Forum Facilitator Clarification

[cybercoma]

I was under the impression that the forum facilitator position was not one that could edit, move, or delete posts. Was I wrong or has that changed? I recently came across a post where the Forum Facilitator removed an image that a poster presented on the grounds that it wasn't relative to the argument, which seems to be a subjective opinion. Can we be clear about the role of the Forum Facilitator here? I want to know if that position will be modifying and/or deleting members' posts going forward.

[WWWTT]

Good thread cybercoma!

I myself am not pleased that the forum facilitator can contribute to debates and start threads, but has special privileges that the rest of us don't!

I consider it to be a problem that has helped contribute to the common belief here that the moderation can use some improving!

WWWTT

[Michael Hardner]

Yes, in fact this is new. Greg and Charles need to clarify this change.

[waldo]

Yes, in fact this is new. Greg and Charles need to clarify this change.

what else can you do? Does this now mean the board actually has more than a single board moderator? As for that pic you removed, the one I didn't see, is your justification in line with the much ready-reached for, wholly subjective, "doesn't add anything to the discussion" goto? Can we have the change clarification also speak to the subjective sanitizing criteria behind your decision to remove the pic?

[Michael Hardner]

what else can you do?

I'm not sure what I am able to do, with the technology. My duties here are limited more by what Charles/Greg decide than by the technology.

is your justification in line with the much ready-reached for, wholly subjective, "doesn't add anything to the discussion" goto?

Yes, it has to be subjective necessarily.

Can we have the change clarification also speak to the subjective sanitizing criteria behind your decision to remove the pic?

The latest trend is to post a picture of somebody with their quote superimposed, so you can just quote them in text.

[cybercoma]

Sorry, MH. I'm not trying to criticize you here, so I hope the thread doesn't come off that way. I've just never seen you edit a post before, so I was surprised. Just wanted clarification on what your role is now. My own opinion is that it would be good if you had more control to delete spam and whatnot.

[waldo]

My own opinion is that it would be good if you had more control to delete spam and whatnot.

'and whatnot'... and there's the rub!

[guyser]

I've just never seen you edit a post before, so I was surprised.

Wasnt that CA who did that?

[Michael Hardner]

Just wanted clarification on what your role is now.

Yes, I think that's probably a good idea at this point.

[Charles Anthony]

As for that pic you removed, the one I didn't see, is your justification in line with the much ready-reached for, wholly subjective, "doesn't add anything to the discussion" goto?

It is a bit more than that.

It is more like: "If the message you want to transmit through an image is more accurately and reliably conveyed by typing it out, then type it out. If you post an image that can be misconstrued without text and you refuse to accompany your image with text to pre-emptively avoid any misunderstanding, then it will likely be tossed by a mod."

Can we have the change clarification also speak to the subjective sanitizing criteria behind your decision to remove the pic?

I will speak to that: I have 100% confidence in MH's discretion in this capacity.

For a while now, MH has been recommending certain images be deleted. We discuss them aforehand before acting. Sometimes we agree. Sometimes we do not. That was the past.

Now, he has the authority to toss images on his own accord and he reports his actions.

[Michael Hardner]

To add:

I have technical ability to modify/delete posts - which is useful in deleting images, eliminating spam and so on. My functions on here, though, are limited by what Charles and Greg allow. I still am not allowed to suspend/warn posters - that's with the mods. I facilitate conversation and clean it up a bit.

If you feel that I transgress, then please feel free to report me. It does happen sometimes that my role in moving the conversation along can be confused with me just discussing things, and I have been asked to clarify statements in the past and had complaints too. It's all fair, and I harbour no ill will towards anybody here including those who complain or ask for clarity in what I'm posting.

[waldo]

I facilitate conversation and clean it up a bit.

If you feel that I transgress, then please feel free to report me. It does happen sometimes that my role in moving the conversation along can be confused with me just discussing things, and I have been asked to clarify statements in the past and had complaints too.

perhaps when you're playing 'devil's advocate'... to move that conversation along... you could make it a little more obvious. It's getting harder to interpret just what your real thoughts are anymore (notwithstanding the "moderation indoctrination" you're clearly being subject to )

[Michael Hardner]

That's the tricky thing - often my views on a topic are that the discussion needs tone better - as with trade, Open Gov, and so on.

So sometimes my response applies to the discussion here AND in the public.

[Charles Anthony]

It's getting harder to interpret just what your real thoughts are anymore (notwithstanding the "moderation indoctrination" you're clearly being subject to )

I wonder how the real thoughts of a mod staff (or any member of the forum) may matter.