Moderator Procedure Updates
[Targeted at better debate management]
[INTRO]
Greetings everyone! Over the years, we have had our fair share of debates. The activity was formally introduced almost 5 years ago with the creation of Law and Order! Or a good place for a friendly argument. Many forummers took part in and enjoyed the intellectually stimulating challenges that friendly arguments provided. Eventually, though, certain unspoken rules for civil conduct began to slip away. Time did not improve the situation, and it must be addressed.
The mods and I have been thinking about this for a while, but only recently did a good solution come to mind. Before, we took an all-or-nothing route: if things got out of hand, we would close the topic. That strategy really only worked as a temporary solution and left the door open for further problems, which are now dividing this community.
Now, however, we will take a different tack. We are going to attempt to create a balance between the two good desires driving concern over this issue: the noble desire to discover and share truth, and the virtuous desire to keep our forums welcoming for all.
[PLAN]
Enforce the Guidelines.
When we see a post, debate or otherwise, that does not agree with a strict interpretation of our Community Guidelines, it will be immediately deleted.
In light of this new approach the Law and Order topic will be reopened as a place for debates, but with all participants aware that infractions of civility as described in the guidelines will be dealt with immediately and strongly.
[Before, the moderator system had developed naturally so all mods were consulted before decisions were made. This made sense with one, two, or three mods, but as we accepted more mods to the team, it became increasingly ineffective. This new approach will return my team to traditional moderator roles, where we are exercising judgment based on the rules through everything we individually read, rather than a mod jury.]
[Q&A]
Q: What will happen when my post is deleted?
We will alert anyone whose post was deleted and provide a reason. They will be free to "try again," or they may appeal the decision and all moderators will review the situation. We may take private requests to recover a deleted post's text for future draft purposes. However, to be certain your words will not be lost, it is up to you to think before you post!
Q: How will I know if my post is good enough?
Does it, to the best of your discernment, fully pass the Guidelines for content and tone? If so, your post is A-OK! One guaranteed-successful way to check your post is by stepping back and asking, "Am I displaying a Christlike attitude?"
Q: What subjects will be allowed for discussion?
As of now, we have no banned subjects besides what the Guidelines implicitly ban. If you can talk about a topic so that it is completely clean, suitable for any 9-12 year old to read, it should be fine.
Q: How does this accomplish your goals of balance between the community's two main desires?
Truth seekers, you have your topics back! There is now a haven for your discussion once more. And for those concerned about the forums' age-appropriateness and friendliness, our new conservative take on the Guidelines will increase proactive moderation significantly. I think you will be pleasantly surprised at the results.
Q: I have a question that's not listed?
Please do ask it in Talk to the Mods! We want everything to be as clear as possible.
[CONCLUSION]
Thank you for reading this! I hope that we, the people of Aethasia that make up this community, will be able to experience a new period of harmony and enjoyment in fellowship together through this new system. Please continue to share your thoughts, because they are highly valued by the moderation team. We will continue to work on keeping this forums the place you all know and love, a place for everyone that is dedicated to the Scarlet Man in deed and in truth.
