations Should Be GIven for Deleted Threads

[KillarneyRose]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Well, as I understand it, KillarneyRose asked in my other thread something along these lines:
Since that thread got deleted before I had a chance to see the question and answer, here is why I think the mods owe an explanation.

The mod needs to be able to explain why such a thread will not be tolerated. "Hints" don't cut it. How did the Shame thread violate the rules of this forum? Deletions without explanations suggest that the rules are whatever a mod wants to them to be. Perhaps it's the lawyer in me, but we would say that appears to arbitrary and capricious. If a mod can't articulate why a post or thread violates the rules of this forum, then the post or thread shouldn't be deleted, and GCers have no basis for guaging what is or isn't allowed in the future. (And FWIW, I would always vote for the threads being locked over threads being deleted.)

As others have said, sometimes it's abundantly clear why a post or thread is deleted. But it wasn't at all clear in the Shame thread. As far as I could tell, the only thing happening there was questioning the actions of some mods. The only hint I got from the deletion of that thread was "Questioning the mods will not be tolerated." I can't find that in the rules of this forum anywhere.

As I said, other forums I participate in not only have the mods provide explanations but warnings as well -- "X violates the rules of this forum. If you continue to do x, action will be taken." I think that's a good thing, both for purposes of clarity of what is and isn't tolerated and for the purposes of encouraging even-handed application of the rules. And it's in the best interests of the mods -- it helps avoids even the appearance of arbitrariness.

The way it's been going here the lately makes it appear that some mods are making it up as they go along and are making decisions based not on actual violations of the forum rules but on on a more personal, "I don't like what you said" basis. Note carefully: I said "appear." I'm not saying mods are doing that; I'm saying that's what it can look like to the rest of us.

Simply put, it comes across less as moderating and more as power-tripping. In my opinion, the mods do themselves no favors by not giving explanations.

Thank you, MysticCat, for your opinion. People, THIS how you do it if you want a thread to stay open. Civil, reasonable, no personal attacks, no sock puppetry.

In other words, do not post here after hitting the crackpipe and maybe, just maybe, progress can be made.

KTHXBYE

[Iota Man]

Originally Posted by KillarneyRose

Thank you, MysticCat, for your opinion. People, THIS how you do it if you want a thread to stay open. Civil, reasonable, no personal attacks, no sock puppetry.

In other words, do not post here after hitting the crackpipe and maybe, just maybe, progress can be made.

KTHXBYE

Bet, so now that we've all come to an agreement, can we get the keys to Free DrPhil?

[KillarneyRose]

Originally Posted by Iota Man

Bet, so now that we've all come to an agreement, can we get the keys to Free DrPhil?

One more reply then I promise I'll duck out of this thread and let you all play.

Iota Man, a poster isn't generally banned until a consensus is reached that he or she has, basically, turned the bend to crazytown. If that poster wants to come back and conducts himself/herself in a civil and reasonable manner and abstains from personal attacks, he or she is welcome to rejoin. As far as I know the IP address hasn't been flagged.

[Iota Man]

Originally Posted by KillarneyRose

One more reply then I promise I'll duck out of this thread and let you all play.

Iota Man, a poster isn't generally banned until a consensus is reached that he or she has, basically, turned the bend to crazytown. If that poster wants to come back and conducts himself/herself in a civil and reasonable manner and abstains from personal attacks, he or she is welcome to rejoin. As far as I know the IP address hasn't been flagged.

Flagging an IP address doesn't make sense, because IP addresses change all the time. So y'all (as moderators) come to an agreement that somebody has crossed the line? Do y'all ever send warnings to the user? Did y'all send one to DrPhil, because y'all didn't send me shit before coming to agreement to ban me.

With the explanation part of the discussion. I don't think a mod should have to give an explanation of why a thread was deleted because that just opens up room for more debate. Close the shit and be done with it, but at the same time don't sit up here and ban a mofo without giving that username a warning via PM.

[agzg]

Originally Posted by Iota Man

Flagging an IP address doesn't make sense, because IP addresses change all the time. So y'all (as moderators) come to an agreement that somebody has crossed the line? Do y'all ever send warnings to the user? Did y'all send one to DrPhil, because y'all didn't send me shit before coming to agreement to ban me.

With the explanation part of the discussion. I don't think a mod should have to give an explanation of why a thread was deleted because that just opens up room for more debate. Close the shit and be done with it, but at the same time don't sit up here and ban a mofo without giving that username a warning via PM.

You might have deserved a warning, but DrPhil didn't need one.

[Iota Man]

Originally Posted by agzg

You might have deserved a warning, but DrPhil didn't need one.

Maybe she went too far, maybe she didn't. Neiter you or I know all the facts. If she didn't get a warning, she should have, whether you feel she needed one or not.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by shirley1929

Clear to whom? I would say that Carnation has the most Panhellenically-minded family of anyone on this forum.

I personally saw the locking as "I've got the groundwork for the story started & I don't want to hear a bunch of shizz from people until I can tell the whole story after the fact".

She explained her reasoning for listing 4 groups...why can't anyone take that at face value?

There is a back story/rumors that people have been tossing around for years that you may not be privy to. That being said, I don't think carnation meant anything by her list of made up names. People will read into it what they will. I'm not surprised the thread was closed before it turned into a epic trainwreck.

Originally Posted by agzg

You might have deserved a warning, but DrPhil didn't need one.

Agreed. Jesus flipping the bird was her swansong.

[Iota Man]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

Agreed. Jesus flipping the bird was her swansong.

It had to have been more than just giving somebody the finger. I've seen old posts, long before I joined GC where other mofos posted the same shit, and their account is still active.

[ForeverRoses]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

There is a back story/rumors that people have been tossing around for years that you may not be privy to. That being said, I don't think carnation meant anything by her list of made up names. People will read into it what they will. I'm not surprised the thread was closed before it turned into a epic trainwreck.


Agreed. Jesus flipping the bird was her swansong.

Wow. I missed that one.

When I read the recruitment story in question, I was a bit surprised to only see four groups listed- it did seem odd at first. But I took the explaination at face value once one was given. But then again, Carnation has two daughters that are my sorority sisters, so maybe I'm a bit biased.

Then again, this is an internet chat group. I try and take everything with a grain of salt. I've also re-read some of my posts, and I've discovered I'm a bit boring on greek chat. I'm really not this lame in real life (just ask AOIIAlum about some of my facebook posts)

[shirley1929]

Originally Posted by agzg

You might have deserved a warning, but DrPhil didn't need one.

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

Agreed. Jesus flipping the bird was her swansong.

+1 to all this. I enjoyed DrPhil's perspective, but she took herself down purposefully. And to say that she was "goaded into" it is ridiculous. I think she has her own self restraint to step away from the keyboard if she'd wanted to. She didn't want to.

[Iota Man]

Originally Posted by KillarneyRose

Thank you, MysticCat, for your opinion. People, THIS how you do it if you want a thread to stay open. Civil, reasonable, no personal attacks, no sock puppetry.

Since when have you known several people in one discussion being civil, and reasonable? Whenever you have several folks debating about one topic, shit is going to get out of hand at some point.